PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Psycho Russell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Salvatore Pellegrini (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pellegrini has chosen Nicola Piovani - Il Camorrista as his entrance music. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Russell
vs
Pellegrini

183 cm
19
195 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

182 cm
19
186 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Psycho Russell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Salvatore Pellegrini!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Don Winkell and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Russell throws a right hand that Pellegrini ducks under and follows up with a left that Pellegrini also avoids with ease.
Russell throws a lazy right hand but Pellegrini sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Pellegrini fails with a takedown attempt.
Russell avoids the body shot from Pellegrini.
Russell throws a jab when Pellegrini was well out of range.
Pellegrini shoots in looking for a takedown. Russell tries to sprawl out of it but Pellegrini keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Russell manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Russell ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A combination from Russell does no damage.
Russell seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Russell throws a lazy right hand but Pellegrini sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Russell scores with a nice strike.
Russell jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russell falls off balance throwing a combination

and Pellegrini counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Pellegrini.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pellegrini postures up in Russell's guard and throws a big left but Russell blocks it.
Pellegrini wants to control from the top but Russell keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pellegrini pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Russell is keeping the position for now.

Pellegrini drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Russell manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Pellegrini has Russell in his guard.

Pellegrini is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Russell is aware though and is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Pellegrini is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Pellegrini has his foot on Russell's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Russell works his way back into a safe position though.
Russell sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Russell stopping the sweep attempt from Pellegrini.
Russell has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Russell got a little sloppy there for a moment and Pellegrini has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Russell has managed to get both his arms back between Pellegrini's legs - danger averted.
Pellegrini is trying to keep Russell in close.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Russell has a momentary lapse of concentration, allowing Pellegrini to throw up a leg and lock on what appears to be a pretty tight triangle! Russell is fighting it off but it's all too little too late - Pellegrini pulls down on the head and he's put Russell to sleep! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:21 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Salvatore Pellegrini!
Salvatore Pellegrini took some time post fight to say the following; 'The battle of life is, in most cases, fought uphill; and to win it without a struggle were perhaps to win it without honor. If there were no difficulties there would be no success; if there were nothing to struggle for, there would be nothing to be achieved.'.