PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Paolo Mendez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Ribeiro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mendez comes to the cage accompanied by Jay-Z - Brooklyn We Go Hard. Ribeiro has chosen Numéro 1 as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Mike Ribeiro will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Mendez
vs
Ribeiro

185 cm
23
212 lbs
10 - 1 - 0

188 cm
21
208 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Non-Stop Nutrition
Firebird Designs

Syndicate Drugs
MMA's Best Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Paolo Mendez!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mike Ribeiro!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Wesley Smith and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice sprawl there from Ribeiro as Mendez shoots in.

Mendez moves into the clinch.

Mendez gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Mendez trying to pass the guard but Ribeiro defending well.
Mendez trying to control from half guard but Ribeiro is working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ribeiro wants to get back to his feet.

Mendez is working for a submission of some sort.
Mendez is looking to advance position but Ribeiro won't allow it.
Mendez trying to control from half guard but Ribeiro is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendez stops Ribeiro from getting back to his feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Mendez uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ribeiro.
Ribeiro connects with a body shot.
Mendez is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ribeiro lands a slapping body shot.
Mendez is breathing heavily.
Ribeiro looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
No joy there for Ribeiro, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ribeiro misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Ribeiro throws a hook but Mendez avoids it easily.
Mendez showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ribeiro.

Mendez darts in and clinches Ribeiro up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ribeiro avoiding damage as Mendez throws knees to the body.

Mendez breaks from the clinch.
Ribeiro takes a swing at Mendez's ribcage but misses.
Ribeiro misses with a jab, cross combination.
Mendez is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ribeiro swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ribeiro rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Mendez moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Mike Ribeiro is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ribeiro misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ribeiro will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Mendez closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ribeiro pushes Mendez off looking to stand but Mendez dives back in and keeps control.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Mendez wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ribeiro keeps working.
Mendez controlling the action here.
Ribeiro wants to get back to his feet.
Ribeiro is in trouble now - Mendez has advanced to mount!
Mendez can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Ribeiro is looking to escape.
Mendez tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Ribeiro wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Mendez sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Ribeiro takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Mendez can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Ribeiro is looking to escape.
Mendez postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Ribeiro looks a forlorn figure.
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 Paolo Mendez will probably get the nod.
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.

Mendez fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Ribeiro throws a series of punches but Mendez moves out of range.
Mendez smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Ribeiro misses the body punch

and Mendez counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Mendez trying to control the position from guard on top but Ribeiro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ribeiro working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Mendez.
Mendez trying to control but Ribeiro is working from the bottom.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ribeiro tries to stand but Mendez is controlling from the bottom.

Mendez working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ribeiro doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Ribeiro manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Mendez throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Ribeiro tries to stand but Mendez is controlling from the bottom.

Mendez is looking for a triangle but Ribeiro pushes his legs off easily.

Mendez keeping busy on the bottom but Ribeiro has passed one foot through into half guard.

Ribeiro decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Ribeiro is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ribeiro misses with a double jab

and Mendez holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Mendez lands a body punch.
Ribeiro is trying to break free.

Ribeiro manages to break the clinch.

Mendez instigates a clinch.
Ribeiro is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Ribeiro tries to break the clinch but Mendez is controlling the position.
Mendez pressing his opponent against the cage.
Mendez lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ribeiro wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Mendez is trying to drag Ribeiro to the mat but Ribeiro just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Ribeiro wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Mendez has him pressed against the cage.
Ribeiro can't break the clinch.
Mendez is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Ribeiro breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ribeiro falls off balance throwing a combination
and Mendez counters with a one-two to the body.
Mendez fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ribeiro falls off balance throwing a combination

and Mendez holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Mendez lands a knee to the body.

Mendez successfully pulls guard.
Mendez wants to sweep here but Ribeiro controlling him for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ribeiro postures up.
Mendez trying to strike off his back.
Mendez is pulling down on Ribeiro's head. It's preventing any offense from Ribeiro, at least for the moment.
Mendez bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Ribeiro's guard.
Mendez passes easily into side control. Nice work.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mendez trying to control the position but Ribeiro is working away.
Ribeiro wants to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paolo Mendez dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Mendez gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Mendez changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ribeiro fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Ribeiro gets caught flat footed, as Mendez shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Ribeiro wants to stand and escape but Mendez is having none of it.
Mendez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ribeiro is keeping the position for now.
Mendez trying to control the position from guard on top but Ribeiro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Paolo Mendez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ribeiro takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Mendez throws and elbow that misses. Ribeiro uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Mendez's guard. Nice move by Ribeiro!
Ribeiro trying to stand up but can't free himself from Mendez's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendez lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Ribeiro!
Mendez dominating with strikes here.
Mendez wants to control the pace but Ribeiro is squirming around nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ribeiro avoids a series of strikes thrown by Mendez.
Ribeiro is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Mendez thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Mendez throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Mendez controlling from the full mount.
Mendez unloads with some shots from mount but Ribeiro bucks and avoids them well.
Mendez sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Ribeiro has worked his way to half guard, taking advantage of Mendez's lack of action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mendez is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Mendez missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Mendez thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ribeiro's head.
Mendez tries to pass to full mount but Ribeiro defends it.
Ribeiro is trying to stand back up but Mendez is controlling him

