PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mike Durham (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mateo Velez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Durham comes to the cage accompanied by Jeremih - imma Star. Mateo Velez told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Durham
vs
Velez

190 cm
22
280 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

195 cm
22
270 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Very quick

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

TFP Graphics - Pit Inc
Trojan Clothing Company

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mike Durham!
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, Mateo Velez!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Felipe Paraventi and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Velez is looking to clinch but Durham is avoiding it.
Durham throws a nice inside leg kick.

Durham closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Durham trying to control the position but Velez is working away.

Durham is trying to get an arm triangle but Velez is defending well.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Velez is looking for a sweep.
Velez struggling a bit here.
Velez sneaks back into half guard.
Durham is looking to take a break and control but Velez is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Velez looking for submissions off his back.
Durham trying to control the action but Velez is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velez trying to hold on to Durham's head to control him but Durham postures up.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Velez gets caught flat footed, as Durham shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Velez isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Durham stacks Velez on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Durham!
Velez can't do much from the bottom here.
Durham tries to advance to mount but can't.

Durham working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Velez prevents Durham from improving position.
Durham really is a fat lump.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Velez tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Durham trying to control the action but Velez is working from the bottom.

Durham thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Durham is breathing heavily.
Durham is looking to take a break and control but Velez is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Velez can't do much from the bottom here.
Velez manages to work his way to half guard, despite Durham's best efforts.
Velez throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velez makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Velez.

Velez escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Durham gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Durham advances to half guard.
Durham tries to pass to full mount but Velez defends it.
Velez wants to improve his position but Durham is controlling well.
Durham uses his free foot to push down on Velez's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Velez.
Velez really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

Durham goes for an armbar but Velez turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Velez.
Velez wants to control from the top but Durham keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Durham wants to sweep but no luck.
Durham is working hard here to advance position.

Velez 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.
Durham looking to control.

Velez drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Durham manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Velez has Durham in his guard.
Durham stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Velez swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Velez has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Durham can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Durham dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Durham scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Velez wants to control but Durham postures up.
Velez is looking to regain half guard here but Durham keeps moving and retains side control.
Velez struggling a bit here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Durham advances to full mount.
Velez is squirming around, avoiding Durham's attempts to control the action.
Durham avoids the attempt from Velez to control.
Velez is breathing heavily.
Durham trying to control but Velez is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velez is trying to escape the mount.
Durham seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Velez is holding on tight.
Velez working to try and regain half guard.
Durham can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Velez is looking to escape.
Velez flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Durham avoids the attempt from Velez to control.
Velez's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Velez wants to get back to his feet but in bucking up he's left an arm hanging out! Durham has locked onto it and has pulled off a slick armbar! Velez taps furiously! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:11 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Mike Durham!