PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Little john (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Elpidio Rafael (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). john comes to the cage accompanied by its a fight. Little john has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

john
vs
Rafael

175 cm
25
135 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

163 cm
21
145 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Big right hand

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Powerful

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 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Little john!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Elpidio Rafael!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Daniel Cesar and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rafael is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in john's half guard.
Rafael scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Rafael sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. john defending well though.
Rafael lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
john wants to improve his position but Rafael is controlling well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
john regains full guard. Nicely done.
Rafael connects with a couple of short punches.

john is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Rafael defends well.

john is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Rafael is aware though and is defending well.
john is breathing heavily.

Rafael drops back looking for a leg! john is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and john manages to kick Rafael off! Rafael jumps back into john's guard.
Rafael tries to free his leg and advance position but john is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rafael throwing strikes but missing.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rafael accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
john working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rafael.

john looking for a guillotine here but Rafael defends easily.
john utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
john throws a head kick but Rafael moves out of range.

Rafael looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for john!
john is bucking up trying to escape but Rafael cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Rafael with the ground and pound from mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
john tries to reverse the position but Rafael maintains control.
Rafael punishing his opponent with strikes.
Rafael with a couple of short strikes.
john is wriggling around trying to escape.
john takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.

john is rocked!
A nice elbow there by Rafael.
Oh john is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
john is desperately trying to improve his position but Rafael has a good base and remains in mount.

Rafael has hold of an arm here, looking to extend it. He's committed to the armbar attempt here! Will he get it?! Yes! john is forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:48 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Elpidio Rafael!