PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Charles Mesquita (ranked 33 p4p, 85 weight class) and Graham Mantle (ranked 2 p4p, 8 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Mesquita
vs
Mantle

178 cm
27
155
19 - 7 - 0

169 cm
37
145
31 - 14 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Brooklyn Apothecary
30th Century Beer Store

Kersikov's Vitamin Clinic (160)
NARCOS

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Charles Mesquita!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 31 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Graham Mantle!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, James Atkins and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mesquita is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Mantle throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Mesquita on the side of the head.
Mesquita throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mantle sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Mantle throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Decent striking displayed by Mantle there.
Mantle throws a hook but Mesquita avoids it easily.
Mantle throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Mesquita misses with a lunging right hand
and Mantle counters with a straight right hand.
Mantle misses with a wild body shot.

Mesquita shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Mantle is trying to defend but Mesquita finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Mantle blocking the ground and pound attempt from Mesquita.
Mantle keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Mantle trying to control from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mesquita tries to pass to full mount but Mantle defends it.
Mesquita throwing shots but Mantle is blocking nicely.

Mesquita is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Mesquita missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Mantle trying to control here.
Mesquita has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Mantle blocking the ground and pound attempt from Mesquita.
Mesquita working the head and body with strikes.
Mantle avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Mesquita.
Mantle manages to get to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mesquita throws a big elbow that misses.
Mesquita postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Mesquita is looking to work some ground and pound but Mantle has wrist control.
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 Mantle is on top in guard.

Mesquita can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Mantle controls the pace.

Mesquita escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Mantle gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Mantle missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mantle stays in close to Mesquita's body and controls the position.

Mesquita is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Mantle defends well.
Mantle is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Mantle is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Mesquita wants to sweep here but Mantle controlling him for the moment.
Mantle controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Mesquita lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mantle keeping full guard, as Mesquita tries to pass.
Mesquita is looking to work some ground and pound but Mantle has wrist control.
Mantle keeping moving, preventing Mesquita from controlling successfully.
Mesquita throws an elbow that misses. Mantle uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Mesquita's guard. Nice move by Mantle!

Mantle pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mesquita is keeping the position for now.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mantle slips nicely into half guard.
Mesquita wants to improve his position but Mantle is controlling well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Charles Mesquita will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Mesquita throws a body shot but no joy.
A countering left hand to the body from Mantle misses.
Mesquita cracks Mantle with a good jab.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mantle. Mesquita does a little dance to reset his feet.
Mesquita appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Mantle throws a body shot but no joy.
Mesquita throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Mesquita throws a hook to the side of Mantle's head but Mantle sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Mesquita looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Mantle moves away from the strike by Mesquita.
Mantle appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Mantle throws a shot from downtown. Mesquita moves away and avoids it.
A quick step to the side and Mesquita tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mesquita thows a left - swing and a miss!
Mesquita clobbers Mantle with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mantle fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mesquita manages to avoid it.
Mesquita throws a shot from downtown. Mantle moves away and avoids it.

Mesquita looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Mantle!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mesquita throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mesquita has hold of Mantle's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! Mantle tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - Mesquita cranks the arm and Mantle screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from Mantle, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:22 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Charles Mesquita!
Charles Mesquita retains his featherweight title!