Augusto Mendes: ‘I Want to Fight One Day in Brazil’

Bantamweights Frankie Saenz and Augusto Mendes electrified the Phoenix crowd as the two tore into each other for three gruelling rounds. Mendes rocked Saenz with a right to the head in the first and again early in the second, but “Tanquinho” was nearly knocked out moments late when a Saenz elbow dropped him.

However, the Brazilian was resilient and survived and barely edged his rival in the third round to earn a split decision. The final tallies favored Mendes 29-28 twice and 28-29 to award him what was the evening’s best fight up to that point.