PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Devon Clarke (ranked 5552 p4p, 0 weight class) and Izzedin El Derabani (ranked 5169 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Clarke
vs
El Derabani

195 cm
25
158 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

175 cm
25
157 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Great elbows
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Devon Clarke!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Izzedin El Derabani!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, Michael Johnstone and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

El Derabani shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
El Derabani is taking a breather. Clarke 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.
Clarke is trying to stand up here but El Derabani is controlling him well.
Clarke is looking to control El Derabani's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Clarke avoid being mounted?
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. El Derabani lands a nice short elbow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
El Derabani controlling the action here.
Clarke tries to get to full guard but El Derabani has control of the leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Clarke missing with punches from the bottom.
Clarke has a hand on El Derabani's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. El Derabani takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Clarke working to try and regain half guard.
Clarke is hanging on here. He's in a desperate position.
Clarke is trying to escape the mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

El Derabani looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
El Derabani looking to control and managing it successfully.
El Derabani has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Clarke's face.
El Derabani putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
El Derabani raining down hammerfists from mount.

Clarke is rocked!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
El Derabani controlling the pace for now.
Oh Clarke is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
El Derabani has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Clarke is looking to get to half guard.
Clarke is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
El Derabani scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Clarke?

El Derabani is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Clarke is surviving well by controlling El Derabani's body position as best he can.

El Derabani looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Clarke is just holding on here. El Derabani manages to take his back.
Clarke seems to have got his legs back now.
Clarke trying to control the hands but El Derabani breaks the grip.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Clarke is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

El Derabani patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Clarke trying to control the position but El Derabani manages to sink in the hooks.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
El Derabani is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
El Derabani is punishing Clarke with some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Izzedin El Derabani dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

El Derabani shoots in and bounces Clarke off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
El Derabani engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Clarke will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
El Derabani throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
El Derabani preventing the sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
El Derabani passes Clarke's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Clarke is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Clarke on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
El Derabani works his foot free and advances to mount.
Clarke tries to get back to half guard but can't.
El Derabani lands with some strikes.
El Derabani has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Clarke is looking to get to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

El Derabani working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Clarke knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for El Derabani on the ground.
Clarke is trying to escape the mount.
Clarke wants to hold on but El Derabani pushes him away.
El Derabani lands a couple of good shots and Clarke has given up his back, trying to escape the position!

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

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:58 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Izzedin El Derabani!