PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Damien Law (ranked 23804 p4p, 476 weight class) and Rafael Mendes (ranked 4318 p4p, 210 weight class). Rafael Mendes 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!

Law
vs
Mendes

160 cm
24
140 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

175 cm
20
143 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Very strong

Excellent grappler
Counter fighter
Solid chin

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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Damien Law!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rafael Mendes!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Tarja Halkonen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Law moves into the clinch.
Mendes tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Law tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Law gets control of Mendes's arms and successfully pulls guard. Law will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Mendes working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Law trying to strike off his back.
Law trying to strike off his back.
Law controls Mendes momentarily but Mendes frees himself.
Mendes advances to half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Law wants to control but Mendes is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Mendes is looking to advance position but Law won't allow it.
Mendes keeps trying to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Law wants to control but Mendes is keeping busy.
Mendes is taking a breather. Law says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Mendes is thwarting Law's attempts to control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Law shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Mendes sprawls well. Mendes wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Law gets slowly back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Law shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Mendes defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Damien Law. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Law stuffs the takedown attempt from Mendes. Mendes gets slowly back to his feet.
Law shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Mendes is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

Law shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Mendes moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Law throws a strike but Mendes rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Mendes advances position into side control!
Mendes has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Law tries to lock up and control but Mendes gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Mendes controlling from mount.
Law might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Law prevents Mendes from taking his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Law has given up his back here. Will Mendes look for the submission or keep pounding away?
Law is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Mendes.
You can see the frustration on Law's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mendes trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Law doesn't escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rafael Mendes dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Mendes shoots in for a double leg but Law sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Law appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Mendes stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Mendes wants it to stay on the feet.
Mendes shoots in for a double leg but Law sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Mendes manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Law on his heels. He'll look to pass Law's guard now, I'm sure.
Mendes seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Law can't keep his opponent in guard - Mendes advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mendes moves nicely into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendes controlling from side mount.
Law is looking to reverse the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mendes advances to full mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Mendes tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Law wants to control but Mendes is having none of it.
Mendes controlling the pace for now.
Law tries to hold on but Mendes postures up.
Mendes wants to take his opponent's back but Law doesn't allow it.
Law on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Law tries to get out of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Law is trying to escape the mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Law really wants to buck Mendes off and get back to his feet.
Mendes content just to control the position here.
Rafael Mendes has got the better of the ground game so far.
Law looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Mendes keeps control of the position as Law tries to break free.
Mendes is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Mendes has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Mendes keeps control of the position as Law tries to break free.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mendes controlling the position well here. Law rolled but Mendes kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rafael Mendes showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Law shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Mendes as he jumps to the side.

Mendes shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Law manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Mendes keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mendes pulls guard successfully.
Mendes pulls Law in close to his closed guard and prevents Law from doing any damage or advancing position.
Mendes avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Law is fighting to break Mendes's control of his arms but Mendes is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Law trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Mendes manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Mendes slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Mendes's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

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.

Law has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Mendes has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.

Law drags the fight down to the ground.

Law working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Mendes doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Mendes manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Law wants to control the position but Mendes says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Law is trying to control but Mendes manages to pass to mount!
Law keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mendes controlling his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Law tries to control Mendes's body but Mendes pushes him off. Law squirms to his side and now Mendes has his back!
Mendes has good solid back control here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Rafael Mendes.
I've got Mendes winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rafael Mendes!
Our winner, Rafael Mendes, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.