PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rob Mendez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brandon Strider (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Strider's choice of entrance music: Arch Enemy - Nemesis. Brandon Strider has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Mendez
vs
Strider

200 cm
23
253 lbs
6 - 12 - 0

210 cm
26
265 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

Good takedowns
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 12 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rob Mendez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Brandon Strider!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Mendez tries to keep at a distance but Strider has taken the fight into the clinch.

Strider escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Mendez darts in and clinches Strider up against the cage.
Come on Strider - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

Strider breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Mendez drives through and clinches with Strider against the cage.
Mendez tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Strider smiles and moves away.
Strider looks for the body kick but Mendez saw that one coming.
Mendez throws a series of strikes that have Strider backpedaling.

It looks like Brandon Strider has been cut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Strider closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Strider lands in his opponent's guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Strider is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Mendez is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Mendez has escaped and now he's on top!

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendez working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Mendez trying to control the position from guard on top but Strider is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mendez passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Strider is looking to regain half guard here but Mendez keeps moving and retains side control.
Mendez wants to lay and pray for a moment but Strider keeps working.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mendez tries to stand but Strider is controlling his head.
Strider is trying to improve his position.

Mendez thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strider is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Mendez off and has taken his back!

Strider working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Mendez defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Strider's arms.

Strider has the hooks in and he's looking for a rear naked choke here. Mendez is defending well but eventually Strider manages to get an arm under the chin and he's locked on the RNC! Mendez has no choice but to tap now! He does! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:05 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Brandon Strider!