IFC 20 PBP Commentary

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Hard Hitta (ranked 24356 p4p, 283 weight class) and Mario Baturina (ranked 7910 p4p, 147 weight class). Baturina is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Here comes the boom. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Hitta
vs
Baturina

199 cm
19
265 lbs
2 - 8 - 0

198 cm
18
260 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 8 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Hard Hitta!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Mario Baturina!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Daniel Franklin and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Baturina moves into the clinch.
Baturina lands an elbow inside.

It looks like Hard Hitta has been cut.

Baturina drops Hitta with a big knee straight up the middle! Hitta is covering up against the cage but manages to escape and gets back to his feet!

Baturina moves into the clinch successfully.
Hitta using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Baturina has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Hitta breaks the clinch.

Baturina gets in close and instigates a clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hitta blocking some punches.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

Hitta breaks from the clinch.

Baturina rushes Hitta and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Baturina is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Baturina blocking some punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baturina lands with a right to the head.

Hitta's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Baturina scores with a jab to the body.
Mario Baturina is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Baturina tries to clinch up.

Baturina pushes Hitta up against the cage in a clinch.

Baturina escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hitta throws a sloppy head kick and Baturina moves out of range easily.

Baturina closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Baturina lands a body shot in the clinch.
Baturina blocks an elbow strike from Hitta.

Baturina pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Baturina wants to clinch.
Baturina's coach down at The Island Gym was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Baturina's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.

Baturina gets a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baturina misses with a knee to the head.

Baturina's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Baturina fails to land with a series of punches.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Baturina closes the distance and clinches.
Hitta prevents Baturina from breaking the clinch.
Hitta lands a right hand.

Hitta gets a trip takedown into half guard.

Hitta is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Baturina has managed to free his arm - good work.

Hitta decides to stand and escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hitta clinches.

Hitta breaks the clinch.
Baturina tries to bum rush Hitta with a series of wild strikes but Hitta uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Baturina closes the distance looking to clinch

and Hitta counters with a crisp one two that drops Baturina! Hitta thinks about following him to the mat for a moment but instead steps back and waves Baturina to his feet! Baturina is in big trouble!

Baturina has taken the fight to the clinch.

Hitta pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Baturina pushes Hitta up against the cage in a clinch.

Hitta's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Hitta keeps the fight on the outside.
It looked like Hitta was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Baturina looks to land a combination but Hitta avoids it well.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Hitta clinches up with Baturina and pushes him back against the cage.
Hitta looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hitta tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Baturina just stands there and leans against the cage.
Hitta fails to pull guard.
Hitta is looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hard Hitta. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Baturina's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

Hitta breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hitta throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Baturina unleashes a big counter combination but Hitta bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Baturina moves in looking to clinch but Hitta pushes him off.
Hitta uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Baturina.

Baturina rushes Hitta and presses him up against the cage.
Baturina trying to land knees to the body.
Hitta has Baturina pressed against the cage, preventing Baturina from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mario Baturina dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Hard Hitta's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Baturina tries to clinch up but Hitta circles away and keeps his distance.

Hitta drives through and clinches with Baturina against the cage.

Hitta breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hitta scores with a jab.

It looks like Mario Baturina has been cut.

Baturina has Hitta up against the cage in a clinch.

Baturina escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Baturina wants to clinch
and Hitta counters with a left and a right... And another left! Baturina is down! He's done! The ref dives in to save him and that's the end of the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:36 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Hard Hitta!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
51%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Mako Takaziko (ranked 24366 p4p, 374 weight class) and Tyson Manson (ranked 5074 p4p, 236 weight class). Tyson Manson has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Mako Takaziko's chin.

Takaziko
vs
Manson

176 cm
21
142 lbs
3 - 6 - 0

163 cm
25
140 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

Good wrestler
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 6 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Mako Takaziko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Tyson Manson!
The judges for this bout are Winston Alpacca, Santiago Holmes and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Manson shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Manson was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Manson is looking to take a break and control but Takaziko is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Takaziko is pushing Manson's head away, looking to escape. Manson manages to hold on to the position though.
Manson lands a decent elbow from side control.
Manson creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Manson trying to control the position but Takaziko is working away.
Manson looks up at the clock and then as Takaziko takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Manson smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!

