PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ghita Pluta (ranked 22599 p4p, 0 weight class) and Volkan Xhaka (ranked 22643 p4p, 0 weight class). Ghita Pluta has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Pluta
vs
Xhaka

195 cm
29
205 lbs
0 - 10 - 0

183 cm
27
205 lbs
1 - 7 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

Good takedowns
Brawler
Determined

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 0 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ghita Pluta!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Volkan Xhaka!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Saam Ante and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Xhaka looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Pluta is fending him off so far but Xhaka persists. Nope, Pluta circles away and we're back to standing.
Pluta looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Xhaka changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Pluta tries to avoid it but Xhaka manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Pluta to the ground. Pluta escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Pluta moves into the clinch.

Pluta breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
No luck for Xhaka with that takedown attempt.
Ghita Pluta has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Volkan Xhaka.
Xhaka fails with the takedown.
Xhaka tries to close the distance and clinch but Pluta swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Pluta gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Xhaka counters with a nice double leg into guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Xhaka pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Pluta is keeping the position for now.

Xhaka gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xhaka closes this distance looking for a takedown but Pluta circles away.
Pluta fails with a takedown attempt.

Xhaka looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Pluta is refusing to be controlled, as Xhaka sits in half guard.
Xhaka wants to get back to his feet.
Pluta's coaches at Cozad Amsterdam have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.
Xhaka trying to control the action but Pluta is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Xhaka stands up and beckons Pluta to join him on the feet.
Pluta circles away from the clinch attempt.

Xhaka drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Pluta wants to get back to his feet but Xhaka is dominant here and he's now got Pluta's back!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Xhaka is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.

Pluta won't enjoy being in this position. Xhaka looking for the choke. Oh... he's slipped the arm under the neck - Pluta is tapping - it's over boys! Xhaka picks up the submission victory!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Volkan Xhaka!