PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Izquierdo (ranked 3008 p4p, 375 weight class) and Marko Antonio (ranked 2982 p4p, 372 weight class). Antonio is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Good Life. Marko Antonio told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Izquierdo
vs
Antonio

190 cm
25
216 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

195 cm
24
205 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Good chin

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Granite 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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ivan Izquierdo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Marko Antonio!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Peter Branson and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Izquierdo lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Antonio circles away quickly and effectively.
Antonio feints the counter takedown.
Izquierdo scores with a three punch combo!
Izquierdo lands a nice shot to the body.
Izquierdo lands a nice shot to the body.
Izquierdo throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Antonio drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Izquierdo defends it well.
Antonio on the wrong end of a nice jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Antonio staying out of range there.
Izquierdo has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Island Hammers Fight Camp in the buildup to the fight.
Izquierdo misses the jab.
Antonio changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Nice uppercut lands for Izquierdo. That snapped Antonio's head back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Izquierdo throws an overhand right that lands on Antonio's shoulder, as Antonio tries to avoid the shot.
Izquierdo sizes up Antonio with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Izquierdo lands an overhand right.
Izquierdo swings widly with a right hand

and Antonio counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Izquierdo!
Antonio looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

Antonio thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
You can see the frustration on Izquierdo's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Antonio connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Izquierdo some visible discomfort.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Izquierdo is looking for a sweep.
Antonio lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Izquierdo down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Izquierdo is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Antonio working the head and body with strikes.

Antonio is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Izquierdo knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Antonio crunches a massive hammerfist down on Izquierdo - he's out! Antonio Holds back on further strikes and jumps to his feet to celebrate with the crowd!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:35 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Marko Antonio!
Marko Antonio got down on his knees post fight and begged the management for a title shot. 'Please, I want that title shot so bad! Give it to me!'