Takaziko is rocked!
Manson lands a few punches from side control.
Oh Takaziko is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Takaziko is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Manson lands a decent elbow from side control.
Manson in side control lands a decent elbow.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Manson working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Manson lands some shots froms side control.
Takaziko is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Manson off and has taken his back!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manson manages to reverse the position and now he's in Takaziko's guard. Nice work there by Manson.
Takaziko wants to sweep but no luck.
Manson trying to control but Takaziko is working from the bottom.
Manson is in close to Takaziko's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Manson is working Takaziko over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Manson working some strikes from top position.

Takaziko looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Takaziko is breathing heavily.
Manson working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Manson working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Takaziko's head.
Manson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Manson cracks Takaziko with a solid left hand.
Manson working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Manson arches his back and unloads with a massive left and a right! Takaziko's eyes roll back into his head, he's out cold! The ref dives in to stop the fight - wow, they were hard shots!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Tyson Manson!
After the fight, Tyson Manson was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.
Mako Takaziko was interviewed post fight and said 'Sorry About My Loss Fans'.

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
67%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Freddie Stokes (ranked 4258 p4p, 536 weight class) and Olexandr Borodach (ranked 9220 p4p, 779 weight class). Stokes's entrance music is Never Scared by Whole Wheat Bread. A fine choice. The key to victory for Freddie Stokes has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Stokes
vs
Borodach

190 cm
26
215 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

187 cm
19
201 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Knockout power

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 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Freddie Stokes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Olexandr Borodach!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Dirk Anderson and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stokes throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Stokes misses with a hook. Borodach ducked under it nicely.
Stokes connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Borodach's hands.
Borodach keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Stokes.
Stokes throws the kick towards the body but Borodach avoids it.
Borodach throws a series of punches but Stokes avoids them all with ease.
A counter left hand to the body from Stokes misses its target.
Borodach shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Stokes sprawls well. Stokes wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Borodach gets slowly back to his feet.
Stokes swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Borodach.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Borodach uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Stokes.
Borodach uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Stokes.
Borodach slips under a jab.
Freddie Stokes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Borodach is looking to clinch but Stokes is avoiding it.
Stokes scores with a hook.
Stokes rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Borodach moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Borodach unleashes a big counter combination but Stokes bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Stokes fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Stokes throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Borodach closes the distance and clinches.
Borodach avoids the elbow strike from Stokes, against the cage.

Borodach pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Stokes throws a body shot but no joy.
Borodach swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Stokes misses with a wild body shot.
Borodach steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Stokes.
Borodach is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Stokes with a body shot.
Stokes's corner calls for a 1-2. Stokes obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Borodach avoids the body shot from Stokes.
A telegraphed right hand from Stokes misses the target.
Borodach is looking for the big counter here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stokes looks to throw the jab but Borodach is out of range.
Stokes connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Borodach throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Stokes is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Borodach.
A telegraphed right hand from Stokes misses the target.
Borodach is looking for the big counter here.
Stokes lands a really nice looking cross but Borodach seems unphased.
Borodach defending well as Stokes loads up on a big left hand.
Borodach is looking to clinch but Stokes is avoiding it.
Borodach throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Stokes throws a right and a left that both miss.
It seemed like Borodach was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Stokes misses with an uppercut

and Borodach counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Borodach.

Stokes's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Stokes throws the left hand but Borodach avoids the punch easily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Borodach looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stokes looks to land a combination but Borodach avoids it well.
Borodach doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Borodach moves out of range as Stokes strikes.
Stokes will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Stokes misses with a hook. Borodach ducked under it nicely.
A jab lands there for Stokes.
Borodach is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Borodach clinches with his opponent.
Stokes blocking some punches.

Stokes breaks the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Borodach.
Freddie Stokes is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Stokes misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Borodach.

Borodach darts in and clinches Stokes up against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Stokes just misses with a elbow thrown towards Borodach's brow.
Borodach looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Borodach misses with a hook from the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Borodach.
Stokes tries to break free but Borodach pushes him back against the cage.
Borodach takes an elbow to the forehead.
Borodach changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Stokes fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Stokes throws a leg kick which misses Borodach's front leg but catches the back leg as Borodach tries to avoid it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Borodach has Stokes up against the cage in a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Freddie Stokes dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Stokes is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Borodach.
Borodach displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Stokes throws out the jab.
Borodach ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Borodach clinches with his opponent.
Stokes throws an elbow but it's blocked.
A short body shot lands from Stokes as the two fighters clinch.

