PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rhashaun Kinkead (ranked 1776 p4p, 1550 weight class) and Sabas Mendiola (ranked 240 p4p, 213 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kinkead
vs
Mendiola

184 cm
24
174
7 - 5 - 0

173 cm
23
179
6 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

30th Century Beer Store

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rhashaun Kinkead!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sabas Mendiola!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Sergei Dronov and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kinkead takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

It looks like Rhashaun Kinkead has been cut.
Kinkead bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Rhashaun Kinkead seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kinkead on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Kinkead dives in for a single leg takedown but Mendiola sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Mendiola breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A slow jab from Mendiola misses its intended target.
Mendiola misses with a few strikes there.
Mendiola throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kinkead fails to land with a series of punches.
A little jabbing left from Mendiola on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

Mendiola throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Kinkead tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Mendiola is in Kinkead's guard.

Kinkead is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Kinkead looking for a guillotine here but Mendiola defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendiola controlling from the top position.
Mendiola throws a big right hand that misses.
Mendiola seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Mendiola accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Mendiola trying to control but Kinkead is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Kinkead working for a triangle but Mendiola defends it easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kinkead throws his legs up looking for a submission but Mendiola uses it to pass to side control.
Kinkead can't do much from the bottom here.
Mendiola scores with punches from side control.
Kinkead has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Mendiola wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kinkead keeps working.
Mendiola taking a breather here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kinkead struggling a bit here.
Kinkead is looking for a sweep.
Kinkead is working hard here to advance position.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Kinkead is looking to regain half guard here but Mendiola keeps moving and retains side control.
Mendiola trying to control the action but Kinkead is working from the bottom.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

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.
Mendiola controls the position.
Kinkead is looking for a sweep.
Kinkead manages to get back to half guard.
Kinkead is trying to get back to full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mendiola controlling the action here.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Kinkead fakes the leg kick and cracks Mendiola in the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Sabas Mendiola dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rhashaun Kinkead's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kinkead misses with a looping left.
Mendiola let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Kinkead connects with an inside leg kick.
Kinkead swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Mendiola counters with a nice uppercut.

Mendiola bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Sabas Mendiola has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kinkead is trying to improve his position.
Kinkead is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Mendiola off and has taken his back!
Mendiola tries to roll but Kinkead sticks to his back.
Mendiola 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.

Kinkead working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kinkead biding his time, looking for the opening.

Mendiola is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Kinkead gets his way!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mendiola is having to fend off submission attempts from Kinkead, who is looking to sink in the choke. Kinkead doesn't have the hooks in though and Mendiola manages to reverse position! He's now on top, in his opponent's guard.
Kinkead keeping full guard, as Mendiola tries to pass.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mendiola trying to control the position from guard on top but Kinkead is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kinkead not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Kinkead will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Kinkead working for a triangle but Mendiola defends it easily.
Kinkead tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Mendiola postures up.
Kinkead is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

Kinkead escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Mendiola gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Mendiola must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Mendiola trying to control the position from guard on top but Kinkead is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendiola lands a couple of digs.
Kinkead not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Mendiola stays in close to Kinkead's body and controls the position.
Kinkead is trying to keep Mendiola in close.
Mendiola controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kinkead throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Mendiola counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kinkead throws a poor cross that misses
and Mendiola counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Sabas Mendiola seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kinkead will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kinkead closes this distance looking for a takedown but Mendiola circles away.
Kinkead shoots and misses
and Mendiola counters with a nice uppercut.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rhashaun Kinkead. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kinkead throws a hook but Mendiola avoids it easily.
Kinkead throws a head kick but Mendiola moves out of range.
Kinkead moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Mendiola clobbers Kinkead with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

Kinkead is rocked!

Rhashaun Kinkead's cut is getting worse.

Kinkead drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Oh Kinkead is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mendiola is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Kinkead seems to have got his legs back now.
Kinkead trying to control the action but Mendiola is working from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Sabas Mendiola showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Rhashaun Kinkead's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Kinkead misses with a body shot.
Mendiola misses with an uppercut.
Kinkead half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Mendiola throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kinkead lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

Kinkead looking to score a takedown here. Mendiola is defending well but Kinkead drives through and ends up in Mendiola's guard.
Kinkead stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mendiola swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kinkead sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Mendiola's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kinkead is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Mendiola preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kinkead trying to advance position but Mendiola counters by regaining guard.
Kinkead wants to pass the guard but Mendiola is keeping the position.
Kinkead passes into half guard.
Mendiola wants to control but Kinkead is keeping busy.
Mendiola wants to improve his position but Kinkead is controlling well.
Rhashaun Kinkead has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Kinkead is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Mendiola!
Mendiola is in all sorts of trouble here.
Mendiola is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Kinkead wants to finish this one by submission but Mendiola is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Kinkead.
Mendiola wants to control but Kinkead is having none of it.

Kinkead is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Mendiola has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Mendiola!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendiola engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Mendiola trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Kinkead has his foot on Mendiola's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Mendiola works his way back into a safe position though.
Kinkead is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Mendiola content to stall in guard here.

Kinkead looking for a guillotine here but Mendiola defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Kinkead wants to sweep but no luck.
Kinkead keeping moving, preventing Mendiola from controlling successfully.
Mendiola keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Kinkead's head.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mendiola not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Sabas Mendiola is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Kinkead is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Mendiola defends well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rhashaun Kinkead showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Mendiola has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sabas Mendiola!