PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Eric Menezes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Renato Anechine (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Eric Menezes has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Menezes
vs
Anechine

181 cm
21
223 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
275 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite 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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Eric Menezes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Renato Anechine!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Matheus Silva and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Anechine gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Menezes moves into the clinch.
Menezes drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Anechine gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Menezes is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Anechine is defending well.
Anechine has had enough of the clinch but Menezes keeps him there for the moment.
Menezes is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Anechine to keep the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eric Menezes. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Menezes pulls Anechine into guard.
Menezes keeping full guard, as Anechine tries to pass.
Anechine trying to control the position from guard on top but Menezes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Menezes wants to stand and escape but Anechine is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anechine looking to sit in guard and control but Menezes gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Menezes trying to control the position from guard on top but Anechine is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Menezes scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Anechine is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Menezes looking to sit in guard and control but Anechine gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Anechine has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Menezes is proving hard to escape from.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anechine trying to control the position from guard on top but Menezes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Menezes has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

Menezes throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Anechine won't allow Menezes to sweep him here.
Anechine with a flurry of punches that miss.
Menezes could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Anechine tries to stand but Menezes is controlling from the bottom.
Menezes 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.
Menezes not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Anechine won't allow Menezes to get back to his feet.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Menezes stuffs the takedown attempt from Anechine. Anechine gets slowly back to his feet.
Menezes swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Anechine tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Menezes gets a double leg takedown into Anechine's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Menezes prevents Anechine from getting back to his feet.
Menezes is pushing down on Anechine's leg trying to pass to half guard. Anechine is fighting to maintain full guard but Menezes has managed to sneak the leg through.
Anechine has his hands clasped together around Menezes's back. He's all about the action.

Menezes is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Anechine has managed to free his arm - good work.
Menezes is breathing heavily.
Anechine is trying to get back to full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Anechine is not content to let Menezes control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eric Menezes dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Menezes tries to score a power double leg takedown but Anechine sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Menezes somewhat.
Anechine throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Menezes shoots in looking for a takedown. Anechine tries to sprawl out of it but Menezes keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Anechine manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Menezes keeps the fight on the outside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Anechine darts in trying to clinch

and Menezes counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Menezes wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eric Menezes. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Anechine pulls guard effortlessly.
Menezes trying to control but Anechine is working from the bottom.
Anechine is looking to sweep but instead, Menezes has passed into half guard.
Anechine wants to get back to full guard but Menezes has mounted him!
Anechine can't escape the position.
Menezes trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Anechine wants to control but Menezes is having none of it.
Menezes can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Anechine is looking to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anechine tries to reverse the position but Menezes maintains control.
Menezes wants to control the pace but Anechine is squirming around nicely.
Menezes lands a big shot there that rocks Anechine but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Menezes unloading with bombs!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Menezes lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Anechine hang on?
Anechine keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Menezes sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Menezes landing strikes, looking to finish!
Anechine takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Anechine bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Anechine stopping the sweep attempt from Menezes.
Anechine postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Anechine trying to control but Menezes is working from the bottom.

Menezes has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Anechine is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Menezes.
Anechine has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Menezes!
This has been an exciting period of action!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Anechine moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Menezes has worked his arm free - good work by Menezes!

Anechine working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eric Menezes dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Anechine shoots in but no luck this time.
Menezes fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Anechine avoids it really well and circles away.
Eric Menezes is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Anechine shoots in but Menezes avoids the takedown attempt easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Menezes leaves Anechine with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Eric Menezes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Renato Anechine.
Menezes tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Anechine swivels and escapes.

Anechine drives through and clinches with Menezes against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anechine drops down looking for an ankle pick but Menezes pulls his leg out and moves away.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Menezes here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.

Menezes 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.
Anechine takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Menezes trying to control the position from guard on top but Anechine is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Menezes showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Menezes has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Anechine is proving hard to escape from.
Menezes passes Anechine's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
It looks like Menezes is going to stand back up.
Menezes wants to control but Anechine is keeping him busy.
Menezes working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Anechine wants to control but Menezes is keeping busy.
Anechine is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Anechine trying to control from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Menezes slips a nice elbow through Anechine's hands, connecting with Anechine's forehead.
Anechine is staying active underneath Menezes, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Menezes passes into side control, despite Anechine's attempt to control the position.
Menezes wants to stand but Anechine is controlling his arm.
Anechine is looking for a sweep.
Menezes working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Menezes is looking to take a break and control but Anechine is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Anechine tries to escape but Menezes is in control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Anechine's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Menezes lands a few punches from side control.
Anechine tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Menezes wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Eric Menezes overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Menezes wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Anechine, who protects the arm well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eric Menezes showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Menezes, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eric Menezes!