PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rodrigo Palhares (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nic Ryan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Palhares
vs
Ryan

181 cm
26
163 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

170 cm
25
160 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Heavy handed

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rodrigo Palhares!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Nic Ryan!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Alyssa Summers and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Palhares tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ryan sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Palhares somewhat.
Ryan rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Palhares moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Palhares manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Ryan on his heels. He'll look to pass Ryan's guard now, I'm sure.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ryan wants to stand but Palhares is controlling the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Palhares postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Ryan is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Palhares is controlling him.
Ryan can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Palhares controls the pace.

Palhares thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Palhares controls from within his opponent's guard.
Palhares seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Ryan for as long as he can get away with.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ryan is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Palhares is controlling him.
Palhares preventing the sweep.
Palhares passes Ryan's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Palhares seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Palhares is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Ryan is in trouble now - Palhares has advanced to mount!

Palhares is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Ryan to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Ryan shrugs it off.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Ryan is trying desperately to improve position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ryan has left one of his arms exposed and Palhares doesn't need a second invitation. He's isolated it and locked on a tight armbar. Ryan screams and taps out, obviously in a lot of pain. Hopefully there isn't permanent damage to that arm.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:21 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Rodrigo Palhares!