PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Will Jackman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matheus Mendes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Will Jackman had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 206.3lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Jackman
vs
Mendes

178 cm
25
223 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

185 cm
19
211 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Enjoys gardening

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Will Jackman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Matheus Mendes!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Daniel Cesar and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mendes is looking to clinch.
Mendes throws a body kick that misses.

Jackman darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Mendes wants to get back to his feet.

Jackman is looking for a kimura but Mendes is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Jackman to get the leverage.
Jackman throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Jackman throwing shots but Mendes is blocking nicely.
Jackman not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Jackman seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Mendes does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Jackman thows a huge punch but Mendes dodges it nicely.
Jackman not landing any meaningful shots this time.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Mendes throws a push kick but Jackman slaps the foot to one side.

Mendes clinches up with Jackman and pushes him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mendes's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Mendes clinches.
Jackman wants to get back to striking at distance but Mendes won't allow it.
Mendes gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Jackman.
Jackman keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Mendes's efforts to push away.
Jackman drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Jackman is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Will Jackman. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Mendes breaks from the clinch.
Mendes with a lazy takedown attempt

and Jackman counters with a single leg into guard. Mendes didn't expect that.
Jackman 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.
Jackman wants to control from the top but Mendes keeps moving.
Jackman is breathing heavily.
Mendes utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackman looking to pass the guard.
Jackman prevents Mendes from getting back to his feet.
Jackman throwing strikes from guard but Mendes blocks nicely.
Jackman throwing strikes but missing.
Mendes preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Mendes wants to clinch.
Jackman moves out of range of the body kick from Mendes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendes lands with a thumping leg kick.

Mendes drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jackman managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Mendes.
An elbow from Mendes crashes against the mat.
Mendes scores with a couple of short elbows.
Mendes is looking to take a break and control but Jackman is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Mendes working the ground and pound but Jackman is defending the strikes.
Mendes tries to advance to mount but can't.

Mendes working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mendes looks up at the clock and then as Jackman takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Mendes smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Jackman is looking for a sweep.
Mendes tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Jackman dives in and grabs Mendes's left leg, looking for a takedown. Mendes pushes down on Jackman's head and hops out.
Nice sprawl there from Jackman as Mendes shoots in.
Mendes fails to land the takedown.
Mendes tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Jackman counters with a shoot takedown. Mendes fights it but they end up in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Will Jackman will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Mendes will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Mendes with a lazy takedown attempt

and Jackman counters with a shoot takedown. Mendes fights it but they end up in guard.
Mendes is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Jackman throwing strikes from guard but Mendes blocks nicely.
Mendes being controlled here, momentarily.
Jackman won't allow Mendes to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackman forces his way into half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Jackman is trying to control. Mendes wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Jackman is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Jackman is looking to take a break and control but Mendes is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Jackman prevents Mendes from standing back up.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Jackman connects with a nice short shot to Mendes's temple.
Jackman moves into full mount! Mendes won't be happy about that!
Mendes squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackman pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Jackman wants to control the pace but Mendes is squirming around nicely.
Mendes really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Jackman. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Jackman lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Mendes is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Jackman thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Jackman lands a big shot there that rocks Mendes but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Jackman landing shots from mount.
Mendes is trying to stand up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackman with a couple of short strikes.
Mendes avoids a series of strikes thrown by Jackman.
Jackman thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Jackman throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Jackman throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Mendes because Jackman loaded up on that one.
Will Jackman overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Mendes is trying to stand.
Jackman throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Mendes blocking the ground and pound.
Mendes is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Jackman punching from mount but Mendes doing a good job of avoiding damage.
A nice elbow there by Jackman.

That's four 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.
Mendes wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Jackman.
Poor strikes thrown by Jackman there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Jackman unloads with some shots from mount but Mendes bucks and avoids them well.
You get the feeling that Mendes really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Jackman misses with a head shot.
Mendes is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Mendes holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Jackman tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Mendes trying desperately to get to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Will Jackman dominated that second round.
That's time! Jackman's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Mendes throws a series of strikes that have Jackman backpedaling.
Jackman showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Mendes.
Mendes misses with a body kick.
Mendes looks to land a combination but Jackman avoids it well.

Mendes shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Jackman is trying to defend but Mendes finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Jackman regains full guard. Nicely done.
Mendes with a flurry of punches that miss.
Mendes wants to get up but he can't break Jackman's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Mendes avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Jackman wants to sweep here but Mendes controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendes postures up.
Jackman on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Jackman tries to get out of the position.
Mendes won't allow Jackman to sweep him here.
Jackman has a closed guard, preventing Mendes from standing up.
Mendes must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Mendes trying to control the position from guard on top but Jackman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Mendes smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Mendes throws a combination. Jackman tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

It looks like Will Jackman has been cut.
Mendes works over Jackman's head and body with a nice combination.
Jackman looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Matheus Mendes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mendes drops Jackman with a beautiful combination! Jackman stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Mendes is looking for the KO!

Jackman is rocked!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mendes throws a right hand that Jackman ducks under and follows up with a left that Jackman also avoids with ease.
Oh Jackman is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Danga de danga de dang - Mendes scores with a four punch combination!
Mendes throws a half hearted mid kick.
Jackman seems to have got his legs back now.

Jackman closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Mendes did well to prevent Jackman getting side control.
Nice strikes from Jackman there.
Jackman with the ground and pound but Mendes uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Jackman working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Mendes is looking to stand up but Jackman isn't so interested in that idea.
Jackman is working Mendes over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jackman throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mendes works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Mendes avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Jackman trying to control but Mendes is working from the bottom.
Jackman working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Mendes fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Mendes is looking to land body kicks.
Will Jackman is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mendes throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Jackman slips under a jab.
Mendes misses with a two punch combination.

Jackman closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Mendes did well to prevent Jackman getting side control.
Jackman thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Jackman connects with a nice short shot to Mendes's temple.
Jackman throwing shots but Mendes is blocking nicely.
Jackman tries to pass to full mount but Mendes defends it.
Jackman trying to control from half guard but Mendes is working away.
Mendes is looking to escape.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mendes avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Jackman.
Jackman not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Will Jackman is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Mendes lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matheus Mendes comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Jackman 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 29:28
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Will Jackman!