PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kristijan Kljajic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rafael Mendes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mendes comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Roy Jones - Can't be touched kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Kljajic
vs
Mendes

180 cm
20
210 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

183 cm
19
200 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Good in bed

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Determined

[CBK] LEGAL HIGHS ↑ 160Q STAMINA + ENERGY

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Kristijan Kljajic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rafael Mendes!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Emerson Jorge and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kljajic shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Kljajic looking to pass the guard.
Kljajic passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Kljajic tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Kljajic could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Mendes can't do much from the bottom here.
Mendes sneaks back into half guard.
Mendes is staying active underneath Kljajic, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Mendes is trying to get back to full guard.
Mendes pushes Kljajic off looking to stand but Kljajic dives back in and keeps control.
Mendes punching from the bottom.
Kljajic is trying to control. Mendes wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Mendes is looking to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kljajic prevents Mendes from standing back up.
Kljajic is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Kljajic wants to control but Mendes is keeping him busy.
Kljajic is figuring out what he wants to do next.

Mendes actively working from the bottom here.

Kljajic is looking for a kimura here.

Kljajic is working for a submission of some sort.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Mendes taking some punishment here, with Kljajic in his half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mendes has hold of Kljajic's hands but Kljajic slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Mendes is looking for a sweep. Kljajic is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Mendes is trying to maintain the position but Kljajic is very close to passing his half guard.
Kljajic lands strikes from half guard.

Mendes looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Mendes looks gassed!
Kljajic is keen to just control but Mendes is a slippery customer.
Kljajic slows the pace down in half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Kljajic is trying to work for a kimura but Mendes is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendes wants to get back to full guard.
Kljajic controlling the pace.
Kljajic trying to pass the guard but Mendes defending well.
Mendes wants to get back to his feet.
Mendes wants to get back to full guard.
Mendes is trying to control but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kljajic displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Mendes.
Kljajic loads up on a big right hand but Mendes slips the punch.
Mendes swats away the attempt to clinch by Kljajic.
Kljajic tries to clinch up.
Mendes tries for a takedown but Kljajic sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Kljajic shoots in for a takedown but Mendes shows good takedown defense.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kljajic shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Mendes sprawls well. Mendes wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kljajic gets slowly back to his feet.
Kljajic tries to clinch up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kristijan Kljajic dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Kljajic misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Mendes.
Kljajic pivots, looking for a leg kick but Mendes is out of range and Kljajic settles back down.
Mendes slips a jab and a cross from Kljajic.
Nice sprawl there from Kljajic as Mendes shoots in.
Kljajic misses with a kick to the body.
Kristijan Kljajic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Mendes is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Kljajic's half guard.
Kljajic gets full guard.
Kljajic trying to keep a closed guard but Mendes is proving a slippery customer.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendes throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kljajic works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Mendes postures up in Kljajic's guard and throws a big left but Kljajic blocks it.
Mendes trying to control but Kljajic is working from the bottom.
Kljajic working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Mendes.

Kljajic is working an open guard so Mendes takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Mendes is breathing heavily.
Kljajic tries to score a power double leg takedown but Mendes sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kljajic somewhat.
Mendes has a takedown stuffed.
Kristijan Kljajic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rafael Mendes.
No joy there for Kljajic, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kljajic fails with a takedown attempt.
Kljajic works Mendes's body with a nice hook.
Mendes fails with a takedown attempt.
Kljajic leaves Mendes with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Kljajic shoots for a takedown but Mendes saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kljajic fails with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kljajic misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kljajic misses with a series of wild punches.

Mendes moves into the clinch.

Mendes pulls Kljajic into guard.
Mendes is trying to control the position but Kljajic postures up.

Mendes working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Kljajic has passed into half guard!
Mendes is looking to improve his position.
Kljajic is looking to advance position but Mendes won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kljajic works his way into side control.
Kristijan Kljajic overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kljajic looks up at the clock and then as Mendes takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Kljajic smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Mendes takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.

Kljajic is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Mendes knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Mendes tries to improve position but can't.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kljajic is working Mendes over with some ground and pound from side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Kljajic is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Mendes has escaped the position, nice work there.
Mendes sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Kristijan Kljajic will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Kljajic takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Mendes dodges the punch combination from Kljajic.
Mendes closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kljajic circles away.
Kljajic looks for a takedown but Mendes sprawls well.

Mendes closes the distance and clinches.

Mendes has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Kljajic clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Kljajic tries to break free.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mendes is striking well from the back but Kljajic escapes and manages to control the positon and works his way to half guard. A much better position - the crisis is over for the time being.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendes is looking to take a break and control but Kljajic is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Mendes is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Kljajic tries to get to full guard but Mendes has control of the leg.

Mendes is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Kljajic is just riding it out for now. Mendes eventually gives up the hold.
Kljajic is refusing to be controlled, as Mendes sits in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kljajic is looking to control Mendes's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kljajic avoid being mounted?
Kljajic moves into full guard.
Kljajic looking for a sweep. Not yet Kljajic, not yet.
Mendes throws a big elbow that misses.
Kljajic trying to control the position.

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

Mendes working for a triangle but Kljajic defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kljajic looking to pass the guard.
Kljajic postures up and lands a big shot to Mendes's brow.

Mendes had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kljajic defends it easily.
Kljajic working some strikes from top position.
Kljajic with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Kljajic prevents Mendes from getting back to his feet.

Mendes looking for a guillotine here but Kljajic defends easily.
Kljajic trying to control the position from guard on top but Mendes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mendes throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Kristijan Kljajic is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Mendes keeping moving, preventing Kljajic from controlling successfully.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kljajic slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Rafael Mendes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kljajic has knee on belly and moves into mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Rafael Mendes.
I think Kljajic 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 Edson Gomes scores the fight 28:29
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Rafael Mendes!