PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Marvin Zaha (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jesus Mendes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zaha comes to the cage accompanied by RAWR. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Zaha
vs
Mendes

153 cm
22
155 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

180 cm
29
155 lbs
23 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

Amsterdam in London 95% Laundry

Go 2 Sleep Fight Gear
Black Belt Nutrition #=========||=========#

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Marvin Zaha!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Jesus Mendes!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Daniel Bishop and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mendes looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Zaha is fending him off so far but Mendes persists. Nope, Zaha circles away and we're back to standing.
Mendes avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Mendes shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Mendes was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Mendes won't let Zaha get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.

Mendes working for a guillotine from mount but Zaha is in no mood to give up.
Zaha is trying to get back to his feet but can't.

Mendes jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Zaha is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Zaha and Mendes has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Zaha is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

Zaha sneaks out the side door and pushes Mendes away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Zaha looks to clinch

and Mendes counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Zaha!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Mendes wants to finish this one by submission but Zaha is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Mendes.
Zaha is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendes unloads with some shots from mount but Zaha bucks and avoids them well.
Zaha is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Mendes throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Mendes moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Zaha has worked his arm free - good work by Zaha!
Zaha is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
The strikes coming from Mendes are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

Mendes swings around for an armbar but Zaha sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Mendes's guard.
Mendes looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Zaha might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Mendes is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Zaha is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zaha stands and steps away. Mendes gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Mendes throws a head kick but Zaha moves out of range.
Zaha throws a head kick that Mendes semi-blocks.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mendes throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zaha tries a head kick but it misses.

Mendes scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Mendes is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Zaha is trying to stand back up but Mendes is controlling him

Mendes is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Zaha wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Well, if Mendes is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

Zaha manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Mendes shoots in for a double leg but Zaha sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A head kick by Zaha misses
and Mendes counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Zaha is lucky that one didn't land flush.

Zaha gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Zaha blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Mendes gets control of Zaha's arms and successfully pulls guard. Mendes will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Mendes looking to control.

Zaha stands and steps away. Mendes gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zaha tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Mendes shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Marvin Zaha has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jesus Mendes.
Mendes tries to clinch up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zaha throws a solid leg kick but Mendes takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Zaha.
Zaha tries to close the distance and clinch but Mendes swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Zaha looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Zaha throws a sloppy head kick and Mendes moves out of range easily.
Zaha tries to close the distance and clinch up but Mendes swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Mendes fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Zaha.
Zaha feints and then cracks Mendes's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Mendes down.
Mendes checks a low kick from Zaha.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zaha goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Mendes blocks a head kick by Zaha.

Mendes manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Zaha on his heels. He'll look to pass Zaha's guard now, I'm sure.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jesus Mendes dominated that 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.

Mendes tries a head kick but it misses.
Mendes closes this distance looking for a takedown but Zaha circles away.
Zaha misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A low kick from Zaha is predictable there

and Mendes counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Mendes.
Mendes looking to pass the guard.
Zaha is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Mendes throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Mendes is pushing down on Zaha's leg trying to pass to half guard. Zaha is fighting to maintain full guard but Mendes has managed to sneak the leg through.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mendes prevents Zaha from standing back up.
Mendes thows a huge punch but Zaha dodges it nicely.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Mendes seems to be looking for submissions.
Zaha is trying to stand.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zaha is defending against the submission attempts here by Mendes.

Mendes is trying to work for a kimura but Zaha is defending well.
Mendes wants to take a breather but Zaha is having none of it.

Mendes is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Zaha doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Mendes.
Zaha wants to get back to his feet.

Mendes is looking for a kimura but Zaha is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Mendes to get the leverage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zaha wants to get back to his feet.

Mendes is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Zaha sees it coming and defends easily.

Mendes seems to be working for a kimura but Zaha defends the submission attempt.
Zaha wants to get back to his feet.

Mendes is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Zaha still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Zaha has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
Mendes is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendes stuck in half guard on the bottom here.

Zaha decides to stand up, so the ref orders Mendes to his feet.
Mendes shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Zaha misses with a body kick.
Mendes pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Zaha - that will leave a mark!

Mendes throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Zaha tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Mendes is in Zaha's guard.
Zaha is looking to stand up but Mendes isn't so interested in that idea.
Mendes throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zaha has his feet on Mendes's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zaha throws a head kick that misses

and Mendes counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Mendes trying to control but Zaha is working from the bottom.
Mendes throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Zaha works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Mendes drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Zaha manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Mendes has Zaha in his guard.
Zaha postures up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Mendes is looking for a triangle but Zaha pushes his legs off easily.
Zaha wants to stand but Mendes is controlling his posture from full guard.
Mendes is trying to keep Zaha in close.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jesus Mendes showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Zaha misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Mendes dives in and grabs Zaha's left leg, looking for a takedown. Zaha pushes down on Mendes's head and hops out.

Mendes moves into range and clinches up with Zaha.

Zaha escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Marvin Zaha is winning the standup battle so far.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Mendes.

Zaha has Mendes up against the cage in a clinch.
Mendes is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Zaha is defending well for now.
Zaha blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Mendes landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Mendes misses with a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaha wants to get back to striking at distance but Mendes won't allow it.
Mendes with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Zaha is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Mendes is defending well for now.
Mendes jumps guard but Zaha turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Marvin Zaha has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jesus Mendes.

Mendes decides to pull guard.
Zaha postures up.

Mendes is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Mendes takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Zaha wants to stand but Mendes has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Zaha stopping the sweep attempt from Mendes.
Zaha has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Mendes is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Zaha is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zaha stands up from Mendes's guard - Zaha perhaps looking for a knockout.

Zaha has closed the distance and engaged Mendes in a clinch.
Mendes jumps guard but Zaha turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Zaha is trying to break free.
Zaha stops a takedown attempt from Mendes.
The referee is keeping an eye on Mendes - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Mendes throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendes lands a knee to the body.
Mendes tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Zaha just stands there and leans against the cage.
Mendes tries to pull guard but Zaha won't allow it.
Mendes misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Zaha.
Mendes tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Zaha just stands there and leans against the cage.
Mendes is trying to pull guard but Zaha has him pressed against the cage.
Zaha avoiding damage as Mendes throws knees to the body.
Mendes fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Mendes with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Mendes is working for takedown but Zaha is calmly controlling the position for now.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zaha closes the distance and clinches.
Jesus Mendes is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Zaha escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Zaha tries to clinch

so Mendes counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mendes stops Zaha from standing up.
Mendes wants to control from the top but Zaha keeps moving.
Zaha is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Mendes is controlling him.
Mendes trying to control but Zaha is working from the bottom.
Mendes won't allow Zaha to get back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mendes pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Zaha is keeping the position for now.
Marvin Zaha has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Mendes won't allow Zaha to get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jesus Mendes comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Mendes 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jesus Mendes!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Jesus Mendes waved his t-shirt featuring Black Belt Nutrition #=========||=========# 's logo in front of the cameras.