PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between John Olof (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thiago Palhares (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Olof's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, I am a poor lonesome cowboy. Thiago Palhares struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 136.7lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Olof
vs
Palhares

169 cm
24
140 lbs
8 - 7 - 0

175 cm
18
143 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Win Nutritional - proof of quality

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, John Olof!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Thiago Palhares!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Donald Grub and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Olof shoots in looking for a takedown. Palhares tries to sprawl out of it but Olof keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Palhares manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Olof with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Olof shoots for a double leg takedown but Palhares sprawls well. He's pushed Olof's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
John Olof seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Olof forces Palhares back against the cage and clinches.

Olof has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Palhares uses from the top position.
Palhares trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Olof holds on and takes a little breather.
Palhares wants to control from the top but Olof keeps moving.
Olof pulls Palhares in close to his closed guard and prevents Palhares from doing any damage or advancing position.

Palhares drops back, looking for a kneebar! Olof looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Olof looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Olof!
Palhares looks gassed!

That's one minute gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Palhares's face as Olof controls the position.
Olof moves into full mount!
Palhares tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Palhares taking shots to the head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Olof controlling his opponent.
Palhares keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Olof controlling the position easily from mount.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Olof cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Olof controlling the pace for now.
Olof prevents Palhares from getting the reversal.
Olof content just to control the position here.

Olof working for a submission here. He's tucked his head under his opponent's arm, looking for an arm triangle. He's hopped off into side control, looking to tighten the submission... is it going to work? He's given up a good position looking for it. Palhares looks OK. Oh, I spoke too soon, he's out! That must have been tighter than I thought! Excellent work there by Olof! Submission of the night perhaps?

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:05 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). John Olof!