PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Carlos Strikes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tiago Mendez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mendez has chosen Trap Door as his entrance music. Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Strikes
vs
Mendez

186 cm
47
180 lbs
39 - 36 - 2

184 cm
49
180 lbs
37 - 32 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent MT
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 39 - 36 - 2, fighting out of London, Carlos Strikes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 37 - 32 - 0, fighting out of London, Tiago Mendez!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Richard Clark and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mendez misses with a takedown

and Strikes counters with a crisp one two that drops Mendez! Strikes thinks about following him to the mat for a moment but instead steps back and waves Mendez to his feet! Mendez is in big trouble!

Mendez is rocked!

Strikes gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Strikes stops a takedown attempt from Mendez.

Strikes escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Strikes.
Mendez fails to land the takedown.
Carlos Strikes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tiago Mendez.
Mendez misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Strikes is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Mendez shoots in looking for a takedown. Strikes tries to sprawl out of it but Mendez keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Strikes manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Mendez looks for a takedown but Strikes sprawls well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strikes misses the shot to the body.

Mendez closes the distance and clinches.

Strikes manages to break the clinch.
Mendez darts in looking for a takedown but Strikes gets double underhooks and turns Mendez into the cage.
Strikes feinted with a counter takedown.
Mendez moves out of range of the leg kick from Strikes.
Strikes throws a leg kick but Mendez moved away.

Strikes gets tackled into the cage by Mendez. Mendez maintains the clinch.

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

Strikes closes the distance and clinches.

Strikes breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Strikes forces Mendez back against the cage and clinches.
Strikes putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Mendez in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Mendez lands a hook that snaps the head of Strikes backwards.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mendez takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Strikes throws a head kick but Mendez moves out of range.
A head kick misses from Strikes.
Mendez doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.

Mendez shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Mendez showed some decent athleticism there.
Strikes works his way to full guard. Good work.
Strikes has a closed guard, preventing Mendez from standing up.

Strikes is looking for a triangle but Mendez pushes his legs off easily.
Mendez stops Strikes from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strikes is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Mendez trying to control the position from guard on top but Strikes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Mendez postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Strikes is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Mendez, into his guard.

Strikes slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Mendez working a defensive guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Strikes throwing strikes but missing.
Strikes has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Strikes preventing the sweep.
Strikes controls from within his opponent's guard.

Mendez throws his legs up looking for a submission but Strikes uses it to pass to side control.
You can see the frustration on Mendez's face as Strikes controls the position.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Mendez is looking to regain half guard here but Strikes keeps moving and retains side control.

Strikes decides to stand up, so the ref orders Mendez to his feet.
A combination from Mendez does no damage.
Strikes tries to clinch up but Mendez circles away and keeps his distance.
No joy there for Strikes, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Strikes throws a series of punches but Mendez avoids them all with ease.
Mendez blocks a low kick nicely.
Strikes misses with a head kick.

Mendez clinches up against the cage.
Mendez is working for takedown but Strikes is calmly controlling the position for now.

Strikes pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Mendez takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Mendez tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Strikes swivels and escapes.
A nice combination there by Mendez.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Strikes keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Strikes instigates a clinch.
Strikes lands a shot to the body.
A bit of stalling here from Strikes.
Mendez is trying to force a seperation but Strikes has the dominant position.

Strikes breaks the clinch.
Strikes looks for a takedown but Mendez sprawls well.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Strikes closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Strikes's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Strikes fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Mendez throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Strikes fails with an attempt to clinch.
Strikes wants to clinch up but Mendez keeps it at a distance.
Mendez fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Strikes avoids it really well and circles away.
Strikes tries to counter by clinching up but Mendez breaks away and moves out of range.
Mendez leaves Strikes with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.

Mendez forces Strikes back against the cage and clinches.

Strikes manages to break the clinch.
Mendez shoots for a takedown but Strikes saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Mendez misses with a head kick.
Nice sprawl there from Mendez as Strikes shoots in.
Mendez misses with a head kick.
Strikes slaps away a takedown attempt from Mendez, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Strikes moves into the clinch successfully.
A left hand lands to the body for Strikes.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Mendez is trying to maintain a safe position but Strikes gets an underhook and turns Mendez into the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Strikes.
Mendez blocks an elbow strike from Strikes.
Strikes tries to land a knee to the head but Mendez blocks with his arms.

