PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Paulo Mendes (ranked 914 p4p, 983 weight class) and Nakagome Kakuzo (ranked 118 p4p, 127 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Mendes might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Future - Last Breath. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Mendes
vs
Kakuzo

180 cm
25
181
9 - 5 - 0

185 cm
28
180
20 - 14 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Shadow Realm Apparel

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 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Paulo Mendes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Nakagome Kakuzo!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kakuzo lands with an overhand left.
Kakuzo feints and then cracks Mendes's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Mendes down.

Kakuzo dives in and scores a takedown into Mendes's guard.
Kakuzo wants to pass the guard but Mendes is keeping the position.
Mendes trying to control the position.
Mendes keeping moving, preventing Kakuzo from controlling successfully.
Kakuzo is in close to Mendes's body, working some short punches and elbows.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mendes is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Kakuzo throws a big right hand that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kakuzo makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Kakuzo trying to control but Mendes is working from the bottom.
Mendes is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Kakuzo thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Kakuzo trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mendes lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Kakuzo looking to hit a scissor sweep but Mendes is one step ahead there.
Kakuzo keeping moving, preventing Mendes from controlling successfully.

Kakuzo is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Mendes is aware though and is defending well.

Mendes has a momentary lapse of concentration, allowing Kakuzo to throw up a leg and lock on what appears to be a pretty tight triangle! Mendes is fighting it off but it's all too little too late - Kakuzo pulls down on the head and he's put Mendes to sleep! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Nakagome Kakuzo!