PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Diego Armando (ranked 2183 p4p, 2126 weight class) and Jacob Handler (ranked 270 p4p, 263 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Armando
vs
Handler

175 cm
28
155
5 - 5 - 0

172 cm
21
165
5 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Shadow Realm Apparel
Fantasy Threads (Laundry 15%)

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 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Diego Armando!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jacob Handler!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Elvis Blanc and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Armando dips to his left and cracks Handler with an uppercut!
Armando scores with a decent looking hook.
Handler tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Armando swivels and escapes.
Diego Armando seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Armando throws a body shot but no joy.
Handler will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Armando on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Jab from Armando.
Armando throws a lazy right hand but Handler sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Handler avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Handler shoots and misses
and Armando counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Diego Armando has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jacob Handler.
Armando misses with a hook
and Handler counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Armando throws a lazy right hand but Handler sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Armando throws a hook but Handler blocks it.
Armando moves out of range as Handler strikes.
Armando works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Handler cracks Armando with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

It looks like Diego Armando has been cut.

Handler looking to score a takedown here. Armando is defending well but Handler drives through and ends up in Armando's guard.
Handler is working Armando over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Handler won't allow Armando to sweep him here.
Armando working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Handler.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Handler loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Handler cracks Armando with a solid left hand.
Armando is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Armando is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Handler is controlling him.
Armando utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Handler lands a couple of digs.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Handler missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Handler has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Armando not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Handler accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Handler connects with a couple of short punches.
Handler landing some decent shots from guard.
Handler with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Armando knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Handler on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Armando keeping moving, preventing Handler from controlling successfully.
Handler throws a big elbow that misses.
Handler wants to pass the guard but Armando is keeping the position.
Armando wants to stand up but Handler is controlling him.
Handler pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Armando is keeping the position for now.
Armando is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Armando keeping full guard, as Handler tries to pass.
Armando keeping moving, preventing Handler from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Handler keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Armando's head.
Handler pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Armando is keeping the position for now.
Handler postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Handler lands a couple of elbows.
Handler loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Handler trying to control the position from guard on top but Armando is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Handler works over Armando with some ground and pound from guard.
Handler throwing strikes but missing.
Handler trying to control the position from guard on top but Armando is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Handler prevents Armando from getting back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Armando pulls Handler in to control the position.
Handler is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Handler's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Armando has momentary wrist control but Handler slips an elbow through the middle.

Armando is rocked!
Handler wants to control from the top but Armando keeps moving.
Oh Armando is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Handler lands a couple of digs.
Handler is working Armando over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Handler loads up on a big left hand. Armando felt that one! He's just covering up now, not defending himself intelligently - Handler looks towards the ref and unloads with 3 more big shots and the ref has no choice but to stop the fight! Armando can't hide his disappointment, as Handler celebrates the victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:39 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Jacob Handler!
During a confident post fight interview, Jacob Handler thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.