PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Yaga Shura (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fat Man Mendoza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shura comes to the cage accompanied by The Angel. Yaga Shura has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Shura
vs
Man Mendoza

193 cm
26
192 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

182 cm
23
196 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Good chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yaga Shura!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Fat Man Mendoza!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Shigeki Sano and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shura stuffs the takedown attempt from Mendoza. Mendoza gets slowly back to his feet.
Mendoza doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Shura counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Shura trying to control the position from guard on top but Mendoza is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mendoza wants to sweep here but Shura controlling him for the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shura showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Shura drops back looking for a leg! Mendoza is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Mendoza manages to kick Shura off! Shura jumps back into Mendoza's guard.
Shura slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shura happy to just control the position for now.
Mendoza wants to control but Shura postures up.
Shura trying to control the position but Mendoza is working away.
Shura working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shura working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Shura trying to control the action but Mendoza is working from the bottom.
Shura has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Mendoza!
Mendoza is trying desperately to improve position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mendoza has worked his way to half guard, taking advantage of Shura's lack of action.

Shura is trying to work for a kimura but Mendoza is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shura trying to control the action but Mendoza is working from the bottom.
Shura is pressing down on Mendoza's thigh, looking to free his foot. Mendoza is holding on for now.

Shura is working for a kimura but Mendoza is defending it quite comfortably.
Mendoza tries to roll over but Shura keeps him under control.
Shura wants to take a breather but Mendoza is having none of it.
Mendoza is trying to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mendoza is not content to let Shura control the position.
Mendoza is looking to improve his position.

Shura seems to be working for a kimura but Mendoza defends the submission attempt.
Shura blocks the strikes from Mendoza.

Shura is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Mendoza defends it well.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Shura is looking for a kimura here.
Shura trying to mount his opponent but Mendoza defends it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yaga Shura dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Mendoza tries to score a power double leg takedown but Shura sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Mendoza somewhat.
Mendoza closes this distance looking for a takedown but Shura circles away.
Shura stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Shura wants it to stay on the feet.
Yaga Shura has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fat Man Mendoza.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mendoza stuffs the takedown.

Mendoza scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Yaga Shura overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Mendoza working Shura over with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendoza thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Shura's head.
Mendoza not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Shura keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Mendoza thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Shura on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Shura regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Mendoza.
Mendoza lands a couple of elbows.
Mendoza postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Mendoza throwing strikes but missing.
Mendoza throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Shura works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Mendoza missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Shura working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Mendoza.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mendoza is looking to work some ground and pound but Shura has wrist control.
Mendoza cracks Shura with a solid left hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mendoza loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Mendoza with a flurry of punches that miss.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Mendoza works over Shura with some ground and pound from guard.
Mendoza postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Mendoza postures up in Shura's guard and throws a big left but Shura blocks it.
Mendoza throws a strike but Shura rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Shura sitting in guard here, content to control.
Mendoza 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendoza is pulling down on Shura's head. It's preventing any offense from Shura, at least for the moment.
Shura trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Shura won't allow Mendoza to sweep him here.
Shura showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Mendoza with a lazy takedown attempt

and Shura counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Shura is keen to just control but Mendoza is a slippery customer.
Shura is pressing down on Mendoza's thigh, looking to free his foot. Mendoza is holding on for now.
Mendoza is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Mendoza is defending against the submission attempts here by Shura.
Shura wants to take a breather but Mendoza is having none of it.

Shura is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Shura performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mendoza is looking for a sweep. Shura is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fat Man Mendoza showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Shura tries to sprawl but Mendoza drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Mendoza throws a strike but Shura avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Mendoza looking to sit in guard and control but Shura gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Shura will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Shura stopping the sweep attempt from Mendoza.
Shura sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Shura passes into half guard.
Shura seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Mendoza does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shura trying to mount his opponent but Mendoza defends it.
Shura is trying to control. Mendoza wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Mendoza gets full guard.
Mendoza is trying to control the position but Shura postures up.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Mendoza can do anything to dispel that myth.
Shura tries to free his leg and advance position but Mendoza is retaining full guard.
Mendoza looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Shura pushes down on Mendoza's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Shura seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Mendoza does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shura trying to advance position but Mendoza counters by regaining guard.
Mendoza keeping moving, preventing Shura from controlling successfully.
Mendoza throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Mendoza 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.
Shura slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Yaga Shura.
Shura has a takedown stuffed.
Shura stuffs the takedown attempt from Mendoza. Mendoza gets slowly back to his feet.

