PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Romeo Hernanes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mitchell Menchaka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hernanes comes into the arena with Awolnation - Sail blaring out of the sound system. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Hernanes
vs
Menchaka

170 cm
28
145 lbs
10 - 2 - 1

168 cm
20
143 lbs
5 - 1 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

xXx Clothing (Nothing Over $20)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Romeo Hernanes!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Mitchell Menchaka!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fray, Ryoma Takatsuka and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hernanes is looking to land body kicks.
Hernanes walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Hernanes throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Menchaka misses the shot to the body.

Hernanes fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Menchaka, pushing him back against the cage.
A knee to the head by Hernanes.
Menchaka lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Hernanes.
Menchaka tries a body shot but Hernanes blocks it.
Hernanes is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Menchaka is defending well for now.
Hernanes misses with a knee strike.
A knee to the head by Hernanes.
Menchaka lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Menchaka on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Hernanes misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Menchaka.
Hernanes misses with a knee to the head.
Hernanes throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Menchaka blocks it with crossed arms.
Menchaka makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Hernanes missing with knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Menchaka takes a knee to the side of the body.
Menchaka lands a shoulder strike.
Hernanes trying to land knees to the body.
Menchaka has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Hernanes seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Menchaka can turn it around.
Hernanes tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Hernanes trying to land knees to the body.
Menchaka scores with a shoulder strike.
Hernanes tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Menchaka misses with a body punch.
Menchaka has a couple of punches blocked by Hernanes.
Hernanes looking to throw knees to the head but Menchaka is blocking nicely.
Hernanes tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Menchaka's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Menchaka ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Hernanes darts in trying to clinch
and Menchaka counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hernanes darts in trying to clinch
and Menchaka cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hernanes is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nice body punch from Menchaka.
Hernanes seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Hernanes tries to close the distance and clinch up but Menchaka swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Hernanes doesn't manage to clinch there - Menchaka circles away.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hernanes doesn't manage to clinch there - Menchaka circles away.
Menchaka ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Menchaka stuns Hernanes with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Hernanes swinging wildly here.
Nice body kick from Hernanes.
Hernanes staying out of range there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hernanes shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Menchaka eats them both and turns towards Hernanes to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Left hook, right uppercut from Hernanes.
Menchaka misses the shot to the body.
Hernanes tries to score with a low kick but Menchaka moves his leg out of the way.
Hernanes slips under a jab.
Hernanes tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Menchaka scores with a jab.
Hernanes tries to clinch up but Menchaka circles away and keeps his distance.
Hernanes misses with a double jab.
Hernanes swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Romeo Hernanes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Menchaka scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Hernanes wants to land a leg kick but Menchaka is out of range.
Hernanes slips a straight right by Menchaka.
Menchaka jabs Hernanes to the body, keeping him at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hernanes tries to clinch up but Menchaka circles away and keeps his distance.
Menchaka misses with a wild body shot.
Hernanes tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Menchaka paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hernanes tries to clinch there but Menchaka circles away.
Menchaka lands with a hook. Hernanes tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Menchaka swats away the attempt to clinch by Hernanes.
Hernanes tries to close the distance and clinch up but Menchaka swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Menchaka stuns Hernanes with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Menchaka misses with a low kick.
Hernanes tries to clinch up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hernanes fails in his attempt to clinch.
Hernanes moves in looking to clinch but Menchaka pushes him off.
Hernanes closes the distance looking to clinch
and Menchaka counters with a lovely straight right hand!
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 Romeo Hernanes will probably get the nod.
That's time! Hernanes's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Menchaka throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Hernanes rushes Menchaka and presses him up against the cage.
Hernanes prevents a body shot from Menchaka.
Hernanes with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Hernanes with a knee to the head.

It looks like Mitchell Menchaka has been cut.
A short uppercut from Menchaka.
Hernanes with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Hernanes tries a knee to the head but Menchaka blocks it.
Hernanes misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Menchaka.
Menchaka lands with a short shot to the head.
Hernanes with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Menchaka lands with a light punch inside.
Hernanes tries to pull guard but Menchaka forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
A body shot lands from Menchaka.
Menchaka misses with some punches.
Hernanes misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Menchaka.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hernanes tries to land a knee to the head but Menchaka blocks with his arms.
Hernanes tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Hernanes misses with a knee to the head.

Menchaka's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Hernanes is looking to clinch.
Hernanes is looking to clinch but Menchaka is avoiding it.
Hernanes tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Menchaka manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Menchaka scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Menchaka scores with a nice head shot.
Hernanes throws a leg kick but Menchaka checks it.
Mitchell Menchaka seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Menchaka chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Hernanes can pounce on him.
Hernanes throws a series of punches but Menchaka avoids them all with ease.

