PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Marco Polo (ranked 2127 p4p, 1922 weight class) and Ele Meno (ranked 178 p4p, 165 weight class). Marco Polo is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Polo
vs
Meno

170 cm
29
148
9 - 5 - 0

171 cm
27
155
9 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Marco Polo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ele Meno!
The judges for this bout are Wagner Zegers, Patrick Alders and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Polo fails to land the takedown.

Meno closes the distance and clinches.
Polo has been working on his balance at Brooklyn Mixed Martial Arts, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Meno.
Polo wants to take the fight to the mat but Meno manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Meno lands a hook that snaps the head of Polo backwards.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Polo.
Polo fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marco Polo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Meno lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Polo scores with a shot to the side of Meno's head.
Meno tries a body shot but Polo blocks it.
Meno working aggressively here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Polo fails to pull guard.
Polo has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Meno is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Polo jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Meno walks away with a smile on his face. Polo gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
A punch lands to the side of Polo 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Polo shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Meno as he avoids it easily.
Polo tries to clinch up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice shot lands for Meno.
Meno scores with a jab.
Polo closes the distance and clinches up with Meno, looking for a takedown. Polo pushes Meno against the cage but Meno circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Meno rushes Polo and presses him up against the cage.
Good body shot from Meno.

Meno breaks the clinch.
Meno throws a right and a left that both miss.
Meno throws a shot to the body.
Meno fails to land with a series of punches.
Polo tries for a takedown but Meno circles away easily
and Meno counters with a left and a right that stings Polo.
Polo is breathing heavily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Polo avoids a punch combination nicely.
Meno throws a good cross that connects.
Meno throws a good cross that connects.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Meno connects with a jab.
Meno connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Polo momentarily.
Polo uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Meno.
Nice jab there from Meno.
Meno throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Polo.
Polo shoots in for a takedown but Meno shows good takedown defense.

Meno has managed to clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Meno stops a takedown attempt from Polo.
Polo tries to pull guard but Meno holds him up against the cage and eventually Polo drops back down to his feet.
Meno misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Polo blocking some punches.

Meno escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Meno connects with a good right hand that stumbles Polo. Polo circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Polo goes for a double leg but Meno avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Meno continues to drive forward.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Polo fails to pull guard.
Polo blocks an uppercut.
Meno tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Meno prevents the takedown attempt.
Polo is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Meno to keep the fight standing.

Meno breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Polo misses with a takedown attempt - Meno sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Meno is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Meno is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Polo had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.
Meno swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Meno might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Meno cracks Polo with a right hand to the side of the head.
Meno misses with a two punch combination.
A jab lands there for Meno.
Meno feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Polos jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Polo misses with a takedown attempt
and Meno cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Meno with a hook.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Jab, jab by Meno - just one landing.
Meno has worked on his takedown defense in the runup to this fight and it is paying off so far.
Meno fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Meno moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Meno smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Polo fails with a takedown attempt.
Meno fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Meno throws a body shot but no joy.
Polo drops down looking for a counter takedown but Meno sprawls and moves away.
Meno cracks Polo with a right hand to the side of the head.
Polo will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Meno misses with a double jab.
Meno stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Meno wants it to stay on the feet.
Polo tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Meno defends well and Polo ends up having to push Meno into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Meno lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

Meno has closed the distance and engaged Polo in a clinch.
Polo prevents a body shot from Meno.
Meno softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Polo tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Meno breaks the clinch.

Meno has taken the fight to the clinch.
Polo is trying to drag Meno to the mat but Meno just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Polo is looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marco Polo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Polo has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Meno avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Meno scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Polo is trying to pull guard but Meno has him pressed against the cage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Meno tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Meno tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Polo drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Meno misses with a punch to the body.

Meno breaks from the clinch.
Meno misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Polo has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Meno finds it's way round the side to connect with Polo's head.
A big left from Meno misses.
Polo tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Meno manages to circle out of the way.
Polo misses with a takedown attempt - Meno sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Marco Polo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Some wild striking there from Meno.
Meno throws a nice looking combination but Polo bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Polo doesn't manage to clinch there - Meno circles away.
A little jabbing left from Meno on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
A jab from Meno finds it's way through Polo's defenses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Meno misses.
Meno getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

Meno gets a clinch.
Polo wants to stall.
Polo fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Polo is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Meno is defending well for now.
Polo looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Polo is trying to pull guard but Meno has him pressed against the cage.

