PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mike Redd (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michak Ropuia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ropuia comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Here comes the pain - Slayer kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Michak Ropuia enters the cage!

Redd
vs
Ropuia

172 cm
24
152 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

176 cm
24
152 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
KO power

Good takedowns
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Mike Redd!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Michak Ropuia!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Roger Salmon and Ryoma Takatsuka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ropuia fails to land the takedown.
Mike Redd seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Redd has his takedown stuffed

and Ropuia counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Redd!
Ropuia is stalling here but it's allowed Redd to get half guard.
Redd pushes Ropuia off looking to stand but Ropuia dives back in and keeps control.
Redd is refusing to be controlled, as Ropuia sits in half guard.

Redd actively working from the bottom here.
Redd missing with punches from the bottom.

Ropuia is looking for a kimura but Redd is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Ropuia to get the leverage.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Redd wants to get back to his feet.
Ropuia seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Redd does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ropuia is working for a kimura but Redd is defending it quite comfortably.

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

Ropuia seems to be looking for submissions.
Redd is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Ropuia's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Ropuia's back!
Ropuia rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Redd thows a huge punch but Ropuia dodges it nicely.

Redd is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Ropuia sees it coming and defends easily.

Redd is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Ropuia sees it coming and defends easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Redd throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Redd is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Ropuia defends it well.

Redd is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Ropuia sees it coming and defends easily.
Ropuia is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Redd's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Redd's back!
Redd tries to escape but Ropuia has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

Ropuia is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Redd has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ropuia just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.

Ropuia has managed to slip his arm under Redd's chin. This could be all over... yep, Redd is tapping out! Submission win for Ropuia.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Michak Ropuia!
During a confident post fight interview, Michak Ropuia thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.