PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Magomed Itaev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Esteban Colberto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Esteban Colberto has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Itaev
vs
Colberto

168 cm
19
176 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

200 cm
20
183 lbs
0 - 5 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Magomed Itaev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Esteban Colberto!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Thiago Cunha and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Itaev shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Colberto's guard.
Itaev trying to control but Colberto is working from the bottom.
Itaev wants to stand but Colberto has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Magomed Itaev wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Colberto scores with a nice body kick.
Colberto fails in his attempt to clinch.

Itaev bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Colberto manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
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!

Itaev is working for a submission of some sort.
Colberto is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Itaev performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Colberto tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Colberto is looking to control Itaev's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Colberto avoid being mounted?
Itaev seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Colberto does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Colberto holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Colberto looks like he's trying to stand up.
Itaev is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Magomed Itaev wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Itaev walks into a straight right hand from Colberto.
Itaev tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Colberto manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Colberto tries to clinch up.
Colberto throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Colberto fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Colberto is looking to clinch.
Colberto looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Colberto wants to clinch.
Colberto lands with an uppercut that bounces Itaev off the cage and back into range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Colberto lands a big head kick that sends Itaev tumbling to the mat! Colberto takes a step backwards and waves Itaev back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Itaev is rocked!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Itaev shoots in for a takedown but Colberto shows good takedown defense.
Oh Itaev is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Itaev tries to clinch up but Colberto circles away and keeps his distance.
Itaev seems to have got his legs back now.
Colberto shoots in but no luck this time.
Magomed Itaev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Esteban Colberto.
Colberto and Itaev are patiently standing in front of each other looking for an opening. Colberto throws a head kick. It's landed, knocking Itaev into next week! Ooooh that was huge! Colberto knows it - he's on the cage flexing is biceps. That's a bit weird considering he won by kick but whatever.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:25 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Head Kick). Esteban Colberto!