Borodach breaks the clinch.
Stokes lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Stokes misses with a looping right.

Stokes lands a left and a right that send Borodach crashing to the mat, dazed. Stokes thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

Borodach is rocked!
Stokes is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stokes cracks Borodach on the jaw with a powerful right hand and Borodach falls backwards against the cage. Stokes follows up with more strikes that drop Borodach to his knees. Stokes keeps the pressure on and the referee jumps in to save Borodach! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:49 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Freddie Stokes!
Freddie Stokes thanked the fans post fight for their support.

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
49%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between DJ Shaw (ranked 7907 p4p, 705 weight class) and Sebastian Ortmeier (ranked 4640 p4p, 509 weight class). DJ Shaw has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Shaw
vs
Ortmeier

210 cm
25
225 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

195 cm
25
241 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

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 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, DJ Shaw!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Sebastian Ortmeier!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Santiago Holmes and David Hoff.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ortmeier cracks Shaw with a big right hand that sends him crashing to the floor. Ortmeier has the opportunity to follow him to the ground but instead he's beckoning Shaw to stand back up!

It looks like DJ Shaw has been cut.
Shaw looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Ortmeier drops a shoulder and throws a monster hook that connects perfectly to the side of Shaw's head, knocking him out cold! Ortmeier is extatic as he celebrates with his cornermen.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:05 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Sebastian Ortmeier!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
100%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Murphy Leonard (ranked 3586 p4p, 327 weight class) and Bobby Boucher (ranked 1280 p4p, 141 weight class). Bobby Boucher is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Leonard
vs
Boucher

169 cm
25
160 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

167 cm
26
163 lbs
6 - 2 - 1

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Heavy handed

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Murphy Leonard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 1, fighting out of The Island, Bobby Boucher!
The judges for this bout are David Hoff, Daniel Franklin and Winston Alpacca.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Boucher slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Leonard tries for a takedown but Boucher sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Leonard shoots in for a takedown but Boucher shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Boucher lands a body shot.

Leonard feints and as Boucher raises his hands in defense, Leonard changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Leonard trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Boucher manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Boucher seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Leonard has his foot on Boucher's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Boucher works his way back into a safe position though.
Boucher controls from within his opponent's guard.

Boucher avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Leonard has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Boucher can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Boucher wants to pass the guard but Leonard is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Boucher is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Leonard keeping full guard, as Boucher tries to pass.

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

Leonard throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Boucher stays in close to Leonard's body and controls the position.
Let's hope that Boucher has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Leonard definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Leonard is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Boucher working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Boucher working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Leonard's head.
Boucher connects with a couple of short punches.
Boucher looking to pass the guard.

Boucher got a little sloppy there for a moment and Leonard has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Boucher has managed to get both his arms back between Leonard's legs - danger averted.
Boucher controls from within his opponent's guard.

Boucher avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Leonard is looking for a triangle but Boucher pushes his legs off easily.

Leonard had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Boucher defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Boucher's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Boucher works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Boucher trying to control the pace.
Leonard is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Boucher's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Boucher's back!
Will Leonard go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?

Boucher is in a bad position with Leonard working for a choke. Boucher manages to spin nicely into guard and the danger is over for the moment.
Boucher works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Leonard is defending against the submission attempts here by Boucher.

Leonard is working on a guillotine. He's managed to get to full guard and he's really squeezing tight! Boucher is tapping! Great win for Leonard!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Murphy Leonard!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
37%

Co-main event

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Jose The Blitz (ranked 328 p4p, 21 weight class) and Yodmuay Petpanpamnuang (ranked 2561 p4p, 127 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

The Blitz
vs
Petpanpamnuang

165 cm
26
137 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

172 cm
26
147 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Transform Supplements

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Jose The Blitz!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Yodmuay Petpanpamnuang!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Bart Greer and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The Blitz steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Petpanpamnuang.
The Blitz quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Nice takedown defense from Petpanpamnuang. No joy for The Blitz on that attempt.
The Blitz definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from The Blitz is defended easily by Petpanpamnuang.
The Blitz uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Petpanpamnuang.
The Blitz shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Petpanpamnuang sprawls well. Petpanpamnuang wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. The Blitz gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jose The Blitz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The Blitz misses with a takedown attempt
and Petpanpamnuang counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Petpanpamnuang scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. The Blitz doesn't seem bothered though.
Petpanpamnuang lands a straight punch to the body, keeping The Blitz at a distance.

