PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Lewis Hicks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alvaro Pereira (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lewis Hicks has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Hicks
vs
Pereira

170 cm
21
135 lbs
2 - 7 - 0

170 cm
23
135 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Lewis Hicks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Alvaro Pereira!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Josh West and Ryoma Takatsuka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hicks takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Pereira looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!

Pereira tries to keep at a distance but Hicks has taken the fight into the clinch.
Hicks working hard to break the clinch.
Pereira drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Hicks gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Hicks is trying to break free.
Hicks wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Pereira has him pressed against the cage.
Pereira has Hicks pressed against the cage, preventing Hicks from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Pereira lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

It looks like Lewis Hicks has been cut.
Hicks changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Pereira fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Hicks fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Pereira avoids it really well and circles away.
Pereira throws a quick inside leg kick.
A shot to the liver by Pereira. Beautiful body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hicks has closed the distance and engaged Pereira in a clinch.
Hicks gets underhooks to prevent Pereira's takedown attempt.
Hicks has Pereira pressed against the cage.

Hicks breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Alvaro Pereira seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Hicks moves into range and clinches up with Pereira.
Hicks tries to break free but Pereira pushes him back against the cage.

Hicks breaks the clinch.
Hicks closes the distance and clinches up with Pereira, looking for a takedown. Hicks pushes Pereira against the cage but Pereira circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lewis Hicks. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hicks tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Pereira defends well and Hicks ends up having to push Pereira into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Hicks is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Pereira is defending well.
Pereira keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Hicks's efforts to push away.
Hicks gets underhooks to prevent Pereira's takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hicks wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Hicks has hold of one of Pereira's legs. Pereira is fighting the takedown attempt but Hicks gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hicks trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Pereira has his foot on Hicks's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Hicks works his way back into a safe position though.
Hicks tries to free his leg and advance position but Pereira is retaining full guard.

Hicks stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Hicks throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

Hicks manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Pereira on his heels. He'll look to pass Pereira's guard now, I'm sure.
Hicks stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Pereira swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Pereira bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Hicks's guard.
Hicks keeping moving, preventing Pereira from controlling successfully.
Hicks avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Hicks has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think Pereira should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, Hicks has tightened it up now! Pereira should have reacted faster there - he's in big trouble and yes, he's tapped out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Lewis Hicks!