PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Michael D Amato (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Henry Rearden (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). D Amato comes to the cage accompanied by Mike Tyson Post-Fight Interview with Jim Gray. Rearden is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Irigy Hónaljmirigy - Rúgj Chuck Norris (Chuck Norris parody by Hungarians). The key to victory for Michael D Amato has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

D Amato
vs
Rearden

178 cm
24
226 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

193 cm
26
226 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

GREEN!160

V-Mask Clothing (10%)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Michael D Amato!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Henry Rearden!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, Reed Andrews and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rearden looking to score a takedown here. D Amato is defending well but Rearden drives through and ends up in D Amato's guard.
Rearden throwing strikes but missing.
Rearden passes D Amato's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Rearden working the head and body with strikes.
Rearden tries to pass to full mount but D Amato defends it.
D Amato avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Rearden.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Rearden is looking for submissions but instead, D Amato has regained full guard.
D Amato knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Rearden on the ground.
Rearden trying to control the position from guard on top but D Amato is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rearden has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rearden advances to half guard.
D Amato keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Rearden missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Rearden is looking for a kimura here.
D Amato is trying to get back to full guard.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Rearden working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.

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.

Rearden is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Rearden is trying to control. D Amato wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Rearden wants to free his trapped foot but D Amato is holding on for dear life with his legs.
D Amato is trying to get back to full guard.
D Amato trying to hold on to Rearden's head to control him but Rearden postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rearden tries to pass the half guard into mount. D Amato knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Rearden connects with a nice short shot to D Amato's temple.
D Amato is refusing to be controlled, as Rearden sits in half guard.
Rearden is looking to advance position but D Amato won't allow it.
Rearden prevents D Amato from standing back up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Rearden.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Rearden.
Rearden defending well as D Amato loads up on a big left hand.
D Amato slaps away a takedown attempt from Rearden, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Michael D Amato has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Henry Rearden.
Rearden lands a jab to the head.
Rearden throws a leg kick which misses D Amato's front leg but catches the back leg as D Amato tries to avoid it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rearden shoots in for a takedown but D Amato shows good takedown defense.
It looked like D Amato wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Rearden misses with an uppercut. D Amato saw that one coming.
Rearden fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but D Amato avoids it really well and circles away.
As Rearden looks to move away, D Amato throws a big counter combo bu Rearden just gets out of the way.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Henry Rearden dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Rearden scores with a jab.
Rearden misses with a low kick.
Rearden shoots in for a takedown but D Amato shows good takedown defense.
Rearden swings widly with a right hand
and D Amato counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Rearden closes the distance and clinches up with D Amato, looking for a takedown. Rearden pushes D Amato against the cage but D Amato circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
D Amato swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
D Amato leaves Rearden with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Michael D Amato has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Henry Rearden.
D Amato missing with a left hand there. Rearden was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Rearden! But no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rearden throws a looping overhand right but D Amato ducks down to avoid it.
Rearden throws a leg kick
and D Amato counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Rearden with a lazy takedown attempt
and D Amato counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

It looks like Henry Rearden has been cut.
Rearden takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rearden dives in and grabs D Amato's left leg, looking for a takedown. D Amato pushes down on Rearden's head and hops out.
Rearden scores with a kick to the body.
D Amato takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Rearden thows a leg kick but D Amato checks it
and D Amato counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Rearden fails with a takedown attempt.
Rearden shoots in for a takedown but D Amato shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Rearden stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Rearden has his takedown stuffed
and D Amato counters with a straight right hand.
Rearden shoots in but D Amato avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Rearden throws a leg kick that is checked
and D Amato counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Rearden is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jab from Rearden.
D Amato loads up on a big right hand but Rearden slips the punch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A head kick by Rearden misses

and D Amato counters with a crisp right hand that drops Rearden! D Amato lets Rearden back up to his feet, looking for a finish!

Rearden is rocked!
D Amato lands a big uppercut and this one is all over! His foe lies motionless on the canvas - a massive one punch knockout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:21 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Michael D Amato!
Michael D Amato spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.
Henry Rearden was interviewed post fight and said 'best 2 of 3?'.