The Blitz dives in and scores a takedown into Petpanpamnuang's guard.
Petpanpamnuang has The Blitz pulled in close to control his posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The Blitz wants to pass the guard but Petpanpamnuang is keeping the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Petpanpamnuang controls The Blitz momentarily but The Blitz frees himself.
Petpanpamnuang really doesn't want to stay on the ground with The Blitz. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Petpanpamnuang wants to sweep here but The Blitz controlling him for the moment.
The Blitz wants to pass the guard but Petpanpamnuang is keeping the position.
Petpanpamnuang told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
The Blitz is working hard here to advance position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
The Blitz advances position into side control!

The Blitz tries for a kimura but Petpanpamnuang is defending well.
The Blitz is looking to take a break and control but Petpanpamnuang is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The Blitz controls the position from side control.
The Blitz working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The Blitz trying to control the action but Petpanpamnuang is working from the bottom.

The Blitz looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
The Blitz is looking to take a break and control but Petpanpamnuang is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The Blitz thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

The Blitz has hold of Petpanpamnuang's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! Petpanpamnuang tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - The Blitz cranks the arm and Petpanpamnuang screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from Petpanpamnuang, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:19 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Jose The Blitz!
Jose The Blitz retains his bantamweight title!
Jose The Blitz decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.
In defeat, Yodmuay Petpanpamnuang stepped up to the mic, saying 'Hematch in the jungle, full thai rules, what you say boy?'.

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
24%

Main event

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Eugeniy Petrov (ranked 264 p4p, 37 weight class) and Rampage Johnson (ranked 1621 p4p, 241 weight class). Johnson is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Guns N' Roses - November Rain. Rampage Johnson has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Eugeniy Petrov's chin.

Petrov
vs
Johnson

185 cm
26
215 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

164 cm
25
206 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Very quick

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Experienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Eugeniy Petrov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Rampage Johnson!
The judges for this bout are David Hoff, Winston Alpacca and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson shoots for a takedown but Petrov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Johnson needs to keep his hands up - Petrov had a free shot at his head there.
Petrov lands a right hook to the body.
Johnson on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
A punch lands to the side of Johnson 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Petrov lands a right hook to the body.
Johnson fails to land the takedown.
Nice jab there from Petrov.
Johnson has a takedown stuffed.
Johnson's coach down at Blood Warrior was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Johnson's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Eugeniy Petrov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rampage Johnson.
Johnson has his takedown stuffed
and Petrov counters with a straight right hand.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Petrov as he jumps to the side.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Petrov connects with a nice looking jab.
Petrov bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Johnson's head.
Petrov stuffs the takedown.
Petrov is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Johnson fails with the takedown
and Petrov counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Petrov uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Johnson has time to react.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Petrov but Petrov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Petrov throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

Johnson is rocked!

Johnson dives in and scores a takedown into Petrov's guard.
Johnson is still in real trouble! Can Petrov finish him?

Johnson thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Petrov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Johnson seems to have recovered his senses.
Johnson looking to pass the guard.

Petrov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Petrov trying to keep a closed guard but Johnson is proving a slippery customer.

Petrov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Johnson defends well.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Johnson drops back looking for a leg! Petrov is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Petrov manages to kick Johnson off! Johnson jumps back into Petrov's guard.

Johnson drops back looking for a leg! Petrov is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Petrov manages to kick Johnson off! Johnson jumps back into Petrov's guard.
Petrov keeping full guard, as Johnson tries to pass.
Johnson sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Petrov's guard.

Petrov makes his way to full guard, as Johnson worked for a kimura.
Johnson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Petrov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Johnson is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Petrov looking for a triangle here. Johnson is fighting it but it looks tight! Petrov pulls the arm across and this one won't last much longer! Nope, Johnson is tapping out - this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:30 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Eugeniy Petrov!
Eugeniy Petrov retains his light heavyweight title!
After winning the bout, Eugeniy Petrov thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.