PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Abraham Castagnoli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dwight Howard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Howard's choice of entrance music: superman theme. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Castagnoli
vs
Howard

185 cm
23
252 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

210 cm
25
250 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Abraham Castagnoli!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dwight Howard!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Castagnoli slips a jab and a cross from Howard.
Castagnoli takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Castagnoli is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Castagnoli fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Howard to the ground. Castagnoli is now in Howard's guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Castagnoli being controlled here momentarily.
Castagnoli wants to control from the top but Howard keeps moving.

Howard working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Castagnoli has passed into half guard!

Castagnoli wants to work for an arm triangle but Howard is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Howard is positioning himself well to prevent Castagnoli advancing to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castagnoli throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Castagnoli throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Howard wants to get back to full guard but Castagnoli has mounted him!
Castagnoli landing strikes from the mount.
Howard regains half guard.
Howard gets back to full guard.
Howard lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Castagnoli!
Howard looking to control and managing it successfully.
Howard trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Castagnoli might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Howard connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
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!
Howard controlling the pace for now.
Howard unloading with bombs!
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Howard controlling the pace for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Castagnoli is in a horrible position here. Howard smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Howard lands a nice shot to the head.
Howard tries to control but Castagnoli wriggling away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howard working the ground and pound effectively.
Castagnoli can't escape the position.
Howard has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Howard working Castagnoli over with strikes here.
Howard tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Howard with good strikes from the mount here!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Howard looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Howard unloads with some vicious shots from mount and Castagnoli wants out - he looks towards the referee who steps in to save him! Howard celebrates on the cage and the crowd goes wild!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Dwight Howard!
After winning the bout, Dwight Howard thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.