PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Elias Paniki (ranked 1709 p4p, 255 weight class) and Tommy DeVito (ranked 1189 p4p, 191 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Paniki
vs
DeVito

180 cm
26
171 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

180 cm
26
180 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
KO power

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Solid chin

Transform Supplements

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 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Elias Paniki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Tommy DeVito!
The judges for this bout are Peter Branson, Dirk Anderson and David Hoff.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Paniki is looking to clinch.
DeVito drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Paniki defends it well.

Paniki closes the distance and clinches.
DeVito tries to break the clinch but Paniki is controlling the position.
Paniki misses with a knee strike.

Paniki breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Elias Paniki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A slapping leg kick lands for Paniki.
DeVito keeps the fight on the outside.
Paniki is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Paniki fails in his attempt to clinch.
Paniki tries to clinch up.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that DeVito has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.

Paniki closes the distance and pushes DeVito back into the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Paniki breaks from the clinch.

Paniki has closed the distance and engaged DeVito in a clinch.

Paniki breaks from the clinch.
Nice shot by DeVito.
Paniki tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. DeVito manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
DeVito drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Paniki defends it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paniki fails in his attempt to clinch.
DeVito tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Paniki goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Paniki fails with an attempt to clinch.
DeVito keeps the fight on the outside.
DeVito tries to score a power double leg takedown but Paniki sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten DeVito somewhat.
Paniki tries to clinch but DeVito is having none of it.
DeVito tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Paniki swivels and escapes.
Paniki wants to clinch up but DeVito keeps it at a distance.
Paniki tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and DeVito counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Paniki is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
DeVito tries to pass the half guard into mount. Paniki knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
DeVito is taking a breather. Paniki says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
DeVito wants to pass the guard but Paniki is defending well.
DeVito stops Paniki from getting back to his feet.
Paniki is looking to get back to full guard here but DeVito has managed to pass to side control instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

DeVito is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Paniki has escaped the position, nice work there.
DeVito takes a little break here. Paniki wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Paniki is not content to let DeVito control the position.

DeVito is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Paniki knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

DeVito tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

DeVito wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Paniki, who protects the arm well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
DeVito wants to lay and pray for a moment but Paniki keeps working.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tommy DeVito dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Paniki moves in looking to clinch but DeVito pushes him off.
Paniki tries to clinch there but DeVito circles away.

Paniki moves into the clinch.

DeVito breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
DeVito looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Paniki looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Nice uppercut lands for DeVito. That snapped Paniki's head back.
Paniki fails with an attempt to clinch.
DeVito feints the counter takedown.
Paniki fails with an attempt to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Paniki looks to clinch

and DeVito counters with a nice double leg into side control. Paniki won't be happy with that.
Paniki stops DeVito from passing to mount.
Paniki looking for a sweep but DeVito has passed into full mount! Oh no!

That's one minute gone in the round.

DeVito jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Paniki is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Paniki and DeVito has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Paniki on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Paniki tries to get out of the position.
Paniki is not content to let DeVito control the position.

DeVito in side control, working for a kimura. He's got hold of an arm and he's torquing it... Paniki is tapping! That's the end of the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:52 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Tommy DeVito!
Tommy DeVito thanked the fans post fight for their support.
Elias Paniki was interviewed post fight and said 'good fight'.