PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Hollywood Hitter (ranked 7707 p4p, 508 weight class) and Eriks Podkalns (ranked 25054 p4p, 538 weight class). 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.

Hitter
vs
Podkalns

208 cm
24
258 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

190 cm
25
250 lbs
1 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
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 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Hollywood Hitter!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Eriks Podkalns!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Albert Achterberg and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Podkalns rushes Hitter and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Podkalns is trying to pull guard but Hitter turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Podkalns jumps guard and drags Hitter to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Hitter trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Podkalns has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Podkalns utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Podkalns wants to stand up but Hitter is controlling him.

Podkalns is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hitter makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Podkalns is looking for a triangle but Hitter pushes his legs off easily.

Hitter stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Podkalns tries to close the distance and clinch but Hitter swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Eriks Podkalns is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Hitter closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Hitter lands in his opponent's guard.
Podkalns utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hitter trying to control the position from guard on top but Podkalns is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Podkalns is pulling down on Hitter's head. It's preventing any offense from Hitter, at least for the moment.

Hitter stands and steps away. Podkalns gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Podkalns gets a clinch.
Podkalns goes for a takedown in the clinch but Hitter prevents it.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Podkalns throws a head kick that misses.

Podkalns moves into the clinch.

Hitter has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Podkalns is trying to keep an underhook but Hitter manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Podkalns should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Podkalns makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Podkalns.

Podkalns is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Hitter trying to control the position from guard on top but Podkalns 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.
Hitter trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hitter stands up over Podkalns, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Podkalns avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hitter has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hitter wants to control from the top but Podkalns keeps moving.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Podkalns manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Hitter manages to get himself to full guard.

Hitter will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Hitter has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Podkalns can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Podkalns throws a sloppy strike and Hitter has hooked up an armbar on the loose arm! He's turned and extended fully! Podkalns is forced to tap! Great BJJ from Hitter!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:52 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Hollywood Hitter!