PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Phad Mendes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Kimura (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Mendes
vs
Kimura

167 cm
26
146 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

168 cm
25
157 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very strong

Good takedowns
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Phad 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, Michael Kimura!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Roosa Järviläinen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mendes fails to land the takedown.
Mendes shoots in for a double leg but Kimura sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Kimura fails with a takedown attempt.
Mendes wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Mendes.
Despite the aggression on Kimura's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Phad Mendes. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Kimura rushes Mendes and presses him up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Kimura takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

Kimura drags the fight down to the ground.
Mendes looking to sit in guard and control but Kimura gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Mendes wants to improve his position but instead Kimura has moved into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kimura performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Mendes keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Mendes is trying to control but can't.
My spies in Johnson MMA inform me that Kimura has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Mendes wants to get back to full guard.
Kimura is keen to just control but Mendes is a slippery customer.
Kimura not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kimura wants to lay and pray for a moment but Mendes keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Mendes tries to get to full guard but Kimura has control of the leg.
Kimura not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kimura tries to stand but can't do so whilst Mendes controls his leg.
Kimura wants to take a breather but Mendes is having none of it.
Kimura wants to get back to his feet.
Mendes is refusing to be controlled, as Kimura sits in half guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kimura lands the left hand.
Kimura looks for a takedown but Mendes sprawls well.
Mendes fails with a takedown attempt.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Mendes.
Mendes shoots for a double leg takedown but Kimura sprawls well. He's pushed Mendes's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Kimura tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Mendes swivels and escapes.

Mendes rushes Kimura and presses him up against the cage.

Kimura is fighting off a takedown attempt but Mendes is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Kimura to the mat. Kimura regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Mendes is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kimura wants to stand up but Mendes is controlling him.
Kimura not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Kimura has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Kimura is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Kimura seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kimura is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Mendes is refusing to be controlled, as Kimura sits in half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mendes is trying to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Kimura dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kimura has taken the fight to the clinch.
Kimura is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Mendes drags the fight down to the ground.
Kimura tries to stand but Mendes is controlling from the bottom.
Kimura throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mendes works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kimura throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kimura is looking to work some ground and pound but Mendes has wrist control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mendes looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kimura has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Kimura decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Nice sprawl there from Mendes as Kimura shoots in.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kimura closes the distance and clinches.

Mendes manages to pull guard.
Kimura works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Mendes tries to roll over but Kimura keeps him under control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Kimura is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Mendes doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Kimura.
Mendes is trying to control but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kimura maintaining the dominant position here and is working for a kimura. He's locked it up! Mendes could be in real trouble here! He's trying to wriggle out but Kimura has cracked it and Mendes is screaming in pain - he's tapped out! Great finish by Kimura!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:20 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Michael Kimura!