Strikes breaks the clinch.
Mendez stuffs the takedown attempt from Strikes. Strikes gets slowly back to his feet.

Mendez clinches with his opponent.
Strikes stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Strikes lands a nice elbow.

It looks like Tiago Mendez has been cut.
Strikes tries a knee to the head but Mendez blocks it.
Strikes works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carlos Strikes dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Tiago Mendez's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Mendez.

Mendez closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Strikes's guard.
Strikes keeping moving, preventing Mendez from controlling successfully.
Strikes has his hands on Mendez's head, controlling the position.

Strikes has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Mendez is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Strikes blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Strikes slowing the pace effectively.

Strikes breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strikes shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Mendez sprawls well. Mendez wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Strikes gets slowly back to his feet.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Strikes is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Mendez is defending well for now.
Mendez blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Mendez tries for a takedown but Strikes manages to get underhooks.
Strikes tries to work over Mendez's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Strikes missing with knees to the body.

Strikes manages to break the clinch.
Carlos Strikes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strikes tries to score a power double leg takedown but Mendez sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Strikes somewhat.
Carlos Strikes is winning the standup battle so far.

Strikes fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Mendez, pushing him back against the cage.

Strikes escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Strikes avoids the head kick by Mendez.
Strikes was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Mendez shoots in looking for a takedown but Strikes manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Mendez's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Strikes has been working on his balance at London MMA Club, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Mendez.
Carlos Strikes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tiago Mendez.

Mendez has managed to clinch.
Mendez tries to break the clinch but Strikes is controlling the position.
Mendez takes a shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Strikes escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mendez blocks the body kick.
Strikes tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Strikes fails with the takedown
and Mendez counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Nice sprawl there from Mendez as Strikes shoots in.
Mendez looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Strikes misses with a double jab

and Mendez holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Strikes misses with a hook to the ribs.
Mendez has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Strikes avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Strikes manages to break the clinch.

Strikes pushes Mendez up against the cage in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mendez tries to pull guard but Strikes holds him up against the cage and eventually Mendez drops back down to his feet.

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

Mendez has taken the fight to the clinch.

Strikes manages to break the clinch.

Strikes drives through and clinches with Mendez against the cage.
Strikes controlling the action here for a moment.
Mendez throws a punch but it's blocked by Strikes.
A short body shot lands from Strikes as the two fighters clinch.
Strikes is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Mendez can do to turn this around?
Strikes holding his opponent close, against the cage.
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!
Mendez jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Strikes walks away with a smile on his face. Mendez gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Strikes closes the distance and pushes Mendez back into the cage.
Mendez wants to get back to striking at distance but Strikes won't allow it.
Mendez is trying to drag Strikes to the mat but Strikes just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Mendez landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Mendez content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Mendez changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Strikes fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Strikes shoots in and bounces Mendez off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Mendez is breathing heavily.

Strikes avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's six minutes gone in the round.

Strikes stands and steps away. Mendez gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Mendez tries for a takedown but Strikes circles away easily
and Strikes cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Strikes shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Strikes was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
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!
Strikes is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Mendez's shoulder. That is not cool.
Carlos Strikes overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Strikes decides to stand back up.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Mendez connects with a high kick.
Mendez blocks a head kick by Strikes.
Mendez throws a lazy uppercut
and Strikes counters with a left and a right that stings Mendez.
Mendez keeps the fight on the outside.
Mendez tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Strikes pivots, looking for a leg kick but Mendez is out of range and Strikes settles back down.
Strikes throws a leg kick but Mendez checks it.
Carlos Strikes is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Mendez darts in and clinches Strikes up against the cage.

Mendez manages to break the clinch.
Strikes lands the left hand.
Mendez stuffs the takedown.

Mendez throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Strikes was covering up waiting for the punch and Mendez finishes the takedown easily into guard.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Strikes is pulling down on Mendez's head. It's preventing any offense from Mendez, at least for the moment.
Strikes continues to stall.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
More hug and hope from Strikes.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Strikes has a closed guard, preventing Mendez from standing up.
Mendez works over Strikes with some ground and pound from guard.
Mendez content to stall in guard here.
Strikes keeping full guard, as Mendez tries to pass.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Strikes scores with a one two! Mendez had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carlos Strikes dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Tiago Mendez's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Strikes stuffs the takedown.
Mendez throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Mendez takes the fight into the clinch.
Strikes lands a left hand that snaps the head of Mendez backwards.
Mendez has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Strikes is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Carlos Strikes has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Strikes prevents a takedown attempt there.
Carlos Strikes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tiago Mendez.
Mendez is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Strikes breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Strikes slips a jab and a cross from Mendez.

