PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Pablo Itzpapalotltotec (ranked 1231 p4p, 717 weight class) and Venali Paetmar (ranked 172 p4p, 105 weight class). Itzpapalotltotec comes to the cage accompanied by Copacabana - Barry Manilow. Paetmar is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Powerwolf - Amen & Attack. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Itzpapalotltotec
vs
Paetmar

173 cm
29
155
18 - 12 - 1

168 cm
36
154
14 - 13 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Fantasy Threads
Shadow Realm Apparel

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 18 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Pablo Itzpapalotltotec!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Venali Paetmar!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Shigeki Fujiwara and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Itzpapalotltotec misses the shot to the body.
Itzpapalotltotec lands the left hand.
Itzpapalotltotec keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Itzpapalotltotec ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Sloppy strikes from Itzpapalotltotec. Those never looked like landing.
Itzpapalotltotec avoids a punch combination nicely.
Paetmar slips under a jab.
Paetmar steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Itzpapalotltotec.
Paetmar throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Itzpapalotltotec tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Paetmar was well out of range. Poor timing from Itzpapalotltotec.
Paetmar tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Itzpapalotltotec thuds his right hand into Paetmar's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Itzpapalotltotec takes a swing at Paetmar's ribcage but misses.
Paetmar tries to clinch but Itzpapalotltotec moves out of range.
Paetmar throws a leg kick
and Itzpapalotltotec counters with a straight right hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Itzpapalotltotec misses with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Itzpapalotltotec connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Itzpapalotltotec just misses with a punch to the body.
We've been hearing reports that Itzpapalotltotec has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Paetmar lands with an overhand left.
Paetmar tries to clinch up but Itzpapalotltotec circles away and keeps his distance.
Itzpapalotltotec looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Itzpapalotltotec looks to score with a jab to the body but Paetmar is just out of range.
Itzpapalotltotec connects with a body shot.
Paetmar fails in his attempt to clinch.
Itzpapalotltotec cracks Paetmar with a good jab.
Paetmar throws a series of punches but Itzpapalotltotec avoids them all with ease.
A punch combination from Itzpapalotltotec misses.
Itzpapalotltotec throws an overhand right that lands on Paetmar's shoulder, as Paetmar tries to avoid the shot.

Paetmar closes the distance and pushes Itzpapalotltotec back into the cage.
Itzpapalotltotec lands a hook to the side of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Paetmar fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paetmar trying to control the position but instead, Itzpapalotltotec has worked for underhooks and has pushed Paetmar into the cage.
Paetmar struggles to land a body shot inside as Itzpapalotltotec controls his hands.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Itzpapalotltotec.

Paetmar has Itzpapalotltotec pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Paetmar pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Itzpapalotltotec tumbling to the mat - Paetmar dives into Itzpapalotltotec's guard.
My spies in LA Training Center inform me that Paetmar has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Itzpapalotltotec is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Paetmar works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Paetmar lands with a punch from half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Paetmar is looking for a kimura here.
Itzpapalotltotec trying to control but Paetmar postures up.
Paetmar perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Itzpapalotltotec is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paetmar is trying to control. Itzpapalotltotec wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Itzpapalotltotec is pressing down on Paetmar's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Paetmar got a little sloppy there for a moment and Itzpapalotltotec has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Paetmar has managed to get both his arms back between Itzpapalotltotec's legs - danger averted.
Itzpapalotltotec lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Itzpapalotltotec sitting in guard here, content to control.
Itzpapalotltotec stopping the sweep attempt from Paetmar.
Paetmar keeping full guard, as Itzpapalotltotec tries to pass.

Paetmar is looking for a triangle but Itzpapalotltotec pushes his legs off easily.
Itzpapalotltotec trying to control the position from guard on top but Paetmar is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Paetmar wants to sweep but no luck.
Itzpapalotltotec is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Paetmar has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paetmar is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Paetmar being controlled here, momentarily.
Itzpapalotltotec pushing down on Paetmar's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Paetmar wants to improve his position but Itzpapalotltotec is controlling well.
Paetmar trying to hold on to Itzpapalotltotec's head to control him but Itzpapalotltotec postures up.
Paetmar is looking to improve his position.
Itzpapalotltotec controlling the pace.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Pablo Itzpapalotltotec dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Itzpapalotltotec moves out of range as Paetmar strikes.
Paetmar tries to clinch there but Itzpapalotltotec circles away.
Paetmar fails with an attempt to clinch.
Jab, jab by Itzpapalotltotec - just one landing.
Itzpapalotltotec keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Itzpapalotltotec throws a good cross that connects.
Paetmar with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Itzpapalotltotec to score with a decent uppercut.
Itzpapalotltotec rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Paetmar moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Paetmar tries to counter with a clinch but Itzpapalotltotec shakes him off and moves away.
Itzpapalotltotec lands a jab to the head.
Paetmar is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Paetmar avoids a punch combination nicely.

Paetmar gets a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paetmar is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Itzpapalotltotec gets through Paetmar's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Paetmar tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Itzpapalotltotec stops a takedown attempt from Paetmar.
Paetmar misses with the head strike.

Paetmar jumps guard and drags Itzpapalotltotec to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Itzpapalotltotec has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Paetmar is proving hard to escape from.
Itzpapalotltotec trying to control the position from guard on top but Paetmar is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Paetmar trying to keep a closed guard but Itzpapalotltotec is proving a slippery customer.

Itzpapalotltotec got a little sloppy there for a moment and Paetmar has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Itzpapalotltotec has managed to get both his arms back between Paetmar's legs - danger averted.
Itzpapalotltotec preventing the sweep.
Paetmar is looking to sweep but instead, Itzpapalotltotec has passed into half guard.

Paetmar looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Itzpapalotltotec in particular looking to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Itzpapalotltotec uses his free foot to push down on Paetmar's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Paetmar.
Itzpapalotltotec tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Itzpapalotltotec trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Paetmar is wriggling around trying to escape.
Itzpapalotltotec controlling from mount.
Pablo Itzpapalotltotec overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Paetmar tries to lock up and control but Itzpapalotltotec gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paetmar really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Itzpapalotltotec is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Paetmar can do to turn this around?
Paetmar wants to control but Itzpapalotltotec is having none of it.

Paetmar tries to improve his position but Itzpapalotltotec has taken his back! Itzpapalotltotec has a choke - it's sunk in pretty tight... Will Paetmar tap? No... maybe... yes! He's tapped! Itzpapalotltotec pushes Paetmar away and gets up to celebrate with his corner!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:44 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). 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.
In defeat, Venali Paetmar stepped up to the mic, saying 'Next time...'.