Hernanes moves into the clinch successfully.
Hernanes tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Hernanes misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Menchaka.
Menchaka lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hernanes gets control of Menchaka's arms and successfully pulls guard. Hernanes will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Hernanes escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Menchaka gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Menchaka looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Hernanes looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Hernanes can't keep his opponent in guard - Menchaka advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Menchaka wants to pass to mount but Hernanes is defending the position.
Menchaka is controlling the pace.
Menchaka stalling away here and it's allowed Hernanes to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

Hernanes throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hernanes isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Menchaka stacks Hernanes on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Menchaka!
Hernanes can't do much from the bottom here.
Menchaka is staying tight to Hernanes's torso, preventing him from escaping.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hernanes manages 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 Romeo Hernanes will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Mitchell Menchaka's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Menchaka lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

Hernanes instigates a clinch.
Menchaka wants to get back to striking at distance but Hernanes won't allow it.
Menchaka tries a body shot but Hernanes blocks it.
Hernanes misses with a knee to the head.
Menchaka lands with a light punch inside.
Menchaka lands a body shot in the clinch.
Menchaka avoiding damage as Hernanes throws knees to the body.
Hernanes tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Hernanes tries to pull guard but Menchaka holds him up against the cage and eventually Hernanes drops back down to his feet.
Hernanes lands a knee to the head.
A body shot lands from Menchaka.
Menchaka misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A right hook to the body lands for Menchaka.
Hernanes using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Menchaka has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hernanes tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Menchaka avoids it.
Hernanes throws a knee to the head but misses.
A short right from Menchaka.
Menchaka on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Hernanes fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Menchaka lands a body shot.
Hernanes tries to land a knee to the head but Menchaka blocks with his arms.
Menchaka lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Hernanes backwards.
Menchaka lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Hernanes pulls guard successfully.
Menchaka must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Menchaka is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Hernanes has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Menchaka is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Hernanes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Menchaka working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Menchaka in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Hernanes can't do much from the bottom here.

Menchaka decides to take the fight back to the feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Menchaka ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hernanes moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Menchaka cracks Hernanes with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Menchaka throws a nice looking combination but Hernanes bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Menchaka misses with the combination.
Hernanes takes a swing at Menchaka's ribcage but misses.
Hernanes scores with a head kick. Menchaka tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Menchaka lands with a straight right. Hernanes didn't see that one coming.
Nice uppercut lands for Menchaka. That snapped Hernanes's head back.
Hernanes tries a head kick but it misses.
Hernanes blocks a jab.
Hernanes looks to clinch
and Menchaka counters with a straight right hand.
Hernanes slips under a jab from Menchaka.
Hernanes is looking to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hernanes takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Romeo Hernanes is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Menchaka moves into range and connects with a jab.
Menchaka throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hernanes tries to close the distance and clinch but Menchaka swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hernanes lands a really nice looking cross but Menchaka seems unphased.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Menchaka circles away from the clinch attempt.
Menchaka stuns Hernanes with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Menchaka thows a left - swing and a miss!

Hernanes gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Hernanes misses with a knee to the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hernanes landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Hernanes using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Menchaka has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Menchaka stalls.
Menchaka lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mitchell Menchaka really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mitchell Menchaka's cut.
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.

The fight stays on the outside here - Hernanes looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hernanes moves in looking to clinch but Menchaka pushes him off.
Hernanes wants to clinch up but Menchaka keeps it at a distance.
Menchaka tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hernanes was well out of range. Poor timing from Menchaka.
Hernanes blocks a head kick by Menchaka.
Hernanes is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Menchaka connects with a nice looking jab.
Menchaka throws an overhand right that lands on Hernanes's shoulder, as Hernanes tries to avoid the shot.