Strikes rushes Mendez and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Mendez takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Mendez working hard to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strikes with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Come on Strikes - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Mendez has had enough of the clinch but Strikes keeps him there for the moment.

Strikes breaks from the clinch.

Strikes closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Strikes is looking to take a break and control but Mendez is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Mendez tries to bench press Strikes off him but Strikes keeps the position.
Mendez is trying to control Strikes's posture but Strikes avoids it.
Mendez tries to control but end up mounted... ooooh, that's bad.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Strikes gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!

Strikes pushes Mendez up against the cage in a clinch.

Strikes breaks from the clinch.
Strikes shoots in for a double leg but Mendez sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Mendez unleashes a big counter combination but Strikes bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Mendez goes for a double leg but Strikes avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Strikes continues to drive forward.
Strikes wants to clinch up but Mendez keeps it at a distance.
Strikes pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A little jabbing left from Mendez on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Mendez closes the distance and clinches.
Strikes is pressed up against the cage. Mendez has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Strikes down to the mat. Strikes avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Strikes closes the distance and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Strikes breaks the clinch.
Strikes fails to land the takedown.
Mendez tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Mendez fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Strikes avoids it really well and circles away.
Mendez shoots in looking for a takedown but Strikes manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Mendez's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Mendez tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Strikes lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Mendez blocks a head kick by Strikes.
Mendez with the counter takedown but Strikes avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Strikes closes the distance and clinches up with Mendez, looking for a takedown. Strikes pushes Mendez against the cage but Mendez circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Strikes backing away here, and Mendez unleashes a leg kick that just misses.

Mendez fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Strikes, pushing him back against the cage.
Strikes lands an uppercut.
Mendez is looking for a takedown.
Mendez tries to pull guard but Strikes won't allow it.
Strikes misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Mendez.
Mendez leaning his opponent against the cage.
Strikes trying to land knees to the body.
Strikes pushes Mendez back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

Strikes manages to break the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Mendez pushes Strikes up against the cage in a clinch.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Mendez is trying to force a seperation but Strikes has the dominant position.
Mendez managing to block the knees to the body from Strikes.
Mendez blocks an elbow strike.
Strikes tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Strikes lands a body shot.
Strikes displaying some good clinch control by pressing Mendez up against the cage.
Mendez is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Strikes stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Mendez prevents a body shot from Strikes.

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

That's six minutes gone in the round.

Mendez forces Strikes back against the cage and clinches.
Mendez is working for takedown but Strikes is calmly controlling the position for now.
Strikes leaning against his opponent.

Strikes pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Mendez crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Strikes - the referee stops the clock and Mendez gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Strikes. Mendez manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Mendez swats away the attempt to clinch by Strikes.
Mendez lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

Mendez clinches up against the cage.
Strikes misses with an elbow over the top.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Mendez is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Strikes lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Mendez backwards.
Mendez drops down looking for an ankle pick but Strikes pulls his leg out and moves away.
Mendez tries for a takedown but Strikes sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Strikes closes the distance and pushes Mendez back into the cage.

Strikes breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Strikes 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.

Strikes has managed to clinch.

Strikes pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Strikes throws a sloppy head kick and Mendez moves out of range easily.
Strikes looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Strikes shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Strikes tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Mendez defends well and Strikes ends up having to push Mendez into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Mendez circles away from the clinch attempt.
Strikes moves out of range of the body kick from Mendez.
Strikes fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Mendez connects with a leg kick. Strikes looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Strikes fails with a takedown attempt.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Strikes closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Mendez wants to get back to full guard.
Tiago Mendez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Strikes keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Mendez gets full guard.

Strikes looking to improve position, pressing down on Mendez's thigh with his hand. Mendez seems to be working to lock up a guilotine though... is Strikes paying attention? Apparently not! He's locked it up tight! Strikes's face has turned purple! Will he tap? Will he! YES! He's tapped! Mendez picked his opening and made it count! Great finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 9:54 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Tiago Mendez!
Our winner, Tiago Mendez, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.