PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Riyu Mendes (ranked 1441 p4p, 1993 weight class) and Jean Lucroy (ranked 194 p4p, 252 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Mendes
vs
Lucroy

188 cm
25
206
10 - 9 - 1

182 cm
32
206
12 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Riyu Mendes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jean Lucroy!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Thiago Cunha and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lucroy takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Lucroy shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Mendes but Mendes pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Lucroy shoots in and gets a takedown into Mendes's guard.
Mendes wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Lucroy manages to pass to side control.

Mendes tries to roll over but Lucroy keeps him under control.
Mendes avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Lucroy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mendes tries to roll over but Lucroy keeps him under control.
Nice strikes from Lucroy there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendes is looking for a sweep. Lucroy is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Lucroy is keen to just control but Mendes is a slippery customer.
Lucroy prevents Mendes from improving his position.
Lucroy prevents Mendes from standing back up.
Mendes moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Mendes looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Mendes looking to hit a scissor sweep but Lucroy is one step ahead there.

Mendes had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Lucroy defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Mendes throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Lucroy trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Lucroy stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Jean Lucroy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mendes moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

Lucroy has Mendes up against the cage in a clinch.
Mendes tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Lucroy's elbow.
A short left from Mendes.
Mendes working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Mendes tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lucroy gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Lucroy seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Lucroy connects with a nice short shot to Mendes's temple.

Mendes is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Lucroy pulls his head out easily.

Lucroy is looking for a kimura but Mendes is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Lucroy to get the leverage.

Mendes looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Mendes wants to get back to full guard.
Lucroy blocks the strikes from Mendes.
Lucroy is thwarting Mendes's attempts to control the position.
My spies in The Foundry inform me that Lucroy has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lucroy is figuring out what he wants to do next.

Mendes looking for submissions off his back.

Mendes looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Lucroy trying to control the pace.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lucroy tries to pass the half guard into mount. Mendes knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jean Lucroy will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Lucroy looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Mendes manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Lucroy keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Mendes lands a left hand.
Lucroy blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Lucroy pulls Mendes into guard.
Lucroy seems keen to control Mendes's posture.
Mendes trying to control but Lucroy is working from the bottom.
Mendes is looking to work some ground and pound but Lucroy has wrist control.
Lucroy is trying to control the position from the bottom.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lucroy 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.
Mendes postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lucroy wants to hit a sweep here but Mendes passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Lucroy there!
Lucroy manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Lucroy regains full guard. Nicely done.
Lucroy has Mendes pulled in close to control his posture.
Mendes trying to control but Lucroy is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

Mendes doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

Mendes had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Lucroy defends it easily.
Lucroy stopping the sweep attempt from Mendes.
Lucroy stays in close to Mendes's body and controls the position.
Lucroy wants to control from the top but Mendes keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lucroy trying to stand up but can't free himself from Mendes's guard.
Lucroy trying to control but Mendes is working from the bottom.
Jean Lucroy has got the better of the ground game so far.

Mendes looking for a guillotine here but Lucroy defends easily.
Lucroy stopping the sweep attempt from Mendes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Lucroy trying to control the position from guard on top but Mendes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Lucroy shoots in looking for a takedown but Mendes manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Lucroy's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Mendes ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
A good leg kick by Mendes.

Lucroy drives through with a takedown into Mendes's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Lucroy passes into half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lucroy looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Mendes with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Mendes looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Riyu Mendes will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Mendes gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Mendes looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Lucroy passes into side control.
Lucroy trying to control the action but Mendes is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lucroy content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Mendes sneaks back into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendes wants to get back to full guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Lucroy in particular looking to stall.
Mendes is in trouble now - Lucroy has advanced to mount!
Lucroy wants to control the pace but Mendes is squirming around nicely.
Lucroy scoring with strikes but Mendes is staying in there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mendes tries to hold on but Lucroy postures up.
Lucroy can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Mendes is looking to escape.
Mendes slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

Mendes is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Lucroy pulls his head out easily.
Mendes is looking to improve his position.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Lucroy in particular looking to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendes is trying to control but Lucroy manages to pass to mount!
Lucroy prevents Mendes from getting the reversal.
Riyu Mendes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lucroy controlling the position easily from mount.
Mendes is squirming around, avoiding Lucroy's attempts to control the action.
Lucroy with good strikes from the mount here!
Lucroy trying to control but Mendes is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mendes is in all sorts of trouble here.
Mendes is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Mendes is desperately trying to improve his position but Lucroy has a good base and remains in mount.
Mendes is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
BOOM! Lucroy connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Mendes is looking to get to half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Lucroy tries to control but Mendes wriggling away.
Jean Lucroy is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Lucroy prevents Mendes from getting the reversal.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jean Lucroy comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Lucroy has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Matheus Silva scores the fight for Jean Lucroy!
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight for Jean Lucroy!
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight for Jean Lucroy!

Jean Lucroy wins by unanimous decision!
A very excited looking Jean Lucroy made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.