PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Lionel Messi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chad Mendes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the ring.

Messi
vs
Mendes

181 cm
20
146 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

168 cm
28
145 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Lionel Messi!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Chad Mendes!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A head kick from Messi lands but Mendes takes it in his stride.
Mendes with a poor takedown
and Messi counters with a slapping leg kick.
Messi scores with a head kick.
Mendes shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Messi as he avoids it easily.
Mendes fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Lionel Messi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chad Mendes.
Mendes tries to score a power double leg takedown but Messi sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Mendes somewhat.
Nice body kick there by Messi.
Mendes chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Messi can pounce on him.
Messi throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Mendes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Messi displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Mendes.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Messi.
Messi scores with a head kick.
Mendes closes this distance looking for a takedown but Messi circles away.
Mendes looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Messi scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Messi bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Mendes looks gassed!
Messi lands with a kick to the temple. Mendes shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Mendes on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Messi goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Mendes shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Messi stuffs the takedown.
Mendes takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Nice sprawl there from Messi as Mendes shoots in.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Messi scores with a push kick.
A good leg kick by Messi.
Messi throws a leg kick which misses Mendes's front leg but catches the back leg as Mendes tries to avoid it.
Messi cracks the inside of Mendes's front leg.
Messi dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Mendes. That did some damage!
Good leg kick by Messi there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mendes takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Mendes shoots in and drives through. Messi sprawls well.
Mendes takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Messi throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Mendes takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Mendes tries for a takedown but Messi sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Messi lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Messi lands with a slapping head kick.

