PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Raul Mendez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pyrrhus Epirus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Mendez
vs
Epirus

185 cm
23
185 lbs
11 - 7 - 0

185 cm
21
196 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
World class MT
Granite chin

AnonymouS

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Raul Mendez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Pyrrhus Epirus!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Reed Andrews and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Epirus thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Mendez if he has to take too many more of those.
Mendez blocks a head kick by Epirus.
Epirus is looking to slow Mendez down with leg kicks.
Mendez dives in and grabs Epirus's left leg, looking for a takedown. Epirus pushes down on Mendez's head and hops out.
Epirus is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Epirus misses with a head kick.
Mendez looks for a takedown but Epirus sprawls well.
Mendez has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Epirus.
Raul Mendez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mendez with a poor takedown
and Epirus counters with a big head kick but Mendez shrugs it off.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Raul Mendez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Epirus throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Mendez misses with a takedown attempt
and Epirus counters with a big head kick but Mendez shrugs it off.
Epirus misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Mendez fails with a takedown attempt.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mendez looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Epirus is fending him off so far but Mendez persists. Nope, Epirus circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Epirus connects with a high kick.

It looks like Raul Mendez has been cut.
Epirus throws a head kick but Mendez moves out of range.
Mendez fails with the takedown.
Epirus misses with a shot to the body

and Mendez counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Mendez is breathing heavily.

Epirus working for a triangle but Mendez defends it easily.
Epirus looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Mendez works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Epirus is trying to get back to full guard.

Epirus actively working from the bottom here.

Mendez is working for a kimura but Epirus is defending it quite comfortably.

Epirus looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Epirus actively working from the bottom here.

Epirus looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Mendez is working for a kimura but Epirus is defending it quite comfortably.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Epirus looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Epirus is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Mendez pulls his head out easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Mendez is looking for a kimura but Epirus is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Mendez to get the leverage.

Mendez is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Epirus is looking for a sweep. Mendez is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Epirus is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Mendez pulls his head out easily.
Mendez is looking to take a break and control but Epirus is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Mendez maintaining the dominant position here and is working for a kimura. He's locked it up! Epirus could be in real trouble here! He's trying to wriggle out but Mendez has cracked it and Epirus is screaming in pain - he's tapped out! Great finish by Mendez!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:50 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Raul Mendez!
A pretty intense looking Raul Mendez took the opportunity post-fight to ask for a shot at the title.