PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Arturo Gatti (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tuco Mendoza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Mendoza's choice of entrance music: Lamb of God - Descending. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Gatti
vs
Mendoza

176 cm
25
163 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

177 cm
20
162 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Good gas tank

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 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Arturo Gatti!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tuco Mendoza!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Anthony Taglia and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mendoza shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Gatti as he jumps to the side.
Gatti keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Gatti lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Gatti.
Gatti tries a head kick but it misses.
Mendoza throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Gatti swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Gatti dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Mendoza fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Arturo Gatti has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tuco Mendoza.
Gatti looks to land a combination but Mendoza avoids it well.
Gatti throws a right hand that Mendoza ducks under and follows up with a left that Mendoza also avoids with ease.
No luck for Mendoza with that takedown attempt.

Mendoza drives through with a takedown into guard.
Mendoza trying to control the position from guard on top but Gatti is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gatti knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Mendoza on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gatti utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Mendoza is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Mendoza trying to control the position from guard on top but Gatti is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Tuco Mendoza wasn't active enough on the ground.
Gatti lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Mendoza closes the distance and clinches up with Gatti, looking for a takedown. Mendoza pushes Gatti against the cage but Gatti circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Mendoza shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Gatti as he avoids it easily.
Gatti slaps away a takedown attempt from Mendoza, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Mendoza fails to land the takedown.
Mendoza shoots in for a takedown but Gatti shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gatti throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Gatti looks to land a combination but Mendoza avoids it well.
Gatti throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Mendoza has a takedown stuffed.
Gatti connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Mendoza momentarily.
Nice takedown defense from Gatti. No joy for Mendoza on that attempt.
Mendoza fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gatti swinging wildly here.
Arturo Gatti is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Mendoza drives through with a takedown into Gatti's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Mendoza trying to control but Gatti is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendoza postures up.
Gatti wants to stand and escape but Mendoza is having none of it.
Mendoza trying to control but Gatti is working from the bottom.
Gatti trying to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Arturo Gatti just wasn't active enough.
Mendoza shoots in but no luck this time.
Gatti throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Mendoza changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Gatti tries to avoid it but Mendoza manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Gatti to the ground. Gatti escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Tuco Mendoza seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Mendoza decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Mendoza thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Mendoza content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Gatti is looking for a sweep. Mendoza is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mendoza is looking for a kimura but Gatti is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Mendoza to get the leverage.
Mendoza trying to control from Gatti's half guard. Gatti has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

Mendoza is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Mendoza preventing the sweep.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gatti is looking to stand up but Mendoza isn't so interested in that idea.
Mendoza trying to control but Gatti is working from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mendoza cracks Gatti with a solid left hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tuco Mendoza dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Gatti throws a sloppy head kick and Mendoza moves out of range easily.

Mendoza closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Gatti quickly recovers to half guard.
Mendoza tries to pass the half guard into mount. Gatti knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Mendoza is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Mendoza has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Mendoza looking to control but Gatti is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Mendoza lands with some strikes.
Mendoza fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Gatti blocking the ground and pound.
Mendoza throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Mendoza raining down hammerfists from mount.
Mendoza controlling the pace for now.
The referee warns Gatti that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mendoza looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gatti wants to control but Mendoza is having none of it.
Mendoza lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.

Mendoza jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Gatti manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Mendoza throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Mendoza creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Gatti sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Mendoza landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Mendoza creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Mendoza thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Mendoza remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gatti is trying to get back to his feet.
Mendoza looks up at the clock and then as Gatti takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Mendoza smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Mendoza lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Gatti tries to bench press Mendoza off him but Mendoza keeps the position.

Mendoza working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Gatti avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Mendoza.
Mendoza postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendoza trying to control the action but Gatti is working from the bottom.
Mendoza postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Mendoza lands a decent elbow from side control.

Mendoza is trying to get an arm triangle but Gatti is defending well.
Mendoza throws an elbow but Gatti slips to the side and avoids it well.

Mendoza tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Mendoza has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Check out the look on Mendoza's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

Mendoza is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Gatti is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Mendoza working the head and body with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mendoza misses with the ground and pound.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mendoza scores with a couple of short elbows.
Mendoza fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Mendoza postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Mendoza scoring with punches and elbows.
Mendoza trying to control the position but Gatti is working away.
Mendoza creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Mendoza creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
A lull in the action here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mendoza lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tuco Mendoza showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Gatti throws a head kick that misses.

Mendoza manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Gatti on his heels. He'll look to pass Gatti's guard now, I'm sure.
Mendoza trying to control the position from guard on top but Gatti is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mendoza forces his way into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mendoza trying to control from half guard but Gatti is working away.
Mendoza prevents Gatti from standing back up.
Mendoza uses his free foot to push down on Gatti's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Gatti.

Mendoza swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Gatti is now in Mendoza's guard. A big mistake from Mendoza there, giving up the dominant position!
Tuco Mendoza has got the better of the ground game so far.

Mendoza manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Mendoza is trying hard to land a takedown here. Gatti sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gatti misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Mendoza throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Mendoza fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Mendoza avoids a punch combination nicely.
Mendoza shoots for a takedown but Gatti saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Arturo Gatti has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tuco Mendoza.
Mendoza tries to bum rush Gatti with a series of wild strikes but Gatti uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Mendoza shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Gatti as he avoids it easily.
Mendoza shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Gatti as he avoids it easily.
Arturo Gatti is winning the standup battle so far.
Mendoza takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Mendoza feints and as Gatti raises his hands in defense, Mendoza changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Mendoza wants to control from the top but Gatti keeps moving.
Gatti not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gatti wants to stand but Mendoza is controlling the position.
Mendoza lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Gatti avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Mendoza accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Mendoza tries to free his leg and advance position but Gatti is retaining full guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mendoza postures up in Gatti's guard and throws a big left but Gatti blocks it.
Mendoza lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Gatti looking to hit a scissor sweep but Mendoza is one step ahead there.
Mendoza connects with a couple of short punches.
Gatti wants to stand but Mendoza is controlling the position.
Mendoza keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Gatti's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendoza scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Mendoza throws a big right hand that misses.
Gatti controls Mendoza momentarily but Mendoza frees himself.
Mendoza trying to control but Gatti is working from the bottom.
Mendoza throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Gatti works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Mendoza is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Mendoza engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mendoza's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Gatti preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Mendoza stops Gatti from standing up.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Gatti misses with the combination.
Tuco Mendoza is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Gatti misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Arturo Gatti has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Mendoza drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gatti tries to escape but Mendoza is in control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gatti striking from the bottom but nothing landed.
Mendoza connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Gatti some visible discomfort.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tuco Mendoza comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Mendoza winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Jonathan Paton scores the fight 26:30
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 26:30
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tuco Mendoza!
A relieved looking Tuco Mendoza thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.