PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Gaston Zubini (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ricardo Mendes (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.

Zubini
vs
Mendes

180 cm
25
143 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

150 cm
25
130 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

Good takedowns
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Gaston Zubini!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ricardo Mendes!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Seu Braga and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Zubini gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Zubini pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Zubini scores with a crisp jab that stopped Mendes in his tracks.

Zubini shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Mendes is trying to defend but Zubini finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Mendes is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Mendes manages to get to full guard.
Mendes striking off his back but it's not causing Zubini any problems.

Zubini thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Mendes is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Mendes tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mendes working for a triangle but Zubini defends it easily.
Mendes is trying to control the position but Zubini postures up.
Zubini will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Mendes is on top in guard.
Mendes wants to control from the top but Zubini keeps moving.
Mendes wants to pass the guard but Zubini is keeping the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zubini is pulling down on Mendes's head to control his posture.
Mendes won't allow Zubini to get back to his feet.
Zubini keeping moving, preventing Mendes from controlling successfully.

Mendes drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Zubini manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Mendes has Zubini in his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mendes looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Zubini has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mendes has a closed guard, preventing Zubini from standing up.

Mendes working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Zubini doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Zubini manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Zubini is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Mendes looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Mendes working for submissions but it's allowed Zubini to get to half guard.

Mendes is working on a guillotine. He's managed to get to full guard and he's really squeezing tight! Zubini is tapping! Great win for Mendes!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:17 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Ricardo Mendes!