PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mariano Castro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alex Houdini (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Castro
vs
Houdini

172 cm
22
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

172 cm
22
152 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mariano Castro!
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, Alex Houdini!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Paulo Santos and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Houdini pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Houdini pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Castro 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.

Houdini is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Houdini has his foot on Castro's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Castro works his way back into a safe position though.

Castro is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Castro avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Castro trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Houdini working for a triangle but Castro defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castro would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Houdini is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Houdini working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Castro doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Castro manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Castro wants to control from the top but Houdini keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Castro with a flurry of punches that miss.
Houdini bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Castro's guard.

Castro escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Houdini gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Castro is breathing heavily.
Castro utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Houdini sitting in guard here, content to control.
Houdini stands and throws Castro's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castro tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Houdini easily slips into full mount!

Houdini looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Castro bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Castro postures up in Houdini's guard and throws a big left but Houdini blocks it.
Houdini trying to strike off his back.

Houdini has his foot on Castro's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Castro works his way back into a safe position though.
Castro tries to stand but Houdini is controlling from the bottom.

Houdini looking for a guillotine here but Castro defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Houdini looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Houdini is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Castro has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Castro wants to stand and escape but instead Houdini has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Castro is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Houdini postures up in Castro's guard and throws a big left but Castro blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Houdini darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Castro tries to kick Houdini off but Houdini keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Houdini is trying to control. Castro wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Houdini is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Castro doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Houdini.
Castro has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Houdini is working away from the top position though.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Castro landing small, sideways elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castro looks like he's trying to stand up.
Houdini wants to take a breather but Castro is having none of it.
Houdini is controlling the pace.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Houdini with a poor takedown
and Castro counters with a three punch combo that has Houdini backing up. Houdini nods at Castro to acknowledge the strikes.
Alex Houdini seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Castro lands with a slapping head kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Castro.
Mariano Castro is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Castro with a poor takedown

and Houdini counters with a takedown into side control.
Castro is not content to let Houdini control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Houdini has worked his way into a potential kimura here. Castro is trying to get out of the position but his squirming has just got him deeper into trouble. Houdini yanks on the arm and Castro is forced to tap due to a very painful looking submission! Nice work by Houdini.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:20 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Alex Houdini!