PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Arthur Menezes (ranked 582 p4p, 373 weight class) and Edison Atunes (ranked 82 p4p, 55 weight class). Arthur Menezes had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Menezes
vs
Atunes

180 cm
40
190
31 - 19 - 1

185 cm
35
192
33 - 11 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Heavy handed

Vegan Gains
Conquer

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 31 - 19 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Arthur Menezes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 33 - 11 - 0, fighting out of New York, Edison Atunes!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Winston Howard and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Menezes is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Atunes throws out a counter right but Menezes avoids it with no problem.
Atunes ducks right into an uppercut from Menezes.
Arthur Menezes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Menezes misses the body punch
and Atunes counters with a straight right hand.
Menezes tests Atunes's chin there with a solid looking shot.

Menezes closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Menezes tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Menezes has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
You can see the frustration on Atunes's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Atunes felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Menezes is looking to take a break and control but Atunes is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Menezes swings around for an armbar but Atunes sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Menezes's guard.
Menezes seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.

Menezes working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Atunes doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Atunes manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Menezes escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Atunes gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Menezes looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Atunes passes into half guard.
Menezes manages to get to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Menezes tries to strike from the bottom.

Menezes working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Atunes has passed into half guard!
Menezes tries to get to full guard but Atunes has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Menezes is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Atunes's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Atunes's back!

Atunes preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Menezes.

Menezes is working for the choke. He's slipped one arm under the chin. Atunes has to defend the other arm for all he's worth... but Menezes has managed to get that arm free too and he's tightening the choke! Atunes taps out and looks absolutely disgusted with himself. Menezes doesn't care though - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:37 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Arthur Menezes!
Edison Atunes was interviewed post fight and said 'Who the fuck let Karter into my camp again? '.