PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Pietro Rava (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Josh Michaels (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rava's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Blue October - Drilled a Wire through my cheek. Michaels comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Alice In Chains - Man In The Box kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Rava
vs
Michaels

185 cm
27
185 lbs
11 - 7 - 0

178 cm
25
167 lbs
13 - 2 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Big right hand

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Pietro Rava!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Josh Michaels!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Aafke Stam and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

A jab-cross combination lands for Michaels and sends Rava crashing to the mat! Michaels follows him down to the mat - Rava regains half guard but he's not out of trouble yet!

Rava is rocked!

It looks like Pietro Rava has been cut.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Michaels wants to work for an arm triangle but Rava is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Oh Rava is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Rava tries to get to full guard but Michaels has control of the leg.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Michaels is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Rava has managed to free his arm - good work.

Michaels is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Michaels is looking for a kimura but Rava is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Michaels to get the leverage.
Michaels is stalling here. Rava is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Michaels seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Rava has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Rava seems to have got his legs back now.
Rava sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Michaels is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Michaels tries to buck Rava off but Rava is having none of it.
Rava wants to control but Michaels is keeping him busy.
Michaels is working to avoid the ground and pound but Rava connects with a decent elbow.
Michaels manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Michaels wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rava keeps working.

Michaels wants to work for an arm triangle but Rava is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Rava is defending against the submission attempts here by Michaels.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Michaels is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Rava doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Michaels.
Rava wants to get back to full guard.

Michaels is working for a submission of some sort.

Michaels is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Rava has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Michaels stops Rava from getting back to his feet.

Michaels is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rava is just riding it out for now. Michaels eventually gives up the hold.

Michaels is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rava is just riding it out for now. Michaels eventually gives up the hold.
Michaels throws a strike but Rava avoids it easily and moves to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Michaels postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Rava is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Michaels, into his guard.

Michaels pushes a forearm under Rava's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Rava is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:35 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Josh Michaels!