PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Raul Mendez (ranked 6289 p4p, 4683 weight class) and Matthew Rixon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Matthew Rixon has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Mendez
vs
Rixon

169 cm
27
147
4 - 5 - 0

168 cm
25
138
0 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Experienced

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Raul Mendez !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Matthew Rixon!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, James Atkins and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rixon throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Mendez tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Rixon is in Mendez 's guard.
Rixon wants to control from the top but Mendez keeps moving.
Rixon throws a big right hand that misses.

Rixon drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Mendez dives on top into guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Rixon manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

Mendez works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

Rixon has his feet on Mendez 's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A slow jab from Rixon misses its intended target.
Rixon fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rixon closes the distance and pushes Mendez back into the cage.
Mendez is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Rixon pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Rixon prevents the takedown attempt.
Mendez trying to control the position but instead, Rixon has worked for underhooks and has pushed Mendez into the cage.
Mendez tries to pull guard but Rixon holds him up against the cage and eventually Mendez drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Raul Mendez . That's going to take a lot out of him.

Rixon manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Mendez wants to control from the top but Rixon keeps moving.
Rixon has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Mendez works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Mendez seems content to control.
Rixon has his hands clasped together around Mendez 's back. He's all about the action.
Rixon regains full guard. Nicely done.
Mendez is fighting to break Rixon's control of his arms but Rixon is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Rixon is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Rixon pulls Mendez in to control the position.
Mendez trying to control the position from guard on top but Rixon is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendez content to stall in guard here.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Mendez is looking to pass into half guard but Rixon pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Rixon is in guard.

Rixon's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Mendez on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Mendez tries to get out of the position.
Mendez wants to sweep here but Rixon controlling him for the moment.
Mendez controlling the position.
Rixon postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mendez wants to get back to his feet but Rixon passes into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rixon is thwarting Mendez 's attempts to control the position.
Mendez is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Rixon.

Mendez bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!

Mendez throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Rixon tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Mendez is in Rixon's guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Rixon manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matthew Rixon dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Mendez closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rixon circles away.
A head kick misses from Rixon.
Mendez jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.

Mendez moves into the clinch.
Rixon leaning his opponent against the cage.

Rixon jumps into guard, dragging Mendez to the mat.
Matthew Rixon has got the better of the ground game so far.
Mendez scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Mendez sitting in guard here, content to control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Rixon is looking for a triangle but Mendez pushes his legs off easily.
Mendez knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Rixon on the ground.
Mendez postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rixon manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Mendez manages to get himself to full guard.

Rixon stops Mendez from standing up.
Mendez wants to sweep but no luck.
Rixon wants to control from the top but Mendez keeps moving.
Rixon stands and throws Mendez 's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Mendez tries to buck Rixon off but Rixon is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mendez struggling a bit here.
Rixon trying to control the action but Mendez is working from the bottom.
Rixon has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rixon lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rixon advances nicely into full mount.
Rixon lands a big shot there that rocks Mendez but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Rixon lands a couple of good shots and Mendez has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Mendez is trying to stand back up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mendez is trying to break free.

Mendez manages to escape to his feet.

Rixon throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Mendez tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Rixon is in Mendez 's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rixon scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rixon not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Mendez wants to improve his position but instead Rixon has moved into half guard.
Rixon lands with a punch from half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Mendez manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Mendez had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Rixon defends it easily.
Mendez looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matthew Rixon showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

Rixon shoots in for a double leg but Mendez sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Rixon shoots for a takedown but Mendez saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Mendez gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Rixon drags the fight down to the ground.
Rixon keeping moving, preventing Mendez from controlling successfully.
Mendez postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Mendez looking to sit in guard and control but Rixon gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Rixon is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Mendez is pulling down on Rixon's head. It's preventing any offense from Rixon, at least for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rixon postures up.
Mendez keeping moving, preventing Rixon from controlling successfully.
Mendez wants to stand up but Rixon is controlling him.
Mendez looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Rixon wants to control from the top but Mendez keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Rixon throwing strikes from guard but Mendez blocks nicely.

Mendez working for a triangle but Rixon defends it easily.
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.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

Rixon closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Mendez 's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rixon won't allow Mendez to sweep him here.
Rixon stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mendez swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Rixon stopping the sweep attempt from Mendez .
Rixon slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Rixon slips nicely into half guard.
Rixon working over Mendez with some ground and pound. Mendez looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Mendez wants to control but Rixon is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Mendez blocking the ground and pound attempt from Rixon.

Rixon is looking for a kimura but Mendez is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Rixon to get the leverage.
Mendez tries to kick Rixon off but Rixon keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Rixon lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Rixon is keen to just control but Mendez is a slippery customer.
Rixon sitting and controlling from the half guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rixon throws a poor cross that misses
letting Mendez counter with a right hand.
Rixon is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Mendez .
Raul Mendez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Matthew Rixon is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Rixon looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Mendez is fending him off so far but Rixon persists. Nope, Mendez circles away and we're back to standing.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Matthew Rixon.
I've got Rixon winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Daniel Bishop scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matthew Rixon!