PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mahmoud Izrani (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marco Materazzi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Izrani
vs
Materazzi

190 cm
22
220 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

193 cm
25
210 lbs
13 - 11 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
World class MT
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

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 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mahmoud Izrani!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Marco Materazzi!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Edson Gomes and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Izrani moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Materazzi avoids the head kick by Izrani.
Izrani tries to clinch but Materazzi is having none of it.
Izrani wants to clinch.
Materazzi misses with a two punch combination.
Materazzi keeps the fight on the outside.
Materazzi throws a right hand that Izrani ducks under and follows up with a left that Izrani also avoids with ease.
Izrani tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Materazzi counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Izrani wants to clinch up but Materazzi keeps it at a distance.
Materazzi feints and then cracks Izrani's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Izrani down.
Izrani misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Izrani lands a right hook to the body.
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!
Materazzi throws a front kick aimed at Izrani's knee but Izrani avoids it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Izrani tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Materazzi counters with a one-two to the body.
The fight stays on the outside here - Izrani looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Izrani misses with a head kick.
Materazzi misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Izrani forces Materazzi back against the cage and clinches.
Izrani stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Izrani scores with a shoulder strike.
Izrani tries to land knees in the clinch but Materazzi avoids the damage to the body.
Izrani taking a breather.
Izrani misses with a knee to the head.
Materazzi takes a knee right on the jaw!
Izrani taking a breather.

Materazzi pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Materazzi blocks a head kick by Izrani.
A low kick from Materazzi misses

and Izrani counters by moving into the clinch.
Izrani looking to throw knees to the head but Materazzi is blocking nicely.

Materazzi escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Izrani looks to land a right hand but Materazzi moved out of range.
Materazzi connects with a nice looking jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Izrani tries to clinch up.
Izrani tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Materazzi fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Izrani tries to close the distance and clinch but Materazzi swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nice uppercut there from Materazzi.

Izrani has closed the distance and engaged Materazzi in a clinch.
Izrani using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Materazzi has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Materazzi takes a knee right on the jaw!

It looks like Marco Materazzi has been cut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Izrani landing some nice looking knees to the body.

Materazzi's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Izrani throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Izrani misses with a head kick.
Izrani wants to clinch up but Materazzi keeps it at a distance.
Izrani wants to clinch but Materazzi slips to the side
and Materazzi counters with an outside leg kick.
Izrani tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Izrani throws a lazy head kick
and Materazzi counters with a lovely shot to the body.

Izrani closes the distance and clinches.
Materazzi lands a hook to the side of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Izrani misses with a knee to the head.
Materazzi can't break the clinch.
Knees in the clinch landing for Izrani.
Izrani taking a breather.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Izrani unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Materazzi looks gassed!
Izrani misses with a knee to the head.
Izrani with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Materazzi breaks the clinch.
Izrani tries to clinch up
and Materazzi counters with a slapping leg kick.
Izrani tries to clinch but Materazzi moves out of range.
A head kick by Izrani misses
and Materazzi counters with a good low kick that Izrani was not able to check.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Materazzi keeps the fight on the outside.
Materazzi tries to bum rush Izrani with a series of wild strikes but Izrani uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Materazzi throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mahmoud Izrani dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Marco Materazzi's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Izrani tries to clinch up.
Izrani tries to clinch but Materazzi moves out of range.
Materazzi throws a right and a left that both miss.
Materazzi scoring well with a low kick there.
Materazzi circles away from the clinch attempt.

Izrani clinches up with Materazzi and pushes him back against the cage.
Izrani is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Izrani throws a knee to the head but misses.
Izrani using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Materazzi has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Materazzi is looking to break free of the clinch but Izrani has double underhooks.
Materazzi avoiding damage as Izrani throws knees to the body.
Izrani is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Materazzi is keeping busy.

Materazzi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Izrani dodges the punch combination from Materazzi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Materazzi scores with a one two! Izrani had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Izrani tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Materazzi counters with a left and a right that stings Izrani.
Mahmoud Izrani seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Izrani fails with an attempt to clinch.
Izrani tries to clinch but Materazzi is having none of it.
Materazzi keeps the fight on the outside.
Izrani lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Izrani throws a head kick but Materazzi moves out of range.
Marco Materazzi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Izrani has closed the distance and engaged Materazzi in a clinch.
Izrani tries to stall but Materazzi uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Materazzi wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Izrani throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Materazzi blocks it with crossed arms.
Izrani misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Materazzi.

