PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Darken Rahl (ranked 957 p4p, 1022 weight class) and Pablo Itzpapalotltotec (ranked 126 p4p, 134 weight class). Itzpapalotltotec has chosen Copacabana - Barry Manilow as his entrance music. Pablo Itzpapalotltotec has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Rahl
vs
Itzpapalotltotec

168 cm
27
150
9 - 2 - 0

173 cm
20
155
5 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Conquer
Brooklyn Apothecary

Brooklyn Apothecary

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Darken Rahl!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Pablo Itzpapalotltotec!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Micheangelo Fripello and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rahl dives in for a single leg takedown but Itzpapalotltotec sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Rahl darts in looking for a takedown but Itzpapalotltotec gets double underhooks and turns Rahl into the cage.
Itzpapalotltotec throws out a counter right but Rahl avoids it with no problem.
Itzpapalotltotec's coach down at ZuccoTraining Ground was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Itzpapalotltotec's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Rahl will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Darken Rahl. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rahl fails with the takedown
and Itzpapalotltotec counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Itzpapalotltotec leaves Rahl with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Rahl tries for a takedown but Itzpapalotltotec sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Itzpapalotltotec is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Rahl with a body shot.
Darken Rahl seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rahl on the wrong end of a nice hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Rahl drives through with a takedown into Itzpapalotltotec's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Itzpapalotltotec is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Rahl is aware though and is defending well.
Rahl throws a big right hand that misses.
Itzpapalotltotec avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rahl works over Itzpapalotltotec with some ground and pound from guard.
Itzpapalotltotec trying to control the position.
Itzpapalotltotec utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Rahl missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Rahl with a flurry of punches that miss.
Rahl postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Rahl scoring with some ground and pound.

Itzpapalotltotec working for a triangle but Rahl defends it easily.
Rahl lands a couple of digs.
Itzpapalotltotec is trying to keep Rahl in close.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rahl throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Itzpapalotltotec controlling the position.
Itzpapalotltotec working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rahl.
Rahl connects with a couple of short punches.
Itzpapalotltotec avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Rahl has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Rahl working some strikes from top position.
Rahl postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Itzpapalotltotec has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think Rahl should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, Itzpapalotltotec has tightened it up now! Rahl should have reacted faster there - he's in big trouble and yes, he's tapped out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:52 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Pablo Itzpapalotltotec!
During a confident post fight interview, Pablo Itzpapalotltotec thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.