PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Elliott Potts (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chad Mendes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chad Mendes will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Potts
vs
Mendes

191 cm
18
150 lbs
0 - 5 - 0

175 cm
25
145 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Elliott Potts!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Chad Mendes!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Marco Blurström and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Mendes shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Potts is trying to defend but Mendes finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Nice strikes from Mendes there.
Mendes blocks the strikes from Potts.
Potts is trying to stand.
Potts 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.
Mendes wants to take a breather but Potts is having none of it.
Potts preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Potts has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Mendes is working away from the top position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Potts is concentrating on defense, preventing Mendes from advancing position.
Potts trying to control here.
Potts really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Potts is controlling Mendes's trapped leg to prevent Mendes from advancing to side control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Mendes tried to score with a low kick but Potts checks it.

Mendes shoots in and gets a takedown into Potts's guard.

Potts is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Potts has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Mendes is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Potts wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Potts is stalling here.
Potts slows down the pace here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mendes successfully pulls guard.

Mendes is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Potts is aware though and is defending well.
Mendes looks winded!

Mendes throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Potts escapes and throws Mendes's legs to the side, diving into side control!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mendes is trying to get back to half guard.

Potts decides to stand back up.
Potts staying out of range there.
As Mendes looks to move away, Potts throws a big counter combo but Mendes just gets out of the way.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Potts misses with a jab, cross combination.
Potts rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Mendes moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Potts tries to keep at a distance but Mendes has taken the fight into the clinch.
Potts dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

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

Mendes shoots in and bounces Potts off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Mendes has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Potts is proving hard to escape from.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Potts is adopting a defensive guard.
Mendes wants to control from the top but Potts keeps moving.
Mendes is fighting to break Potts's control of his arms but Potts is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Potts has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
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 fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Mendes darts in and clinches Potts up against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Potts's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Potts controlling the action here for a moment.

Mendes's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Sloppy strikes from Mendes. Those never looked like landing.

Mendes closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Mendes lands in his opponent's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Potts is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Mendes is breathing heavily.
Potts is trying to keep Mendes in close.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Potts is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Potts trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

Mendes gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Mendes gets a double leg takedown into Potts's guard.

Potts is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a triangle but Mendes frees his head nicely. Oh but Potts has switched to an armbar! Mendes is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Elliott Potts!