PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Raphel Ortiz Figueroa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Reggie Smalls (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Reggie Smalls is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Ortiz Figueroa
vs
Smalls

174 cm
26
164 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

170 cm
19
162 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Good chin

Good takedowns
Brawler
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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Raphel Ortiz Figueroa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Reggie Smalls!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Franklyn Lucas and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ortiz Figueroa scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Ortiz Figueroa not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Ortiz Figueroa 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.
Ground and pound from Ortiz Figueroa.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ortiz Figueroa thows a huge punch but Smalls dodges it nicely.
Ortiz Figueroa is just content to waste time from the top position. Smalls takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Ortiz Figueroa accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Ortiz Figueroa trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Ortiz Figueroa looking to pass the guard.
Ortiz Figueroa postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smalls utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Smalls working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ortiz Figueroa.
Smalls keeping moving, preventing Ortiz Figueroa from controlling successfully.
Smalls preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Smalls is trying to control the position but Ortiz Figueroa postures up.
Ortiz Figueroa controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Ortiz Figueroa stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Smalls swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ortiz Figueroa ducks under a wild hook from Smalls.

Ortiz Figueroa shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Smalls manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Ortiz Figueroa trying to control but Smalls is working from the bottom.
Ortiz Figueroa passes into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ortiz Figueroa winds up and cracks Smalls with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ortiz Figueroa not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Ortiz Figueroa throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Smalls is looking to improve his position.
Smalls taking some punishment here, with Ortiz Figueroa in his half guard.
Ortiz Figueroa throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ortiz Figueroa missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Ortiz Figueroa missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Ortiz Figueroa content to control rather than advance.
Smalls is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Ortiz Figueroa scores with a couple of nice shots.
Ortiz Figueroa is nestled in close to Smalls, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Ortiz Figueroa sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Smalls defending well though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raphel Ortiz Figueroa dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Smalls throws a body punch but Ortiz Figueroa moves out of range.

Ortiz Figueroa shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Smalls is trying to get back to full guard.
Smalls regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Ortiz Figueroa.
Ortiz Figueroa loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Smalls working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ortiz Figueroa.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ortiz Figueroa wants to control from the top but Smalls keeps moving.
Ortiz Figueroa advances position into side control!
Smalls avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Ortiz Figueroa.
Ortiz Figueroa throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Ortiz Figueroa is looking to take a break and control but Smalls is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

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.
Smalls taking punishment in the form of punches.
Ortiz Figueroa moves into full mount!
Ortiz Figueroa lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Smalls hang on?

It looks like Reggie Smalls has been cut.
Smalls is breathing heavily.
Ortiz Figueroa working Smalls over with strikes here.

That has opened up Reggie Smalls's cut even more.
Ortiz Figueroa looking to finish here with some ground and pound. He lands one big shot that has Smalls covering up... and two more big strikes land, forcing the referee to step in and put and end to proceedings! This fight is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:18 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Raphel Ortiz Figueroa!