PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Raul Magtibay (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and First Helpa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Magtibay
vs
Helpa

170 cm
18
163 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

177 cm
18
164 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Big right hand

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Raul Magtibay!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, First Helpa!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Paulo Santos and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Magtibay throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Helpa shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Magtibay sprawls well. Magtibay wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Helpa gets slowly back to his feet.
Magtibay stuffs the takedown attempt from Helpa. Helpa gets slowly back to his feet.

Helpa looking to score a takedown here. Magtibay is defending well but Helpa drives through and ends up in Magtibay's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Magtibay working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Helpa.
Helpa in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Helpa distracts Magtibay with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Helpa sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Helpa throwing strikes from guard but Magtibay blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Helpa seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Helpa has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Helpa throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Magtibay works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Magtibay utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Helpa stands up over Magtibay, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Magtibay tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Helpa engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Helpa is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Magtibay being controlled here, momentarily.
Helpa trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Magtibay knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Helpa on the ground.
Helpa controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Helpa postures up and lands a big shot to Magtibay's brow.
Magtibay on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Magtibay tries to get out of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Helpa's corner is telling him to maintain position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Helpa distracts Magtibay with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Helpa is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Helpa missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Helpa content to stall in guard here.
Magtibay is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Helpa postures up in Magtibay's guard and throws a big left but Magtibay blocks it.
Magtibay keeping moving, preventing Helpa from controlling successfully.

OK we're going to have a standup here. First Helpa hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Helpa shoots in for a double leg but Magtibay sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Raul Magtibay has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of First Helpa.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Helpa shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Magtibay as he avoids it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

First Helpa dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Magtibay just misses with a punch to the body.
Magtibay stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Magtibay wants it to stay on the feet.
First Helpa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Helpa with a poor takedown
and Magtibay counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Helpa walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Magtibay lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Magtibay throws a right and a left that both miss.
Helpa has a takedown stuffed.
Raul Magtibay has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of First Helpa.
Magtibay works over Helpa's head and body with a nice combination.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Helpa shoots in for a double leg but Magtibay sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Helpa throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Magtibay's waist but Magtibay gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Helpa off to one side.
Magtibay digs a good hook to Helpa's body.
Magtibay connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Helpa momentarily.
Magtibay looks to score with a jab to the body but Helpa is just out of range.
Raul Magtibay is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Helpa shoots in and gets a takedown into Magtibay's guard.
Helpa connects with a couple of short punches.
Helpa postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Helpa content to stall in guard here.
Helpa works over Magtibay with some ground and pound from guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Magtibay has his foot on Helpa's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Helpa works his way back into a safe position though.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Helpa sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Helpa lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Helpa sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Helpa cracks Magtibay with a solid left hand.
Helpa with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Helpa lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Helpa lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Helpa's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Helpa landing some decent shots from guard.
Helpa working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Helpa is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Helpa is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Helpa landing some decent shots from guard.
Helpa is working Magtibay over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Helpa stays in close to Magtibay's body and controls the position.
Helpa keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Magtibay's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

First Helpa showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Helpa fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Nice takedown defense from Magtibay. No joy for Helpa on that attempt.
Magtibay throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Helpa on the side of the head.

Helpa shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Magtibay is trying to defend but Helpa finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Helpa controlling the pace.
Magtibay tries to get to full guard but Helpa has control of the leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Helpa content to control rather than advance.
Helpa lands with a punch from half guard.
Helpa takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Let's hope that Helpa has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Magtibay trying to control here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. First Helpa hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Helpa fails with the takedown.
Raul Magtibay has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of First Helpa.
Magtibay keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Helpa closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Still in half guard, Helpa seems content to control.
Helpa passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Magtibay!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Helpa looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Helpa's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Magtibay takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Helpa landing strikes, looking to finish!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Helpa looking to control and managing it successfully.
Helpa raining down hammerfists from mount.
Raul Magtibay has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Helpa controlling his opponent.
Helpa raining down hammerfists from mount.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
BOOM! Helpa connects with a massive shot to the dome!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Helpa cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

And that's the end of the fight!
First Helpa comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Helpa winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Emerson Jorge scores the fight for First Helpa!
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight for First Helpa!
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight for First Helpa!

First Helpa wins by unanimous decision!