PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Elpidio Rafael (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Super Phoenix (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Rafael
vs
Phoenix

163 cm
20
145 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

180 cm
23
143 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Elpidio Rafael!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Super Phoenix!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Matheus Silva and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Phoenix darts in and clinches Rafael up against the cage.
Phoenix has had enough of the clinch but Rafael keeps him there for the moment.
Phoenix looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Rafael tries for a takedown. No joy.
Phoenix is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Phoenix is stalling here.
Rafael can't get the takedown.

Rafael gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Rafael in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rafael postures up in Phoenix's guard and throws a big left but Phoenix blocks it.
Phoenix preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Rafael throwing strikes from guard but Phoenix blocks nicely.
Phoenix wants to sweep but no luck.
Rafael trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Phoenix working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rafael.
Rafael working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rafael tries to score a power double leg takedown but Phoenix sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rafael somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Elpidio Rafael. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Rafael.
Phoenix tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Sloppy strikes there by Rafael.
Rafael throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Rafael throws a strike aimed at the side of Phoenix's head but Phoenix avoids it well.
Phoenix can't do much from the bottom here.
Phoenix really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Rafael. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Rafael misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Phoenix is trying to control Rafael's posture but Rafael avoids it.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Phoenix swinging wilding here.

Rafael feints and as Phoenix raises his hands in defense, Rafael changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Rafael drops back for a leg here. A bit of a high risk move... He's looking for a kneebar by the looks of things. Now both of them are looking for submissions. Rafael seems to have locked his on tight now - Phoenix screams in pain and taps out furiously! It certainly was a high risk move but it's paid off for Rafael, as he picks up the win!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:44 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kneebar). Elpidio Rafael!