PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Robson Mendes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paulo SIlva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Mendes
vs
SIlva

183 cm
25
169 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
169 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Good chin

Good takedowns
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Robson Mendes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Paulo SIlva!
The judges for this bout are , and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
SIlva closes this distance looking for a takedown but Mendes circles away.

Mendes feints and as SIlva raises his hands in defense, Mendes changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
SIlva keeping moving, preventing Mendes from controlling successfully.
Mendes stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. SIlva swivels though and keeps the full guard.

SIlva looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Mendes passes into half guard.
Mendes not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
SIlva is not content to let Mendes control the position.

SIlva looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Mendes is controlling the pace.

SIlva looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendes sitting and controlling from the half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

SIlva actively working from the bottom here.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
SIlva gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Mendes counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
SIlva looks gassed!
Mendes postures up in SIlva's guard and throws a big left but SIlva blocks it.
Mendes trying to control the position from guard on top but SIlva is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mendes throws a big right hand that misses.
Mendes throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as SIlva works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mendes stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. SIlva swivels though and keeps the full guard.

SIlva throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Mendes looking to pass the guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Mendes closes the distance and clinches up with SIlva, looking for a takedown. Mendes pushes SIlva against the cage but SIlva circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
SIlva with a poor takedown

and Mendes counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for SIlva!
Robson Mendes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Paulo SIlva.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
SIlva working to try and regain half guard.
Mendes throwing strikes here but SIlva is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendes sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Mendes misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
SIlva really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Mendes sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

SIlva defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Mendes.
SIlva is trying to escape the mount.

Mendes stands up from mount. Strange move.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
SIlva misses with a takedown

and Mendes counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
SIlva is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Mendes pulls him back up using the underhooks.
SIlva is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Mendes pulls him back up using the underhooks.
SIlva goes for a takedown attempt but Mendes pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Mendes looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Mendes is trying to control. SIlva wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Mendes moves into full mount! SIlva won't be happy about that!
Mendes cracks SIlva with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mendes sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Mendes misses with a head shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robson Mendes dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

SIlva fails with the takedown

and Mendes counters with a single leg into guard. SIlva didn't expect that.

SIlva working for a triangle but Mendes defends it easily.
Mendes throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

SIlva looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Mendes passes into side control.
Mendes tries to score with some ground and pound. SIlva controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Mendes advances to full mount.
SIlva keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Mendes wants to finish this one by submission but SIlva is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Mendes.
SIlva is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
SIlva keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Mendes controlling his opponent.
SIlva looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Mendes punches the canvas rather than the man.
SIlva is trying to break free.

SIlva is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Mendes gets his way!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
SIlva tries to roll but Mendes sticks to his back.
SIlva is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Will Mendes go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
You can see the frustration on SIlva's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

SIlva fending off the submission attempt from Mendes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
SIlva prevents Mendes from getting a body triangle.
Mendes controlling well, preventing SIlva from escaping the position.
Robson Mendes overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendes is trying to stick to SIlva's back but SIlva is turning into Mendes. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Mendes's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by SIlva.
Mendes looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Mendes wants to stand up but SIlva is controlling him.

SIlva drops back, looking for a kneebar! Mendes looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Mendes looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Mendes!
Mendes throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
SIlva is looking to reverse the position.

Mendes tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
SIlva is looking to regain half guard here but Mendes keeps moving and retains side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
SIlva is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Mendes's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Mendes sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. SIlva defending well though.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Mendes drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
SIlva is looking for a sweep.
Mendes working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
An elbow from Mendes crashes against the mat.
Mendes trying to control the position but SIlva is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robson Mendes dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

SIlva tries for a takedown but Mendes circles away easily

and Mendes counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for SIlva!
SIlva is looking to improve his position but Mendes isn't that keen on the idea.
Mendes wants to control the pace but SIlva is squirming around nicely.
Mendes tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Mendes manages to capitalize on a mistake by SIlva to take his back!
Will Mendes go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
SIlva is trying to break free.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mendes keeps control of the position easily here as SIlva tries to buck him off.
I really don't envy SIlva right now.
SIlva covering up well and avoiding damage.
SIlva breaks Mendes's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.

SIlva postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Mendes is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of SIlva, into his 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.
Mendes wants to control from the top but SIlva keeps moving.
Mendes passes SIlva's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
SIlva keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

SIlva has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Mendes escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Mendes!
SIlva trying to remain calm as Mendes controls from the top position.
SIlva tries to buck Mendes off but Mendes is having none of it.
Mendes trying to control the action but SIlva is working from the bottom.
SIlva gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
SIlva is refusing to be controlled, as Mendes sits in half guard.

SIlva looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

SIlva looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Mendes is looking to take a break and control but SIlva is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Mendes gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
SIlva shoots and misses

and Mendes decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in SIlva's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

SIlva throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Mendes escapes and throws SIlva's legs to the side, diving into side control!
SIlva tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Mendes presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Mendes manages to capitalize on a mistake by SIlva to take his back!
You can see the frustration on SIlva's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Mendes is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that SIlva can do to turn this around?
Paulo SIlva has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Robson Mendes is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Mendes trying to control momentarily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Robson Mendes showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Mendes has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:26
Judge Suge Night scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Robson Mendes!