PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Haakon Cabrera (ranked 1956 p4p, 2097 weight class) and Darren Tolbert (ranked 146 p4p, 162 weight class). The key to victory for Haakon Cabrera has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Cabrera
vs
Tolbert

180 cm
23
159
3 - 2 - 1

177 cm
20
157
2 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

FF Gear
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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 3 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Haakon Cabrera!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Darren Tolbert!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Dillan Fox and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tolbert connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Tolbert works Cabrera's body with a nice hook.
Tolbert lands a slapping body shot.
Cabrera ducks under a wild hook from Tolbert.
Cabrera lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Darren Tolbert seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cabrera misses with a lunging right hand
and Tolbert counters with a stiff right hand.
Tolbert misses with a wild body shot.
Cabrera slips a straight right by Tolbert.
Tolbert misses with a shot to the body
and Cabrera counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

It looks like Darren Tolbert has been cut.
Cabrera lands a glancing blow to the side of Tolbert's head.
Tolbert misses with a lunging right hand
and Cabrera counters with a thumping low kick.
Tolbert gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Cabrera.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cabrera jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Cabrera is defended easily by Tolbert.
Cabrera shoots in but no luck this time.
Cabrera avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Tolbert has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Cabrera misses with a double jab

and Tolbert counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Cabrera won't allow Tolbert to pass to mount.
Tolbert is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Tolbert slips a nice elbow through Cabrera's hands, connecting with Cabrera's forehead.

Cabrera looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Tolbert is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tolbert takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Cabrera is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Tolbert pulls his head out easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cabrera is trying to maintain the position but Tolbert is very close to passing his half guard.
Tolbert takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Cabrera works his way to full guard. Good work.
Tolbert preventing the sweep.
Tolbert slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Tolbert throws a strike but Cabrera rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cabrera postures up.
Cabrera missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Cabrera advances to half guard.
Cabrera misses with a head shot. Tolbert uses the momentum to regain guard.

Tolbert throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Tolbert has control of Cabrera's left arm, preventing Cabrera from doing any damage.
Cabrera trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Tolbert looking to hit a scissor sweep but Cabrera is one step ahead there.
Cabrera forces his way into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cabrera throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Cabrera has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Cabrera not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Tolbert is trying to maintain the position but Cabrera is very close to passing his half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Cabrera lands a nice short elbow.
Cabrera seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Tolbert does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Cabrera is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Cabrera landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Tolbert is looking to improve his position.
Tolbert is trying to control but can't.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Cabrera working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Tolbert wants to control but Cabrera is keeping busy.

Cabrera is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Tolbert doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Cabrera.
Cabrera is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Tolbert wants to improve his position but Cabrera is controlling well.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Cabrera is thwarting Tolbert's attempts to control the position.
Cabrera scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Cabrera is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Cabrera is in close to Tolbert's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Cabrera throws a big elbow that misses.
Tolbert 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.

Tolbert looking for a guillotine here but Cabrera defends easily.
Tolbert preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Cabrera distracts Tolbert with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Tolbert looking for a sweep. Not yet Tolbert, not yet.
Cabrera makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Tolbert trying to keep a closed guard but Cabrera is proving a slippery customer.
Cabrera trying to control the position from guard on top but Tolbert is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tolbert seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Cabrera trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Tolbert 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.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Tolbert is trying to keep Cabrera in close.
Cabrera stays in close to Tolbert's body and controls the position.
Cabrera with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Cabrera postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Tolbert is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Cabrera, into his guard.

Tolbert stopping the sweep attempt from Cabrera.
Tolbert working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Cabrera's head.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Cabrera looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Tolbert throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Cabrera works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Tolbert must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Tolbert trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Tolbert avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Tolbert with a flurry of punches that miss.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Cabrera is on top in guard.

Cabrera throws a big elbow that misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cabrera postures up.
Cabrera postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Cabrera loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Haakon Cabrera will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Darren Tolbert's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Tolbert avoids a kick to the body.
Tolbert with a jab.
Tolbert throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Tolbert misses with a hook. Cabrera ducked under it nicely.
Tolbert throws a left and a right that both miss
and Cabrera counters with a nice low kick that buckles Tolbert's knee momentarily.
Cabrera throws a hook but Tolbert blocks it.
Cabrera keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head kick misses from Cabrera.
Cabrera slips under a jab from Tolbert.
Tolbert will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Cabrera changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tolbert swings for the body but Cabrera moves out of range.
Cabrera changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Cabrera swings widly with a right hand

and Tolbert counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Cabrera keeping moving, preventing Tolbert from controlling successfully.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Cabrera is on top in guard.

