PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Herman Pakalolo (ranked 2961 p4p, 4269 weight class) and Cedric Finley (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.

Pakalolo
vs
Finley

170 cm
23
160
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
22
160
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Herman Pakalolo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Cedric Finley!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Alexandre Firmino and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Pakalolo clinches up against the cage.
Pakalolo drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Pakalolo pulls guard.
Finley throws an elbow that misses. Pakalolo uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Finley's guard. Nice move by Pakalolo!

Pakalolo stops Finley from standing up.
Pakalolo wants to control from the top but Finley keeps moving.
Finley trying to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pakalolo is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Finley has his foot on Pakalolo's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Pakalolo works his way back into a safe position though.
Finley controls Pakalolo momentarily but Pakalolo frees himself.
Finley keeping moving, preventing Pakalolo from controlling successfully.
Finley throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Pakalolo missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Pakalolo postures up and lands a big shot to Finley's brow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Pakalolo won't allow Finley to sweep him here.
Pakalolo throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Pakalolo gets to his feet - Finley follows without any prompting.
Finley tries to close the distance and clinch up but Pakalolo swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Finley moves into the clinch.
Finley is trying to force a seperation but Pakalolo has the dominant position.

Pakalolo escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Finley looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Finley fails with an attempt to clinch.
Finley is looking to clinch.
Pakalolo shoots in for a double leg but Finley sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Pakalolo takes the fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Finley using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Pakalolo has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Finley is looking to control Pakalolo's arms but Pakalolo gets an underhook and turns him. Now Finley has his back to the cage.
Finley is trying to drag Pakalolo to the mat but Pakalolo just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Pakalolo breaks from the clinch.
Finley fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Herman Pakalolo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cedric Finley.

Finley shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Pakalolo has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Finley is on him like a limpet, forcing Pakalolo back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Finley wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Pakalolo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Pakalolo fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Finley to the ground. Pakalolo is now in Finley's guard.

Finley has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Pakalolo has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pakalolo lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Pakalolo has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Finley uses from the top position.
Pakalolo is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Pakalolo has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Finley can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Herman Pakalolo dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Pakalolo goes for a double leg but Finley avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Finley continues to drive forward.
Finley let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.

Finley manages to pull guard.
Finley keeping full guard, as Pakalolo tries to pass.
Finley controls Pakalolo momentarily but Pakalolo frees himself.
Pakalolo sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Finley is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Finley wants to control but Pakalolo is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pakalolo throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Pakalolo trying to control here.
Pakalolo is pressing down on Finley's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Pakalolo manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Finley manages to get himself to full guard.

Pakalolo lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pakalolo prevents Finley from getting back to his feet.
Pakalolo preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Finley not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Finley wants to get back to his feet but Pakalolo is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Pakalolo is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Finley can do to turn this around?

Pakalolo stands and steps away. Finley gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Finley gets the takedown into side control.

Pakalolo throws Finley to one side and escapes!
Finley is breathing heavily.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Pakalolo gets a takedown into half guard.
Pakalolo content to control rather than advance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pakalolo wants to control but Finley is keeping him busy.
Finley is trying to control but can't.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pakalolo scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Herman Pakalolo overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Finley is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Pakalolo scores with a couple of nice shots.
Pakalolo controlling the action here.
Finley wants to improve his position but Pakalolo is controlling well.

That's four 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.
Finley wants to sweep but Pakalolo has passed to side control!
Pakalolo looks up at the clock and then as Finley takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Pakalolo smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Finley tries to bench press Pakalolo off him but Pakalolo keeps the position.

Pakalolo is trying to get an arm triangle but Finley is defending well.
Pakalolo working away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Pakalolo stands up and beckons Finley to his feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Herman Pakalolo dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Pakalolo tries to clinch there but Finley circles away.
Finley with a lazy takedown attempt
and Pakalolo counters with a nice uppercut.

It looks like Cedric Finley has been cut.
Pakalolo shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Finley tries to clinch up but Pakalolo circles away and keeps his distance.

Finley changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Pakalolo looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Pakalolo struggling a bit here.
Pakalolo manages to get back to half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pakalolo controlling the position well.
Finley blocks the strikes from Pakalolo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pakalolo preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Pakalolo trying to control here.
Finley wants to pass the guard but Pakalolo is defending well.
Finley wants to stand but his hand is trapped. Pakalolo uses the opportunity to regain full guard.
Finley is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Pakalolo has thrown up a leg looking for a triangle. Finley doesn't defend quickly enough and Pakalolo has managed to lock this one up! Can Finley escape?! NO! He's tapping out! Damn, that was a quick submission - congrats to Pakalolo on a fantastic submission victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:28 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Herman Pakalolo!