PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Diego Carlitto (ranked 4986 p4p, 237 weight class) and Aleixo Ioannou (ranked 6418 p4p, 276 weight class). Carlitto comes to the cage accompanied by Painkiller. Aleixo Ioannou told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Carlitto
vs
Ioannou

168 cm
19
140 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

173 cm
19
142 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Determined

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Diego Carlitto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Aleixo Ioannou!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Steve Montenegro and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Carlitto leaves Ioannou with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Carlitto misses with an uppercut. Ioannou saw that one coming.
Carlitto stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Carlitto wants it to stay on the feet.
Carlitto jabs Ioannou to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Carlitto jabs at Ioannou's body.
A clash of legs there as Ioannou blocks the low kick.
Ioannou shoots in for a double leg but Carlitto sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Diego Carlitto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aleixo Ioannou.
A decent looking cross lands there for Carlitto.
Ioannou keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Carlitto.
We've been told by Carlitto's head coaches at Stark Slugger Society that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Carlitto lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ioannou circles away quickly and effectively.
Carlitto missing with a left hand there. Ioannou was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Ioannou is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Ioannou uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Carlitto.
Ioannou is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Ioannou staying out of range there.
Ioannou gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

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

Ioannou is rocked!
Diego Carlitto is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ioannou shoots and misses
and Carlitto counters with a massive hook, right on the button! He's out cold! Damn, that was naaaaaasty! Hopefully he'll be OK.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:14 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Diego Carlitto!
A determined Diego Carlitto didn't want to dwell on this fight in his post fight interview. Instead he was more keen to state he wants a title shot. Let's see if he gets it!