PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Anibal Canibal (ranked 3182 p4p, 0 weight class) and Emir Rakovic (ranked 6752 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Canibal
vs
Rakovic

187 cm
25
179 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

182 cm
18
184 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight 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, Anibal Canibal!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Emir Rakovic!
The judges for this bout are David Hoff, Sandra Marshall and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rakovic tries to clinch but Canibal is having none of it.
Anibal Canibal seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Canibal tries for a takedown but Rakovic circles away easily

and Rakovic counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Canibal!
You can see the frustration on Canibal's face as Rakovic controls the position.
Canibal is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Rakovic wants to lay and pray for a moment but Canibal keeps working.
Rakovic in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Canibal is looking for a sweep.

Rakovic is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Canibal is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Canibal is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Rakovic really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Canibal. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Canibal is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Rakovic goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Canibal rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Rakovic's guard! Nice work there by Canibal!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Canibal is looking to advance position but Rakovic has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Canibal can't escape the position.

Rakovic stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.

Canibal is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Rakovic's half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rakovic is trying to control but can't.
Rakovic wants to improve his position but Canibal is controlling well.
Canibal passes the guard and advances to mount!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Rakovic wants to control but Canibal is having none of it.
Rakovic sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Canibal tries to pass to full mount but Rakovic defends it.
Rakovic slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Canibal stands and throws Rakovic's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Canibal wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Rakovic, who protects the arm well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Canibal has hold of Rakovic's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! Rakovic tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - Canibal cranks the arm and Rakovic screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from Rakovic, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:25 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Anibal Canibal!