PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jeffrey Molina (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Wanderlei Menezes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Wanderlei Menezes will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Molina
vs
Menezes

168 cm
19
150 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

180 cm
28
156 lbs
9 - 10 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent knees
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jeffrey Molina!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Wanderlei Menezes!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Matheus Silva and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Molina shoots for a takedown but Menezes saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Horrible takedown by Molina or perhaps it was just good defense by Menezes which made him look bad.
Menezes tries to clinch but Molina moves out of range.
Menezes doesn't manage to clinch there - Molina circles away.

Molina closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Menezes did well to prevent Molina getting side control.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Menezes is trying to stand up here but Molina is controlling him well.
Menezes makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Menezes.
Molina wanted to stand there but Menezes had control of the position.
Molina loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Molina might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Menezes keeping moving, preventing Molina from controlling successfully.
Molina prevents Menezes from getting back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Molina trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Molina is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Molina pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Menezes is keeping the position for now.
Menezes working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Molina.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Menezes is looking to stand up but Molina isn't so interested in that idea.
Molina advances to half guard.
Menezes is looking to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Molina throwing shots but Menezes is blocking nicely.
Molina scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Menezes has hold of Molina's hands but Molina slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Molina lands with a punch from half guard.
Menezes is trying to maintain the position but Molina is very close to passing his half guard.
Molina winds up and cracks Menezes with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Molina throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Molina is nestled in close to Menezes, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Molina throwing shots but Menezes is blocking nicely.
Molina 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.
Menezes is trying to stand up here but Molina is controlling him well.
Molina prevents Menezes from improving his position.
Menezes wants to control but Molina is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Menezes tries to kick Molina off but Molina keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Molina not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Menezes avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Molina.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Menezes taking some punishment here, with Molina in his half guard.
Menezes tries to kick Molina off in order to stand up. Molina Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
Menezes wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Menezes tries to improve position but can't.
Molina takes a little break here. Menezes wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Molina working the head with strikes.
Menezes is trying to control Molina's posture but Molina avoids it.
We've been hearing that Molina has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Molina throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Molina working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Menezes dodges the ground and pound from Molina.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Molina has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Molina keeps the fight on the outside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Menezes defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Molina.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jeffrey Molina. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Molina is trying hard to land a takedown here. Menezes sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Menezes displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Molina.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Menezes shoots in looking for a takedown but Molina manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Menezes's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Menezes tries to bum rush Molina with a series of wild strikes but Molina uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Nice takedown defense from Menezes. No joy for Molina on that attempt.
Molina misses with a takedown attempt

and Menezes decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Molina's guard.
Menezes cracks Molina with a solid left hand.
Menezes must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Molina pulls Menezes in close to prevent any damage.
Menezes throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Molina works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
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 Jeffrey Molina will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Menezes closes the distance and pushes Molina back into the cage.

Menezes breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Horrible takedown by Molina or perhaps it was just good defense by Menezes which made him look bad.
Molina avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Menezes's coach down at Tenacity Elite - 17 Coaches was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Menezes's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Menezes tries to close the distance and clinch up but Molina swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Menezes misses with a double jab.

Menezes gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Menezes keeps control of Molina as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Molina is trying to drag Menezes to the mat but Menezes just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Menezes lands a hook to the side of the head.
Molina stalling in the clinch but Menezes improves position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Molina takes an elbow to the forehead.

It looks like Jeffrey Molina has been cut.
Menezes landing some nice looking knees to the body.

Molina breaks the clinch.
Menezes tries to close the distance and clinch up but Molina swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Menezes fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Molina fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jeffrey Molina. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Molina closes this distance looking for a takedown but Menezes circles away.
Menezes stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Menezes wants it to stay on the feet.
Menezes tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Molina manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Menezes wants to clinch.
Molina fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Menezes avoids it really well and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Menezes dives in and grabs Molina's left leg, looking for a takedown. Molina pushes down on Menezes's head and hops out.
Menezes tries to clinch but Molina moves away

and Molina counters with a shoot takedown. Menezes fights it but they end up in guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Menezes is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Molina in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Molina is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Molina loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Menezes wants to stand and escape but Molina is having none of it.
Molina in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Molina wants to control from the top but Menezes keeps moving.
Menezes wants to stand but Molina is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Molina in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Menezes wants to stand but Molina is controlling the position.
Menezes avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Jeffrey Molina overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Molina content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Menezes utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Molina distracts Menezes with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Molina slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Molina stops Menezes from standing up.
Molina content to stall in guard here.
Menezes controls Molina momentarily but Molina frees himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Molina scoring with some ground and pound.
Molina wants to get up but he can't break Menezes's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Molina trying to control but Menezes is working from the bottom.
Menezes wants to stand up but Molina is controlling him.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Menezes tries to clinch up.
Molina shoots for a double leg takedown but Menezes sprawls well. He's pushed Molina's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Menezes wants to clinch up but Molina keeps it at a distance.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Molina.

Menezes forces Molina back against the cage and clinches.
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 Jeffrey Molina will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Jeffrey Molina's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Molina with a poor takedown

and Menezes counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Molina wants to take the fight to the mat but Menezes manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Menezes jumps guard.
Menezes wants to get back to his feet but Molina is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Molina throws a big elbow that misses.
Menezes controls Molina momentarily but Molina frees himself.
Molina throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Molina works over Menezes with some ground and pound from guard.
Menezes keeping moving, preventing Molina from controlling successfully.
Menezes lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Molina!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Molina is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Menezes trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Menezes can't control as he wanted to and Molina manages to get the fight back to his half guard.

