PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rafael Mesquita (ranked 6106 p4p, 6737 weight class) and Johnny Brutus (ranked 559 p4p, 604 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Johnny Brutus was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Mesquita
vs
Brutus

180 cm
18
165
0 - 1 - 0

175 cm
18
165
2 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rafael Mesquita!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Johnny Brutus!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Chris Downing and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Mesquita is defended easily by Brutus.
Mesquita walks into a stiff left hand from Brutus.
Brutus misses with the combination.
Brutus misses with a jab, cross combination.
Mesquita takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mesquita misses with a few strikes there.

Brutus feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Mesquita is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mesquita working the head and body with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mesquita lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Brutus really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Mesquita. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Mesquita working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Mesquita seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Mesquita is working for a submission of some sort.
Brutus is not content to let Mesquita control the position.
Brutus is trying to get back to full guard.
Mesquita stops Brutus from getting back to his feet.
Mesquita winds up and cracks Brutus with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

Brutus has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Mesquita is on him like a limpet, forcing Brutus back against the cage.
Brutus gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Mesquita.
Brutus's coach down at Lionheart Combat Sports was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Brutus's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brutus gets underhooks to prevent Mesquita's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rafael Mesquita. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Brutus pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Mesquita looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Mesquita misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Brutus throws a right and a left that both miss.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mesquita closes this distance looking for a takedown but Brutus circles away.
Brutus tries to counter by closing the distance.
Mesquita shoots for a double leg takedown but Brutus sprawls well. He's pushed Mesquita's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Brutus throws a series of strikes that have Mesquita backpedaling.
Brutus throws a series of strikes that have Mesquita backpedaling.

Brutus manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Mesquita on his heels. He'll look to pass Mesquita's guard now, I'm sure.

Brutus is trying to tuck his arms in to keep them safe but Mesquita has managed to isolate one of them and has got a loose triangle. Brutus is looking to defend but Mesquita has done well to lock his legs together - this could be big trouble for Brutus! Mesquita pulls down on the head and a little smile comes across his face - he knows he's got it. Yep, Brutus taps out and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Rafael Mesquita!