PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Al Astra (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Knuckle Samwich (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Al Astra has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Astra
vs
Samwich

178 cm
18
205 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

185 cm
22
192 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Al Astra!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Knuckle Samwich!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Frank Dennis and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Samwich gets a clinch.
Samwich is trying to maintain a safe position but Astra gets an underhook and turns Samwich into the cage.
Astra prevents the takedown attempt.
Samwich prevents the takedown attempt.

Astra pulls guard.
Astra controls Samwich momentarily but Samwich frees himself.

Samwich 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.
Astra wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Astra wants to sweep but no luck.
Astra not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Astra wants to sweep here but Samwich controlling him for the moment.
Astra looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Samwich puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Astra is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Samwich shoots in for a takedown but Astra shows good takedown defense.
Samwich looks gassed!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Astra misses with a body shot.
Samwich uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Astra.
Astra misses with a straight left.

Astra darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Samwich avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Astra.
Astra trying to mount his opponent but Samwich defends it.
Samwich has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Astra is working away from the top position though.
Samwich won't allow Astra to pass to mount.
Astra is looking to take a break and control but Samwich is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Astra with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Samwich tries to get to full guard but Astra has control of the leg.

Samwich is defending against the submission attempts here by Astra.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Samwich uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Astra.
Astra throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Samwich shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Astra is trying to keep Samwich in close.

Astra has an active guard here but Samwich has managed to pass into half guard.
Samwich is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Astra tries to roll over but Samwich keeps him under control.
Astra wants to sweep but Samwich has passed to side control!
Astra is trying to control Samwich's posture but Samwich avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Samwich creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Astra sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

Samwich wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Astra, who protects the arm well.
An elbow from Samwich crashes against the mat.
Astra is looking to reverse the position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Samwich closes this distance looking for a takedown but Astra circles away.
Al Astra has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Knuckle Samwich.

Astra clinches up against the cage.
Samwich is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Samwich tries to pull guard but Astra won't allow it.
Samwich gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Astra.

Astra ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Astra no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Astra had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Samwich is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Astra Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Samwich's back instead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Astra wants to control but Samwich is keeping busy.
Samwich wants to control his opponent's hands but Astra gets his hands free.

Astra looking for the rear naked choke. And he's got it! Samwich taps!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:34 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Al Astra!