PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Carlos Mendosa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ben Howell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ben Howell told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Mendosa
vs
Howell

182 cm
23
215 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

180 cm
20
205 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Australian Xtreme - Elite Supplements

[MMABR]Terror Trition[†CoE†]

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 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Carlos Mendosa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ben Howell!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Hogan, Hugh Johnson and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Howell throws a sloppy head kick and Mendosa moves out of range easily.
Howell fails with the takedown.
Mendosa misses with a series of wild punches.
Mendosa stuffs the takedown.
Mendosa swinging wildly here.
Howell takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

Howell changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Mendosa looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Howell working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Howell tries for a kimura but Mendosa is defending well.

Howell wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Mendosa, who protects the arm well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendosa manages to get back to half guard.

Howell is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Mendosa defends it well.
Mendosa is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Howell is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Howell is trying to control the action in half guard but Mendosa is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's two 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.
Mendosa tries to get to full guard but Howell has control of the leg.

Howell seems to be working for a kimura but Mendosa defends the submission attempt.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mendosa is looking to improve his position.
Howell wants to pass the guard but Mendosa is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
No luck for Howell with that takedown attempt.
Carlos Mendosa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ben Howell.
Mendosa smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Mendosa avoids the head kick by Howell.
Howell ducks under a wild hook from Mendosa.
Mendosa misses with a double jab.
Mendosa has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Mendosa there as he acknowledges the shot.
Mendosa scores with the left hand. Howell knows he should have avoided that one.
Mendosa throws a right and a left that Howell avoids nicely.
Howell shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Mendosa defends it nicely.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Mendosa dips to his left and cracks Howell with an uppercut!
Mendosa bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Nice shot lands for Mendosa.
Mendosa throws an overhand right that lands on Howell's shoulder, as Howell tries to avoid the shot.
Mendosa throws a looping overhand right but Howell ducks down to avoid it.
Mendosa stuffs the takedown attempt from Howell. Howell gets slowly back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Howell.
Howell looks gassed!
Mendosa manages to get back to half guard.
Mendosa has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Howell is working away from the top position though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mendosa works his way to full guard. Good work.
Howell wants to pass the guard but Mendosa is keeping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carlos Mendosa dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Howell avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Mendosa throws a big shot that misses.
Howell tries for a takedown but Mendosa sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Mendosa throws a combination. Howell tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Howell shoots in and drives through. Mendosa sprawls well.
Howell loads up on a big right hand but Mendosa slips the punch.
Mendosa swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Howell shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Mendosa as he avoids it easily.
Carlos Mendosa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ben Howell.

Howell drives through with a takedown into guard.
Mendosa has control of Howell's left arm, preventing Howell from doing any damage.

Howell has gone for a leg lock! Mendosa slips out almost immediately though and dives into Howell's guard.
Howell is breathing heavily.
Mendosa loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Mendosa drops back looking for a leg! Howell is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Howell manages to kick Mendosa off! Mendosa jumps back into Howell's guard.
Howell looking for a sweep. Not yet Howell, not yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendosa postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Howell keeping moving, preventing Mendosa from controlling successfully.
Mendosa would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Mendosa got a little sloppy there for a moment and Howell has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Mendosa has managed to get both his arms back between Howell's legs - danger averted.
Mendosa tries to free his leg and advance position but Howell is retaining full guard.

Mendosa thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Howell throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Howell has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Mendosa can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Mendosa slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Howell tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Mendosa is looking to take a break and control but Howell is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Mendosa is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Howell is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Mendosa lands some shots froms side control.
Howell is looking to regain half guard here but Mendosa keeps moving and retains side control.
Howell gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Howell won't allow Mendosa to pass to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howell wants to improve his position but Mendosa is controlling well.
Mendosa tries to stand and escape but Howell is controlling the position.
Ground and pound from Mendosa.
Howell is trying to maintain the position but Mendosa is very close to passing his half guard.
Howell is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Mendosa lands a right hook to the body.
Howell moves out of range of the strikes.
Howell misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Howell throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Mendosa's waist but Mendosa gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Howell off to one side.
Mendosa lands a two punch combo.
Howell uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Mendosa.
Howell moves forwards but Mendosa connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Carlos Mendosa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A left and a right from Mendosa both land. Nice combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Howell fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Howell tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Carlos Mendosa is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mendosa fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Howell looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Nice jab there from Mendosa.
Howell takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Mendosa cracks Howell with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Nice body punch from Mendosa.
Mendosa lands a slapping body shot.
Mendosa misses with an uppercut.
Mendosa scores with a hook.
Mendosa misses with a wild combination.
Howell takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Howell takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mendosa lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Howell at a distance.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Howell dodges the punch combination from Mendosa.
Howell fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Mendosa avoids it really well and circles away.
Mendosa scores with a crisp jab that stopped Howell in his tracks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carlos Mendosa dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Mendosa dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Howell bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Howell is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Mendosa is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Mendosa manages to work his way to half guard, despite Howell's best efforts.
Mendosa trying to control from the bottom.

Howell is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Mendosa is just riding it out for now. Howell eventually gives up the hold.
Howell takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Mendosa is doing well to control the position and prevent Howell from advancing to side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Howell prevents Mendosa from improving his position.
Howell stalling.

Mendosa looking for submissions off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Howell is working for a kimura but Mendosa is defending it quite comfortably.
Mendosa works his way to full guard. Good work.
Mendosa is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Howell thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Mendosa is adopting a defensive guard.
Mendosa is trying to control the position but Howell postures up.
Howell trying to control the position from guard on top but Mendosa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Howell tries to free his leg and advance position but Mendosa is retaining full guard.

Howell has gone for a leg lock! Mendosa slips out almost immediately though and dives into Howell's guard.

Mendosa stands and steps away. Howell gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Mendosa throws a shot from downtown. Howell moves away and avoids it.
Mendosa lunges at Howell with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Howell's hand.
The fight stays on the outside here - Howell looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Howell takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mendosa changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Mendosa lunges at Howell with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Howell's hand.
Mendosa moves out of range as Howell strikes.
Ben Howell has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Howell uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Mendosa.
Howell throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Mendosa's waist but Mendosa gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Howell off to one side.

And that's the end of the fight!
Carlos Mendosa showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Mendosa, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Bruno Hogan scores the fight 30:27
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Carlos Mendosa!