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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Keiichi Yamada (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and George Mendez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as George Mendez enters the cage!
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| 170 cm
22
205 lbs
6 - 2 - 0 |
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187 cm
26
215 lbs
11 - 1 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine |
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BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank |
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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
6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Keiichi Yamada!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
11 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, George Mendez!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Ryoma Takatsuka and Jeff Smith.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mendez throws the left hand but Yamada avoids the punch easily.
Yamada dives in for a single leg takedown but Mendez sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Mendez lands a hook to the side of the head.
A frustrated look appears on Mendez's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Mendez has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Yamada is trying to drag Mendez to the mat but Mendez just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Mendez wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Yamada has him pressed against the cage.
Yamada has Mendez pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Mendez manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Keiichi Yamada. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mendez is trying to break free.
Mendez manages to break the clinch.
Mendez misses with a hook.
Yamada slips under a jab from Mendez.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A jab from Mendez misses.
Mendez misses the jab.
A punch lands to the side of Yamada 's head but he takes it in his stride.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendez looks to score with a jab to the body but Yamada is just out of range.
Yamada looks for a takedown but Mendez sprawls well.
Mendez connects with the punch.
Mendez swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
The fighters circling - Mendez throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Mendez cracks Yamada with a right hand to the side of the head.
Yamada slips a straight right by Mendez.
Mendez circles away from the clinch attempt.
Mendez throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Yamada looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Mendez throws an overhand right that lands on Yamada's shoulder, as Yamada tries to avoid the shot.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mendez throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Mendez throws a hook but Yamada blocks it.
Yamada uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Mendez.
Mendez throws a jab when Yamada was well out of range.
Horrible takedown attempt by Yamada or perhaps it was just good defense by Mendez, which made it look bad.
Mendez loads up on a big right hand but Yamada slips the punch.
Mendez swings widly with a right hand
and Yamada counters with a nice double leg into side control. Mendez won't be happy with that.
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!
Yamada wants to control but Mendez is keeping him busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Yamada is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Mendez knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendez wants to get back to his feet.
Yamada tries to move into full mount but can't pass Mendez's legs.
Mendez tries to escape but Yamada is in control.
Yamada 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.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Mendez is pushing Yamada's head away, looking to escape. Yamada manages to hold on to the position though.
Yamada tries for a kimura but Mendez is defending well.
Mendez wants to get back to his feet but Yamada drags him back down.
Mendez is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Mendez throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Yamada sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Yamada looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
George Mendez dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Yamada walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Mendez has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Yamada tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Mendez paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Mendez is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Yamada.
Yamada fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Yamada slips under a jab.
Yamada staying out of range there.
Mendez lands a lovely overhand right.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A telegraphed right hand from Mendez misses the target.
Mendez swinging wildly here.
Yamada tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Mendez manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Yamada tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Mendez paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Mendez loads up on a big right hand but Yamada slips the punch.
Yamada avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Mendez looks to land a left hand but Yamada moved out of range nicely.
A telegraphed right hand from Mendez misses the target.
Mendez scores with a body shot.
Yamada moves into the clinch.
Yamada tries for a takedown. No joy.
Mendez stops a takedown attempt from Yamada.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Keiichi Yamada. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Yamada goes for a takedown attempt but Mendez pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
George Mendez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Yamada slips a jab from Mendez.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yamada takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Nice shot by Mendez.
Mendez throws a looping overhand right but Yamada ducks down to avoid it.
Mendez with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Mendez throws a jab when Yamada was well out of range.
Yamada moves in looking to clinch but Mendez pushes him off.
Yamada slips a jab from Mendez.
George Mendez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mendez circles away from the clinch attempt.
Yamada slips a jab from Mendez.
Mendez keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendez throws a lazy right hand but Yamada sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Mendez loads up on a big right hand but Yamada slips the punch.
Yamada takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Yamada avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Nice defenses there by Yamada.
Mendez throws a right and a left that both miss.
Mendez rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Yamada moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Mendez throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Mendez misses with an uppercut.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yamada gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Yamada prevents Mendez from breaking the clinch.
Mendez breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Yamada slips under a jab from Mendez.
Mendez uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Mendez might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Mendez misses with an uppercut. Yamada saw that one coming.
Yamada bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Mendez misses with a looping left.
Mendez misses with a right hand
and Yamada counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Yamada.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Yamada pushes down on Mendez's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Mendez really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Yamada. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Yamada works his way into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
George Mendez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!
Mendez throws a jab but it's blocked by Yamada.
Mendez throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Yamada moves out of range as Mendez strikes.
Nice cross by Mendez.
A slow jab from Mendez misses its intended target.
Yamada moves forwards but Mendez connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Mendez connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yamada uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Mendez.
Yamada bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Yamada tries to clinch up but Mendez circles away and keeps his distance.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendez throws an overhand right that lands on Yamada's shoulder, as Yamada tries to avoid the shot.
Mendez misses with a head kick.
Yamada slips a straight right by Mendez.
Mendez lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Yamada circles away quickly and effectively.
Mendez misses with an uppercut.
Yamada tries to clinch there but Mendez circles away.
Yamada slips under a jab.
Yamada moves out of range as Mendez strikes.
George Mendez seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Mendez throws an overhand right that lands on Yamada's shoulder, as Yamada tries to avoid the shot.
A big left from Mendez misses.
Yamada tries to clinch but Mendez moves out of range.
Mendez is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Mendez.
Yamada darts in looking for a takedown but Mendez gets double underhooks and turns Yamada into the cage.
Yamada is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Mendez pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Mendez tries to circle away but Yamada has him pinned against the cage.
Mendez wants to get back to striking at distance but Yamada won't allow it.
Mendez has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Yamada seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Mendez can turn it around.
Yamada is working for takedown but Mendez is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Keiichi Yamada. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Yamada goes for a takedown in the clinch but Mendez prevents it.
Mendez looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Yamada drops down looking for an ankle pick but Mendez pulls his leg out and moves away.
Mendez misses with an uppercut. Yamada saw that one coming.
Yamada tries to close the distance and clinch up but Mendez swats him away and circles back towards the center.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Mendez misses.
Mendez pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Yamada dives in and grabs Mendez's left leg, looking for a takedown. Mendez pushes down on Yamada's head and hops out.
Mendez catches Yamada with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Mendez misses with an uppercut.
Mendez cracks Yamada with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Mendez smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Yamada on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Yamada moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Yamada shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Mendez as he jumps to the side.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yamada tries to score a power double leg takedown but Mendez sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Yamada somewhat.
Mendez misses with a looping right.
Yamada doesn't manage to clinch there - Mendez circles away.
Yamada closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Yamada tries to pull guard but Mendez forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Yamada drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Mendez gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Yamada is trying to trip Mendez. He has hold of a leg but Mendez is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Yamada persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Keiichi Yamada has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mendez is looking to stand up but Yamada isn't so interested in that idea.
And that's the end of the fight!
George Mendez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Mendez 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 Paul Gruel scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 27:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... George Mendez!
George Mendez decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
40% |
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