PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Anthony Pettis (ranked 2525 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vasyl Lomachenko (ranked 3451 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Pettis
vs
Lomachenko

167 cm
35
143 lbs
26 - 16 - 1

170 cm
28
130 lbs
4 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
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 26 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Anthony Pettis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Vasyl Lomachenko!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Francis DeMontford and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lomachenko looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Lomachenko has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Pettis swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sloppy strikes from Pettis. Those never looked like landing.

Pettis scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Lomachenko throws Pettis to one side and escapes!
Lomachenko swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Pettis.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Lomachenko misses with a body shot.
Pettis appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Lomachenko lands with a straight right. Pettis didn't see that one coming.
Lomachenko swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Lomachenko rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Pettis moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A swing and a miss from Lomachenko.
Lomachenko throws the left hand but Pettis avoids the punch easily.
Pettis attempts a counter takedown but Lomachenko avoids it well and moves away.
Lomachenko tries to bum rush Pettis with a series of wild strikes but Pettis uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Lomachenko tries to sprawl but Pettis drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Lomachenko is looking to escape.
Pettis performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lomachenko wants to stand back up but Pettis manages to pass into side control.
Pettis content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Lomachenko wants to get back to his feet.
Pettis taking a breather here.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Lomachenko can do anything to dispel that myth.
Lomachenko wants to get back to his feet.
Pettis tries to move into full mount but can't pass Lomachenko's legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Pettis tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Lomachenko tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
Lomachenko is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Pettis controlling the position easily from mount.
Lomachenko is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lomachenko is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Pettis is looking to work his way around to Lomachenko's back. He needs to be careful though, as he's in danger of losing this dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lomachenko is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Pettis with some aggressive grappling here, looking for the finish.
Pettis moves to back control.
Lomachenko is trying to stand back up.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Pettis's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Lomachenko trying to get back to his feet but Pettis is in full control for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pettis has good solid back control here.
Lomachenko is trying to stand back up.
Pettis keeps control of the position easily here as Lomachenko tries to buck him off.

Lomachenko is looking to escape but he's done so without protecting himself and Pettis manages to counter with a nice rear naked choke! Lomachenko is in trouble and he's forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Anthony Pettis!
Anthony Pettis thanked the fans post fight for their support.