PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kuran Dragic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Phil Mendes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Dragic
vs
Mendes

225 cm
23
269 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

188 cm
25
246 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Intelligent

Good takedowns
Brawler
Experienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Kuran Dragic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Phil Mendes!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Richard Clark and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dragic throws a low kick, looking for Mendes's leg but Mendes calmly moves out of range.
A swing and a miss from Mendes.
Dragic displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mendes throws out the jab.

Dragic drives through and clinches with Mendes against the cage.
Mendes misses with a short punch on the inside.
Mendes is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Dragic blocks an uppercut.
Dragic really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Mendes jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Dragic walks away with a smile on his face. Mendes gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Mendes fails with a takedown attempt.
Mendes should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Dragic moves in looking to clinch but Mendes pushes him off.

Dragic moves into range and clinches up with Mendes.
Dragic holding his opponent close, against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mendes manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Dragic wants to get up but he can't break Mendes's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Mendes trying to control the position.
Mendes wants to sweep but no luck.
Dragic knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Mendes on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendes is trying to keep Dragic in close.

Mendes has his foot on Dragic's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Dragic works his way back into a safe position though.
Dragic will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Mendes manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Dragic manages to get himself to full guard.

Dragic keeping moving, preventing Mendes from controlling successfully.
Dragic is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dragic working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Mendes.

Mendes drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Dragic manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Mendes has Dragic in his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mendes pulls Dragic in close to his closed guard and prevents Dragic from doing any damage or advancing position.
Mendes manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Dragic manages to get himself to full guard.

Mendes is working Dragic over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Mendes missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Dragic avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Mendes postures up in Dragic's guard and throws a big left but Dragic blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendes wants to control from the top but Dragic keeps moving.
Mendes prevents Dragic from getting back to his feet.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Mendes accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Mendes is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Dragic is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Dragic has escaped and now he's on top!

Mendes looking for a sweep. Not yet Mendes, not yet.
Dragic is looking to stand up but Mendes won't let him.
Mendes is trying to keep Dragic in close.

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.
Mendes has a closed guard, preventing Dragic from standing up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Dragic fails with an attempt to clinch.
Mendes tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Dragic uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mendes.

Dragic clinches with his opponent.
Mendes tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Dragic smiles and moves away.
Kuran Dragic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Phil Mendes.

Dragic clinches.
Mendes tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Dragic just stands there and leans against the cage.
Mendes swings away with an uppercut that misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A head punch on the inside from Mendes fails to land.
Dragic scores with a nice hook to the head.
Mendes is trying to break the clinch but Dragic is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Kuran Dragic will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Dragic wants to clinch up but Mendes keeps it at a distance.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Dragic moves into the clinch successfully.
Mendes jumps guard but Dragic stands there with Mendes around his waist. Mendes gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Dragic lands a takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mendes looking to hit a scissor sweep but Dragic is one step ahead there.

Mendes has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Dragic can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Mendes is trying to control the position but Dragic postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mendes wants to sweep but no luck.

Dragic stands up from Mendes's guard - Dragic perhaps looking for a knockout.
Kuran Dragic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mendes misses with a hook. Dragic ducked under it nicely.
Mendes avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A big right followed by a crushing left from Dragic knocks Mendes out cold! Ouch - that one's going to be featured in highlight reels for years to come!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Kuran Dragic!
Kuran Dragic decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.