PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ricardo Escalante (ranked 3750 p4p, 0 weight class) and Badmaan Namkhai (ranked 4771 p4p, 0 weight class). Ricardo Escalante has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Escalante
vs
Namkhai

184 cm
25
156 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

170 cm
25
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Very strong

Decent wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
Solid 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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ricardo Escalante!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Badmaan Namkhai!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Bart Greer and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Escalante shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Namkhai defends it nicely.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Namkhai! But no joy.
Escalante drops his hands momentarily and Namkhai takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Nice shot lands for Namkhai.
Escalante takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Namkhai lands the left hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Namkhai avoids a kick to the body.
Escalante throws a lazy head kick
and Namkhai counters with a left to the body.

Escalante closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Namkhai's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Escalante passes easily into side control. Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Escalante is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Namkhai is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Escalante lands an elbow.
Escalante wants to control but Namkhai is keeping him busy.
Escalante taking a breather here.

Escalante is working for what looks like an arm triangle here. Namkhai is trying to escape and Escalante transitions quickly into an armbar! He's slapped it on tight and Namkhai is forced to tap! Nice work there by Escalante! Very nice indeed!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Ricardo Escalante!