PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Paulo Mendes (ranked 1874 p4p, 933 weight class) and Terrell Knight (ranked 250 p4p, 128 weight class). Mendes's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Future - Last Breath. Knight has chosen HonestKey- Keep Fightin' as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Mendes
vs
Knight

180 cm
22
186
4 - 1 - 0

177 cm
23
179
8 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Fantasy Threads

Honest Apparel ($30 SPECIAL ALL Shorts!)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Paulo Mendes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Terrell Knight!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Trevor Gratis and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mendes slips a straight right by Knight.
Knight misses with a left hand

so Mendes counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Mendes trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Mendes passes Knight's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Knight avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Mendes.
Knight controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Knight keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mendes is thwarting Knight's attempts to control the position.
Mendes not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knight is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Knight felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Mendes wants to take a breather but Knight is having none of it.

Mendes is working for an americana but Knight has been sneaky and has managed to get back to half guard, whilst Mendes was thinking about the submission.
Mendes pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Knight is keeping the position for now.
Mendes throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Knight works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Knight looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Knight avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Knight keeping moving, preventing Mendes from controlling successfully.
Knight keeping full guard, as Mendes tries to pass.
Mendes is in close to Knight's body, working some short punches and elbows.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mendes loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Mendes throws a strike but Knight rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Knight postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Knight is looking to work some ground and pound but Mendes has wrist control.
Knight trying to control the position from guard on top but Mendes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Knight controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Mendes is on top in guard.

Mendes trying to control the position from guard on top but Knight is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Knight has control of Mendes's left arm, preventing Mendes from doing any damage.
Knight keeping moving, preventing Mendes from controlling successfully.
Mendes throws a strike but Knight rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Knight tries to stand but Mendes is controlling from the bottom.
Knight trying to control but Mendes is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mendes lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Mendes trying to control the position from guard on top but Knight is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Knight is pulling down on Mendes's head to control his posture.

Mendes drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Knight manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Mendes has Knight in his guard.

Knight must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Knight trying to control the position from guard on top but Mendes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mendes has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Knight trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Mendes being controlled here, momentarily.
Knight sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Mendes's guard.
Mendes trying to control but Knight postures up.
Mendes is looking for a sweep. Knight is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Mendes wants to control but Knight is keeping busy.
Knight slows the pace down in half guard.
Mendes is trying to maintain the position but Knight is very close to passing his half guard.
Well, if Knight is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Mendes wants to improve his position but Knight is controlling well.
Ground and pound from Knight.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Mendes is trying to get back to full guard.

Mendes actively working from the bottom here.
Knight controlling the action here.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Knight throws a hook but Mendes blocks it.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Mendes is defended easily by Knight.
Nice shot by Knight.

It looks like Paulo Mendes has been cut.
Mendes looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Mendes shoots in but no luck this time.
Jab from Knight.
Knight lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Mendes misses with a takedown attempt
and Knight counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Paulo Mendes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mendes shoots and misses
and Knight counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
A punch lands to the side of Mendes 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Knight lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mendes ducks under a wild hook from Knight.
Knight stuffs the takedown attempt from Mendes. Mendes gets slowly back to his feet.
Mendes misses with an uppercut.
Terrell Knight seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Knight throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Mendes stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Mendes shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Knight swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Mendes.
Mendes doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Knight connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Knight looks to throw the jab but Mendes is out of range.
Knight is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Mendes had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.
Knight lands with a right hand.
Knight throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Mendes counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Knight!
Mendes throws an elbow but Knight slips to the side and avoids it well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Knight can't do much from the bottom here.
Mendes throws an elbow but Knight slips to the side and avoids it well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Terrell Knight dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Paulo Mendes's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Mendes looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Knight lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Knight has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Knight scores with a body shot.
Knight throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mendes sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Knight connects with a jab.
Mendes blocks a jab.
Mendes half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Knight pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Paulo Mendes is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mendes takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Nice body punch from Knight.
Mendes drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knight getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
A shot to the body from Knight misses

so Mendes counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Knight seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Knight working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Mendes.
Knight trying to keep a closed guard but Mendes is proving a slippery customer.
Mendes working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Knight is pulling down on Mendes's head. It's preventing any offense from Mendes, at least for the moment.
Mendes in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knight looking to hit a scissor sweep but Mendes is one step ahead there.
Mendes wants to control from the top but Knight keeps moving.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Knight lands a nice looking body shot.
Jab from Knight.
Mendes slips a straight right by Knight.
Mendes tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Knight manages to circle out of the way.
Mendes wants to clinch up but Knight keeps it at a distance.
Knight connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendes looks to clinch
and Knight counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Mendes scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Knight tries to bench press Mendes off him but Mendes keeps the position.
Mendes trying to control the position but Knight is working away.
Who's going to make the next move?
Knight stops Mendes from passing to mount.
What's Knight going to do here then? He's in a bit of a pickle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mendes works to advance to full mount. Knight defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Mendes sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Mendes throwing strikes but Knight bucks up and reverses the position. He's now in guard on top.
Knight preventing the sweep.
Knight keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Mendes's head.
Mendes controls Knight momentarily but Knight frees himself.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Knight controls from within his opponent's guard.
Mendes looking to control.
Mendes keeping moving, preventing Knight from controlling successfully.
Knight is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

Mendes had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Knight defends it easily.
Knight won't allow Mendes to sweep him here.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Knight stays in close to Mendes's body and controls the position.
Paulo Mendes overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Knight is pushing down on Mendes's leg trying to pass to half guard. Mendes is fighting to maintain full guard but Knight has managed to sneak the leg through.
Mendes tries to get to full guard but Knight has control of the leg.
Knight content to control rather than advance.
Knight thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Mendes manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Mendes is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Knight seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Mendes preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Mendes slips a straight right by Knight.
As Knight tries to get set, Mendes tries to push him back and clinch up but Knight manages to avoid the attempt.
Mendes bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Mendes tries to move into range but Knight moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Mendes ducks under a wild hook from Knight.
As Knight tries to get set, Mendes tries to push him back and clinch up but Knight manages to avoid the attempt.
Knight misses the shot to the body.
An attempted straight right counter from Mendes misses the target.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Mendes shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Knight as he avoids it easily.
Knight missing with a left hand there. Mendes was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Mendes was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
A slow jab from Knight misses its intended target.
Knight misses with a wild body shot.
Terrell Knight seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Mendes feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Knight bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Mendes's guard.

