PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between James Cortes (ranked 4325 p4p, 4369 weight class) and Akinwale Arobieke (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Cortes
vs
Arobieke

190 cm
18
230
0 - 0 - 0

199 cm
18
270
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, James Cortes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Akinwale Arobieke!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, William Gold and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice takedown defense from Arobieke. No joy for Cortes on that attempt.
Arobieke with the counter takedown but Cortes avoids it easily.
Cortes works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Cortes looks for a takedown but Arobieke sprawls well.
Cortes fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Cortes fails in his attempt to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cortes wants to clinch up but Arobieke keeps it at a distance.
Arobieke drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Cortes defends it well.
Cortes tries to clinch up.
Cortes fails with a takedown attempt.
Arobieke drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Cortes defends it well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Cortes. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cortes clinches up with Arobieke and pushes him back against the cage.
Arobieke tries for a takedown. No joy.
Arobieke looking for a takedown.
Arobieke has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Cortes after a bit of a struggle.
Arobieke can't get the takedown.
Arobieke jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Cortes walks away with a smile on his face. Arobieke gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Cortes closes this distance looking for a takedown but Arobieke circles away.
Cortes fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
And Arobieke tries to counter it with a takedown but Cortes pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Cortes looks to throw a body kick

and Arobieke counters with a nice double leg into side control. Cortes won't be happy with that.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
What's Cortes going to do here then? He's in a bit of a pickle.
Arobieke wants to control for a moment but Cortes uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Arobieke working over Cortes with some ground and pound. Cortes looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Cortes is not content to let Arobieke control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arobieke missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Cortes wants to improve his position but Arobieke is controlling well.
Cortes looks like he's trying to stand up.
Cortes is staying active underneath Arobieke, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Arobieke lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Cortes is looking to control Arobieke's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Cortes avoid being mounted?
Arobieke is just content to waste time from the top position. Cortes takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Arobieke distracts Cortes with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Arobieke stands up over Cortes, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arobieke looking to pass the guard.
Arobieke wants to control from the top but Cortes keeps moving.
Arobieke is in close to Cortes's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Arobieke is trying to tuck his arms in to keep them safe but Cortes has managed to isolate one of them and has got a loose triangle. Arobieke is looking to defend but Cortes has done well to lock his legs together - this could be big trouble for Arobieke! Cortes pulls down on the head and a little smile comes across his face - he knows he's got it. Yep, Arobieke taps out and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:44 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). James Cortes!