PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Quintet Tarantino (ranked 918 p4p, 1526 weight class) and Enzo Mendoza (ranked 120 p4p, 204 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Tarantino
vs
Mendoza

173 cm
25
158
13 - 5 - 0

188 cm
32
170
12 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Brooklyn Apothecary
Brooklyn Threads

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Quintet Tarantino!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Enzo Mendoza!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Russell Pearce and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tarantino misses with a hook. Mendoza ducked under it nicely.
Tarantino thows a left - swing and a miss!
It seemed like Mendoza was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Tarantino cracks Mendoza with an open hand slap.
Mendoza misses with a hook.
Tarantino is looking to clinch but Mendoza is avoiding it.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Mendoza! But no joy.
Tarantino bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Mendoza's head.
Tarantino lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Tarantino tries to clinch but fails miserably
letting Mendoza counter with a right hand.
A left lands for Tarantino.
Tarantino stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tarantino connects with a crisp jab.
Tarantino misses with a body shot
and Mendoza cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

It looks like Quintet Tarantino has been cut.
A big right from Tarantino misses.
Tarantino throws a right hand that misses
and Mendoza counters with a straight right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tarantino misses with a right hand
enabling Mendoza to counter with a crisp jab.
Tarantino swings widly with a right hand
and Mendoza counters with a two punch combo.
Mendoza swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Tarantino.

Tarantino is rocked!
Tarantino throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mendoza sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Mendoza lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Mendoza throws a nice looking combination but Tarantino bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Mendoza walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Mendoza avoids the body shot from Tarantino.

Tarantino closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Mendoza's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tarantino prevents Mendoza from getting back to his feet.
Mendoza really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Tarantino. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Tarantino is pushing down on Mendoza's leg trying to pass to half guard. Mendoza is fighting to maintain full guard but Tarantino has managed to sneak the leg through.
Tarantino looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Tarantino trying to control from half guard but Mendoza is working away.
We've been hearing good reports from Tarantino's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tarantino is looking for a kimura but Mendoza is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Tarantino to get the leverage.

Tarantino is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Tarantino throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Tarantino is looking for a kimura here.

Tarantino is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Mendoza is just riding it out for now. Tarantino eventually gives up the hold.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tarantino throwing shots but Mendoza is blocking nicely.
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.
Tarantino is pressing down on Mendoza's thigh, looking to free his foot. Mendoza is holding on for now.
Mendoza is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Mendoza keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Mendoza avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Tarantino.
Mendoza keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Mendoza looks like he's trying to stand up.
Tarantino with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Tarantino lands a two punch combo.

Tarantino drives through with a takedown into Mendoza's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Mendoza is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Tarantino dives into side control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Quintet Tarantino dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Quintet Tarantino's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
A left hand lands to the body for Tarantino.
Tarantino is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Mendoza can do to turn this around?

Mendoza pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Mendoza keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tarantino cracks Mendoza with a right hand to the side of the head.
Tarantino misses with an uppercut.
Mendoza is looking for the big counter here.
Tarantino takes one on the button.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tarantino misses with the combination.
Quintet Tarantino is winning the standup battle so far.
Tarantino fails in his attempt to clinch.
Tarantino misses with a takedown attempt - Mendoza sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tarantino drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Mendoza keeping full guard, as Tarantino tries to pass.
Tarantino throws a strike but Mendoza rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Mendoza avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Mendoza must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Tarantino looking for a sweep. Not yet Tarantino, not yet.
Tarantino is working hard here to advance position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tarantino looking for a triangle here. Mendoza is fighting it but it looks tight! Tarantino pulls the arm across and this one won't last much longer! Nope, Mendoza is tapping out - this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:24 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Quintet Tarantino!
A relieved looking Quintet Tarantino thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.