PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Valerio Patron (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Diego Iaquinta (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Iaquinta has chosen Amish Paradise by Weird Al as his entrance music. Valerio Patron has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Patron
vs
Iaquinta

165 cm
26
144 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

164 cm
25
130 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Very quick

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Can Moonwalk

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Valerio Patron!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Diego Iaquinta!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, John Kavanagh and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Horrible takedown attempt by Patron or perhaps it was just good defense by Iaquinta, which made it look bad.
Valerio Patron seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Patron shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Iaquinta but Iaquinta pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Patron misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Iaquinta tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Patron has been working on his balance at School of Hard Knocks, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Iaquinta.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Valerio Patron. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Patron closes the distance and clinches up with Iaquinta, looking for a takedown. Patron pushes Iaquinta against the cage but Iaquinta circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Iaquinta tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

Iaquinta has closed the distance and engaged Patron in a clinch.

Iaquinta has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Patron uses from the top position.

Iaquinta working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Patron doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Patron manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Iaquinta wants to sweep here but Patron controlling him for the moment.

Iaquinta throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Patron escapes and throws Iaquinta's legs to the side, diving into side control!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Iaquinta sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Patron works his foot free and advances to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Patron wants to take his opponent's back but Iaquinta doesn't allow it.
Patron controlling the pace for now.
Patron pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.
Iaquinta is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Patron has hold of Iaquinta's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Iaquinta manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Iaquinta wants to control but Patron is having none of it.
Iaquinta is looking to improve his position but Patron isn't that keen on the idea.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Patron controlling from the full mount.
Patron fails to move to back control.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Iaquinta defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Patron.

Patron is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Iaquinta to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Iaquinta shrugs it off.
Patron controlling from the full mount.
Iaquinta really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Patron. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Iaquinta is looking to get to half guard.
Patron content just to control the position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Iaquinta is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Iaquinta is just holding on here. Patron manages to take his back.
Patron trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Iaquinta doesn't escape.
Iaquinta can't escape the position.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Patron is trying to stick to Iaquinta's back but Iaquinta is turning into Patron. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Patron's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Iaquinta.

Patron working for a triangle but Iaquinta defends it easily.
Patron wants to sweep but no luck.
Iaquinta must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Patron has his hands on Iaquinta's head, controlling the position.

Patron throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Patron is working actively from the bottom, looking for submissions. He's escaped his hips to the side and he's going for an armbar! Iaquinta has his hands clasped together but Patron extends and breaks Iaquinta's desperate grasp, forcing a tap out due to armbar! Nice BJJ displayed there by Patron.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:45 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Valerio Patron!
Diego Iaquinta was interviewed post fight and said 'I want a rematch!'.