PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Marcio Alvarez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cervantes Banderez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Alvarez
vs
Banderez

173 cm
18
159 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

175 cm
18
160 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Very confident

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Marcio Alvarez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Cervantes Banderez!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, James Glass and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Banderez looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Alvarez on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Alvarez tries to get out of the position.

Banderez is working for a kimura but Alvarez is defending it quite comfortably.
Alvarez controlling the position well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Banderez prevents Alvarez from improving his position.
Alvarez moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alvarez pulls Banderez in close to prevent any damage.
Alvarez continues to stall.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Banderez must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Banderez wants to control from the top but Alvarez keeps moving.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Banderez closes the distance looking to clinch

so Alvarez counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Banderez wants to get back to his feet but Alvarez passes into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Alvarez with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Alvarez seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Banderez for as long as he can get away with.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Banderez trying to hold on to Alvarez's head to control him but Alvarez postures up.
Alvarez not doing much here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Banderez wants to control but Alvarez is keeping busy and won't allow it.

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

Alvarez shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Banderez napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Banderez tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Banderez is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Alvarez.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Marcio Alvarez will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Alvarez circles away from the clinch attempt

and Alvarez decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Banderez's guard.
Alvarez advances position into side control!
Alvarez controlling the position.
We've been hearing good reports from Alvarez's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Further stalling from Alvarez.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Alvarez has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Alvarez has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Banderez!

Alvarez working for a submission here. He's tucked his head under his opponent's arm, looking for an arm triangle. He's hopped off into side control, looking to tighten the submission... is it going to work? He's given up a good position looking for it. Banderez looks OK. Oh, I spoke too soon, he's out! That must have been tighter than I thought! Excellent work there by Alvarez! Submission of the night perhaps?

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:58 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Marcio Alvarez!