Knight connects with a couple of short punches.
Knight is working Mendes over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Knight controls from within his opponent's guard.
Knight makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Knight trying to control the position from guard on top but Mendes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Knight controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Mendes controls Knight momentarily but Knight frees himself.
Mendes being controlled here, momentarily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Knight trying to control the position from guard on top but Mendes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Terrell Knight showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Paulo Mendes's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Knight lands a nice shot to the body.
Knight misses with a straight right.
Knight cracks a nice hook into Mendes's ribs.
Knight is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Knight throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
As Knight tries to get set, Mendes tries to push him back and clinch up but Knight manages to avoid the attempt.
Knight throws a big shot that misses.
Mendes wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Mendes uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Knight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mendes avoids the body shot from Knight.
Knight leaves Mendes with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Knight now looks to counter with a shot at the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendes has a takedown stuffed.
Knight doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
A big right from Knight misses.
Knight throws a jab but it's blocked by Mendes.
Mendes is looking to clinch.
Mendes drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Knight swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Mendes.
Mendes slips a jab and a cross from Knight.
Mendes avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Mendes gets cracked there but stands up to it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knight throws a hook but Mendes blocks it.
Mendes changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Knight connects with a crisp jab.
Knight connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Knight thows a left - swing and a miss!
Knight looks to land a right hand but Mendes moved out of range.
Knight throws a hook but Mendes avoids it easily.
Mendes has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Mendes there as he acknowledges the shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mendes fails in his attempt to clinch.
It seemed like Knight was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Mendes defending well as Knight loads up on a big left hand.
Mendes takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendes on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Mendes misses with a takedown attempt
and Knight connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Paulo Mendes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mendes takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Knight fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mendes manages to avoid it.
Mendes appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Knight misses the shot to the body.
Mendes moves in looking to clinch but Knight pushes him off.
Mendes displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Knight throws out the jab.
Mendes shoots for a takedown but Knight saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Mendes shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Knight pinned against the cage. Knight gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knight looks to throw the jab but Mendes is out of range.
Knight connects with a good right hand that stumbles Mendes. Mendes circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Mendes avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Mendes doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Mendes shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Knight sprawls well. Knight wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Mendes gets slowly back to his feet.
A jab lands there for Knight.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Mendes thuds his right hand into Knight's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Knight tests Mendes's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A big right from Knight misses.
Knight works Mendes's body with a nice hook.
Knight connects with a good right hand that stumbles Mendes. Mendes circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Knight lands a glancing blow to the side of Mendes's head.
Terrell Knight is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nice sprawl there from Knight as Mendes shoots in.
Mendes's corner calls for a 1-2. Mendes obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Mendes closes this distance looking for a takedown but Knight circles away.
Knight stalks Mendes and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Mendes's face. Mendes staggers backwards, shaken.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mendes tries to clinch up but Knight circles away and keeps his distance.
Mendes moves out of range as Knight strikes.
A swing and a miss from Mendes.
Mendes tries for a takedown but Knight sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Knight lands a nice shot that snaps Mendes's head back.
Mendes on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Knight with a nice cross.
No joy there for Knight, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Mendes throws a lazy uppercut
and Knight counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Knight with a body punch. A glancing blow.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Mendes tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Knight defends well and Mendes ends up having to push Knight into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Mendes jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Knight walks away with a smile on his face. Mendes gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Mendes looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Knight throws the left hand but Mendes avoids the punch easily.
Knight fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mendes manages to avoid it.
Mendes tries for a takedown but Knight circles away easily
and Knight cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Knight lands a slapping body shot.
Knight lands a glancing blow to the side of Mendes's head.
Knight wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Mendes throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Knight's waist but Knight gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Mendes off to one side.
Mendes slips a straight right by Knight.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Knight, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Knight missing with a left hand there. Mendes was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Knight throws a jab when Mendes was well out of range.
Mendes shoots in for a double leg but Knight sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Mendes has his takedown stuffed
and Knight counters with a nice uppercut.
Knight just misses with a punch to the body.
Knight throws a hook but Mendes avoids it easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mendes ducks under a wild hook from Knight.
Knight throws a hook but Mendes blocks it.
Mendes attempts a counter takedown but Knight avoids it well and moves away.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Mendes with a poor takedown
enabling Knight to counter with a crisp jab.
Knight scores with a nice head shot.
Mendes wants to clinch up but Knight keeps it at a distance.
Mendes takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Mendes tries for a takedown but Knight sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A jab from Knight misses.
An attempted straight right counter from Mendes misses the target.
Mendes fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Knight throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
It looked like Mendes was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Knight swings for the body but Mendes moves out of range.
Paulo Mendes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Terrell Knight is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Nice body punch from Knight.

And that's the end of the fight!
Terrell Knight comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Knight winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 26:30
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 26:30
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Terrell Knight!
Our winner, Terrell Knight, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.