PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Minitauro Shogun (ranked 7081 p4p, 536 weight class) and Vitor Menezes (ranked 4411 p4p, 446 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Shogun
vs
Menezes

183 cm
19
217 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

190 cm
22
208 lbs
1 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Good elbows
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Minitauro Shogun!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Vitor Menezes!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Anni Minnemäki and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Menezes closes the distance and pushes Shogun back into the cage.
Menezes pushes Shogun back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Menezes prevents Shogun from breaking the clinch.
Shogun scores with a shot to the side of Menezes's head.
A short uppercut from Menezes.
Shogun jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Menezes walks away with a smile on his face. Shogun gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Menezes drives through and clinches with Shogun against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Menezes.

It looks like Minitauro Shogun has been cut.
Shogun takes a knee to the side of the body.
Menezes crunches a lovely knee into Shogun's ribcage.
Shogun looking for a takedown.
Shogun is breathing heavily.

Menezes breaks from the clinch.

Shogun tries to keep at a distance but Menezes has taken the fight into the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Menezes lands with a short head shot on the inside.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

Menezes breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shogun shoots in looking for a takedown but Menezes manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Shogun's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Minitauro Shogun. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Menezes has Shogun up against the cage in a clinch.

Menezes breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Shogun shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Menezes as he jumps to the side.

Menezes gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Menezes.
Shogun looking for a takedown.
Menezes taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Shogun tries to pull guard but Menezes holds him up against the cage and eventually Shogun drops back down to his feet.
Shogun being controlled against the cage.
Menezes creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Shogun's defenses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Menezes.

Minitauro Shogun's cut is getting worse.
Menezes landing some nice looking knees to the body.
A right handed body shot lands from Menezes.
Menezes pushes Shogun back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Menezes lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Menezes just leaning against Shogun, taking a breather.
Menezes lands a nice knee to the body.

Menezes breaks from the clinch.

Menezes closes the distance and clinches.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Menezes working Shogun over with knees to the body.
Menezes is working Shogun over against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vitor Menezes dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Minitauro Shogun's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Menezes gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

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

Menezes closes the distance and pushes Shogun back into the cage.
Shogun tries to pull guard but Menezes won't allow it.
Menezes connects with a nasty looking knee right to Shogun's face.
Menezes scores with a shoulder strike.

Shogun decides to pull guard.
Shogun is trying to control the position from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Shogun is looking for a triangle but Menezes pushes his legs off easily.

Shogun has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Menezes can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Menezes tries to free his leg and advance position but Shogun is retaining full guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shogun has a closed guard, preventing Menezes from standing up.
Menezes loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Menezes wants to stand but Shogun is controlling his posture from full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Menezes postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Shogun not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Shogun utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Menezes wants to stand but Shogun has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

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.
Menezes postures up in Shogun's guard and throws a big left but Shogun blocks it.
Shogun could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Menezes wants to stand but Shogun has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Shogun fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Menezes darts in and clinches Shogun up against the cage.
Menezes avoiding damage as Shogun throws knees to the body.
Menezes slows down the pace here.
Menezes lands a damaging elbow.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shogun tries to throw a body punch but Menezes avoids it by throwing Shogun back against the cage.
Menezes scores a nice knee to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vitor Menezes showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Minitauro Shogun's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Menezes darts in and clinches Shogun up against the cage.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Menezes obliges.
Menezes stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

Menezes pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Menezes closes the distance and clinches.
Menezes lands an elbow inside.

Menezes manages to break the clinch.
Vitor Menezes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Menezes has taken the fight to the clinch.
Menezes scores with a shoulder strike.
Menezes scores with a shoulder strike.

Minitauro Shogun's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.

Menezes breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Menezes fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Shogun, pushing him back against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Menezes lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Jeez, Minitauro Shogun's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.
Menezes pressing his opponent against the cage.
Menezes working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Vitor Menezes is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Menezes pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Shogun has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Menezes.

Menezes clinches with his opponent.
The referee calls for Menezes to work.
Shogun tries to score a body lock takedown but Menezes shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
A bit of stalling here from Menezes.
A frustrated look appears on Shogun's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Menezes breaks from the clinch.
A head kick from Menezes lands but Shogun takes it in his stride.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Menezes forces Shogun back against the cage and clinches.
Shogun tries to pull guard but Menezes forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Menezes scores with a shot to the side of Shogun's head.
Menezes landing knees to the body.
Menezes pressing his opponent against the cage.
Menezes holding his opponent close, against the cage.
The crowd are getting on Menezes's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Menezes presses Shogun against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Minitauro Shogun has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nice body punch from Menezes - that landed with a thud.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vitor Menezes comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Menezes winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 25:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 25:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vitor Menezes!