Cabrera is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Cabrera trying to control the position from guard on top but Tolbert is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cabrera trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Tolbert is looking for a triangle but Cabrera pushes his legs off easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cabrera lands a couple of digs.
Cabrera throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Tolbert is trying to control the position but Cabrera postures up.
Cabrera wants to control from the top but Tolbert keeps moving.
Tolbert can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Cabrera controls the pace.
Tolbert is trying to keep Cabrera in close.
Cabrera postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Cabrera lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Tolbert working a defensive guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cabrera is pushing down on Tolbert's leg trying to pass to half guard. Tolbert is fighting to maintain full guard but Cabrera has managed to sneak the leg through.
Cabrera lands with a punch from half guard.
Tolbert is trying to get back to full guard.
Cabrera throwing shots but Tolbert is blocking nicely.
Tolbert regains full guard. Nicely done.
Cabrera is working Tolbert over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Cabrera throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tolbert works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Tolbert avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Cabrera cracks Tolbert with a solid left hand.
Cabrera lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Tolbert trying to keep a closed guard but Cabrera is proving a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cabrera stands up over Tolbert, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Cabrera with a flurry of punches that miss.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Tolbert holds on and takes a little breather.
Cabrera postures up in Tolbert's guard and throws a big left but Tolbert blocks it.
Cabrera trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Cabrera slips nicely into half guard.

Cabrera is looking for submissions but instead, Tolbert has regained full guard.
Cabrera preventing the sweep.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Cabrera makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Cabrera connects with a couple of short punches.
Cabrera trying to control the position from guard on top but Tolbert is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cabrera missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Tolbert wants to stand and escape but Cabrera is having none of it.
Cabrera is in close to Tolbert's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Cabrera preventing the sweep.
Cabrera working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Cabrera working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Cabrera wants to control from the top but Tolbert keeps moving.
Cabrera working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Tolbert's head.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Tolbert is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Cabrera throwing strikes from guard but Tolbert blocks nicely.
Cabrera throws a big right hand that misses.
Tolbert looking for a sweep. Not yet Tolbert, not yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cabrera chips away with some ground and pound.
Tolbert utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Cabrera stands up over Tolbert, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Tolbert trying to strike off his back.
Tolbert looking to control.
Cabrera throws a big elbow that misses.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Cabrera stopping the sweep attempt from Tolbert.
Cabrera stands up over Tolbert, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Cabrera throwing strikes from guard but Tolbert blocks nicely.
Cabrera postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Cabrera is working Tolbert over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Cabrera is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Tolbert can do to turn this around?
Cabrera throwing strikes but missing.
Cabrera pushing down on Tolbert's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Cabrera wants to pass to mount but Tolbert is defending the position.
Cabrera throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Cabrera trying to control from half guard but Tolbert is working away.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Cabrera.

Cabrera seems to be looking for submissions.
Tolbert makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Tolbert.
Cabrera lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Tolbert is looking to sweep but instead, Cabrera has passed into half guard.
Tolbert wants to improve his position but Cabrera is controlling well.
Cabrera is thwarting Tolbert's attempts to control the position.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Tolbert tries to get to full guard but Cabrera has control of the leg.
Cabrera throwing shots but Tolbert is blocking nicely.
Tolbert on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Cabrera working Tolbert over with strikes.
Tolbert trying to control but Cabrera postures up.
Cabrera sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Tolbert defending well though.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tolbert trying to control from the bottom.
Cabrera seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Cabrera working over Tolbert with some ground and pound. Tolbert looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Cabrera looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Haakon Cabrera dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Darren Tolbert's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Tolbert lands a nice shot that snaps Cabrera's head back.
Tolbert takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Tolbert throws a right hand that Cabrera ducks under and follows up with a left that Cabrera also avoids with ease.
Cabrera takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

Tolbert feints and as Cabrera raises his hands in defense, Tolbert changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Tolbert postures up.
Tolbert throws a big right hand that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cabrera is trying to control the position but Tolbert postures up.
Tolbert controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tolbert tries to free his leg and advance position but Cabrera is retaining full guard.

Cabrera pushes a forearm under Tolbert's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Tolbert is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:44 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Haakon Cabrera!
A victorious Haakon Cabrera thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.