PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Masayuki Araki (ranked 2962 p4p, 1856 weight class) and Adrian Sterling (ranked 295 p4p, 190 weight class). Sterling is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Snake by Lil Keed. Masayuki Araki could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Adrian Sterling's chin.

Araki
vs
Sterling

172 cm
21
151
4 - 4 - 0

177 cm
21
150
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

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 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Masayuki Araki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Adrian Sterling!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Andrew Berry and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sterling manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Araki on his heels. He'll look to pass Araki's guard now, I'm sure.

Araki throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Sterling passes Araki's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Sterling is looking to advance position but Araki won't allow it.
Sterling is taking a breather. Araki says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Araki wants to get back to full guard.

Araki actively working from the bottom here.
Sterling slows the pace down in half guard.
Sterling prevents Araki from improving his position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Sterling is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Araki is just riding it out for now. Sterling eventually gives up the hold.

Sterling is trying to work for a kimura but Araki is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sterling perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Araki trying to control here.
Sterling slows the pace down in half guard.
Araki's coaches at Gym Goroshi London have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.
Araki is looking for a sweep. Sterling is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Sterling tries to pass to full mount but Araki defends it.
Araki tries to roll over but Sterling keeps him under control.
Sterling sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Araki wants to control but Sterling is keeping busy.
Araki wants to improve his position but Sterling is controlling well.
Sterling works his way into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Araki tries to bench press Sterling off him but Sterling keeps the position.
Sterling controlling the position.
Araki throwing some weak shots from the bottom that do no damage.
Araki manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Araki is in trouble now - Sterling has advanced to mount!
Sterling controlling from mount.
Sterling prevents Araki from getting the reversal.
Sterling moves to the back position.
Araki wants to escape the position.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Sterling controlling the positon.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Araki is in bad spot here.
Sterling controlling the position well here. Araki rolled but Sterling kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sterling trying to control momentarily.
I really don't envy Araki right now.
What can Araki do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
Well, with Sterling on his back, surely it's only a matter of time before Araki is tapping out... Can he escape the position?
It looks like Sterling might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.

Araki won't enjoy being in this position. Sterling looking for the choke. Oh... he's slipped the arm under the neck - Araki is tapping - it's over boys! Sterling picks up the submission victory!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Adrian Sterling!
After the fight, Adrian Sterling was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.