PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joe Mendez (ranked 1453 p4p, 1427 weight class) and Mitch Kingston (ranked 165 p4p, 163 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Mendez
vs
Kingston

188 cm
33
275
18 - 10 - 0

199 cm
23
255
7 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

NARCOS
Shadow Realm Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Joe Mendez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mitch Kingston!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, David Schapiro and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mendez misses with a right hand
and Kingston counters with a slapping leg kick.
Mendez moves away from the strike by Kingston.
Mendez tries to counter with a takedown but Kingston is quick to defend against it.
Mendez tries for a takedown but Kingston circles away easily
and Kingston counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Mendez swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Nice cross by Kingston.

It looks like Joe Mendez has been cut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mendez closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Kingston to the mat! Kingston manages to get full guard.
Mendez in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Mendez postures up in Kingston's guard and throws a big left but Kingston blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendez throwing strikes but missing.
Mendez throwing strikes from guard but Kingston blocks nicely.
Mendez landing some decent shots from guard.
Kingston working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Mendez.
Mendez throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Mendez working some strikes from top position.
Mendez lands a couple of digs.
Mendez tries to free his leg and advance position but Kingston is retaining full guard.
Mendez postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Kingston pulls Mendez in close to prevent any damage.
Mendez working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kingston trying to control the position here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kingston controls Mendez momentarily but Mendez frees himself.
Mendez in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Mendez throws a big right hand that misses.
Kingston utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Mendez keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Kingston's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendez wants to control from the top but Kingston keeps moving.
Mendez with a nice head shot there.
Mendez throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kingston seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Kingston avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Mendez postures up in Kingston's guard and throws a big left but Kingston blocks it.
Kingston is pulling down on Mendez's head to control his posture.
Mendez throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kingston works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Mendez connects with a couple of short punches.
Kingston is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Kingston pulls Mendez in to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mendez working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Mendez works over Kingston with some ground and pound from guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kingston is trying to keep Mendez in close.
Kingston keeping moving, preventing Mendez from controlling successfully.
Mendez passes easily into side control. Nice work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kingston parries the strikes from Mendez easily there. Mendez is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Kingston to escape.
Mendez is putting a hurting on Kingston here, landing some big shots from side control.
Mendez trying to control the action but Kingston is working from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Mendez dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Joe Mendez's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Mendez misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kingston uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Mendez.
Kingston lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
The fighters circling - Kingston throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kingston lands with a nice combination. Mendez backs away looking to recover.
Kingston misses with a right hand

