PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mehdi Illir (ranked 24789 p4p, 5008 weight class) and Jack Backpack (ranked 486 p4p, 439 weight class). Mehdi Illir has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Illir
vs
Backpack

178 cm
20
165
0 - 1 - 0

176 cm
18
164
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Determined

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mehdi Illir!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jack Backpack!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Colin Fray and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Backpack looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

Backpack tries to sprawl but Illir drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Backpack is looking to improve his position.
Backpack keeps trying to improve his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Illir keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Backpack is looking for a sweep. Illir is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Illir uses his free foot to push down on Backpack's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Backpack.
Illir controlling from the full mount.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Illir's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Backpack squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.

Backpack defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Illir.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Backpack is trying to escape the mount.
Illir tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Backpack really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Illir. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Backpack is looking to get to half guard.
Illir tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

Illir looking to secure an arm triangle but Backpack defends it well.
Illir controlling his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Illir is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Backpack can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Illir forces the positional change into back control.
Backpack is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Illir off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.

Backpack is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

Illir sinks in the hooks and is looking for the choke. He's got it! Backpack taps out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Mehdi Illir!