PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Blanco (ranked 5317 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tshilomba Mwekassa (ranked 4747 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Blanco
vs
Mwekassa

176 cm
25
156 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

183 cm
25
157 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Self confident

Good takedowns
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

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, Alexander Blanco!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Tshilomba Mwekassa!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, David Hoff and Winston Alpacca.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Mwekassa darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Blanco is looking to control Mwekassa's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Blanco avoid being mounted?

Mwekassa is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Blanco sees it coming and defends easily.
Mwekassa is controlling the pace.

Blanco looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mwekassa not doing much here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blanco trying to control but Mwekassa postures up.
Mwekassa content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Mwekassa throwing shots but Blanco is blocking nicely.
Blanco wants to control but Mwekassa is keeping busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Blanco avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Mwekassa.
Mwekassa really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Blanco. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Blanco flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Blanco tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Mwekassa throws out a leg kick but Blanco moves out of range and Mwekassa only half commits.
Blanco shoots in for a double leg but Mwekassa sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Mwekassa closes the distance and clinches.
Mwekassa effectively controlling the action here.
Blanco takes a knee to the side of the body.

Mwekassa jumps guard and drags Blanco to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Mwekassa is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Blanco wants to control from the top but Mwekassa keeps moving.
Mwekassa is pulling down on Blanco's head to control his posture.
Mwekassa wants to sweep here but Blanco controlling him for the moment.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Mwekassa holds on and takes a little breather.
Mwekassa is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Mwekassa will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Blanco forces his way into half guard.

Mwekassa is looking to regain full guard. He's left an arm up in the air though and Blanco has latched onto it... Big trouble! Blanco pivots for an armbar - it's in tight and it Mwekassa is tapping in no time flat! Great counter grappling there from Blanco!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Alexander Blanco!