PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rocco Fugazza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Niklas Kastberger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fugazza comes to the cage accompanied by Murder Incorporated. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Fugazza
vs
Kastberger

185 cm
18
200 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

186 cm
20
199 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Rocco Fugazza!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Niklas Kastberger!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Sam Margolis and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fugazza will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Fugazza shoots in for a double leg but Kastberger sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Fugazza will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rocco Fugazza. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fugazza tries to clinch but Kastberger is having none of it.
Kastberger gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Fugazza counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Fugazza.

Kastberger working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Fugazza doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Fugazza manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Kastberger can do anything to dispel that myth.

Kastberger had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Fugazza is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Kastberger Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Fugazza's back instead.

Kastberger looking for the choke but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kastberger working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Fugazza tries to roll but Kastberger sticks to his back.

Fugazza preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Kastberger.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kastberger looks gassed!
Kastberger is hanging on to Fugazza's back as he tries to escape.

Kastberger is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Fugazza defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Fugazza rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Kastberger blocks the strikes from Fugazza.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Fugazza trying to control here.
Kastberger blocks the strikes from Fugazza.
Fugazza wants to get back to full guard.
Kastberger really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Fugazza. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Fugazza gets a takedown into half guard.
Fugazza winds up and cracks Kastberger with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Kastberger on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Fugazza works his way into side control.

Fugazza has worked his way into a potential kimura here. Kastberger is trying to get out of the position but his squirming has just got him deeper into trouble. Fugazza yanks on the arm and Kastberger is forced to tap due to a very painful looking submission! Nice work by Fugazza.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:01 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Rocco Fugazza!