That's four 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.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Ribeiro swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Mendez counters with a shoot takedown. Ribeiro fights it but they end up in guard.
Mendez prevents Ribeiro from getting back to his feet.
Mendez looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Ribeiro keeping full guard, as Mendez tries to pass.
Mendez has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Mendez sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Ribeiro's guard.
Mendez drops an elbow to the side of Ribeiro's head.
Mendez is tying to control. Ribeiro wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Ground and pound from Mendez.
Mendez is looking to stall here but Ribeiro recovers full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paolo Mendez clearly takes that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ribeiro slips under a jab.
Ribeiro moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Mendez changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ribeiro tries to avoid it but Mendez manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ribeiro to the ground. Ribeiro escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Mendez has Ribeiro up against the cage in a clinch.
Ribeiro can't break the clinch.

Ribeiro breaks from the clinch.
Mendez pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Ribeiro swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Mendez counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Ribeiro's guard now.
Mendez wants to control from the top but Ribeiro keeps moving.
Ribeiro is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ribeiro wants to stand and escape but Mendez is having none of it.
Mendez trying to control but Ribeiro is working from the bottom.
Mendez is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Mendez trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Mendez not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Mendez 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.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Ribeiro swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Mendez counters with a nice double leg into side control. Ribeiro won't be happy with that.
Sloppy strikes there by Mendez.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mendez lands an elbow.
Mendez sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Ribeiro is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Mendez wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ribeiro keeps working.
Ribeiro is pushing Mendez's head away, looking to escape. Mendez manages to hold on to the position though.
Mendez misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

Mendez tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Mendez has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Ribeiro pushes Mendez away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Mendez gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendez passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Ribeiro!
Mendez pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.
Mendez thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Ribeiro trying desperately to get to his feet.
Mendez looking to control but Ribeiro is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Ribeiro wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Mendez looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Mendez trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Mendez controlling from the full mount.

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.
Mendez scoring with strikes but Ribeiro is staying in there.
Mendez punishing his opponent with strikes.
Ribeiro is in a horrible position here. Mendez smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Mendez landing strikes from the mount and Ribeiro is in trouble!

Mendez working for a guillotine from mount but Ribeiro is in no mood to give up.
Mendez looking to control and managing it successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paolo Mendez had his way with Mike Ribeiro in that round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Ribeiro throws a left and a right that both miss
and Mendez counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Mendez with a nice cross.

Mendez shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Ribeiro is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Mendez wants to pass the guard but Ribeiro is keeping the position.
Ribeiro is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Mendez is controlling him.

Mendez 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.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Ribeiro wants to get back to his feet but Mendez passes into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendez takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Mendez is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Mendez is working for a kimura but Ribeiro is defending it quite comfortably.
Mendez missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Ribeiro is not content to let Mendez control the position.
Ribeiro avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Mendez.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Mendez is looking for a kimura but Ribeiro is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Mendez to get the leverage.
Ribeiro wants to get back to his feet.
Mendez is looking to take a break and control but Ribeiro is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Ribeiro misses with a double jab

and Mendez counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Ribeiro's guard now.
Mendez is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ribeiro can do to turn this around?
Ribeiro wants to stand but Mendez is controlling the position.
Mendez trying to control but Ribeiro is working from the bottom.
Mendez throwing strikes but missing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ribeiro is looking to stand up but Mendez isn't so interested in that idea.
Mike Ribeiro has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mendez slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Mendez loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Mendez throws a big right hand that misses.
Mendez trying to control but Ribeiro is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Mendez misses with a body shot.

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.

Mendez scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Ribeiro is staying active underneath Mendez, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Mendez missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Ribeiro wants to get back to his feet.
Mendez trying to control from half guard but Ribeiro is working away.
Mendez stalling.
Mendez is trying to control the action in half guard but Ribeiro is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paolo Mendez showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Mendez, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 50:45
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 50:45
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paolo Mendez!
Paolo Mendez retains his light heavyweight title!