PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ezekiel Ithamar (ranked 241 p4p, 9 weight class) and Connor Joieson (ranked 1706 p4p, 91 weight class). Ithamar kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Yamma Ensemble Psalms 104. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Ithamar
vs
Joieson

176 cm
24
145 lbs
19 - 2 - 0

168 cm
21
145 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Kimura Klothing
Sin City Allstars

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 19 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ezekiel Ithamar!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Connor Joieson!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Frank Dennis and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ithamar stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ithamar wants it to stay on the feet.
Ithamar fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Joieson shoots in looking for a takedown but Ithamar manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Joieson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Joieson has a takedown stuffed.
Ezekiel Ithamar has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Connor Joieson.
Ithamar looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Joieson is fending him off so far but Ithamar persists. Nope, Joieson circles away and we're back to standing.
Ithamar fails to land the takedown.

Ithamar shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Joieson is trying to defend but Ithamar finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Joieson pushes Ithamar off but Ithamar dives into side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Joieson is looking for a sweep.
Ithamar definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Joieson is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Ithamar asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Ithamar is staying tight to Joieson's torso, preventing him from escaping.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joieson pushes Ithamar away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Ithamar gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Ithamar is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Joieson knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Ithamar trying to control the action but Joieson is working from the bottom.

Ithamar tries for a kimura but Joieson is defending well.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Joieson can't do much from the bottom here.
Joieson is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Joieson bucks up and tries to throw Ithamar off but instead Ithamar has got his back!
Joieson is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Ithamar avoiding Joieson 's attempts to control his hands.

Ithamar tightening his grip on Joieson, looking for the choke.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joieson trying to control the hands but Ithamar won't let him.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Ithamar looking to break Joieson's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Joieson remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Ithamar will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Ithamar tries to get the hooks in deep but Joieson pushed the leg off.
Ithamar is hanging on to Joieson's back as he tries to escape.
Joieson is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Ithamar controlling well, preventing Joieson from escaping the position.
Joieson trying to control the position but Ithamar manages to sink in the hooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Joieson defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

Ithamar is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Joieson is defending well though. Ithamar let's go of the attempt for now.

Ithamar working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Joieson is really stuck here.

Joieson is trying to defend against the choke here but Ithamar has an arm under his chin. This one might not last much longer. Ithamar Tightens the hold and Joieson taps out furiously! Ithamar displays superior BJJ to win the fight.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Ezekiel Ithamar!
An intense looking Ezekiel Ithamar took to the microphone post fight and gave a little speech: 'But the children rebelled against me: They did not follow my decrees, they were not careful to keep my laws, of which I said, "Whoever obeys them will live by them," and they desecrated my Sabbaths. So I said I would pour out my wrath on them and spend my anger against them in the wilderness.'.