and Mendez counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Kingston keeping moving, preventing Mendez from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mendez loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Mendez is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Kingston controls Mendez momentarily but Mendez frees himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kingston is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Mendez lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Mendez postures up and lands a big shot to Kingston's brow.
Mendez in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Mendez trying to control but Kingston is working from the bottom.
Mendez with a flurry of punches that miss.
Kingston not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Mendez is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kingston can do to turn this around?
Mendez with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mendez is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Mendez landing with the ground and pound.
Mendez trying to control the position from guard on top but Kingston is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mendez working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Mendez lands a couple of digs.
Kingston utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Mendez keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Kingston's head.
Mendez throwing strikes from guard but Kingston blocks nicely.
Mendez is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Mendez missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kingston seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendez stands up over Kingston, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Mendez postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kingston trying to keep a closed guard but Mendez is proving a slippery customer.
Mendez postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Mendez throwing strikes from guard but Kingston blocks nicely.
Mendez postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Mendez looking to sit in guard and control but Kingston gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Kingston stands and steps away. Mendez gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Mendez.
Mendez lands with an overhand left.
Mitch Kingston is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mendez swings widly with a right hand
and Kingston connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Mendez shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kingston but Kingston pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A shot to the liver by Kingston. Beautiful body shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Mendez dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Joe Mendez's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Kingston enables Mendez to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Kingston manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Mendez keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Kingston's head.
Kingston wants to sweep but no luck.
Kingston is controlling Mendez's posture.
Kingston avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kingston utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Mendez being controlled here momentarily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mendez postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Joe Mendez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Mendez is looking to work some ground and pound but Kingston has wrist control.
Mendez throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kingston controls Mendez momentarily but Mendez frees himself.
Mendez throwing strikes from guard but Kingston blocks nicely.
Kingston working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Mendez.
Mendez with a flurry of punches that miss.
Mendez postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kingston has momentary wrist control but Mendez slips an elbow through the middle.
Mendez is looking to work some ground and pound but Kingston has wrist control.
Mendez lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Kingston is pulling down on Mendez's head. It's preventing any offense from Mendez, at least for the moment.
Kingston preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kingston is trying to keep Mendez in close.
Mendez has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Mendez throwing strikes but missing.
Mendez with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Mendez's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Mendez got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kingston has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Mendez has managed to get both his arms back between Kingston's legs - danger averted.
Mendez trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Mendez might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Mendez accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Mendez throws a big right hand that misses.
Mendez connects with a couple of short punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendez working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Mendez is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Mendez trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kingston controls Mendez momentarily but Mendez frees himself.
Mendez throws a big elbow that misses.
Mendez with a nice head shot there.
Mendez throws a strike but Kingston rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Mendez wants to sweep but no luck.
Mendez trying to control the position here.
Kingston wants to pass the guard but Mendez is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mendez wants to stand and escape but Kingston is having none of it.
Mendez is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Mendez looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kingston tries to free his leg and advance position but Mendez is retaining full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Mendez clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Joe Mendez's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Mendez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kingston.
Mendez throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A countering left hand to the body from Kingston misses.
Mendez cracks Kingston with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Kingston motions for Mendez to come forward. Kingston throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Mendez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kingston.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mendez throws a looping overhand right but Kingston ducks down to avoid it.
Kingston throws a poor cross that misses
and Mendez counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A cross from Kingston lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kingston tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mendez was well out of range. Poor timing from Kingston.
Kingston stuffs the takedown.
Kingston wants to slow Mendez down by chopping away at his legs.
Mendez appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Kingston lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Kingston lands with a straight right. Mendez didn't see that one coming.
Mendez misses with a hook.
Mendez keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kingston displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Mendez.
Kingston throws a nice outside leg kick.
Kingston misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mendez.
Mendez scores with a crisp jab that stopped Kingston in his tracks.
Kingston looks to land a left hand but Mendez moved out of range nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendez bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Kingston's head backwards.
A slow jab from Kingston misses its intended target.
Mendez misses with a takedown attempt
enabling Kingston to counter with a crisp jab.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joe Mendez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mendez cracks Kingston with an open hand slap.
Kingston swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Mendez with a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mendez moves out of range as Kingston strikes.
Kingston uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Mendez.
Mendez misses with a takedown
and Kingston cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Mendez darts in looking for a takedown but Kingston gets double underhooks and turns Mendez into the cage.
Kingston appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Mendez goes for a takedown attempt but Kingston pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Kingston moves out of range of the strikes.
Kingston now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mendez misses with a looping right.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Mitch Kingston will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Joe Mendez's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Horrible takedown attempt by Mendez or perhaps it was just good defense by Kingston, which made it look bad.
Kingston tries a quick counter leg kick but Mendez is wise to it.
Mitch Kingston has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kingston fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Mendez checks it well.
Kingston misses with a hook.
Mendez has his takedown stuffed
and Kingston counters with a nice body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A swing and a miss from Mendez.
Kingston throws out a counter right but Mendez avoids it with no problem.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kingston connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Kingston throws a jab when Mendez was well out of range.
Kingston throws a low kick but it's checked well by Mendez.
Mendez misses with a hook.
Kingston misses with a hook. Mendez ducked under it nicely.
Mendez slips under a jab from Kingston.
Kingston takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mendez swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kingston let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Mendez dives in and grabs Kingston's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kingston pushes down on Mendez's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joe Mendez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mendez misses with an uppercut.
Kingston looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Kingston cracks Mendez with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Mendez punishes Kingston's body with a nice straight punch.
Mendez shoots in for a takedown but Kingston shows good takedown defense.
Kingston only half commits to the counter leg kick.
A slow jab from Kingston misses its intended target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kingston throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Mendez shoots in looking for a takedown but Kingston manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Mendez's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Kingston throws out a counter right but Mendez avoids it with no problem.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Kingston throws a lazy uppercut
and Mendez counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kingston misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mendez.
Kingston smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Nice shot by Kingston.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mendez closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Mendez lands in his opponent's guard.
Kingston seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

Kingston looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Mendez avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Mendez throwing strikes from guard but Kingston blocks nicely.
Joe Mendez is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mendez controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mitch Kingston comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Mendez has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 49:47
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 48:47
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joe Mendez!