PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Richie O Grady (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Charles Menezes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). O Grady comes to the cage accompanied by (no) Self Esteem. Menezes has chosen Charlinho, o menino que só queria estudar - Hermes & Renato as his entrance music. 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.

O Grady
vs
Menezes

200 cm
31
290 lbs
20 - 13 - 0

225 cm
28
300 lbs
13 - 16 - 1

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Zombie Nutrition - LOD

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the super heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Richie O Grady!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Charles Menezes!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Felipe Paraventi and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

O Grady scores with a takedown into Menezes's guard.
O Grady stops Menezes from standing up.
O Grady throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as O Grady accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Menezes can do anything to dispel that myth.
O Grady stays in close to Menezes's body and controls the position.
O Grady trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
O Grady throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Menezes works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
O Grady trying to control but Menezes is working from the bottom.
O Grady postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
O Grady sitting in guard here, content to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Richie O Grady has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
O Grady lands a leg kick that knocks Menezes off balance momentarily.
O Grady fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
O Grady is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
O Grady tries to clinch there but Menezes circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
O Grady misses with a wild body shot.
O Grady tries to score a power double leg takedown but Menezes sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten O Grady somewhat.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.

O Grady closes the distance and pushes Menezes back into the cage.
Menezes wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
O Grady with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
O Grady throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Menezes blocks it with crossed arms.
O Grady is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Menezes looks winded!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
O Grady lands a knee to the body.
O Grady lands a shoulder strike.
O Grady landing some nice looking knees to the body.
O Grady lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A knee to the head by O Grady.
O Grady unloads a knee to the mid-section.
O Grady utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
O Grady is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

O Grady lands a big knee from the Thai clinch and Menezes goes down hard! The ref takes a good look at him but he's still defending himself. O Grady in side control.

It looks like Charles Menezes has been cut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The strikes coming from O Grady are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Menezes really doesn't want to stay on the ground with O Grady. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
O Grady creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Menezes sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
O Grady working the head and body with strikes.
O Grady controlling the position.
O Grady throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
O Grady throws an elbow but Menezes slips to the side and avoids it well.
Menezes taking punishment in the form of punches.
Menezes defending against the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richie O Grady dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Charles Menezes's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

A lazy left from O Grady finds it's target.
O Grady tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
No luck with that takedown attempt from O Grady.
O Grady is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Menezes can do to turn this around?
O Grady shoots and misses
and O Grady takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
O Grady throws a half hearted mid kick.
O Grady looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Menezes is fending him off so far but O Grady persists. Nope, Menezes circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Richie O Grady. That's going to take a lot out of him.

O Grady throws a left that rocks Menezes and follows with a right that sends him tumbling to the canvas! O Grady dives into side control, looking to finish! Can Menezes regain composure!

Menezes is rocked!

That's one minute gone in the round.
O Grady lands a strong strike to the head of Menezes. That's dazed him! O Grady looking to finish here. Menezes is waving his arms around trying to block but he's hurt badly - O Grady lands more strikes and the referee steps in to end the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:22 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Richie O Grady!
Richie O Grady retains his super heavyweight title!
Post fight, Richie O Grady stared into the camera and said 'man, I had to go, so I will not miss my flight'.