PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Joca Carioca (ranked 4066 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rafael Mendes (ranked 6329 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Carioca
vs
Mendes

175 cm
30
145 lbs
8 - 9 - 1

175 cm
28
143 lbs
13 - 6 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Experienced

Excellent grappler
Brawler
Good gas tank

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 8 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Joca Carioca!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rafael Mendes!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Thiago Cunha and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mendes throws a sloppy head kick and Carioca moves out of range easily.

Mendes shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Mendes showed some decent athleticism there.
Still in half guard, Mendes seems content to control.
Mendes works his foot free and advances to mount.
Carioca tries to reverse the position but Mendes maintains control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendes tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Let's hope that Mendes has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Carioca tries to reverse the position but Mendes maintains control.
Mendes sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's two 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.
Carioca tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mendes fails to take his opponent's back.
Carioca tries to hold on but Mendes postures up.
Carioca tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendes sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Carioca is looking to get to half guard.
Mendes controlling from the full mount.
Carioca is trying desperately to improve position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Mendes controlling the pace for now.
Carioca tries to lock up and control but Mendes gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Mendes sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
We're seeing a lot of stalling here from Mendes.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Carioca regains half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rafael Mendes dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Mendes changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Carioca tries to avoid it but Mendes manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Carioca to the ground. Carioca escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Mendes goes for a double leg but Carioca avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Carioca continues to drive forward.
Mendes misses with a body shot.
Mendes throws a right and a left that both miss.
Mendes tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Mendes fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Joca Carioca has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rafael Mendes.
Mendes shoots in looking for a takedown. Carioca tries to sprawl out of it but Mendes keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Carioca manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Carioca half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

Mendes manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Carioca on his heels. He'll look to pass Carioca's guard now, I'm sure.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Carioca lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Mendes has Carioca pulled in close to control his posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Carioca drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Mendes manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Carioca has Mendes in his guard.

Carioca had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Mendes defends it easily.
Mendes looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Yet more stalling tactics from Mendes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Carioca is pulling down on Mendes's head. It's preventing any offense from Mendes, at least for the moment.

Carioca is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Carioca looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendes passes Carioca's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Mendes works his way into side control.
Carioca is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Mendes is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Carioca really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Rafael Mendes has got the better of the ground game so far.
Mendes controlling his opponent.
Carioca working to try and regain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mendes takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Mendes's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Carioca has given up his back. Will we see Mendes going for some submissions?
Carioca is trying to get back to his feet but Mendes has full control of the position and if anything, Carioca has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mendes controlling from the back.
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 time! Carioca's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Mendes manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Carioca on his heels. He'll look to pass Carioca's guard now, I'm sure.
Mendes controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Mendes preventing the sweep.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
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.
Carioca is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Mendes is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Carioca looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Mendes pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Carioca is keeping the position for now.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Mendes closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Mendes performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Carioca is looking for a sweep. Mendes is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mendes is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Carioca wants to control the action here but instead Mendes manages to pass to full mount!
Carioca has given up his back here. Will Mendes look for the submission or keep pounding away?
Mendes is riding his opponent, not letting Carioca buck him off.
Carioca tries to break free.
Mendes biding his time, looking for the opening.
More stalling from Mendes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendes with more of the same as he continues to hold on.
Carioca trying to control the action but Mendes just sinks the hooks in.
Carioca is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Mendes.
Mendes is trying to stick to Carioca's back but Carioca is turning into Mendes. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Mendes's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Carioca.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Carioca wants to control from the top but Mendes keeps moving.
Mendes pulls Carioca in close to prevent any damage.
Carioca pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mendes is keeping the position for now.
Mendes tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Mendes is pulling down on Carioca's head. It's preventing any offense from Carioca, at least for the moment.
Carioca has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Mendes is continuing to stall.
Joca Carioca has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rafael Mendes is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Carioca drops back, looking for a kneebar! Mendes looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Mendes looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Mendes!

And that's the end of the fight!
Rafael Mendes comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Mendes has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 27:30
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rafael Mendes!
A victorious Rafael Mendes thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.