Hernanes takes the fight into the clinch.
Hernanes tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Hernanes throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hernanes tries to pull guard but Menchaka won't allow it.
Hernanes is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Menchaka to keep the fight standing.
Hernanes missing with knees to the body.
Hernanes tries a knee to the head but Menchaka blocks it.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Menchaka scores with a hook to the body.
Menchaka lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Hernanes misses with a knee strike.
Hernanes fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Romeo Hernanes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Menchaka lands a body punch.
Knees in the clinch landing for Hernanes.
Hernanes misses with a knee strike.
Menchaka content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Hernanes lands a nice knee to the body.
Hernanes tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Stalling in the clinch from Menchaka.
Hernanes with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hernanes missing with knees to the body.
Hernanes trying to land knees to the body.
Menchaka stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Hernanes looking to throw knees to the head but Menchaka is blocking nicely.
Hernanes tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Menchaka avoids it.
Hernanes is trying to pull guard but Menchaka has him pressed against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Menchaka lands a right hand that snaps the head of Hernanes backwards.
A right hand to the body from Menchaka.
Romeo Hernanes has scored more points in the clinch so far.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Menchaka.
Menchaka lands a left hand that snaps the head of Hernanes backwards.
Hernanes tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Menchaka can't find room to land a body shot as Hernanes controls the action.
Menchaka throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Hernaness head.
Hernanes throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hernanes missing with knees to the body.
Hernanes with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Hernanes tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Menchaka.
Menchaka scores with a shoulder strike.
Menchaka lands a nice uppercut.
Hernanes tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Menchaka just stands there and leans against the cage.
Menchaka is working Hernanes over against the cage.
Hernanes is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Menchaka is defending well for now.
Menchaka working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Hernanes using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Menchaka has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Menchaka controlling the action here for a moment.
Menchaka lands a right hand.
Menchaka lands with a short punch from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hernanes throws a knee to the head but misses.
Hernanes letting Menchaka take a breather here.
Menchaka pushes Hernanes back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Menchaka lands a left hand that snaps the head of Hernanes backwards.
Hernanes looking to throw knees to the head but Menchaka is blocking nicely.
Hernanes jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Menchaka walks away with a smile on his face. Hernanes gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Menchaka connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Menchaka listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hernanes tries to clinch up but Menchaka circles away and keeps his distance.
Menchaka lands with a nice body punch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Menchaka swings for the body but Hernanes moves out of range.
Hernanes closes the distance looking to clinch
and Menchaka counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mitchell Menchaka dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Mitchell Menchaka's cut.
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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Hernanes wants to clinch up but Menchaka keeps it at a distance.
Hernanes looks to land a body kick but Menchaka moved away.
Hernanes showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Menchaka.
Hernanes tries to close the distance and clinch but Menchaka swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hernanes looks to clinch
and Menchaka counters with a series of strikes. Hernanes will be more careful next time no doubt.
Menchaka misses with an uppercut. Hernanes saw that one coming.
Hernanes throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hernanes wants to clinch up but Menchaka keeps it at a distance.
Hernanes uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Menchaka.
Hernanes tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Menchaka paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hernanes tries to clinch but Menchaka is having none of it.
Hernanes throws a head kick that misses.
Hernanes wants to clinch up but Menchaka keeps it at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Menchaka connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Menchaka displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Hernanes looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Hernanes avoids a kick to the body.
Menchaka cracks Hernanes with an open hand slap.
Hernanes misses with a body kick.
Menchaka keeps the fight on the outside.
Menchaka avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hernanes tries to clinch up
and Menchaka cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hernanes tries to close the distance and clinch up but Menchaka swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Hernanes throws a head kick that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hernanes looks to clinch
and Menchaka connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Hernanes tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Menchaka counters with a straight right hand.
Menchaka circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hernanes tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Menchaka manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Menchaka throws a head kick that misses.
Menchaka tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hernanes takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hernanes takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Menchaka is looking to score with low kicks.
Hernanes moves in looking to clinch but Menchaka pushes him off.
Hernanes looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Hernanes - that will leave a mark!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Menchaka looks to land a combination. Hernanes sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Menchaka throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hernanes sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Menchaka scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Menchaka keeps the fight on the outside.
Hernanes tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Menchaka paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hernanes tries to clinch but Menchaka is having none of it.
Menchaka takes a swing at Hernanes's ribcage but misses.
Hernanes takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Menchaka showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hernanes.
Menchaka throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hernanes.
Hernanes is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Hernanes throws a front kick that sends Menchaka stumbling back into the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hernanes tries to clinch but Menchaka moves out of range.
Hernanes tries to clinch
and Menchaka connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Hernanes avoids the body shot from Menchaka.
Menchaka scores with a nice head shot.
Hernanes tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hernanes is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Menchaka throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Hernanes moves into the clinch successfully.
Hernanes looking to throw knees to the head but Menchaka is blocking nicely.
Hernanes scores a nice knee to the body.
Hernanes throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Menchaka blocks it with crossed arms.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mitchell Menchaka.
I think Menchaka has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Colin Fray scores the fight 47:48
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 45:50
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mitchell Menchaka!
Mitchell Menchaka is the new bantamweight champion!
Mitchell Menchaka tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.