PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Raul Mendez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Wander Leijonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Mendez
vs
Leijonen

185 cm
19
185 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

184 cm
23
195 lbs
8 - 7 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Raul Mendez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Wander Leijonen!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Tarja Halkonen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mendez will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Mendez shoots for a double leg takedown but Leijonen sprawls well. He's pushed Mendez's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Leijonen is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Mendez dives in for a single leg takedown but Leijonen sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Raul Mendez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mendez shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Leijonen defends it nicely.
Leijonen keeps the fight on the outside.
Leijonen changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mendez tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Leijonen paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Leijonen feints the counter takedown.
Mendez is trying hard to land a takedown here. Leijonen sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Horrible takedown attempt by Mendez or perhaps it was just good defense by Leijonen, which made it look bad.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendez closes this distance looking for a takedown but Leijonen circles away.
Mendez tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Leijonen manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Leijonen stuffs the takedown.
Leijonen drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Mendez defends it well.
Mendez is breathing heavily.
Mendez shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Leijonen but Leijonen pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Leijonen feints the counter takedown.
Leijonen leaves Mendez with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Horrible takedown attempt by Mendez or perhaps it was just good defense by Leijonen, which made it look bad.
Leijonen with the counter takedown but Mendez avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leijonen defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Mendez.
Leijonen changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Mendez shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Leijonen defends it nicely.
Leijonen changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Mendez dives in and grabs Leijonen's left leg, looking for a takedown. Leijonen pushes down on Mendez's head and hops out.
Leijonen tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Raul Mendez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mendez tries to clinch but Leijonen moves out of range.
Leijonen drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Mendez defends it well.
Mendez shoots for a takedown but Leijonen saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Leijonen feints the counter takedown.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Mendez.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendez has a takedown stuffed.
Leijonen feints the counter takedown.
Mendez goes for a double leg but Leijonen avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Leijonen continues to drive forward.
Mendez closes the distance and clinches up with Leijonen, looking for a takedown. Mendez pushes Leijonen against the cage but Leijonen circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Leijonen is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Mendez throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Leijonen's waist but Leijonen gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Mendez off to one side.
Leijonen with the counter takedown but Mendez avoids it easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Mendez.
Mendez tries to clinch up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mendez fails with an attempt to clinch.
Mendez tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Leijonen defends well and Mendez ends up having to push Leijonen into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Mendez will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Leijonen with the counter takedown but Mendez avoids it easily.
Mendez shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Leijonen as he avoids it easily.
Leijonen is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Mendez.
Mendez fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mendez tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Leijonen defends well and Mendez ends up having to push Leijonen into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
And Leijonen tries to counter it with a takedown but Mendez pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Mendez tries to clinch there but Leijonen circles away.
Leijonen is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wander Leijonen dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Mendez shoots for a takedown but Leijonen saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Leijonen defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Mendez.
Leijonen with the counter takedown but Mendez avoids it easily.
Leijonen keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Raul Mendez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mendez fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Mendez.
Leijonen changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Mendez tries to clinch but Leijonen moves out of range.
And Leijonen tries to counter it with a takedown but Mendez pushes his down on his head and steps out.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mendez shoots for a double leg takedown but Leijonen sprawls well. He's pushed Mendez's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Nice takedown defense from Leijonen. No joy for Mendez on that attempt.
Leijonen tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Mendez shoots for a takedown but Leijonen saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Leijonen with the counter takedown but Mendez avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendez shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Leijonen defends it nicely.
Mendez fails with a takedown attempt.
Mendez looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Leijonen stuffs the takedown.
Raul Mendez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nice sprawl there from Leijonen as Mendez shoots in.
Mendez shoots in for a double leg but Leijonen sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Leijonen changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Mendez fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Leijonen drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Mendez defends it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mendez is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Leijonen tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Leijonen swats away the attempt to clinch by Mendez.
Leijonen drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Mendez defends it well.
Mendez throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Leijonen's waist but Leijonen gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Mendez off to one side.
Mendez shoots in for a takedown but Leijonen shows good takedown defense.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Mendez might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Mendez looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendez fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Leijonen with the counter takedown but Mendez avoids it easily.
Mendez will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Mendez misses with a takedown attempt - Leijonen sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Mendez tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Leijonen swivels and escapes.
Leijonen feints the counter takedown.
Leijonen keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Leijonen drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Mendez defends it well.
Mendez shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Leijonen pinned against the cage. Leijonen gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Leijonen drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Mendez defends it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leijonen avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Leijonen slaps away a takedown attempt from Mendez, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Leijonen drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Mendez defends it well.
Leijonen displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Mendez.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mendez will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Leijonen feints the counter takedown.
Mendez darts in looking for a takedown but Leijonen gets double underhooks and turns Mendez into the cage.
Leijonen tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wander Leijonen 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 tries to score a power double leg takedown but Leijonen sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Mendez somewhat.
Leijonen feints the counter takedown.
Horrible takedown attempt by Mendez or perhaps it was just good defense by Leijonen, which made it look bad.
Leijonen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Mendez fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Raul Mendez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Leijonen slaps away a takedown attempt from Mendez, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Leijonen with the counter takedown but Mendez avoids it easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mendez tries to clinch but Leijonen moves out of range.
Leijonen changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendez dives in and grabs Leijonen's left leg, looking for a takedown. Leijonen pushes down on Mendez's head and hops out.
Leijonen leaves Mendez with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Mendez throws a sloppy head kick and Leijonen moves out of range easily.
Leijonen drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Mendez defends it well.
Leijonen stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Leijonen wants it to stay on the feet.
Mendez fails to land the takedown.
No luck for Mendez with that takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mendez shoots in for a takedown but Leijonen shows good takedown defense.
Leijonen with the counter takedown but Mendez avoids it easily.
Mendez looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Mendez dives in and grabs Leijonen's left leg, looking for a takedown. Leijonen pushes down on Mendez's head and hops out.
Leijonen feints the counter takedown.
Mendez misses with a takedown attempt - Leijonen sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Leijonen changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Mendez fails with an attempt to clinch.
Leijonen blocks a head kick by Mendez.
Leijonen drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Mendez defends it well.
Mendez shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Leijonen defends it nicely.
Leijonen is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leijonen displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Mendez.
Mendez tries to clinch up but Leijonen circles away and keeps his distance.
Mendez has a takedown stuffed.
Mendez shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Leijonen but Leijonen pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Mendez looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Leijonen feints the counter takedown.
Mendez goes for a double leg but Leijonen avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Leijonen continues to drive forward.
And Leijonen tries to counter it with a takedown but Mendez pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Mendez tries to close the distance and clinch up but Leijonen swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Leijonen tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Leijonen moves out of range of the leg kick from Mendez.
Mendez is trying hard to land a takedown here. Leijonen sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Leijonen feints the counter takedown.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mendez misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Leijonen changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Raul Mendez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mendez misses with a head kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Wander Leijonen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Leijonen has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 25:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 25:30
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Wander Leijonen!