PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kris Kobbler (ranked 7324 p4p, 553 weight class) and Fernando Mendes (ranked 3593 p4p, 371 weight class). Fernando Mendes is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Kobbler
vs
Mendes

177 cm
23
158 lbs
3 - 4 - 1

177 cm
25
159 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 1, fighting out of New York, Kris Kobbler!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Fernando Mendes!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Gwen Towbar and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mendes fails with an attempt to clinch.
Mendes is looking to clinch but Kobbler is avoiding it.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kobbler is defended easily by Mendes.
Kobbler shoots in and drives through. Mendes sprawls well.
Mendes darts in looking for a takedown but Kobbler gets double underhooks and turns Mendes into the cage.
A quick step to the side and Kobbler tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.

Kobbler moves into range and clinches up with Mendes.
Kobbler controlling the action here for a moment.

Kobbler manages to break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mendes doesn't manage to clinch there - Kobbler circles away.
Kobbler looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Mendes wants to counter the offense by Kobbler and move into the clinch position.
Mendes throws a body kick that misses.
As Mendes looks to move away, Kobbler throws a big counter combo but Mendes just gets out of the way.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mendes tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Mendes feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Mendes slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Kobbler trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Kobbler wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Kobbler is looking to stand up but Mendes isn't so interested in that idea.
Kobbler looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mendes wants to control from the top but Kobbler keeps moving.

Kobbler throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Mendes controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Kobbler shoots in and drives through. Mendes sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kris Kobbler. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mendes tries to clinch up but Kobbler circles away and keeps his distance.
Mendes throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kobbler's waist but Kobbler gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Mendes off to one side.
Mendes throws a body punch but Kobbler moves out of range.
Mendes scores with a one two! Kobbler had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendes with a lazy takedown attempt

and Kobbler counters by moving into the clinch.
Kobbler changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Mendes fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Mendes tries to clinch but Kobbler is having none of it.
Kobbler went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Mendes will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Horrible takedown attempt by Mendes or perhaps it was just good defense by Kobbler, which made it look bad.
Mendes dives in for a single leg takedown but Kobbler sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Kobbler buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Mendes wants to clinch up but Kobbler keeps it at a distance.

Kobbler looking to score a takedown here. Mendes is defending well but Kobbler drives through and ends up in Mendes's guard.
Mendes keeping moving, preventing Kobbler from controlling successfully.
Kobbler trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mendes is looking for a triangle but Kobbler pushes his legs off easily.
Kobbler wants to control from the top but Mendes keeps moving.

Mendes looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Mendes had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kobbler defends it easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kobbler would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
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 Kris Kobbler will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

No luck with that takedown attempt from Kobbler.
Kobbler fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Kobbler fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Mendes sprawls well initially but Kobbler persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Mendes wants to control the action here but instead Kobbler manages to pass to full mount!
Mendes holds of for dear life.
Kobbler knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Mendes on the ground.
Mendes is working to get back to half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mendes is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kobbler controlling from mount.
Mendes is looking to improve his position but Kobbler isn't that keen on the idea.
Mendes tries to lock up and control but Kobbler gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Mendes tries to buck Kobbler off but he can't manage it.
Kris Kobbler overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kobbler blocks Mendes's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Kobbler prevents Mendes from getting the reversal.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Kobbler throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Mendes because Kobbler loaded up on that one.

Kobbler goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Mendes is on top in guard.
Kobbler is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Mendes trying to control but Kobbler is working from the bottom.
Kobbler working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Mendes.
Mendes controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendes trying to control but Kobbler is working from the bottom.
Kobbler looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Mendes trying to control the position from guard on top but Kobbler is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Kobbler throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Mendes dives in and grabs Kobbler's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kobbler pushes down on Mendes's head and hops out.
Mendes fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Kobbler misses with a body shot.
Mendes misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Mendes gets a takedown into half guard.

Kobbler manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Mendes throws a front kick aimed at Kobbler's knee but Kobbler avoids it well.
Mendes with a poor takedown

and Kobbler moves into the clinch.
Kris Kobbler has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fernando Mendes.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Kobbler jumps guard.
Mendes wants to control from the top but Kobbler keeps moving.
Mendes stands and throws Kobbler's legs to the side, diving into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kris Kobbler dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Kobbler kicks Mendes off and gets to his feet.
Kobbler takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Kobbler looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Nice sprawl there from Mendes as Kobbler shoots in.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mendes will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Kobbler has Mendes up against the cage in a clinch.
Mendes avoids a wild elbow strike from Kobbler.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kobbler stalling in the clinch.

Kobbler decides to pull guard.
Kobbler has a closed guard, preventing Mendes from standing up.
Mendes lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Mendes trying to control but Kobbler is working from the bottom.
Mendes preventing the sweep.
Mendes controls from within his opponent's guard.
Mendes forces his way into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mendes trying to control the pace.
Mendes seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kobbler does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Kobbler trying to hold on to Mendes's head to control him but Mendes postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mendes is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kobbler is trying desperately to improve position.

Mendes with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Mendes looking to ground and pound but Kobbler is blocking nicely.
Kobbler is wriggling around trying to escape.
Mendes can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Kobbler is looking to escape.

Mendes throws some shoulder strikes here and then postures up. Oh, he's gone for an armbar! Kobbler has his hands clasped together but Mendes breaks the hold and Kobbler is forced to tap! This one is aaaaaaaaaaall over! That was lightning fast by Mendes!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Fernando Mendes!
An out of breath Fernando Mendes thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.