PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between James Hetfield (ranked 3251 p4p, 152 weight class) and Rafael Mendes (ranked 4156 p4p, 194 weight class). The key to victory for James Hetfield has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Hetfield
vs
Mendes

170 cm
32
145 lbs
8 - 10 - 1

175 cm
25
143 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Arcticus University: London

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 8 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, James Hetfield!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rafael Mendes!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Roosa Järviläinen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hetfield lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Mendes gets caught flat footed, as Hetfield shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mendes pulls Hetfield in close to prevent any damage.
Hetfield looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Hetfield avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hetfield showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendes not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hetfield trying to control the position from guard on top but Mendes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mendes is adopting a defensive guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Mendes shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
An attempted straight right counter from Hetfield misses the target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Mendes tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Hetfield scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Hetfield thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Well, if Hetfield is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Hetfield wants to free his trapped foot but Mendes is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Mendes is trying is best to control the position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hetfield looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Mendes tries to get to full guard but Hetfield has control of the leg.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hetfield looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Hetfield misses with a takedown attempt - Mendes sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Mendes pushes Hetfield up against the cage in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Hetfield escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mendes avoids a punch combination nicely.
Mendes misses with a takedown
and Hetfield counters with a straight right hand.
Mendes tries to clinch but Hetfield moves out of range.
As Mendes looks to move away, Hetfield throws a big counter combo but Mendes just gets out of the way.
Hetfield misses with a combination

and Mendes counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mendes being controlled here momentarily.
Mendes slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hetfield controlling Mendes's posture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Hetfield dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Hetfield scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Mendes takes a jab right on the kisser.
Hetfield misses with a two punch combination.
Hetfield scores with a nice strike.
Hetfield throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Mendes tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Hetfield throws a good cross that connects.
Hetfield throws a series of strikes that have Mendes backpedaling.
Hetfield moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Hetfield fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Hetfield tries to keep at a distance but Mendes has taken the fight into the clinch.
Mendes goes for a takedown in the clinch but Hetfield prevents it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendes prevents Hetfield from breaking the clinch.
Hetfield has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Mendes looking for a takedown.
Mendes tries to score a body lock takedown but Hetfield shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
James Hetfield has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rafael Mendes.

Hetfield breaks from the clinch.
Hetfield throws a series of punches but Mendes avoids them all with ease.
Mendes feints the counter takedown.
Hetfield closes the distance and lands a one-two.
James Hetfield is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hetfield misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Mendes tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Mendes shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hetfield pinned against the cage. Hetfield gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mendes moves out of range as Hetfield throws a body kick.
Hetfield scores with a nice head shot.
Hetfield lands with an uppercut that bounces Mendes off the cage and back into range.
Hetfield falls off balance throwing a combination

and Mendes counters with a takedown into side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hetfield is not content to let Mendes control the position.
Hetfield tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Mendes presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Hetfield wants to control but Mendes is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hetfield is flailing around like a fish out of water, trying to land strikes.
Mendes tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Hetfield wants to hold on but Mendes pushes him away.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Mendes working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Hetfield gets back to half guard.
Hetfield trying to control from the bottom.
Hetfield controlling the position well.
Mendes content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Hetfield wants to control but Mendes is keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hetfield tries to roll over but Mendes keeps him under control.
Mendes seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Hetfield wants to improve his position but Mendes is controlling well.

Hetfield is trying to control Mendes's posture. Mendes takes advantage of the lull and advances to side control. He also appears to have an arm triangle here! Uh oh, big trouble for Hetfield! Mendes is rotating here... this could be the end... Hetfield is out! Mendes has ended this one emphatically! Great submission!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Rafael Mendes!
After winning the bout, Rafael Mendes thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.