PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Santino Carelli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tiktaki Mikabooto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Carelli comes to the cage accompanied by La vittoria è mia. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Carelli
vs
Mikabooto

175 cm
18
167 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

205 cm
18
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 Los Angeles, Santino Carelli!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Tiktaki Mikabooto!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Don Winkell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Carelli throws an off balance right hand

and Mikabooto counters with a takedown into side control.
Mikabooto is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Mikabooto tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Carelli sneaks back into half guard.

Mikabooto decides to stand up.
Mikabooto avoids the body shot from Carelli.

Mikabooto looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mikabooto throwing strikes from guard but Carelli blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mikabooto stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Mikabooto moves into the clinch.
Carelli wants to take the fight to the mat but Mikabooto manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Mikabooto tries to stall but Carelli uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Mikabooto has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Carelli is trying to keep an underhook but Mikabooto manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Carelli has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Mikabooto is working away from the top position though.
Mikabooto prevents Carelli from improving his position.
Mikabooto sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Carelli might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mikabooto tries to stand and escape but Carelli is controlling the position.

Mikabooto decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
No joy there for Carelli, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Carelli misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Mikabooto counters with a single leg into guard. Carelli didn't expect that.
Mikabooto controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Mikabooto throws a big elbow that misses.

Mikabooto postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Carelli is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Mikabooto, into his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Carelli postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Mikabooto is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Carelli, into his guard.
Mikabooto stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Carelli swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Carelli looking to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mikabooto controls from within his opponent's guard.
Carelli working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Mikabooto.
Carelli can't keep his opponent in guard - Mikabooto advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Mikabooto controlling the pace.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Carelli trying to control but Mikabooto postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tiktaki Mikabooto dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Carelli falls off balance throwing a combination
and Mikabooto counters with a stiff right hand.

Carelli lands a left and a right that send Mikabooto crashing to the mat, dazed. Carelli thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

Mikabooto is rocked!

It looks like Tiktaki Mikabooto has been cut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Carelli fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Mikabooto is still on wobbly legs! Can Carelli finish him?
A slow jab from Carelli misses its intended target.
Carelli swinging wildly here.
Santino Carelli is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mikabooto scores with a leg kick.
Carelli circles away from the clinch attempt.
A punch combination from Carelli misses.
Mikabooto seems to have recovered his senses.

Mikabooto closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Mikabooto wants to control for a moment but Carelli uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Mikabooto thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mikabooto is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Carelli sees it coming and defends easily.
Carelli trying to hold on to Mikabooto's head to control him but Mikabooto postures up.
Mikabooto prevents Carelli from improving his position.
Tiktaki Mikabooto has got the better of the ground game so far.
Mikabooto is looking to take a break and control but Carelli is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Carelli wants to sweep but Mikabooto has passed to side control!

Mikabooto is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Carelli knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
A lull in the action here as Mikabooto stalls from top position.
Mikabooto misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mikabooto gets to mount! Carelli was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Carelli reaches up to try and control the position but Mikabooto seems to have an arm triangle now! Uh oh! Carelli rolls and tries to escape and now Mikabooto has his back!
Carelli rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Carelli is looking to improve his position.
Mikabooto is trying to control. Carelli wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mikabooto performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Mikabooto trying to control from half guard but Carelli is working away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Tiktaki Mikabooto has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Mikabooto wants to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Santino Carelli dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Tiktaki Mikabooto's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Carelli throws a series of punches but Mikabooto moves out of range.
Mikabooto lands a nice looking kick to the body. Carelli takes a step back to recover.
Mikabooto is looking to clinch but Carelli is avoiding it.
Mikabooto tries to clinch up but Carelli circles away and keeps his distance.
Carelli ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mikabooto moves away.
A combination from Carelli does no damage.

Mikabooto scores with a takedown into Carelli's guard.
Carelli is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mikabooto trying to control the position from guard on top but Carelli is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Carelli wants to control the position but Mikabooto says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Carelli tries to get to full guard but Mikabooto has control of the leg.
Carelli makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Carelli.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mikabooto trying to control the position from guard on top but Carelli is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mikabooto is pushing down on Carelli's leg trying to pass to half guard. Carelli is fighting to maintain full guard but Mikabooto has managed to sneak the leg through.
Mikabooto controlling the action here.
Carelli wants to get back to full guard.
Mikabooto thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mikabooto is figuring out what he wants to do next.

Mikabooto stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
A combination from Carelli does no damage.

Mikabooto closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Carelli did well to prevent Mikabooto getting side control.
Mikabooto wants to free his trapped foot but Carelli is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Carelli is looking for a sweep. Mikabooto is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Carelli is trying to control but Mikabooto passes into side control!
Mikabooto sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Carelli is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.

Mikabooto working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Carelli is trying to work for a sweep but Mikabooto has mounted him!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mikabooto controlling the pace for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tiktaki Mikabooto comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Mikabooto has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tiktaki Mikabooto!
In his post fight interview, Tiktaki Mikabooto started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.