PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Pedro Franco (ranked 3057 p4p, 151 weight class) and Rafael Mendes (ranked 2859 p4p, 145 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Franco
vs
Mendes

180 cm
29
145 lbs
6 - 8 - 0

175 cm
22
143 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Pedro Franco!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rafael Mendes!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Marco Blurström and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Mendes closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Franco did well to prevent Mendes getting side control.
Mendes looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Franco definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Franco trying to hold on to Mendes's head to control him but Mendes postures up.
Mendes wants to free his trapped foot but Franco is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Mendes stalling.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mendes tries to pass to full mount but Franco defends it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Mendes's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Mendes tries to keep at a distance but Franco has taken the fight into the clinch.
Franco scores with a shot to the side of Mendes's head.
Mendes drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Franco gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Franco really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Mendes drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Franco misses with a punch on the inside.
Franco creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Mendes's defenses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Franco.

Mendes has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Franco regains guard immediately.
Mendes's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Mendes pushing down on Franco's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendes sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Franco defending well though.
Mendes looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Franco is trying to maintain the position but Mendes is very close to passing his half guard.
Mendes passes to side control.
Franco gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Franco has given up his back here.
Well, with Mendes on his back, surely it's only a matter of time before Franco is tapping out... Can he escape the position?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Franco is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.

Franco defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

Mendes is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Franco knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Franco for a finish.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Franco showing good submission defense here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rafael Mendes dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Franco moves into range and clinches up with Mendes.
Franco throws a punch but it's blocked by Mendes.

Mendes has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Franco clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Rafael Mendes has got the better of the ground game so far.
Franco is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Mendes.
Franco is in bad spot here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mendes is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Franco tries to roll but Mendes sticks to his back.

Mendes is working for a rear naked choke. Franco is not defending it well and Mendes has tightened it up quickly! This could be all over! Franco refuses to tap and goes to sleep, forcing the referee to intervene. A little trickle of blood came out of Franco's nose as his head slumped to the floor. That is naaaasty!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Rafael Mendes!
An out of breath Rafael Mendes thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.