PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mertis Falandas (ranked 2904 p4p, 4673 weight class) and Martin Keown (ranked 356 p4p, 483 weight class). Falandas comes to the cage accompanied by Feed the Machine. Martin Keown acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Falandas
vs
Keown

185 cm
19
170
2 - 0 - 0

185 cm
26
175
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mertis Falandas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Martin Keown!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Steve Smith and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Falandas instigates a clinch.
Keown displaying some good clinch control by pressing Falandas up against the cage.
Keown is trying to break free.
Keown gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Falandas.
Keown blocks an uppercut.

Keown has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Falandas uses from the top position.

Falandas got a little sloppy there for a moment and Keown has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Falandas has managed to get both his arms back between Keown's legs - danger averted.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Keown controlling the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Keown escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Falandas gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Keown trying to control the position here.
Keown controls Falandas momentarily but Falandas frees himself.
Keown tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Falandas 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.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
A solid body kick from Falandas.
Martin Keown seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Falandas clinches up against the cage.
Falandas gets through Keown's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Keown wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Falandas pulls Keown into guard.

Falandas is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Keown defends well.
Keown working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Keown throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Falandas works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Keown trying to control but Falandas is working from the bottom.
Keown wants to pass the guard but Falandas is keeping the position.
Keown must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Falandas keeping moving, preventing Keown from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Falandas avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Keown wants to control from the top but Falandas keeps moving.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Keown looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Keown is sitting in close to Falandas's body. Falandas has gone for a guillotine from the bottom. Oh damn, that looks pretty tight! Keown is panicking - it looks like this one could be all over! Yes, Keown is tapping! That was a very nice submission by Falandas.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Mertis Falandas!
Mertis Falandas thanked the fans post fight for their support.