PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Chad Mendes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Raje Malapitan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Mendes might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to All Of The Lights. Chad Mendes had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 136.1lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. This should be fireworks!

Mendes
vs
Malapitan

167 cm
21
145 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

168 cm
22
130 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Chad Mendes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Raje Malapitan!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Jonathan Paton and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Malapitan closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Mendes is trying to stand back up but Malapitan is controlling him

Malapitan is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Mendes is trying to stand up here but Malapitan is controlling him well.
Malapitan seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Mendes does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Malapitan has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Malapitan goes for an armbar but Mendes turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Mendes.
Mendes working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendes loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Malapitan trying to control the position.
Malapitan preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Malapitan trying to keep a closed guard but Mendes is proving a slippery customer.
Mendes throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Malapitan works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Mendes missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Malapitan looking to control.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Malapitan has Mendes pulled in close to control his posture.

Malapitan is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Mendes rolls with it to try and escape but Malapitan cranks on the arm and Mendes is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:01 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Raje Malapitan!