PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mark Mendez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cleto Rodriquez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cleto Rodriquez has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Mendez
vs
Rodriquez

183 cm
22
211 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

188 cm
22
204 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Prefers ground

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

MMA's Best Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mark Mendez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Cleto Rodriquez!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Mendez scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Rodriquez stops Mendez from passing to mount.

Mendez stands up and beckons Rodriquez to his feet.

Mendez looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Rodriquez is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Rodriquez won't allow Mendez to pass to mount.

Rodriquez actively working from the bottom here.
Rodriquez gets back to full guard.
Mendez cracks Rodriquez with a solid left hand.
Mendez throwing strikes but missing.
Rodriquez manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Mendez manages to get himself to full guard.
Mendez looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rodriquez is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriquez advances position into side control!

Rodriquez tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mendez is looking to reverse the position.

Rodriquez wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Mendez, who protects the arm well.
Mendez is trying to get back to half guard.
Rodriquez wants to control but Mendez is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodriquez tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Mendez sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Mendez throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

Rodriquez is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Mendez is breathing heavily.
Mendez is trying to stand.
Rodriquez is thwarting Mendez's attempts to control the position.

Mendez is defending against the submission attempts here by Rodriquez.

Rodriquez is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Rodriquez is pressing down on Mendez's thigh, looking to free his foot. Mendez is holding on for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendez is trying to stand back up but Rodriquez is controlling him
Rodriquez throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Rodriquez seems to be working for a kimura but Mendez defends the submission attempt.
Mendez wants to improve his position but Rodriquez is controlling well.
Rodriquez is keen to just control but Mendez is a slippery customer.
Rodriquez missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Mendez wants to control but Rodriquez is keeping busy.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Rodriquez drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Rodriquez stands and throws Mendez's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Mendez struggling a bit here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mendez sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Rodriquez stalling away here and it's allowed Mendez to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Rodriquez stopping the sweep attempt from Mendez.
Rodriquez trying to control but Mendez is working from the bottom.
Mendez thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Mendez thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Mendez throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Rodriquez working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Mendez is looking to stand up but Rodriquez isn't so interested in that idea.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Mendez misses with a double jab.
Rodriquez doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Mendez counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Mendez.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Mark Mendez will probably get the nod.
That's time! Mendez's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Mendez drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Mendez is looking to work some ground and pound but Rodriquez has wrist control.

Rodriquez has his feet on Mendez's thighs here. He's pushed Mendez off and worked for a very quick armbar from the bottom! He's flipped onto his stomach and he's cranking hard on the arm! Mendez screams in pain and taps out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:26 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Cleto Rodriquez!