PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Paolo Mendez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Black (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Black has chosen Life in a Marvelous Time-Mos Def as his entrance music. Michael Black will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Mendez
vs
Black

185 cm
22
212 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

182 cm
22
215 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Nutrainiac Labs
Malicious Intent Fight Gear

RAGE Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Paolo Mendez!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Michael Black!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Robert Twigg and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mendez looks frusrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Nice combo by Black! Oh, that's hurt him - Mendez falls to the canvas and Black follows him into side control.

Mendez is rocked!
Black tries to stand but Mendez is controlling his head.
Black wants to control but Mendez is keeping him busy.
Mendez can't do much from the bottom here.
Mendez tries to improve position but can't.
Black tries to advance to mount but can't.
Mendez regains half guard.
Black wants to take a breather but Mendez is having none of it.

Mendez actively working from the bottom here.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Black will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
A punch combination from Black misses.

Mendez drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendez stands and throws Black's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Mendez lands a nice forearm strike.
Black is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Mendez looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Mendez swings around for an armbar but Black sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Mendez's guard.
Mendez is breathing heavily.
Mendez keeping moving, preventing Black from controlling successfully.
Black wants to stand but Mendez has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Black is looking to advance position but Mendez has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Mendez prevents Black from getting the reversal.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Black tries to lock up and control but Mendez gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Black is working to get back to half guard.
Black really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Mendez. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Black blocking the ground and pound.
Mendez takes Black's back.

Mendez has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Black tries to roll but Mendez sticks to his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Black is covering up but some of the strikes from Mendez are getting through and doing damage.
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.
Black trying to control the hands but Mendez won't let him.

Mendez is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Black is defending well though. Mendez let's go of the attempt for now.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mendez is hanging on to Black's back as he tries to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Black looking very determined here, making life difficult for Mendez.
Black trying to control the action but Mendez just sinks the hooks in.
Mendez doesn't have the hooks in and Black manages to turn into his guard.
Black trying to control but Mendez is working from the bottom.

Mendez had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Black is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Mendez Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Black's back instead.

Mendez is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Black is defending well though. Mendez let's go of the attempt for now.
Black avoids the strikes from Mendez.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mendez is persistently looking for the submission but Black is defending it well.
Black breaks Mendez's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Black must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Mendez is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Black rolls with it to try and escape but Mendez cranks on the arm and Black is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:35 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Paolo Mendez!
Paolo Mendez retains his light heavyweight title!