PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between BJ Penn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cruz 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.

Penn
vs
Mendes

178 cm
18
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

174 cm
18
162 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, BJ Penn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Cruz Mendes!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mendes staying out of range there.
BJ Penn seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Penn misses with a hook.

Mendes fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Penn sprawls well initially but Mendes persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Mendes in particular looking to stall.
Penn looks like he's trying to stand up.
Penn tries to roll over but Mendes keeps him under control.
Mendes perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Despite being in the dominant position, Cruz Mendes just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Mendes clinches up against the cage.
Penn is trying to break the clinch but Mendes has him pressed against the cage.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

Mendes gets control of Penn's arms and successfully pulls guard. Mendes will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Mendes seems keen to control Penn's posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Penn trying to control the position from guard on top but Mendes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Penn trying to control but Mendes is working from the bottom.
Mendes trying to keep a closed guard but Penn is proving a slippery customer.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mendes wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Penn wanted to stand there but Mendes had control of the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Mendes changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Penn tries to avoid it but Mendes manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Penn to the ground. Penn escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cruz Mendes dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Penn cracks Mendes with a big right hand that sends him to the floor! Mendes looks wobbly but he's sprung back up to his feet straight away… can Penn finish him?

Mendes is rocked!

It looks like Cruz Mendes has been cut.
Penn dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Mendes is still on wobbly legs! Can Penn finish him?
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Penn misses with a looping left.
Mendes seems to have recovered his senses.
Penn thuds a left hand into Mendes's body.
Penn connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Penn scores with a jab to the body.
Penn drops Mendes with a big left hand! Mendes is injured, injured bad! Penn jumps in and finished him with strikes! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:35 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). BJ Penn!