PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Steve Durbans (ranked 6379 p4p, 6147 weight class) and Mandingo McMaggara (ranked 661 p4p, 645 weight class). Steve Durbans has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Durbans
vs
McMaggara

185 cm
25
210
1 - 2 - 0

160 cm
18
205
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Powerful

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Steve Durbans!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Mandingo McMaggara!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Peter Branson and Winston Alpacca.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

McMaggara looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Durbans!
McMaggara controls the position.
McMaggara's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

McMaggara working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

McMaggara is trying to get an arm triangle but Durbans is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McMaggara advances nicely into full mount.
Durbans is wriggling around trying to escape.
Durbans is squirming around, avoiding McMaggara's attempts to control the action.

McMaggara is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Durbans has managed to escape the submission attempt.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McMaggara seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Durbans is holding on tight.
Durbans wants to control but McMaggara is having none of it.
Durbans regains half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
McMaggara is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Durbans doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time McMaggara.

McMaggara is looking for a kimura but Durbans is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for McMaggara to get the leverage.
McMaggara not doing much here.
We've been hearing good reports from Durbans's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

Durbans actively working from the bottom here.
Durbans is looking to improve his position.
McMaggara is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Durbans!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McMaggara moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Durbans has worked his arm free - good work by Durbans!
McMaggara avoids the strikes from the bottom by Durbans.
McMaggara is looking to take a break and control but Durbans is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
McMaggara controlling from side mount.
Durbans tries to control but end up mounted... ooooh, that's bad.
McMaggara prevents Durbans from getting the reversal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

McMaggara looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.

Durbans defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from McMaggara.
McMaggara controlling his opponent.

McMaggara is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Durbans has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Durbans!

Durbans drops back, looking for a kneebar! McMaggara looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. McMaggara looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from McMaggara!

The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

McMaggara is in a dominant position here, looking for a kimura. Durbans looks calm but he's in trouble here. McMaggara gets his leg over his opponent's head and yanks on the arm. Durbans is tapping like a morse code operator on the titanic! SOS! SOS! McMaggara lets go of the hold and Durbans can pop his arm back in it's socket.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Mandingo McMaggara!
A very excited looking Mandingo McMaggara rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.