Tellez Overcomes Broken Nose to Defeat Mendoza

Yoenis Tellez fought through heavy bleeding to earn a unanimous decision victory over Brian Mendoza.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 6:03am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

In a co-main event at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Yoenis Tellez defeated Brian Mendoza by unanimous decision despite suffering a broken nose early in the fight. Tellez fought through the pain and heavy bleeding to control the later rounds and secure the victory, keeping himself in the mix at 154 pounds.

Why it matters

Tellez's gutsy performance in the face of a serious injury demonstrates his toughness and determination as he continues his push towards a title opportunity. The win also raises questions about Mendoza's recent struggles, as he has now dropped three of his last four fights.

The details

The fight took a dramatic turn in the third round when Mendoza's forehead struck Tellez's nose, causing significant bleeding. Despite the pain, which Tellez described as '10 of 10', he fought on and was able to regain control of the fight, using his jab and straight right hand to outpoint Mendoza over the final rounds.

  • The fight took place on Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
  • The injury to Tellez's nose occurred in the third round of the 10-round bout.

The players

Yoenis Tellez

A professional boxer with a record of 12-1, Tellez overcame a broken nose to earn a unanimous decision victory and keep himself in the mix at 154 pounds.

Brian Mendoza

A professional boxer with a record of 23-5, Mendoza has struggled since his upset knockout of Sebastian Fundora in 2023, dropping three of his last four fights.

Harvey Dock

The referee who paused the fight to allow Tellez time for medical treatment after the clash of heads in the third round.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“When you're a warrior, you don't admit weakness. My corner got me back into the fight. I'm a warrior, and my corner told me, 'You got balls.'”

— Yoenis Tellez, Boxer

What’s next

Tellez's victory keeps him in the mix at 154 pounds, and he will be looking to secure a place inside the WBC's top 15 as he continues his push towards another title opportunity.

The takeaway

Tellez's gutsy performance in the face of a serious injury demonstrates the toughness and determination required to succeed at the highest levels of professional boxing. His willingness to fight through the pain and heavy bleeding to secure the victory will only enhance his reputation as a true warrior in the sport.