PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Zoran Jolevi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Papa Shango (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Jolevi
vs
Shango

167 cm
26
160 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

177 cm
26
166 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Powerful

Alcatraz Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Zoran Jolevi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Papa Shango!
The judges for this bout are Winston Alpacca, Santiago Holmes and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shango closes the distance and clinches up with Jolevi, looking for a takedown. Shango pushes Jolevi against the cage but Jolevi circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Jolevi looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
A big left from Jolevi misses.
Jolevi scores with a body shot.

Shango gets a clinch.
Shango tries to pull guard but Jolevi won't allow it.
Shango jumps guard but Jolevi turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Zoran Jolevi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Papa Shango.
Shango has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Jolevi is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Shango blocks a body shot from Jolevi.
Jolevi works on Shango's body with a couple of short punches.
Shango is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Jolevi lands with a short shot to the head.
Shango is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Jolevi to keep the fight standing.
Jolevi lands a body punch.
Shango looks winded!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jolevi throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Shangos head.
Jolevi gets through Shango's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Shango jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Jolevi walks away with a smile on his face. Shango gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Jolevi throws a poor cross that misses

and Shango counters with a nice double leg into side control. Jolevi won't be happy with that.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Shango working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Jolevi manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jolevi is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Shango's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Shango's back!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jolevi working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.

Jolevi working for the choke.

Jolevi working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.

Jolevi tightening his grip on Shango, looking for the choke.

Jolevi looking for the choke but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shango is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

Jolevi has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.

Jolevi has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Shango has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Jolevi wants to control but Shango is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jolevi keeps control of the position as Shango tries to break free.
Shango trying to control the hands but Jolevi breaks the grip.
Shango staying busy and making it hard for Jolevi to control.
Shango tries to escape the position.
Shango just trying to survive but Jolevi is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.

Jolevi is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

Shango showing good submission defense here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Jolevi patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

Jolevi has the hooks in. Shango is starting to panic. He's trying to push off one of the legs but he's left his neck open to attack. Jolevi passes his arm under Shango's neck and tightens up a rear naked choke! This one is surely all over! Yes, Shango taps!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:35 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Zoran Jolevi!