PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Diago Jota (ranked 3916 p4p, 355 weight class) and Pablo Itzpapalotltotec (ranked 4510 p4p, 393 weight class). Itzpapalotltotec has chosen Copacabana - Barry Manilow as his entrance music. Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Jota
vs
Itzpapalotltotec

203 cm
18
150 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

173 cm
18
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Diago Jota!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Pablo Itzpapalotltotec!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Colin Fotheringham and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Itzpapalotltotec misses with a takedown attempt - Jota sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Itzpapalotltotec stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Itzpapalotltotec wants it to stay on the feet.
Itzpapalotltotec misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Jota definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Itzpapalotltotec fails with a takedown attempt.
Jota half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Itzpapalotltotec tries to clinch up but Jota circles away and keeps his distance.
Jota swats away the attempt to clinch by Itzpapalotltotec.
Jota is looking to counter with head kicks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Jota clinches with his opponent.
Itzpapalotltotec is trying to pull guard but Jota has him pressed against the ropes.
Diago Jota has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pablo Itzpapalotltotec.
Itzpapalotltotec tries a knee to the head but Jota blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Itzpapalotltotec tries to stall but Jota uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Itzpapalotltotec missing with knees to the body.

Jota pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Itzpapalotltotec is trying hard to land a takedown here. Jota sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Itzpapalotltotec shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Jota is trying to defend but Itzpapalotltotec finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Jota tries to kick Itzpapalotltotec off in order to stand up. Itzpapalotltotec Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
Jota is breathing heavily.
Jota throwing some weak shots from the bottom that do no damage.
Itzpapalotltotec remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Itzpapalotltotec wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Jota, who protects the arm well.
Jota is letting Itzpapalotltotec control him for a moment.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
The ground and pound from Itzpapalotltotec seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Jota really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Itzpapalotltotec is looking to take a break and control but Jota is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Itzpapalotltotec decides to stand back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Itzpapalotltotec wants to clinch.

Jota clinches up with Itzpapalotltotec and pushes him back against the ropes.
Itzpapalotltotec is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Itzpapalotltotec is trying to pull guard but Jota turns him against the ropes and we stay in the clinch.

Jota escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Itzpapalotltotec drives through with a takedown into guard.
Itzpapalotltotec is standing up over Jota. Jota looks to escape but Itzpapalotltotec dives into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Itzpapalotltotec takes a little break here. Jota wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Jota is not content to let Itzpapalotltotec control the position.
Itzpapalotltotec throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Jota taking punishment in the form of punches.
Jota gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Itzpapalotltotec can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Jota is looking to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Pablo Itzpapalotltotec will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Itzpapalotltotec tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Jota paws at him with a jab and circles away.
As Itzpapalotltotec tries to get set, Jota tries to push him back and clinch up but Itzpapalotltotec manages to avoid the attempt.
Jota blocks the body kick.
Itzpapalotltotec tries to clinch but Jota is having none of it.
Itzpapalotltotec changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Jota tries to avoid it but Itzpapalotltotec manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Jota to the ground. Jota escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Jota looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Diago Jota is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Itzpapalotltotec shoots in looking for a takedown. Jota tries to sprawl out of it but Itzpapalotltotec keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Jota manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Jota changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

Itzpapalotltotec fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Jota to the ground. Itzpapalotltotec is now in Jota's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jota keeping moving, preventing Itzpapalotltotec from controlling successfully.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Itzpapalotltotec postures up.

Itzpapalotltotec decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Jota, up you get!

Itzpapalotltotec closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Jota's guard.

