PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between XANDER GIVENS (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ishit Mepantz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). GIVENS comes to the cage accompanied by Im going to fuck you up . Ishit Mepantz struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 156.8lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. XANDER GIVENS has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

GIVENS
vs
Mepantz

175 cm
18
160 lbs
5 - 1 - 1

150 cm
18
162 lbs
1 - 0 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

MMA's Best Nutrition
XXX Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, XANDER GIVENS!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ishit Mepantz!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Daniel Franklin and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice takedown defense from Mepantz. No joy for GIVENS on that attempt.
Mepantz cracks GIVENS with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
GIVENS tries to clinch up but Mepantz circles away and keeps his distance.
Mepantz tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
GIVENS misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
GIVENS is breathing heavily.
Mepantz throws a head kick that misses.
GIVENS misses with a takedown attempt - Mepantz sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for XANDER GIVENS. That's going to take a lot out of him.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Mepantz wants to break free but GIVENS has control.
Mepantz is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
GIVENS tries to break the clinch but Mepantz is controlling the position.
A hook to the body from Mepantz.
GIVENS goes for a takedown attempt but Mepantz pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Mepantz wants to clinch but GIVENS slips to the side
and GIVENS counters with a nice uppercut.
GIVENS closes this distance looking for a takedown but Mepantz circles away.

Mepantz shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in GIVENS's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
GIVENS is striking off his back. Mepantz thinks nothing of it though and passes easily into half guard.
GIVENS trying to control here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mepantz trying to control the action but GIVENS is working from the bottom.

Mepantz looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
GIVENS slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's two 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.
GIVENS keeping moving, preventing Mepantz from controlling successfully.
GIVENS looking for a sweep. Not yet GIVENS, not yet.

GIVENS is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Mepantz should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Mepantz wants to pass the guard but GIVENS is keeping the position.
GIVENS manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Mepantz manages to get himself to full guard.
GIVENS wants to control from the top but Mepantz keeps moving.
GIVENS pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mepantz is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

GIVENS shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Mepantz escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. GIVENS gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Mepantz wants to stand up but GIVENS is controlling him.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
GIVENS looking to pass the guard.
Mepantz trying to control the position here.
Mepantz tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mepantz wants to get back to his feet but GIVENS is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
GIVENS will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Mepantz keeping moving, preventing GIVENS from controlling successfully.
GIVENS looking to sit in guard and control but Mepantz gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Mepantz with a nice head shot there.
GIVENS seems keen to control Mepantz's posture.

GIVENS looking for a guillotine here but Mepantz defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ishit Mepantz will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Mepantz has his takedown stuffed

so GIVENS counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Mepantz wants to get back to his feet but GIVENS is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
GIVENS trying to control the position from guard on top but Mepantz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mepantz controls GIVENS momentarily but GIVENS frees himself.
GIVENS wants to pass the guard but Mepantz is keeping the position.
Mepantz controlling the position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
GIVENS won't allow Mepantz to get back to his feet.
GIVENS postures up.
Mepantz wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Mepantz looks to clinch
and GIVENS counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
GIVENS looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Mepantz is fending him off so far but GIVENS persists. Nope, Mepantz circles away and we're back to standing.

GIVENS drives through with a takedown into guard.

Mepantz has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but GIVENS can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Mepantz keeping moving, preventing GIVENS from controlling successfully.
Mepantz looking to control.

Mepantz is looking for a triangle but GIVENS pushes his legs off easily.
GIVENS lands a couple of digs.
GIVENS has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Mepantz is proving hard to escape from.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
GIVENS being controlled here momentarily.
GIVENS trying to control the position from guard on top but Mepantz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mepantz is looking to stand up but GIVENS isn't so interested in that idea.
GIVENS passes into half guard.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Mepantz has eaten all the pies!
Ground and pound from GIVENS.
Mepantz is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of GIVENS's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take GIVENS's back!
GIVENS looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mepantz keeps control of the position as GIVENS tries to break free.

GIVENS showing good submission defense here.
GIVENS trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Mepantz controlling from the back.
Mepantz is trying to stick to GIVENS's back but GIVENS is turning into Mepantz. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Mepantz's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by GIVENS.
Mepantz working a defensive guard here.

That's four 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.
GIVENS won't allow Mepantz to sweep him here.
GIVENS trying to control but Mepantz is working from the bottom.
GIVENS controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Mepantz looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
GIVENS passes Mepantz's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Mepantz is looking to get back to is feet but GIVENS passes into side control.
Mepantz is looking for a sweep.
GIVENS is looking to take a break and control but Mepantz is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

XANDER GIVENS 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. This is the final round!

GIVENS fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Mepantz tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and GIVENS counters with a nice double leg into guard.
GIVENS postures up.
Mepantz working a defensive guard but GIVENS manages to pass into side control anyway.
GIVENS lands a few punches from side control.
Mepantz wants to get back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mepantz seems a little lost for a moment, as GIVENS dominates the positioning.
GIVENS throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Mepantz works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Mepantz has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. GIVENS is working away from the top position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

GIVENS stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Mepantz to get to his feet.

Mepantz gets in close and instigates a clinch.

GIVENS escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Mepantz shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Mepantz showed some decent athleticism there.
GIVENS flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
GIVENS gets back to full guard.
GIVENS will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Mepantz trying to control the position from guard on top but GIVENS is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

GIVENS wriggles free and stands up.
Mepantz shoots in looking for a takedown. GIVENS tries to sprawl out of it but Mepantz keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. GIVENS manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
GIVENS fails with the takedown

and Mepantz decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in GIVENS's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Mepantz postures up.
Mepantz wants to control from the top but GIVENS keeps moving.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now GIVENS is on top in guard.
XANDER GIVENS overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
GIVENS trying to control the position from guard on top but Mepantz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
GIVENS tries to free his leg and advance position but Mepantz is retaining full guard.
GIVENS is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
GIVENS trying to control the position from guard on top but Mepantz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
GIVENS wants to stand but Mepantz has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Mepantz looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
GIVENS sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Mepantz wants to sweep but no luck.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
GIVENS shoots in for a double leg but Mepantz sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for XANDER GIVENS. That's going to take a lot out of him.
GIVENS has his takedown stuffed

and Mepantz counters with a nice double leg into side control. GIVENS won't be happy with that.

Mepantz stands up and beckons GIVENS to his feet.
GIVENS shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Mepantz counters by moving into the clinch.
GIVENS has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Mepantz is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Mepantz tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. GIVENS smiles and moves away.

Mepantz shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in GIVENS's guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

GIVENS had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Mepantz is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. GIVENS Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Mepantz's back instead.
Mepantz prevents GIVENS from getting a body triangle.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ishit Mepantz comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Mepantz has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 29:29
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:29
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 28:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!