PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Pekka Niska (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marcelo Moreira (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Marcelo Moreira is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Niska
vs
Moreira

180 cm
18
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

183 cm
21
194 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight 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, Pekka Niska!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Marcelo Moreira!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Felipe Paraventi and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Moreira closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Moreira lands in his opponent's guard.
Moreira forces his way into half guard.

Moreira is trying to work for a kimura but Niska is defending well.
Moreira tries to pass to full mount but Niska defends it.

Moreira is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Niska defends it well.

Niska looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Moreira looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Niska tries to get to full guard but Moreira has control of the leg.
Niska is working hard here to advance position.
Niska regains full guard. Nicely done.
Niska looking to hit a scissor sweep but Moreira is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Moreira trying to control but Niska is working from the bottom.
Moreira is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

Niska looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Niska is breathing heavily.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Niska fails in his attempt to clinch.
Moreira scores with a punch to the head.
Niska shoots and misses

and Moreira counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Niska looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Moreira trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Moreira won't allow Niska to sweep him here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Niska working for a triangle but Moreira defends it easily.

Niska throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Niska has his foot on Moreira's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Moreira works his way back into a safe position though.
Moreira controlling from the top position.

Niska has his feet on Moreira's thighs here. He's pushed Moreira off and worked for a very quick armbar from the bottom! He's flipped onto his stomach and he's cranking hard on the arm! Moreira screams in pain and taps out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:37 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Pekka Niska!