PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rile Nokea (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thiago Mendes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mendes has chosen Flow Motion as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Nokea
vs
Mendes

190 cm
19
208 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
22
205 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Good kicks
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Rile Nokea!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Thiago Mendes!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

A jab-cross combination lands for Nokea and sends Mendes crashing to the mat! Nokea follows him down to the mat - Mendes regains half guard but he's not out of trouble yet!

It looks like Thiago Mendes has been cut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Nokea is looking for a kimura here.
Mendes wants to improve his position but Nokea is controlling well.
Nokea is pressing down on Mendes's thigh, looking to free his foot. Mendes is holding on for now.

Nokea is working for a kimura but Mendes is defending it quite comfortably.

Nokea is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Mendes has managed to free his arm - good work.

Mendes is defending against the submission attempts here by Nokea.
Mendes trying to control from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nokea scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Nokea is looking for a kimura here.
Mendes pushes Nokea off looking to stand but Nokea dives back in and keeps control.

Nokea is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Mendes wants to control but Nokea is keeping busy.
Mendes moves into full guard.
Mendes is trying to control the position but Nokea postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Nokea wanted to stand there but Mendes had control of the position.

Nokea has gone for a leg lock! Mendes slips out almost immediately though and dives into Nokea's guard.

Mendes got a little sloppy there for a moment and Nokea has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Mendes has managed to get both his arms back between Nokea's legs - danger averted.
Nokea is breathing heavily.
Mendes is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mendes throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Nokea works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Nokea has his foot on Mendes's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Mendes works his way back into a safe position though.

Nokea throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nokea looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Mendes puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.

Mendes decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.

Mendes has taken the fight to the clinch.
Mendes has Nokea pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Nokea manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Nokea tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Mendes just stands there and leans against the cage.

Nokea's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nokea tries to bum rush Mendes with a series of wild strikes but Mendes uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Nokea throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Nokea misses with a jab, cross combination.
Nokea takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

It looks like Rile Nokea has been cut.
Mendes throws a right and a left that Nokea avoids nicely.
Mendes circles away from the clinch attempt

and Mendes counters with a nice double leg into side control. Nokea won't be happy with that.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nokea manages to work his way to half guard, despite Mendes's best efforts.

Nokea looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Mendes is trying to control. Nokea wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Mendes drops an elbow to the side of Nokea's head.

Nokea looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Mendes is trying to control. Nokea wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mendes is nestled in close to Nokea, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Nokea is refusing to be controlled, as Mendes sits in half guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
A combination from Nokea does no damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Rile Nokea will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Nokea shoots and misses

and Mendes counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Mendes.
Nokea jumps guard but Mendes stands there with Nokea around his waist. Nokea gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Nokea tries for a takedown but Mendes manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rile Nokea. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nokea tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Nokea drags the fight down to the ground.

Nokea looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Nokea is looking to stand up but Mendes isn't so interested in that idea.
Nokea keeping moving, preventing Mendes from controlling successfully.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Mendes pushing down on Nokea's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Nokea looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Nokea actively working from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nokea is not content to let Mendes control the position.
Mendes lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Nokea is trying to stand.
Nokea is not content to let Mendes control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Nokea clinches.
Nokea tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Mendes just stands there and leans against the cage.
Nokea tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Mendes smiles and moves away.
Nokea tries to close the distance and clinch but Mendes swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nokea clinches but Mendes breaks the clinch
and Mendes connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Mendes drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Mendes trying to control but Nokea is working from the bottom.

Nokea throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Mendes escapes and throws Nokea's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Nokea is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendes creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Nokea sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Nokea is not content to let Mendes control the position.
Mendes wants to take a breather but Nokea manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Mendes.
Nokea bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Mendes's guard.
Nokea pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mendes is keeping the position for now.

Nokea drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Mendes dives on top into guard.

Nokea has an active guard here but Mendes has managed to pass into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nokea is refusing to be controlled, as Mendes sits in half guard.
Nokea tries to kick Mendes off in order to stand up. Mendes Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
Mendes wants to control but Nokea is keeping him busy.
Nokea gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Mendes is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Nokea!
Nokea is wriggling around trying to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thiago Mendes showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Nokea decides to pull guard.
Mendes is pushing down on Nokea's leg trying to pass to half guard. Nokea is fighting to maintain full guard but Mendes has managed to sneak the leg through.
Mendes has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Nokea holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Mendes tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Nokea is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Nokea is trying to stand but he's just given Mendes his back.
Nokea breaks Mendes's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nokea postures up in Mendes's guard and throws a big left but Mendes blocks it.
Nokea has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendes is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Mendes lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Nokea!
Nokea throwing hammer fists to the chest of Mendes. What's that going to do exactly?

Nokea bucks Mendes off and manages to get back to his feet!
Nokea lands a jab to the nose.

Nokea closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Nokea lands in his opponent's guard.
Nokea postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Mendes looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Mendes is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Thiago Mendes has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mendes has a closed guard, preventing Nokea from standing up.
Nokea pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mendes is keeping the position for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nokea postures up in Mendes's guard and throws a big left but Mendes blocks it.
Nokea throws a big right hand that misses.
Mendes is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Nokea throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Mendes on the side of the head.

Nokea moves into the clinch.
Nokea tries to pull guard but Mendes holds him up against the cage and eventually Nokea drops back down to his feet.

Nokea ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Nokea no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nokea is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Mendes defends well.

Nokea looking for a guillotine here but Mendes defends easily.
Mendes pushing down on Nokea's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Nokea blocking the ground and pound attempt from Mendes.
Nokea keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Nokea is looking for a sweep. Mendes is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Nokea actively working from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Mendes is keen to just control but Nokea is a slippery customer.

Nokea actively working from the bottom here.
Nokea wants to stand back up but Mendes manages to pass into side control.
Nokea taking punishment in the form of punches.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Mendes lands a two punch combo.
Mendes tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Mendes defending well as Nokea loads up on a big left hand.
Nokea misses with a double jab
and Mendes counters with a nice body shot.
Nokea shoots and misses

and Mendes counters with a single leg into guard. Nokea didn't expect that.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mendes working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Rile Nokea.
I think Nokea has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Andi Peters scores the fight 29:29
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 27:30

The fight is ruled a draw!