PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Donnovan Milliner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chad Mendes (ranked 0 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!

Milliner
vs
Mendes

170 cm
28
145 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

175 cm
27
146 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Knockout power

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 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Donnovan Milliner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Chad Mendes!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, William Peck and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Milliner looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Mendes is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Mendes moves into full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Mendes is on top in guard.
Milliner is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Mendes postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Milliner working a defensive guard here.

Milliner working for a triangle but Mendes defends it easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Milliner escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Mendes gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Milliner keeping moving, preventing Mendes from controlling successfully.
Mendes missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Mendes drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Milliner dives on top into guard.

Milliner got a little sloppy there for a moment and Mendes has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Milliner has managed to get both his arms back between Mendes's legs - danger averted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Milliner makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Mendes is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Milliner 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!
Mendes working the ground and pound but Milliner is defending the strikes.
Mendes working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

Mendes is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Milliner has escaped the position, nice work there.
Milliner is looking to regain half guard here but Mendes keeps moving and retains side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendes wants to stand but Milliner is controlling his arm.
Mendes throws a strike aimed at the side of Milliner's head but Milliner avoids it well.
Check out the look on Mendes's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Mendes gets to mount! Milliner was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Milliner is desperately trying to improve his position but Mendes has a good base and remains in mount.

Mendes is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Milliner has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Milliner!

Milliner drops back looking for a leg! Mendes is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Mendes manages to kick Milliner off! Milliner jumps back into Mendes's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Milliner drops back looking for a leg! Mendes is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Mendes manages to kick Milliner off! Milliner jumps back into Mendes's guard.

Mendes has his foot on Milliner's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Milliner works his way back into a safe position though.
Milliner trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Mendes has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Milliner postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Mendes is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Milliner, into his guard.
Mendes tries to free his leg and advance position but Milliner is retaining full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mendes showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Chad Mendes will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Milliner clinches.
Milliner has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Mendes after a bit of a struggle.

Milliner is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Mendes can't fight it off and eventually Milliner manages to take the fight to the floor. Mendes looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Mendes trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Milliner tries to free his leg and advance position but Mendes is retaining full guard.

Mendes looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Milliner wants to pass the guard but Mendes is keeping the position.
Mendes working a defensive guard here.
Milliner pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mendes is keeping the position for now.
Milliner won't allow Mendes to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Milliner trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Milliner is working Mendes over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Mendes is trying to control the position but Milliner postures up.

Milliner thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Mendes looking to hit a scissor sweep but Milliner is one step ahead there.
Chad Mendes has got the better of the ground game so far.

Mendes looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Mendes is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Mendes has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Milliner can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Milliner passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Milliner is trying to get an arm triangle but Mendes is defending well.

Milliner tries for a kimura but Mendes is defending well.

Milliner working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mendes throws a couple of strikes even though he's not really in a good position to do so.

Milliner has an Americana. Mendes didn't react quickly enough there and he's in big trouble now! He tries to squirm out but is forced to tap! Milliner is delighted and gyrates in front of the ring girls. They seem to like the attention - it'll be interesting to see if Milliner hooks up with any of them at the after show party.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Donnovan Milliner!
Donnovan Milliner bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.