PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Donatello Battista (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Iggy Digby (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Battista
vs
Digby

204 cm
25
272 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
23
248 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Donatello Battista!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Iggy Digby!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Matheus Silva and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Digby gets a double leg takedown into Battista's guard.
Digby slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Digby throws an elbow that misses. Battista uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Digby's guard. Nice move by Battista!

Battista looking to pass the guard.
Battista will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Battista trying to control the position from guard on top but Digby is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Digby really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Battista. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Digby holds on and takes a little breather.
Battista wants to pass the guard but Digby is keeping the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Digby trying to keep a closed guard but Battista is proving a slippery customer.
Digby seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Digby looking for a sweep. Not yet Digby, not yet.
Battista trying to control but Digby is working from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Battista tries for a takedown but Digby circles away easily

and Digby counters with a nice double leg into side control. Battista won't be happy with that.
Battista wants to control but Digby postures up.
Battista tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Digby wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Digby just content to control the position.
Battista is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Digby off and has taken his back!
I really don't envy Digby right now.

Battista is working for the choke. He's slipped one arm under the chin. Digby has to defend the other arm for all he's worth... but Battista has managed to get that arm free too and he's tightening the choke! Digby taps out and looks absolutely disgusted with himself. Battista doesn't care though - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Donatello Battista!