PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between AJ Menendez (ranked 4312 p4p, 4750 weight class) and Geo Versu (ranked 455 p4p, 497 weight class). Menendez comes into the arena with Kurt Angle Theme blaring out of the sound system. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Menendez
vs
Versu

188 cm
24
211
8 - 12 - 2

180 cm
46
214
21 - 17 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
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 8 - 12 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, AJ Menendez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 17 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Geo Versu!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Donald Grub and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Versu throws a nice inside leg kick.
Versu misses with a body kick.
Versu lands a jab to Menendez's midsection.
Versu tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Menendez has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Cozad MMA Montreal in the buildup to the fight.
Menendez ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Menendez went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Menendez has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Versu.
Versu scores with a hook to the body. Menendez takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Versu scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Menendez is looking to clinch but Versu is avoiding it.
Versu is looking to slow Menendez down with leg kicks.
Menendez moves out of range of the body kick.
Nice shot by Versu.
Versu scores with a punch to the head.
Versu throws a hook to the side of Menendez's head but Menendez sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Versu thumps Menendez with a low kick.
Versu buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Menendez pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Versu should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A low kick lands for Versu.
Menendez stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Versu.
Versu has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Versu lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Menendez at a distance.
Versu lands an overhand right.
Versu is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Decent striking displayed by Menendez there.
Menendez looks to throw the jab but Versu is out of range.
Menendez shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Menendez moves away from the strike by Versu.
Versu fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Menendez looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Menendez looks for a takedown but Versu sprawls well.
Menendez shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Versu but Versu pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Geo Versu is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Versu lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Menendez tries to score a power double leg takedown but Versu sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Menendez somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for AJ Menendez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Menendez is breathing heavily.
Menendez shoots in for a double leg but Versu sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That kick from Versu tenderised Menendez's leg. Menendez is trying to keep his angry face on.
Menendez takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Versu with the inside leg kick.
Menendez looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Versu is fending him off so far but Menendez persists. Nope, Versu circles away and we're back to standing.
Versu moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Versu lands a glancing blow to the side of Menendez's head.

Menendez clinches.

Versu escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Versu ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Versu getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
A left lands for Versu.
Menendez is looking to clinch.

Menendez moves into range and clinches up with Versu.
A nice left hand lands by Versu.
Versu using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Versu working Menendez over with knees to the body.
Versu lands a body punch in the clinch.
Versu using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

Versu pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Versu connects with a solid leg kick.
Versu dips to his left and cracks Menendez with an uppercut!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Versu lands with a cross.
A low kick lands for Versu.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Versu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Versu scores with a nice strike.
Menendez will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Versu scores with a spinning back kick!
Versu scores with a head kick. Menendez tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

Menendez is rocked!

It looks like AJ Menendez has been cut.
Versu chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Oh Menendez is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Menendez misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Menendez seems to have got his legs back now.
Versu wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Geo Versu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Versu sizes up Menendez with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Versu with a nice calf kick.
Menendez chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Versu can pounce on him.
Versu is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Menendez had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.
Versu connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Menendez takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Versu drops Menendez with a naaaaasty hook - Menendez is in real trouble here! Versu dives in to side control and pounds out his opponent for a TKO victory! The crowd goes nuts!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Geo Versu!
During a confident post fight interview, Geo Versu thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.