PBP Commentary

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

Shluev
vs
Mendez

170 cm
22
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
19
185 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Alexey Shluev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Raul Mendez!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Marco Blurström and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shluev throws a right hand that misses

and Mendez counters with a shoot takedown. Shluev fights it but they end up in guard.
Shluev tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Mendez postures up.
Shluev could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Shluev keeping full guard, as Mendez tries to pass.
Mendez has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Shluev is proving hard to escape from.
Mendez stops Shluev from standing up.
Shluev looking to hit a scissor sweep but Mendez is one step ahead there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mendez sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Shluev's guard.
Shluev might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Mendez is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Shluev is just riding it out for now. Mendez eventually gives up the hold.
Mendez trying to control the action but Shluev is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendez not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Mendez is looking to take a break and control but Shluev is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Shluev controlling the position well.
Shluev is trying to stand back up but Mendez is controlling him

Mendez is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Shluev is looking to improve his position.
The fighters are battling for position here. Shluev manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Shluev on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Shluev tries to get out of the position.
Shluev is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Mendez is controlling him.

Mendez drops back looking for a leg! Shluev is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Shluev manages to kick Mendez off! Mendez jumps back into Shluev's guard.

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.

Mendez drops back for a leg here. A bit of a high risk move... He's looking for a kneebar by the looks of things. Now both of them are looking for submissions. Mendez seems to have locked his on tight now - Shluev screams in pain and taps out furiously! It certainly was a high risk move but it's paid off for Mendez, as he picks up the win!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:25 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kneebar). Raul Mendez!
Raul Mendez got down on his knees post fight and begged the management for a title shot. 'Please, I want that title shot so bad! Give it to me!'