PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Andrea Buticchio (ranked 2961 p4p, 3607 weight class) and Ben Passel (ranked 324 p4p, 383 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Ben Passel enters the cage!

Buticchio
vs
Passel

190 cm
27
169
5 - 1 - 0

177 cm
22
162
1 - 0 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

NARCOS

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Andrea Buticchio!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ben Passel!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Trevor Gratis and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Passel uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Buticchio.
Passel with the counter takedown but Buticchio avoids it easily.
Passel keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Buticchio.
Buticchio takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Buticchio throws a hook to the side of Passel's head but Passel sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A swing and a miss from Buticchio.
Passel with the counter takedown but Buticchio avoids it easily.
Buticchio loads up on a big right hand but Passel slips the punch.
Nice takedown defense from Buticchio. No joy for Passel on that attempt.
A looping hook to the body misses from Passel. Buticchio does a little dance to reset his feet.
Buticchio's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Passel connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Buticchio scrambles back to his feet.
Passel uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Buticchio.
Buticchio throws out a loose jab but Passel uses good head movement to avoid it.
Passel is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Buticchio throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Passel changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Andrea Buticchio seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Passel takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

Passel scores with a takedown into Buticchio's guard.
Buticchio knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Passel on the ground.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Passel working some strikes from top position.
Buticchio is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Passel is controlling him.
Passel has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Passel works over Buticchio with some ground and pound from guard.
Passel landing with the ground and pound.
Buticchio wants to stand but Passel is controlling the position.
Passel throwing strikes from guard but Buticchio blocks nicely.
Passel works over Buticchio with some ground and pound from guard.
Buticchio working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Passel.
Passel keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Buticchio's head.
Buticchio really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Passel pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Buticchio is keeping the position for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Passel landing some decent shots from guard.
Passel content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Buticchio has momentary wrist control but Passel slips an elbow through the middle.
Passel postures up and lands a big shot to Buticchio's brow.
Passel working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Buticchio looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Passel lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Buticchio preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Passel cracks Buticchio with a solid left hand.
Passel content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Passel pushes down on Buticchio's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Passel lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Buticchio is rocked!
Passel is controlling the pace.
Oh Buticchio is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Passel working his ground and pound in the gym. So far it seems to be working well.
Passel slips a nice elbow through Buticchio's hands, connecting with Buticchio's forehead.
Passel is sitting in half guard. He's postured up and lands a nice elbow. Oh, Buticchio is hurt! He's hurt bad - Passel fires away with more strikes and the referee jumps in to save Buticchio from any more punishment! Congratulations to Passel! Great finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Ben Passel!
A victorious Ben Passel thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.