Mendes is rocked!
Mendes's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Messi throws a head kick that Mendes semi-blocks.
Messi scores with a head kick.
Mendes is still on wobbly legs! Can Messi finish him?
Mendes shoots for a double leg takedown but Messi sprawls well. He's pushed Mendes's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Mendes on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Mendes seems to have recovered his senses.
Mendes takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Messi scoring well with a low kick there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Messi is looking to slow Mendes down with leg kicks.
Messi chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Messi throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Mendes.
Lionel Messi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mendes with a lazy takedown attempt
and Messi counters with a nice low kick that buckles Mendes's knee momentarily.
Nice body kick from Messi.
Mendes chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Messi can pounce on him.
A slapping leg kick lands for Messi.
Messi throws a leg kick which misses Mendes's front leg but catches the back leg as Mendes tries to avoid it.
Chad Mendes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Messi is looking to slow Mendes down with leg kicks.
Mendes with a lazy takedown attempt
and Messi counters with a head kick. That will keep Mendes thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Messi lands a head kick. Mendes smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
A nice leg kick lands there from Messi.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Messi lets loose with a powerful body kick. Mendes will feel that in the morning.
Messi throws a head kick that Mendes semi-blocks.
Mendes is trying desperately to land a takedown but Messi is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Mendes.
Messi turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Messi throws a nice head kick!
Messi connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Messi lands with a kick to the temple. Mendes shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Messi lands with a thumping leg kick.
Messi stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Messi wants it to stay on the feet.
A solid body kick from Messi.
Messi lands a high kick!
Mendes shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Messi as he avoids it easily.
Messi lands with a slapping head kick.
Mendes looks for a takedown but Messi sprawls well.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Messi throws a head kick that half lands.
Messi lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Messi lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lionel Messi dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Mendes fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Messi avoids it really well and circles away.
Mendes stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Messi.
Mendes fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Messi avoids it really well and circles away.
Messi throws a quick inside leg kick.
Messi dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Mendes. That did some damage!
Messi is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Mendes can do to turn this around?
Messi scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Messi lands a high kick!
Mendes has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Messi.
Lionel Messi is winning the standup battle so far.
Messi throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Mendes's head.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with eachother but Mendes might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Messi has got the better of the exchanges.
Mendes stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Messi.
Mendes is breathing heavily.
A good leg kick by Messi.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Horrible takedown by Mendes or perhaps it was just good defense by Messi which made him look bad.
Lionel Messi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chad Mendes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Messi throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Messi lands a front kick.
Messi lands a head kick!
Mendes fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Messi avoids it really well and circles away.
Messi stuffs the takedown attempt from Mendes. Mendes gets slowly back to his feet.
Mendes has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Messi.
Messi throws a nice head kick!
Mendes stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Messi.
Mendes closes this distance looking for a takedown but Messi circles away.
Messi lands with a kick to the temple. Mendes shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Messi turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Messi stuffs the takedown.
A good leg kick by Messi.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Messi throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Messi throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Mendes takes a kick to the side of the head.
Messi throws a head kick that half lands.
Lionel Messi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Mendes crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Messi - the referee stops the clock and Mendes gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Messi. Mendes manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Mendes shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Messi defends it nicely.
Messi connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
A chopping leg kick lands by Messi.
Mendes looks for a takedown but Messi sprawls well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendes takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Mendes takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Messi fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Mendes shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Messi as he avoids it easily.
Messi scores with a head kick.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Messi. Mendes shrugs it off though.
Messi lands a head kick. Mendes smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Messi connects with a solid leg kick.
Messi feints and then cracks Mendes's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Mendes down.
Crunch! Messi slams his shin into Mendes's torso.
Messi throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Messi lands a front kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Messi throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Mendes takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mendes shoots for a takedown but Messi saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A thudding body kick lands there by Messi!
Good leg kick by Messi there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Messi lands with a thumping leg kick.
Messi feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Mendes's calf.
An inside leg kick lands from Messi.
Messi defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Mendes.
Nice body kick from Messi.
Messi throws a head kick that half lands.
Messi throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mendes closes the distance and clinches up with Messi, looking for a takedown. Mendes pushes Messi against the ropes but Messi circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Messi connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
A good leg kick by Messi.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lionel Messi dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Messi chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Mendes tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Messi swivels and escapes.
Mendes fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Mendes tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Messi swivels and escapes.
Lionel Messi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chad Mendes.
Messi throws a nice inside leg kick.
Mendes takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Messi looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Messi throws a nice inside leg kick.
Messi scores with a head kick.
Messi throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Messi scores with a leg kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Messi throws a head kick that Mendes semi-blocks.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mendes takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Messi fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Mendes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Messi throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Mendes shoots for a takedown but Messi saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Mendes.
A nice inside leg kick there by Messi. That's going to slow Mendes down.
Mendes takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Mendes shoots in and drives through. Messi sprawls well.
Messi lands a head kick!
Messi keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Messi lands with a thumping leg kick.
Messi lands with a kick to the temple. Mendes shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Messi fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Mendes has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Messi.
Nice takedown defense from Messi. No joy for Mendes on that attempt.
Mendes shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Messi pinned against the ropes. Messi gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Messi explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Messi throws a nice inside leg kick.
Messi really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mendes shoots and misses
and Messi counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Mendes fails to land the takedown.
Messi throws a leg kick which misses Mendes's front leg but catches the back leg as Mendes tries to avoid it.
Messi scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Mendes tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Messi swivels and escapes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendes takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Messi scores with a leg kick.
Messi scores with a head kick.
Messi connects with a solid leg kick.
Messi moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Messi throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Mendes's head.
Mendes takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Mendes has his takedown stuffed
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Messi lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Mendes on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Messi fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Mendes has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Messi stuffs the takedown.
Mendes shoots for a double leg takedown but Messi sprawls well. He's pushed Mendes's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Messi throws a leg kick which misses Mendes's front leg but catches the back leg as Mendes tries to avoid it.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Messi.
Messi throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mendes doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Messi counters with a low kick, right behind Mendes 's knee.
Messi feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Mendes's calf.
Messi throws a quick inside leg kick.
Messi slaps away a takedown attempt from Mendes, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Messi scores with a kick to the midsection.
Messi cracks the inside of Mendes's front leg.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Good leg kick by Messi there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Mendes fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Messi avoids it really well and circles away.
Messi fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lionel Messi clearly takes that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A right-left combo lands from Messi.
Messi lands with a thumping leg kick.
Mendes tries for a takedown but Messi sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Messi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Mendes fails with a takedown attempt.
Messi throws a head kick that Mendes semi-blocks.
Messi cracks the inside of Mendes's front leg.
A head kick misses from Messi.
Mendes fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Messi avoids it really well and circles away.
Lionel Messi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chad Mendes.
Messi displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Mendes.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Good leg kick by Messi there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Messi scores with a head kick. Mendes tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Mendes has a takedown stuffed.
Messi cracks the inside of Mendes's front leg.
Messi connects with a solid leg kick.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Mendes.
Mendes chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Messi can pounce on him.
Messi with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Mendes shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Messi but Messi pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Messi.
Messi plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Good leg kick by Messi there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Messi lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Mendes closes the distance and clinches up with Messi, looking for a takedown. Mendes pushes Messi against the ropes but Messi circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Mendes shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Messi but Messi pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Messi scores with a head kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mendes takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Messi throws a head kick that Mendes semi-blocks.
Messi lands a leg kick that knocks Mendes off balance momentarily.
Mendes misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Messi plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Messi throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Mendes takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Mendes fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Messi feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Mendes's calf.
Mendes shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Messi as he jumps to the side.
Mendes takes a kick to the side of the head.
Messi throws a nice head kick!
Mendes chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Messi can pounce on him.

Mendes is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Messi's half guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Messi pushes Mendes off looking to stand but Mendes dives back in and keeps control.

Mendes is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Messi defends it well.

Mendes seems to be looking for submissions.

Mendes is trying for a kimura here. Messi looks like he's in a lot of pain... and he's tapping out! Mendes wins by kimura!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:03 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Chad Mendes!
Chad Mendes is the new bantamweight champion!