PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Filipe Mendes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Antonio Ninja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Mendes
vs
Ninja

183 cm
21
190 lbs
7 - 10 - 0

194 cm
22
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 7 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Filipe Mendes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Antonio Ninja!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Kenichi Hosakawa and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Mendes rushes Ninja and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Ninja pulls guard successfully.

Ninja throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Mendes trying to control but Ninja is working from the bottom.
Mendes trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Mendes slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Ninja throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Ninja wants to stand up but Mendes is controlling him.

Ninja has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Mendes is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Ninja.
Mendes lands an elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ninja is looking to regain half guard here but Mendes keeps moving and retains side control.
Mendes scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Ninja to see if he's OK.

Mendes decides to stand back up. Mendes steps back and let's Ninja get back to his feet.
Antonio Ninja seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mendes tries to clinch but Ninja moves out of range.
Mendes misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Mendes gets the takedown into side control.
Ninja can't do much from the bottom here.
Ninja tries to strike from the bottom but misses.
Ninja wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Ninja is looking for a sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ninja is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Ninja gets back to half guard.
Ninja looks gassed!
Ninja is pressing down on Mendes's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Mendes stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ninja swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Ninja is on top in guard.
Mendes 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.
Mendes trying to keep a closed guard but Ninja is proving a slippery customer.
Ninja throws a strike but Mendes rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ninja has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Mendes can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Mendes stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Ohhhhhhhhhh, brutal head kick from Ninja! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:43 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Head Kick). Antonio Ninja!