PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ezekiel Ithamar (ranked 3586 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eddie Spenda (ranked 6506 p4p, 0 weight class). Ezekiel Ithamar has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Ithamar
vs
Spenda

176 cm
31
145 lbs
23 - 7 - 0

163 cm
18
135 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Cardio machine

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
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 23 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ezekiel Ithamar!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Eddie Spenda!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Aafke Stam and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ithamar throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Spenda's waist but Spenda gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Ithamar off to one side.
Spenda looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Ithamar fails with the takedown.
A big left from Spenda misses.
Ithamar misses with a takedown
and Spenda counters with a nice uppercut.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ezekiel Ithamar. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A looping hook to the body misses from Spenda. Ithamar does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ithamar tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Spenda manages to circle out of the way.
Ithamar on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
A punch lands to the side of Spenda 's head but he takes it in his stride.

Ithamar moves into range and clinches up with Spenda.

Ithamar breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ithamar fails with a takedown attempt.
A slow jab from Spenda misses its intended target.
Spenda has worked on his takedown defense in the runup to this fight and it is paying off so far.
Ezekiel Ithamar seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Ithamar!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Spenda misses with an uppercut.
Ithamar feinted with a counter takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ithamar misses with a double jab.
Ithamar doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Spenda counters with a series of strikes. Ithamar will be more careful next time no doubt.
Ithamar looks to land a combination but Spenda avoids it well.
Eddie Spenda is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Spenda throws a shot from downtown. Ithamar moves away and avoids it.

Ithamar has managed to clinch.
Spenda fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ithamar has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Spenda after a bit of a struggle.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ithamar.
Spenda wants to get back to striking at distance but Ithamar won't allow it.
Spenda doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Ithamar is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Spenda can't fight it off and eventually Ithamar manages to take the fight to the floor. Spenda looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spenda looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ithamar is one step ahead there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ithamar controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Ithamar makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Spenda controls Ithamar momentarily but Ithamar frees himself.
Ithamar with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Spenda managing to control the position.
Ithamar working some strikes from top position.
Spenda trying to control the position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Spenda can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ithamar passes Spenda's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Ithamar is trying to work for a kimura but Spenda is defending well.
Spenda wants to improve his position but Ithamar is controlling well.

Ithamar in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Spenda tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Ithamar!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:47 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Ezekiel Ithamar!
Ezekiel Ithamar decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.