Meno breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Meno connects with a good right hand that stumbles Polo. Polo circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Polo takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Meno leaves Polo with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
It seemed like Meno was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Polo slips a jab and a cross from Meno.
Polo moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Meno smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Meno scores with a nice strike.
Polo shoots in for a double leg but Meno sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Polo tries to clinch but Meno moves out of range.
Meno connects with a single shot there.
Polo shoots for a takedown but Meno saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Meno appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Meno cracks Polo with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Meno works the jab nicely.
Polo shoots in for a takedown but Meno shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Meno looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Meno connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Polo has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Polo there as he acknowledges the shot.

Meno has managed to clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Meno lands a nice shot to the body.

Meno pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Polo. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Meno changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Meno has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Polo takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

Meno clinches.
Polo tries to pull guard but Meno forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Polo drops down looking for an ankle pick but Meno pulls his leg out and moves away.
A shot to the liver by Meno. Beautiful body shot.

Meno darts in and clinches Polo up against the cage.
Meno misses with a short punch on the inside.

Meno breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Meno closes the distance and clinches.
Polo stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Meno misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Polo is looking to take this one to the mat.
Meno lands with a light punch inside.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ele Meno showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Polo's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Meno throws a nice looking combination but Polo bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Polo rushes Meno and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Meno working aggressively here.
Polo tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Meno just stands there and leans against the cage.
Meno working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Meno works on Polo's body with a couple of short punches.
Polo tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Meno avoids it.

Meno breaks the clinch.
A punch lands to the side of Polo 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Meno scores with a nice right hand.

Polo tries to keep at a distance but Meno has taken the fight into the clinch.
Polo blocking some punches.
Polo fails to pull guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A nice left hand lands by Meno.
Meno tries to work over Polo's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ele Meno seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Meno misses with a hook to the ribs.
Meno tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Polo's elbow.

Meno manages to break the clinch.
Marco Polo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Meno throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Polo.
Polo throws a head kick that misses.
It seemed like Meno was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

Meno closes the distance and clinches.
Meno lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Polo tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Meno just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marco Polo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Meno struggles to land a body shot inside as Polo controls his hands.
Polo tries to pull guard but Meno won't allow it.
Polo is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Meno is defending well.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Polo tries to pull guard but Meno holds him up against the cage and eventually Polo drops back down to his feet.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Polo as Meno tries to tie him up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Meno breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Polo with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Meno to score with a decent uppercut.

Meno moves into the clinch successfully.
Polo jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Meno walks away with a smile on his face. Polo gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Meno connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Polo's hands.
Polo fails with the takedown.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Meno getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
No joy there for Meno, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Polo appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Polo fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Marco Polo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Meno throws a nice looking combination but Polo bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Meno rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Polo moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Meno works Polo's body with a nice hook.
Meno takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Polo has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Meno finds it's way round the side to connect with Polo's head.

Meno drives through and clinches with Polo against the cage.
Polo is trying to pull guard but Meno turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Meno works on Polo's body with a couple of short punches.
Meno lands with a left to the head.
Polo is trying to pull guard but Meno has him pressed against the cage.
Meno misses with a hook to the ribs.
Polo tries to pull guard but Meno won't allow it.
Polo tries to pull guard but Meno holds him up against the cage and eventually Polo drops back down to his feet.
Polo is trying to pull guard but Meno turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Meno breaks from the clinch.

Meno gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Polo fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Meno doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Polo tries to land knees in the clinch but Meno avoids the damage to the body.
A hook to the body from Meno.
Meno scores with a shot to the side of Polo's head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Meno breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Polo drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Ele Meno is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Meno scores with a body shot.
Meno scores with a jab.
Meno thuds his right hand into Polo's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Meno misses with a two punch combination.
Polo tries a head kick but it misses.
Meno connects with a right hand. Polo shakes it off.
Meno misses with a few strikes there.
Polo attempts a counter takedown but Meno avoids it well and moves away.
Ele Meno is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Polo takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ele Meno comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Meno has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Wagner Zegers scores the fight 24:30
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 24:30
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 24:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ele Meno!
Ele Meno thanked the fans post fight for their support.