Materazzi escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Materazzi avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Izrani tries to clinch but Materazzi moves away
and Materazzi counters with a slapping leg kick.
Izrani moves in looking to clinch but Materazzi pushes him off.
Mahmoud Izrani is winning the standup battle so far.
Izrani closes the distance but Materazzi moves to the side
and Izrani takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Izrani wants to clinch
and Materazzi counters with a nice low kick that buckles Izrani's knee momentarily.
Izrani pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Izrani throws a sloppy head kick
and Materazzi counters with a left to the body.
Izrani tries to clinch there but Materazzi circles away.
Materazzi lands a body shot.
Materazzi will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Izrani tries to close the distance and clinch but Materazzi swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Materazzi blocks a head kick by Izrani.
Izrani takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Izrani fails in his attempt to clinch.
Izrani tries to close the distance and clinch but Materazzi swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Izrani wants to clinch.
Izrani is looking to clinch.
Izrani takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Materazzi swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Izrani counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Mahmoud Izrani has scored more points in the clinch so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Izrani using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Materazzi is breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Izrani displaying some good clinch control by pressing Materazzi up against the cage.
Izrani tries to land a knee to the head but Materazzi blocks with his arms.
Materazzi wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Materazzi on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Materazzi is trying to break the clinch but Izrani has him pressed against the cage.
Materazzi struggles to land a body shot inside as Izrani controls his hands.
Izrani has Materazzi pressed against the cage, preventing Materazzi from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A frustrated look appears on Materazzi's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Izrani is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Materazzi tries to circle away but Izrani has him pinned against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Izrani misses with a punch to the body.
Izrani keeps control of Materazzi as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Izrani tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Materazzi can't find room to land a body shot as Izrani controls the action.
Izrani tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mahmoud Izrani dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Marco Materazzi's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Izrani throws a head kick that misses.

Izrani clinches up with Materazzi and pushes him back against the cage.
Materazzi is trying to break the clinch but Izrani has him pressed against the cage.
Izrani pressing his opponent against the cage.
A right handed body shot lands from Materazzi.
Izrani landing knees to the head.

Materazzi escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Some wild striking there from Materazzi.
Izrani slips a jab and a cross from Materazzi.
Izrani throws a head kick that misses.
Materazzi blocks a head kick by Izrani.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Izrani moves to clinch but Materazzi breaks away
and Materazzi counters with a leg kick.
Izrani tries to clinch up but Materazzi circles away and keeps his distance.
A good leg kick by Izrani.
Materazzi throws a low kick but Izrani avoids it.
Izrani tries to clinch up.
Izrani tries a head kick but it misses.
Izrani cracks Materazzi with an open hand slap.
Materazzi connects with an inside leg kick.
Izrani misses with a hook.
Izrani tries to land a front kick but Materazzi steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

Izrani clinches up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A bit of stalling here from Izrani.
Izrani looking to stall.
Materazzi tries to circle away but Izrani has him pinned against the cage.

Materazzi breaks the clinch.

Izrani moves into the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Materazzi lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Izrani.
Izrani tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Izrani tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Izrani wants to stall.
Materazzi wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Izrani has him pressed against the cage.
Izrani has Materazzi pressed against the cage, preventing Materazzi from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Materazzi is trying to break the clinch but Izrani is controlling him.
Materazzi wants to break free but Izrani has control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice left hand lands by Materazzi.
Materazzi tries to break the clinch but Izrani is controlling the position.
Izrani lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Izrani with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Materazzi has had enough of the clinch but Izrani keeps him there for the moment.
Izrani taking a breather.
Materazzi swings wildly with an uppercut but Izrani uses good head movement to avoid it.
Izrani tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Izrani misses with a knee strike.
A right handed body shot lands from Materazzi.
Izrani keeps control of Materazzi as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Izrani is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Materazzi is keeping busy.
Izrani using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Materazzi has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Materazzi wants to break the clinch but can't.
Materazzi blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Materazzi wants to get back to striking at distance but Izrani won't allow it.
Izrani is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Materazzi is defending well for now.
Materazzi has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Izrani keeps control of Materazzi as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Materazzi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Izrani tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Materazzi paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Izrani tries to close the distance and clinch but Materazzi swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Marco Materazzi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Izrani gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Materazzi as Izrani tries to tie him up.
Materazzi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Izrani is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Materazzi is defending well for now.
Materazzi wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Izrani has him pressed against the cage.
Materazzi is working Izrani over against the cage.
Izrani with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Nice body punch from Materazzi - that landed with a thud.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Mahmoud Izrani.
Well Izrani has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight for Mahmoud Izrani!
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight for Mahmoud Izrani!
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight for Mahmoud Izrani!

Mahmoud Izrani wins by unanimous decision!
After winning the bout, Mahmoud Izrani thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.