PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Edson Mendes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gerald Hatton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gerald Hatton told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Mendes
vs
Hatton

188 cm
18
188 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

190 cm
21
185 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Edson Mendes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Gerald Hatton!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Felipe Paraventi and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hatton instigates a clinch.

Hatton manages to break the clinch.
Mendes tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hatton sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Mendes somewhat.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

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

Hatton decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Mendes is looking to control Hatton's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Mendes avoid being mounted?
Hatton really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Mendes. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Hatton controlling the action here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hatton throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Mendes looking for submissions off his back.
Hatton prevents Mendes from improving his position.

Mendes looking for submissions off his back.
Mendes trying to control here.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Hatton throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Mendes.

That's two 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.

Mendes gets caught flat footed, as Hatton shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Hatton gets to his feet - Mendes follows without any prompting.
Hatton looks to land a body kick but Mendes moved away.

Hatton shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Mendes napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Mendes is looking to reverse the position.
Mendes can't do much from the bottom here.
Mendes is breathing heavily.

Hatton decides to take the fight back to the feet.

Hatton closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Mendes can't do much from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hatton is staying tight to Mendes's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Mendes is trying to control Hatton's posture but Hatton avoids it.
Mendes tries to buck Hatton off but Hatton is having none of it.
Mendes wants to control but Hatton postures up.
Mendes tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Hatton works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Hatton lands an elbow.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Hatton misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Mendes has his takedown stuffed

and Hatton counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Mendes tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Hatton smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Edson Mendes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hatton swinging wildly here.
Mendes with a lazy takedown attempt

and Hatton decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Mendes's guard.

Hatton avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gerald Hatton dominated that round.
That's time! Mendes's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Hatton gets the takedown into side control.
Mendes tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Hatton wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Mendes regains half guard.
Hatton scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Hatton wants to stand up but Mendes has a hold of him and won't allow it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mendes is looking to improve his position.
Mendes slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mendes is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hatton is aware though and is defending well.
Hatton stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mendes swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Mendes escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hatton gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Hatton is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Mendes escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hatton gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hatton trying to control the position from guard on top but Mendes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:18 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Edson Mendes!