PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ian Mesquita (ranked 528 p4p, 1055 weight class) and Ricky Sweet (ranked 80 p4p, 144 weight class). Ricky Sweet has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Ian Mesquita's chin.

Mesquita
vs
Sweet

185 cm
21
183
3 - 0 - 0

180 cm
20
180
7 - 0 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Good elbows
Heavy handed

Battleborn Apparel

Sakura Style

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ian Mesquita!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ricky Sweet!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice shot lands for Mesquita.
Sweet jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Mesquita connects with a body shot that sends Sweet's belly button to the back.
Sweet tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Sweet fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mesquita manages to avoid it.

Sweet clinches with his opponent.
Mesquita tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Sweet misses with a body punch.
Mesquita tries for a takedown. No joy.
Mesquita is leaning against Sweet and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Sweet tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Mesquita looking for a takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mesquita's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Sweet connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Mesquita uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Sweet has time to react.
Mesquita lands a jab to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mesquita scores with a jab to the head.
The fighters circling - Sweet throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mesquita keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Sweet.
Mesquita avoids the body shot from Sweet.
Mesquita appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Sweet jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Sweet takes a swing at Mesquita's ribcage but misses.
Ricky Sweet is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mesquita tries for a takedown but Sweet circles away easily

and Sweet holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ian Mesquita. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sweet creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Sweet swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Mesquita dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Sweet misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Mesquita lands a left hand.
Sweet is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Mesquita gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Sweet regains guard.
Mesquita missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mesquita throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Mesquita trying to control the position from guard on top but Sweet is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sweet preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Mesquita wants to control from the top but Sweet keeps moving.
Sweet wants to stand and escape but Mesquita is having none of it.
Sweet is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Mesquita dives into side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mesquita in side control, throwing shots but Sweet defends.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sweet defending against the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mesquita tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sweet dodges the ground and pound from Mesquita.
Mesquita working the body and head with strikes.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Sweet can do anything to dispel that myth.
Mesquita throws a strike aimed at the side of Sweet's head but Sweet avoids it well.
Mesquita grinds an elbow into Sweet's temple.
Sloppy strikes there by Mesquita.

Mesquita goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Sweet rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Mesquita's guard! Nice work there by Sweet!

Mesquita has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sweet can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Mesquita is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Mesquita not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Sweet really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Mesquita. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Mesquita trying to control from half guard but Sweet is working away.
Mesquita throwing shots but Sweet is blocking nicely.
Mesquita sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Sweet defending well though.
Mesquita missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mesquita prevents Sweet from standing back up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ian Mesquita dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Mesquita fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Sweet sprawls well initially but Mesquita persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Mesquita thows a huge punch but Sweet dodges it nicely.
Mesquita is taking a breather. Sweet says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Sweet tries to kick Mesquita off but Mesquita keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Mesquita passes to side control.
Mesquita tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mesquita working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Mesquita creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Sweet sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Mesquita throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Mesquita cracks Sweet with a big elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sweet is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Sweet parries the strikes from Mesquita easily there. Mesquita is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Sweet to escape.

Mesquita is trying to get an arm triangle but Sweet is defending well.
Mesquita throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Mesquita controlling the position from side mount.

Mesquita swings around for an armbar but Sweet sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Mesquita's guard.

Mesquita is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mesquita working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Sweet has passed into half guard!
Mesquita is looking for a sweep. Sweet is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Mesquita is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Belmiro Academy, so we'll see if he gets out of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mesquita is trying to control but can't.
Sweet seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Mesquita does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Mesquita is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Sweet wants to pass the guard but Mesquita is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Mesquita trying to control but Sweet postures up.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Mesquita looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Sweet pushes past his half guard into mount!
Mesquita working to try and regain half guard.
Mesquita sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mesquita has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Sweet is working away from the top position though.

Mesquita looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ian Mesquita dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Sweet keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sweet thows a left - swing and a miss!
Sweet throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Mesquita slips a straight right by Sweet.
Sweet bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Mesquita's head backwards.
Sweet is looking to clinch.
Decent striking displayed by Sweet there.
Sweet just misses with a punch to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Mesquita misses the target.
Sweet tries to clinch up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mesquita closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Sweet's guard.
Mesquita is looking to work some ground and pound but Sweet has wrist control.
Mesquita in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Mesquita with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sweet working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Mesquita.
Mesquita pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sweet is keeping the position for now.
Mesquita is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Mesquita loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Sweet keeping full guard, as Mesquita tries to pass.
Sweet working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Mesquita.
Mesquita scoring with punches to the head and body.
Sweet utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Mesquita looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mesquita with a flurry of punches that miss.
Mesquita throwing strikes but missing.
Sweet keeping moving, preventing Mesquita from controlling successfully.
Mesquita is looking to work some ground and pound but Sweet has wrist control.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Mesquita throws out a powerful jab.
Mesquita blocks a jab.
Sweet tries to clinch up.
Mesquita connects with a jab.
Mesquita throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Sweet's waist but Sweet gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Mesquita off to one side.
Ian Mesquita is winning the standup battle so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sweet wants to clinch up but Mesquita keeps it at a distance.
Mesquita lands with a right hand.
Sweet throws a hook to the side of Mesquita's head but Mesquita sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Mesquita darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Mesquita tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sweet was well out of range. Poor timing from Mesquita.
Sweet just misses with a punch to the body.
Sweet tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Mesquita paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Mesquita scores with a shot to the body.
Sweet swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Mesquita counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Sweet wants to clinch up but Mesquita keeps it at a distance.
It looked like Mesquita wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

