PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jari Aarnio (ranked 3575 p4p, 0 weight class) and Carlos Mendez (ranked 2107 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Aarnio
vs
Mendez

165 cm
26
155 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

175 cm
26
155 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Good kicks
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Jari Aarnio!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Carlos Mendez!
The judges for this bout are David Hoff, Santiago Holmes and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aarnio throws a leg kick but Mendez sees it coming and checks it nicely.
It seemed like Mendez was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Mendez.
The crowd cheers as Mendez lands an impressive looking overhand right. Aarnio doesn't seem phased though.
Mendez uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Aarnio.
Aarnio tries for a takedown but Mendez circles away easily
and Mendez counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Aarnio has his takedown stuffed
and Mendez counters with a nice uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aarnio thows a leg kick but Mendez checks it
and Mendez connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Aarnio tries to clinch up.
Mendez fails to land with a series of punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aarnio showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Mendez.
Aarnio has been working on his balance at Island Hammers Fight Camp, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Mendez.
A low kick from Aarnio misses
and Mendez cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Carlos Mendez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mendez will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Aarnio needs to keep his hands up - Mendez had a free shot at his head there.
Aarnio with a lazy takedown attempt
and Mendez counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jari Aarnio. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mendez lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Mendez scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
A slow jab from Mendez misses its intended target.
Aarnio half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mendez connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Aarnio's hands.
Mendez throws a right and a left that both miss.
Aarnio dodges the punch combination from Mendez.
Aarnio is looking to slow Mendez down with leg kicks.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Aarnio throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Aarnio darts in trying to clinch
and Mendez counters with a straight right hand.
Mendez looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aarnio moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Aarnio slips under a jab.
Aarnio misses with a takedown attempt
and Mendez counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Mendez cracks Aarnio with a good jab.
Mendez has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Aarnio tries to clinch but Mendez is having none of it.
Mendez throws an overhand right that lands on Aarnio's shoulder, as Aarnio tries to avoid the shot.
Mendez will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Mendez displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Aarnio.
Carlos Mendez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mendez looks to land a right hand but Aarnio moved out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Mendez, as that shot connected.
Aarnio doesn't manage to clinch there - Mendez circles away.

Aarnio shoots in and bounces Mendez off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mendez looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Aarnio trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Mendez looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Aarnio not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Mendez wants to stand but Aarnio is controlling the position.

Aarnio drops back looking for a leg! Mendez is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Mendez manages to kick Aarnio off! Aarnio jumps back into Mendez's guard.
Aarnio stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mendez swivels though and keeps the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carlos Mendez dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Mendez lands a jab to Aarnio's midsection.

Mendez tries to sprawl but Aarnio drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Mendez slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Mendez is trying to keep Aarnio in close.
Aarnio tries to free his leg and advance position but Mendez is retaining full guard.
Mendez is adopting a defensive guard.
Aarnio tries to free his leg and advance position but Mendez is retaining full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mendez controls Aarnio momentarily but Aarnio frees himself.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Mendez holds on and takes a little breather.
Aarnio forces his way into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendez keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Aarnio wants to pass to mount but Mendez is defending the position.

Aarnio is looking for a kimura here.

Aarnio is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Aarnio wants to control but Mendez is keeping him busy.
Aarnio with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

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

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Jari Aarnio!
A less than humble Jari Aarnio misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.