PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between George Sotiropoulos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mark Mac (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Sotiropoulos
vs
Mac

175 cm
20
162 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

170 cm
19
165 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Tends to cut

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, George Sotiropoulos!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mark Mac!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Alexandre Firmino and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mac misses with a looping left.
Nice takedown defense from Mac. No joy for Sotiropoulos on that attempt.
Mac throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mac lands a right hook to the body.
Mac throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sotiropoulos sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Sotiropoulos changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Mac looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Mac wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Sotiropoulos landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Sotiropoulos lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Mac down.
Sotiropoulos working the body and head with strikes.

It looks like Mark Mac has been cut.
Mac takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Sotiropoulos controls the position from side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mac taking punishment in the form of punches.
Mac wants to get back to his feet.
Mac is not content to let Sotiropoulos control the position.
Sotiropoulos has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Sotiropoulos landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Sotiropoulos prevents Mac from escaping the position.
Sotiropoulos lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.

Mac is rocked!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sotiropoulos takes a little break here. Mac wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Sotiropoulos lands a nice forearm strike.
Mac is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sotiropoulos lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Sotiropoulos is putting a hurting on Mac here, landing some big shots from side control.

That has opened up Mark Mac's cut even more.

Sotiropoulos thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Sotiropoulos wants to control but Mac is keeping him busy.
Mac tries to escape but Sotiropoulos is in control.
Sotiropoulos is looking to take a break and control but Mac is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Mac trying to remain calm as Sotiropoulos controls from the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sotiropoulos'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.
Mac takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.

The cut above Mark Mac's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Mac pushes Sotiropoulos away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Sotiropoulos gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Sotiropoulos working the body and head with strikes.

Mark Mac's cut is absolute horrible now. This looks like something out of a horror film with blood covering both fighters.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Mark Mac's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:53 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). George Sotiropoulos!