PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Malakai Rios (ranked 2984 p4p, 4646 weight class) and Amado Fuentes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Malakai Rios has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Rios
vs
Fuentes

175 cm
25
155
2 - 0 - 0

179 cm
18
150
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Malakai Rios!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Amado Fuentes!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Dirk Anderson and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fuentes takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Malakai Rios seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rios lands a jab to Fuentes's midsection.

Rios moves into the clinch successfully.
Rios gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Fuentes.
Rios lands a knee to the body.
Fuentes looking to stall.
Rios is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Fuentes is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Malakai Rios has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Amado Fuentes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Rios is trying to trip Fuentes. He has hold of a leg but Fuentes is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Rios persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Fuentes looking for a sweep. Not yet Fuentes, not yet.
Rios trying to control the position from guard on top but Fuentes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fuentes lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rios controls Fuentes momentarily but Fuentes frees himself.

Fuentes got a little sloppy there for a moment and Rios has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Fuentes has managed to get both his arms back between Rios's legs - danger averted.
Fuentes trying to control but Rios is working from the bottom.

Rios looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Fuentes looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Rios looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Fuentes is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

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.
Fuentes trying to control the position from guard on top but Rios is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rios is trying to control the position but Fuentes postures up.
Rios is pulling down on Fuentes's head to control his posture.
Rios is trying to control the position but Fuentes postures up.

Rios escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Fuentes gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Rios knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Fuentes on the ground.
Rios trying to control the position.
Rios is breathing heavily.
Rios avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Fuentes trying to control the position from guard on top but Rios is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Rios moves into range and clinches up with Fuentes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rios jumps guard but Fuentes stands there with Rios around his waist. Rios gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Rios is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Rios manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Rios breaks the clinch.
Rios tries to clinch but Fuentes moves out of range.
Rios tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Fuentes defends well and Rios ends up having to push Fuentes into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
We've been informed that Fuentes has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

Rios drags the fight down to the ground.
Fuentes with a flurry of punches that miss.
Fuentes tries to free his leg and advance position but Rios is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Fuentes drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Rios manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Fuentes has Rios in his guard.

Fuentes manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Rios manages to get himself to full guard.

Fuentes trying to control but Rios is working from the bottom.
Fuentes throwing strikes but missing.
Fuentes tries to free his leg and advance position but Rios is retaining full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fuentes throws a big right hand that misses.
Fuentes passes Rios's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Fuentes is looking for a kimura here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Malakai Rios dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Rios misses with the combination.

Rios gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Rios struggles to land a body shot inside as Fuentes controls his hands.

Rios turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Rios manages to end up in side control.
Fuentes is trying to improve his position.
Fuentes is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Rios is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fuentes tries to lock up and control but Rios gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
You get the feeling that Fuentes really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Fuentes tries to hold on but Rios pushes him away.
Fuentes is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Rios trying to control but Fuentes is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fuentes regains half guard.
Fuentes tries to get to full guard but Rios has control of the leg.
Fuentes regains full guard. Nicely done.
Fuentes managing to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Let's hope that Fuentes has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Fuentes keeping moving, preventing Rios from controlling successfully.

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.

Rios avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Fuentes holds on and takes a little breather.
Rios slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Fuentes has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think Rios should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, Fuentes has tightened it up now! Rios should have reacted faster there - he's in big trouble and yes, he's tapped out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Amado Fuentes!