PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mark Hales (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Raul Mendez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Hales
vs
Mendez

204 cm
23
196 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

185 cm
23
185 lbs
12 - 8 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Insanely flexible

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mark Hales!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Raul Mendez!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, John Kavanagh and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hales fails with a takedown attempt.

Mendez gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Hales to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Mendez is looking to stand up but Hales isn't so interested in that idea.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hales looking to pass the guard.
Mendez keeping moving, preventing Hales from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendez is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Hales throws a big right hand that misses.
Hales will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Mendez wants to stand but Hales is controlling the position.
Hales's corner is telling him to maintain position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Mendez misses with a head kick.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Hales.

Hales shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Hales showed some decent athleticism there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mendez tries to kick Hales off but Hales keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Hales seems to be working for a kimura but Mendez defends the submission attempt.

Hales is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Mendez is trying to stand up here but Hales is controlling him well.
Hales is trying to control. Mendez wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Hales wants to work for an arm triangle but Mendez is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Hales really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Hales seems like he's working for an arm triangle here. He's freed his trapped foot and he's rotating nicely. Mendez is in big trouble! He's tapping out! This one is aaaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Mark Hales!