PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Paolo Mendez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dan Mann (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mann has chosen Amazing Grace as his entrance music. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Mendez
vs
Mann

185 cm
22
212 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
208 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Determined

Non-Stop Nutrition
Non-Stop Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Paolo Mendez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dan Mann!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Chris Downing and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Mendez takes the fight into the clinch.
A short body shot lands from Mann as the two fighters clinch.

Mendez pulls guard.

Mendez working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Mann doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Mann manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Mendez working for a triangle but Mann defends it easily.
Mendez looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendez wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Mann preventing the sweep.
Mendez trying to strike off his back.
Mendez wants to stand but Mann is controlling the position.
Mendez looking for a sweep. Not yet Mendez, not yet.
Mann wants to control from the top but Mendez keeps moving.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.

Mann moves into range and clinches up with Mendez.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Mendez can't find room to land a body shot as Mann controls the action.

Mendez successfully pulls guard.
Mendez working a defensive guard here.
Mann content to stall in guard here.
Mann trying to control but Mendez is working from the bottom.
Mann being controlled here momentarily.
Mann has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Mendez is proving hard to escape from.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendez is pulling down on Mann's head to control his posture.
Mann won't allow Mendez to sweep him here.
Mendez is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Mann is looking to stand up but Mendez won't let him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Mendez controlling the position.
Mendez looking to hit a scissor sweep but Mann is one step ahead there.
Mann not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Mendez looking to control.
Mendez throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mendez tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Mendez keeping moving, preventing Mann from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paolo Mendez dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Mann darts in trying to clinch

and Mendez decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Mann's guard.
Mann is wriggling around but Mendez manages to pass to half guard.

Mann kicks off Mendez and gets to his feet.
Mann misses with a kick to the body

so Mendez counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mann wants to stand but Mendez is controlling the position.
Mendez trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Mann really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Mendez. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Mendez controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mendez landing with the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendez wants to pass the guard but Mann is keeping the position.
Mann is breathing heavily.
Mendez trying to control but Mann is working from the bottom.
Mendez is really struggling to control Mann but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Mann seems keen to control Mendez's posture.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mendez pushing down on Mann's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Mendez decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Mann misses with a takedown attempt

and Mendez counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Mendez gets to his feet - Mann follows without any prompting.
Mann goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Mendez closes this distance looking for a takedown but Mann circles away.
Mendez misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Mann tries to clinch up

and Mendez counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Mann trying to keep a closed guard but Mendez is proving a slippery customer.
Mendez 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.

Mann looking for a guillotine here but Mendez defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendez wants to control from the top but Mann keeps moving.

Mendez gets to his feet - Mann follows without any prompting.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Mann keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Paolo Mendez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mann takes a shot right to the bread basket.

Mendez closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Mendez lands in his opponent's guard.
Paolo Mendez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Mendez stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Mendez drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Mann is not content to let Mendez control the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mann defending against the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paolo Mendez dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Mendez drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Mann is trying to control Mendez's posture but Mendez avoids it.
Mann tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
Even with his hooks in, Mendez manages to miss with strikes from the back.
Mann takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Mendez throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
Mendez is riding his opponent, not letting Mann buck him off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mann is keeping busy.
Mendez missing with strikes from the back.
Mendez lands shots from the back.
Mendez biding his time, looking for the opening.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Mendez lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.

Mann defends a prolonged rear naked choke attempt and turns nicely into his opponent's guard.
Mann wants to stand and escape but instead Mendez has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Mendez pushes down on Mann's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Mendez is looking to advance position but Mann won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendez not doing much here.
Mann has hold of Mendez's hands but Mendez slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Mendez scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Mendez in particular looking to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Mann is looking to improve his position.
Mann trying to control from the bottom.
Mendez throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Mann has a hand on Mendez's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Mendez takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mendez looking to finish with strikes here!

And that's the end of the fight!
Paolo Mendez showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Mendez, 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge George Francis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27

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