PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Shawn Michaels (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thiago Macari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shawn Michaels has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Michaels
vs
Macari

178 cm
26
180 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

160 cm
25
180 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Very quick

Good takedowns
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Shawn Michaels!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thiago Macari!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Viktor Lagutenko and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Macari tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Michaels feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Macari's calf.
Macari fails in his attempt to clinch.
Michaels lands a leg kick that knocks Macari off balance momentarily.
Nice body kick there by Michaels.

Michaels throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Macari tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Michaels is in Macari's guard.
Michaels lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Michaels stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Macari swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Our spies down at at Russian Fighting Community Gym inform us that Macari has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Macari wants to sweep but no luck.
Macari avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Michaels knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Macari on the ground.
Michaels content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Michaels throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Macari works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Macari is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Michaels is aware though and is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Macari is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Michaels working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
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.
Michaels scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Michaels scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Michaels content to stall in guard here.
Macari looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Michaels is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Michaels scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Michaels is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Macari bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Michaels's guard.

Macari stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Michaels swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Michaels is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Macari is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Macari wants to control from the top but Michaels keeps moving.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Macari sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Michaels's guard.
Michaels controlling the position for now.
Macari wants to control but Michaels is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Michaels keeping control of the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Good work by Michaels as he checks the leg kick.
Michaels lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Macari has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Michaels.

Macari closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Macari lands in his opponent's guard.
Macari tries to free his leg and advance position but Michaels is retaining full guard.
Macari advances position into side control!
Michaels struggling a bit here.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Macari advances to full mount.
Michaels is looking to get to half guard.
Michaels wants to control but Macari is having none of it.
Michaels can't escape the position.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Michaels is working hard here to advance position.
Michaels wants to control but Macari is having none of it.
Macari tries to control but Michaels wriggling away.
Macari takes Michaels's back.
Macari is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Macari has the hooks in. Michaels is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Macari is working for the choke. I would put my money on him to finish from this position. He's rolled onto his back and has dragged Michaels with him. Michaels is trying to defend but Macari has an arm under the chin now! Michaels grimaces and is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 7:29 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Thiago Macari!
A very excited looking Thiago Macari rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.