Mendoza shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Mendoza was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Mendoza cracks Shura with a big elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mendoza scores with a couple of short elbows.
Shura avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Mendoza.
Shura taking punishment in the form of punches.
The ground and pound from Mendoza seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Mendoza creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Shura sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Shura sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shura is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Mendoza thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mendoza throwing shots but Shura is blocking nicely.
Shura keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Mendoza throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fat Man Mendoza really dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Mendoza tries to clinch up but Shura circles away and keeps his distance.
Shura slaps away a takedown attempt from Mendoza, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Mendoza with a poor takedown

and Shura counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Mendoza's guard now.
Mendoza keeping moving, preventing Shura from controlling successfully.
Shura pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mendoza is keeping the position for now.
Mendoza wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Shura is pushing down on Mendoza's leg trying to pass to half guard. Mendoza is fighting to maintain full guard but Shura has managed to sneak the leg through.
Shura is looking to take a break and control but Mendoza is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shura looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Mendoza is looking to control Shura's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Mendoza avoid being mounted?
Shura seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Mendoza does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Shura trying to pass the guard but Mendoza defending well.
Mendoza is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mendoza is not content to let Shura control the position.
Mendoza has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Shura is working away from the top position though.
Mendoza is trying to get back to full guard.

Shura is working for a kimura but Mendoza is defending it quite comfortably.
Shura is pressing down on Mendoza's thigh, looking to free his foot. Mendoza is holding on for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shura is working for a submission of some sort.
Mendoza is concentrating on defense, preventing Shura from advancing position.
Shura prevents Mendoza from improving his position.
Shura stalling away here and it's allowed Mendoza to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Mendoza is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shura looking to pass the guard.
Shura advances to half guard.
Mendoza is refusing to be controlled, as Shura sits in half guard.
Shura wants to free his trapped foot but Mendoza is holding on for dear life with his legs.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shura wants to lay and pray for a moment but Mendoza keeps working.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yaga Shura had his way with Fat Man Mendoza in that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Mendoza misses with a takedown attempt - Shura sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Mendoza misses with a takedown
and Shura counters with a nice uppercut.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Mendoza.
Yaga Shura has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fat Man Mendoza.
Shura is trying hard to land a takedown here. Mendoza sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Shura avoids the head kick by Mendoza.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendoza tries to score a power double leg takedown but Shura sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Mendoza somewhat.
Mendoza fails with the takedown

and Shura counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Mendoza looking for a sweep. Not yet Mendoza, not yet.
Shura advances to half guard.
Shura is looking to take a break and control but Mendoza is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Mendoza trying to control but Shura postures up.
Still in half guard, Shura seems content to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mendoza is refusing to be controlled, as Shura sits in half guard.
Mendoza is looking for a sweep. Shura is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Shura trying to control the action but Mendoza is working from the bottom.

Yaga Shura has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Mendoza has his takedown stuffed

and Shura counters with a shoot takedown. Mendoza fights it but they end up in guard.
Shura trying to control the position from guard on top but Mendoza is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shura won't allow Mendoza to sweep him here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shura trying to control the position from guard on top but Mendoza is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shura won't allow Mendoza to sweep him here.
Shura works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Shura is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

Shura has isolated one of Mendoza's arms. Mendoza looking to fight him off but Shura twists into an armbar. It's tight... Will he tap?? YES, he's tapped! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:45 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Yaga Shura!
Yaga Shura is the new middleweight champion!
Yaga Shura seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.