PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gregores Mendez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Niko Reynolds (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mendez kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Paleface- Helsinki-Shangri-La. Reynolds is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Lights Out - Bobby Light. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Mendez
vs
Reynolds

178 cm
25
213 lbs
8 - 6 - 0

197 cm
26
224 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Gregores Mendez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Niko Reynolds!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Stewart Dunkirk and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A combination from Reynolds does no damage.

Mendez throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Reynolds tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Mendez is in Reynolds's guard.
Mendez trying to control the position from guard on top but Reynolds is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Reynolds wants to stand but Mendez is controlling the position.
Reynolds is trying to keep Mendez in close.
Mendez passes easily into side control. Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Reynolds struggling a bit here.
Mendez advances to full mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendez punishing his opponent with strikes.

Mendez goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Reynolds is on top in guard.
Mendez is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Mendez is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Reynolds is aware though and is defending well.
Mendez is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Reynolds is looking to improve his position.
Mendez works his way into full mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reynolds avoids a series of strikes thrown by Mendez.
Reynolds is bucking up trying to escape but Mendez cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Mendez avoids the attempt from Reynolds to control.
Mendez raining down hammerfists from mount.
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 lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Reynolds flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Reynolds is squirming around, avoiding Mendez's attempts to control the action.
Mendez thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendez cracks Reynolds with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

Mendez moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Reynolds has worked his arm free - good work by Reynolds!
Reynolds struggling a bit here.
Reynolds is working to avoid the ground and pound but Mendez connects with a decent elbow.
Reynolds manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Mendez is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mendez slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Mendez looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Reynolds trying to control the position from guard on top but Mendez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mendez is trying to control the position but Reynolds postures up.
Mendez bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Reynolds's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mendez trying to control but Reynolds is working from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mendez throws a strike but Reynolds rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Mendez is trying to control the position but Reynolds postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gregores Mendez dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Mendez looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Reynolds is fending him off so far but Mendez persists. Nope, Reynolds circles away and we're back to standing.

Mendez scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Mendez goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Reynolds has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Mendez but great work by Reynolds.
Mendez manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Mendez prevents Reynolds from improving his position.
Reynolds wants to control but Mendez is keeping busy.
Reynolds controlling the position well.
Mendez lands with a punch from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reynolds avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Mendez.

Mendez is looking for a kimura here.
The fighters are battling for position here. Reynolds manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Mendez might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Reynolds scores with a short punch from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Mendez accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Mendez wants to control from the top but Reynolds keeps moving.

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.
Reynolds is trying to keep Mendez in close.
Mendez trying to control but Reynolds is working from the bottom.
Mendez throwing strikes but missing.
Reynolds keeping moving, preventing Mendez from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Gregores Mendez.
A swing and a miss from Reynolds.
Reynolds is looking to clinch but Mendez is avoiding it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reynolds wants to clinch up but Mendez keeps it at a distance.
Mendez looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Reynolds is fending him off so far but Mendez persists. Nope, Reynolds circles away and we're back to standing.
Mendez misses with a takedown

and Reynolds counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gregores Mendez. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Reynolds thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Mendez pulls Reynolds in close to prevent any damage.
Reynolds wants to control from the top but Mendez keeps moving.
Reynolds passes Mendez's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Reynolds is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reynolds moves nicely into side control.
Mendez on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Mendez is holding Reynolds down, trying to stall.
Mendez is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Reynolds working the ground and pound but Mendez is defending the strikes.
Reynolds working the ground and pound but Mendez is defending the strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Niko Reynolds showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Mendez's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Reynolds misses with a jab, cross combination.
Mendez avoids the head kick by Reynolds.
Mendez has his takedown stuffed
and Reynolds counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Reynolds clinches up with Mendez and pushes him back against the cage.
Reynolds wants a takedown but no success here.
Reynolds tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Mendez smiles and moves away.

Mendez gets tackled into the cage by Reynolds. Reynolds maintains the clinch.
Reynolds lands a nice uppercut.
Reynolds is trying to maintain a safe position but Mendez gets an underhook and turns Reynolds into the cage.

Reynolds breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Reynolds takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Reynolds throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Mendez stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

Mendez feints and as Reynolds raises his hands in defense, Mendez changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendez passes Reynolds's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Mendez thows a huge punch but Reynolds dodges it nicely.
Mendez works his way into full mount!
Reynolds is squirming around, avoiding Mendez's attempts to control the action.
Gregores Mendez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Mendez moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Reynolds has worked his arm free - good work by Reynolds!
Reynolds is trying to control Mendez's posture but Mendez avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mendez throwing strikes but Reynolds manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!

Reynolds is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Mendez is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Reynolds landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Mendez tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Reynolds wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Reynolds working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Mendez has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Mendez sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendez manages to get to full guard.
Reynolds trying to control the position from guard on top but Mendez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mendez 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.
Mendez keeping moving, preventing Reynolds from controlling successfully.

Mendez escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Reynolds gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Mendez looking for a sweep. Not yet Mendez, not yet.
Reynolds's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Mendez wants to sweep but no luck.
Mendez lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Reynolds!
Reynolds is wriggling around trying to escape.
Mendez punishing his opponent with strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Gregores Mendez.
I think Mendez has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:29
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Gregores Mendez!