PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Renato Atunes (ranked 2317 p4p, 1741 weight class) and Riyu Mendes (ranked 307 p4p, 237 weight class). Riyu Mendes told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Atunes
vs
Mendes

190 cm
24
209
8 - 4 - 1

188 cm
24
206
9 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
World class MT
Good gas tank

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 8 - 4 - 1, fighting out of London, Renato Atunes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Riyu Mendes!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Percy O'Donnell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Atunes scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Atunes avoids the body shot from Mendes.
Atunes slips a jab from Mendes.
Atunes appears to be looking for a big counter.
Mendes takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Mendes throws a jab but it's blocked by Atunes.
Some wild striking there from Atunes.
Mendes is trying to counter with his kicks.
Mendes tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
It looked like Atunes wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Mendes steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Atunes.
Mendes doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Mendes misses with a looping right.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Atunes lands a jab to the nose.
Atunes throws a combination. Mendes tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Atunes scores with a jab to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Atunes!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Atunes connects with a high kick.
Mendes takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Atunes throws a sloppy head kick and Mendes moves out of range easily.

Mendes clinches up with Atunes and pushes him back against the cage.
Atunes blocks a body shot from Mendes.
Mendes lands a left hand that snaps the head of Atunes backwards.
Mendes misses with a hook from the clinch.
Mendes lands a left hand.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Atunes creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Atunes misses with a punch on the inside.
Mendes blocks an elbow strike from Atunes.
Mendes working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Mendes is working Atunes over against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mendes tries to throw a body punch but Atunes avoids it by throwing Mendes back against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Mendes.
Mendes goes for a takedown attempt but Atunes pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A low kick lands for Mendes.
Atunes uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Mendes.
A solid body kick from Mendes.

Mendes moves into the clinch.
Atunes blocks a body shot from Mendes.

Mendes gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Atunes looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Atunes pulls Mendes in close to prevent any damage.
Mendes looking to pass the guard.
Atunes pulls Mendes in close to prevent any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mendes wants to control from the top but Atunes keeps moving.
Mendes looking to pass the guard.
Mendes trying to control the position from guard on top but Atunes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Atunes wants to sweep but no luck.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Atunes utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Mendes looking to pass the guard.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mendes trying to strike off his back.
Mendes manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Atunes manages to get himself to full guard.

Mendes looking to sit in guard and control but Atunes gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Mendes working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Atunes doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oh but Mendes is tightening it up a little... Atunes has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! Atunes reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! Atunes taps out! Nice BJJ there by Mendes!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:54 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Riyu Mendes!
A relieved looking Riyu Mendes thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.