Menezes is trying to work for a kimura but Molina is defending well.
Menezes working the head and body with strikes.
Molina wants to control but Menezes is keeping busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Molina wants to get back to full guard.
Molina wants to control but Menezes is keeping busy and won't allow it.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Jeffrey Molina has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Molina shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Menezes counters by moving into the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jeffrey Molina. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Menezes's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Menezes fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Molina, pushing him back against the cage.

Menezes pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Wanderlei Menezes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Molina keeps the fight on the outside.
Molina shoots and misses

and Menezes counters by clinching up.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Menezes creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Molina's defenses.
Molina has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Menezes is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Menezes's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Menezes wants to clinch.
Menezes keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Menezes tries to close the distance and clinch up but Molina swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Menezes looks to land a combination but Molina avoids it well.
Molina swats away the attempt to clinch by Menezes.

Menezes clinches.
Menezes gets underhooks to prevent Molina's takedown attempt.
Molina looking for a takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Molina creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Molina tries for a takedown. No joy.
Menezes landing knees to the body.
Menezes stops a takedown attempt from Molina.
Molina is trying to push Menezes away but Menezes has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Menezes is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Menezes crunches a lovely knee into Molina's ribcage.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Menezes obliges.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Molina letting Menezes take a breather here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Molina takes an elbow to the temple.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wanderlei Menezes really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jeffrey Molina's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Menezes throws a one two combo.
Nice sprawl there from Menezes as Molina shoots in.
Menezes throws a series of punches but Molina avoids them all with ease.
Menezes tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Molina paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Good work by Molina as he checks the leg kick.
Menezes tries to close the distance and clinch up but Molina swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Menezes darts in and clinches Molina up against the cage.
Menezes on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Menezes lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Molina goes for a takedown in the clinch but Menezes prevents it.

Menezes manages to break the clinch.
Jeffrey Molina is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Menezes tries to clinch up but Molina circles away and keeps his distance.

Menezes has taken the fight to the clinch.
Menezes misses with an elbow over the top.
Molina drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Menezes gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jeffrey Molina. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Menezes gets control of Molina's arms and successfully pulls guard. Menezes will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Molina won't allow Menezes to get back to his feet.
Menezes is trying to control the position but Molina postures up.
Menezes seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Wanderlei Menezes hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Menezes.
Menezes is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Molina shoots for a takedown but Menezes saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Menezes misses with a takedown attempt - Molina sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Molina swats away the attempt to clinch by Menezes.
Menezes defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Molina.
Molina fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Molina.
Molina avoids the head kick by Menezes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Menezes is looking to clinch.

Menezes moves into the clinch.

Menezes decides to pull guard.
Menezes wants to stand and escape but Molina is having none of it.
Menezes preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Molina throws a big elbow that misses.
Menezes is looking to stand up but Molina isn't so interested in that idea.
Molina throwing strikes from guard but Menezes blocks nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Molina postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Menezes controlling Molina's posture.
Molina with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Menezes is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Molina with a flurry of punches that miss.
Molina is looking to work some ground and pound but Menezes has wrist control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Molina throws a big right hand that misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Molina makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Menezes wants to stand up but Molina is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wanderlei Menezes dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Jeffrey Molina's cut.
That's time! Molina's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Menezes tries to clinch but Molina is having none of it.
Wanderlei Menezes seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Menezes wants to clinch.
Molina shoots in and drives through. Menezes sprawls well.
Menezes is looking to clinch but Molina is avoiding it.
Menezes slaps away a takedown attempt from Molina, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Molina shoots for a double leg takedown but Menezes sprawls well. He's pushed Molina's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jeffrey Molina. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Molina gets tackled into the cage by Menezes. Menezes maintains the clinch.
Molina is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Menezes is keeping busy.

Molina tightens his grip and picks Menezes up, before dumping him to the ground. Menezes manages to land in guard.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Menezes is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Molina is controlling him.
Molina loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Menezes looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Molina postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Menezes looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Molina throws a big right hand that misses.
Menezes keeping moving, preventing Molina from controlling successfully.
Molina trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Menezes wants to stand and escape but Molina is having none of it.
Molina throwing strikes from guard but Menezes blocks nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Molina throwing strikes from guard but Menezes blocks nicely.
Molina working some strikes from top position.
Molina trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Menezes is trying to control the position but Molina postures up.
Molina missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Menezes utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Molina postures up in Menezes's guard and throws a big left but Menezes blocks it.
Menezes is looking to stand up but Molina isn't so interested in that idea.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Molina throws an elbow that misses. Menezes uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Molina's guard. Nice move by Menezes!
Molina working a defensive guard but Menezes passes into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Menezes prevents Molina from improving his position.

Molina looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Menezes is thwarting Molina's attempts to control the position.

Menezes is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Menezes scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Menezes thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Molina's head.
Menezes thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Molina's head.
Menezes not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Molina tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

Menezes seems to be working for a kimura but Molina defends the submission attempt.
Molina trying to control here.
Molina gets back to full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Molina lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Menezes!
Menezes wants to get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jeffrey Molina showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Molina 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 48:47
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 48:47
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jeffrey Molina!
Jeffrey Molina retains his featherweight title!
An out of breath Jeffrey Molina thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.