Itzpapalotltotec stands up from Jota's guard - Itzpapalotltotec perhaps looking for a knockout.
Jota avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Itzpapalotltotec looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Jota is looking to counter the offense by Itzpapalotltotec and move into the clinch.
Diago Jota has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pablo Itzpapalotltotec.
Itzpapalotltotec shoots in for a takedown but Jota shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Itzpapalotltotec is trying hard to land a takedown here. Jota sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Itzpapalotltotec moves in looking to clinch but Jota pushes him off.
Jota feinted with a counter takedown.
Itzpapalotltotec moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Jota takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Itzpapalotltotec tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Itzpapalotltotec tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Itzpapalotltotec has a takedown stuffed.
Jota stuffs the takedown attempt from Itzpapalotltotec. Itzpapalotltotec gets slowly back to his feet.
Jota throws a counter high kick but Itzpapalotltotec was just alert enough to avoid it.
Nice sprawl there from Jota as Itzpapalotltotec shoots in.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Jota shoots in but no luck this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Itzpapalotltotec has a takedown stuffed.
Jota went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Itzpapalotltotec shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Jota but Jota pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Jota defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Itzpapalotltotec.
Itzpapalotltotec rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Jota moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Itzpapalotltotec misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Jota shoots and misses
and Itzpapalotltotec counters with a left and a right that stings Jota.
Jota keeps the fight on the outside.
Itzpapalotltotec tries to clinch up but Jota circles away and keeps his distance.
Itzpapalotltotec wants to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Itzpapalotltotec looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Jota slaps away a takedown attempt from Itzpapalotltotec, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Diago Jota is winning the standup battle so far.
Itzpapalotltotec fails with a takedown attempt.
A quick step to the side and Jota tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Itzpapalotltotec tries to clinch up but Jota circles away and keeps his distance.

Itzpapalotltotec drives through and clinches with Jota against the ropes.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Itzpapalotltotec fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Itzpapalotltotec tries for a takedown but Jota manages to get underhooks.
Itzpapalotltotec tries to land knees in the clinch but Jota avoids the damage to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Pablo Itzpapalotltotec will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Jota has his takedown stuffed
and Itzpapalotltotec counters with a left to the body.
Itzpapalotltotec tries to score a power double leg takedown but Jota sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Itzpapalotltotec somewhat.
Itzpapalotltotec looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Jota is fending him off so far but Itzpapalotltotec persists. Nope, Jota circles away and we're back to standing.
Itzpapalotltotec tries to clinch up but Jota circles away and keeps his distance.
Itzpapalotltotec closes this distance looking for a takedown but Jota circles away.
Diago Jota has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pablo Itzpapalotltotec.
Jota wants to clinch up but Itzpapalotltotec keeps it at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jota shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Itzpapalotltotec counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Itzpapalotltotec looking to land some kicks to the body here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Itzpapalotltotec throws a low kick, looking for Jota's leg but Jota calmly moves out of range.
Itzpapalotltotec fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Jota drops down looking for a counter takedown but Itzpapalotltotec sprawls and moves away.
Jota stuffs the takedown.
Itzpapalotltotec lands a two punch combo.
Itzpapalotltotec lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Itzpapalotltotec tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Itzpapalotltotec closes this distance looking for a takedown but Jota circles away.
Itzpapalotltotec pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Itzpapalotltotec instigates a clinch.
Jota gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Itzpapalotltotec.
Jota working hard to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Itzpapalotltotec looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Itzpapalotltotec is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the ropes enables Jota to keep the fight standing.
Itzpapalotltotec wants to break free but Jota has control.
Itzpapalotltotec tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Itzpapalotltotec goes for a takedown attempt but Jota pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Itzpapalotltotec connects with a jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Jota closes the distance and clinches.

Jota escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Itzpapalotltotec scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Jota tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Itzpapalotltotec wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Itzpapalotltotec advances to mount.
Itzpapalotltotec connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Jota is squirming around, avoiding Itzpapalotltotec's attempts to control the action.
Itzpapalotltotec is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Itzpapalotltotec controlling his opponent.
Itzpapalotltotec pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Itzpapalotltotec takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Jota defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Itzpapalotltotec.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pablo Itzpapalotltotec comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Itzpapalotltotec winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge James Atkins scores the fight for Pablo Itzpapalotltotec!
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight for Pablo Itzpapalotltotec!
Judge James Glass scores the fight for Pablo Itzpapalotltotec!

Pablo Itzpapalotltotec wins by unanimous decision!
Pablo Itzpapalotltotec decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.