PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mikael Strickland (ranked 5098 p4p, 4834 weight class) and Albar Claes (ranked 400 p4p, 389 weight class). 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?

Strickland
vs
Claes

175 cm
19
155
0 - 1 - 0

192 cm
18
155
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mikael Strickland!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Albar Claes!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fray, Josh West and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Claes fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Claes looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!

Claes gets caught flat footed, as Strickland shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Strickland looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Strickland works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Claes is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Strickland in particular looking to stall.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Strickland's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Strickland stands up out of the half guard.

Strickland gets a takedown into half guard.
Claes pushes Strickland off but Strickland dives into side control.
Strickland slows the pace down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strickland working the head with strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Claes on the wrong end of some ground and pound.

Strickland has worked his way into a potential kimura here. Claes is trying to get out of the position but his squirming has just got him deeper into trouble. Strickland yanks on the arm and Claes is forced to tap due to a very painful looking submission! Nice work by Strickland.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Mikael Strickland!