Mesquita tries to keep at a distance but Sweet has taken the fight into the clinch.
Sweet has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Mesquita seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Sweet can turn it around.
Sweet stops a takedown attempt from Mesquita.
Mesquita is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sweet can do to turn this around?
Mesquita is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Sweet is defending well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ian Mesquita. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mesquita can't get the takedown.
Mesquita lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Mesquita tries to circle away but Sweet has him pinned against the cage.
Sweet scores with a nice hook to the head.
Mesquita wants to take the fight to the mat but Sweet manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Mesquita turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sweet is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Mesquita is controlling him well.
Mesquita 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.
Sweet is working to avoid the ground and pound but Mesquita connects with a decent elbow.
Sweet avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Mesquita.
Mesquita misses with the ground and pound.
Mesquita working the body and head with strikes.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ian Mesquita clearly takes that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Mesquita works the jab nicely.
Ricky Sweet has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sweet slips under a jab.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Mesquita.
Sweet looks to clinch
and Mesquita counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
The fight stays on the outside here - Sweet looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Sweet is looking to clinch but Mesquita is avoiding it.
A swing and a miss from Sweet.
Sweet throws a right hand that misses

and Mesquita counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Sweet!
Mesquita throws an elbow but Sweet slips to the side and avoids it well.
Mesquita lands a decent elbow from side control.
Mesquita working the strikes but Sweet uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Mesquita is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Sweet is just riding it out for now. Mesquita eventually gives up the hold.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mesquita missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Sweet keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Mesquita with the ground and pound but Sweet uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Sweet is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Mesquita lands a couple of digs.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Mesquita accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Mesquita tries to free his leg and advance position but Sweet is retaining full guard.
Sweet keeping moving, preventing Mesquita from controlling successfully.
Ian Mesquita overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Mesquita throws a big right hand that misses.
Mesquita makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Sweet utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Sweet avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Mesquita loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Mesquita trying to control but Sweet is working from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Sweet drops his hands momentarily and Mesquita takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Ricky Sweet seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sweet closes the distance and clinches.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Sweet just misses with a elbow thrown towards Mesquita's brow.
Sweet doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Mesquita breaks from the clinch.
Mesquita throws a body shot but no joy.
Mesquita goes for a double leg but Sweet avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Sweet continues to drive forward.
Sweet misses with a punch to the body.
Sweet's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Mesquita blocks an uppercut.
Mesquita has Sweet pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Sweet manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Sweet misses with a hook to the ribs.
Mesquita blocks an elbow strike.
With the fighters up against the cage, Sweet throws an elbow but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sweet gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Mesquita.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ian Mesquita. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sweet gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Mesquita.
Ricky Sweet seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Sweet tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Sweet lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Sweet doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Mesquita takes an elbow to the forehead.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mesquita has Sweet pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Sweet manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Mesquita blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Mesquita takes an elbow to the forehead.
Sweet tries to throw a body punch but Mesquita avoids it by throwing Sweet back against the cage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Ian Mesquita will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Mesquita connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Sweet throws a predictable looking body shot
and Sweet takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Sweet misses with a right hand
and Mesquita counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Sweet thinking.
Sweet tries to clinch up
and Mesquita counters with a nice uppercut.
Mesquita keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Sweet.
Mesquita scores with a sloppy right hand. Sweet should have avoided that one.
No luck for Mesquita with that takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sweet tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Mesquita manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Mesquita dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Sweet lands a body shot.
Sweet takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sweet moves into range and clinches up with Mesquita.
Sweet lands an elbow inside.
Mesquita is working for takedown but Sweet is calmly controlling the position for now.
Sweet swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Sweet doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Sweet lands an elbow just above Mesquita 's eye.
Sweet doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Mesquita has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Sweet avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ian Mesquita. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sweet fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Sweet pushes off an throws an elbow but Mesquita leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Mesquita blocks a body shot from Sweet.
Mesquita blocks an elbow strike from Sweet.
Sweet lands a nice shot to the body.
Sweet gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Mesquita.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mesquita is trying to maintain a safe position but Sweet gets an underhook and turns Mesquita into the cage.
Mesquita looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Sweet lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Sweet tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Sweet.
Mesquita prevents a body shot from Sweet.
Sweet prevents the takedown attempt.
Sweet throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Mesquita avoids a wild elbow strike from Sweet.

Mesquita gets a trip takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mesquita throws a strike but Sweet avoids it easily and moves to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sweet is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Mesquita is controlling him.
Mesquita is looking to work some ground and pound but Sweet has wrist control.
Mesquita keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Sweet's head.
Mesquita with a flurry of punches that miss.
Mesquita loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Sweet utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Mesquita stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sweet swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Sweet has momentary wrist control but Mesquita slips an elbow through the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Mesquita forces his way into half guard.
Mesquita is looking to take a break and control but Sweet is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Mesquita is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Mesquita is trying to work for a kimura but Sweet is defending well.
Ian Mesquita is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Sweet actively working from the bottom here.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Ian Mesquita.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Mesquita, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 49:46
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 49:46
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ian Mesquita!
Ian Mesquita retains his welterweight title!