PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Joesph Ely (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bo Lawal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the ring.

Ely
vs
Lawal

176 cm
21
145 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

164 cm
26
140 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Good knees
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Knockout power

The Dark Side

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Joesph Ely!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Bo Lawal!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Colin Fray and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ely is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Lawal's half guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Lawal looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Ely is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Ely working the head and body with strikes.
Ely will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Lawal looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Ely is looking to take a break and control but Lawal is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Ely has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Ely wants to get back to his feet.
Ely throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Lawal looking for submissions off his back.
Nice strikes from Ely there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lawal actively working from the bottom here.
Lawal won't allow Ely to pass to mount.
Ely is figuring out what he wants to do next.

Lawal looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Lawal actively working from the bottom here.

Lawal looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Well, if Ely is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

Lawal looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ely is working for a submission of some sort.

Lawal actively working from the bottom here.

Lawal looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Ely is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Lawal is refusing to be controlled, as Ely sits in half guard.

Lawal looking for submissions off his back.

Lawal is defending against the submission attempts here by Ely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
It looks like Ely is going to stand back up.
Ely trying to control from half guard but Lawal is working away.

Lawal looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Ely stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Lawal to get to his feet.
Lawal fails with a takedown attempt.

Lawal gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lawal working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ely doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Ely manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Lawal throws his legs up looking for a submission but Ely uses it to pass to side control.
Lawal looks winded!

Ely working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Ely wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lawal keeps working.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lawal is trying to work for a sweep but Ely has mounted him!
Lawal is looking to get to half guard.

Ely wants to finish this one by submission but Lawal is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Ely.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Lawal keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Ely with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Lawal really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Ely trying to control but he's not successful this time.

Ely stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.

Ely has Lawal up against the ropes in a clinch.

Ely has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Lawal clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Lawal rolls, trying to escape but Ely keeps control of the position.
Ely lands shots from the back.

Lawal is rocked!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Lawal is looking to escape here. Oh dear - Ely has locked on a rear naked choke here! Lawal is tapping out! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 6:33 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Joesph Ely!
Joesph Ely retains his bantamweight title!
Joesph Ely took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, The Dark Side for their support in the buildup to the fight.