PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Paolo Castrogiovanni (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Beast Rabban (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Castrogiovanni comes to the cage accompanied by Dean Martin - That's Amore. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Beast Rabban was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Castrogiovanni
vs
Rabban

168 cm
21
150 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

175 cm
19
135 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Determined

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 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Paolo Castrogiovanni!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Beast Rabban!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Aafke Stam and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rabban changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Castrogiovanni tries to avoid it but Rabban manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Castrogiovanni to the ground. Castrogiovanni escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Castrogiovanni blocks a head kick by Rabban.
Castrogiovanni throws a lazy right hand but Rabban sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Rabban shoots and misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Rabban is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Rabban shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Rabban stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Castrogiovanni swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Castrogiovanni looking to control.
Castrogiovanni keeping full guard, as Rabban tries to pass.
Rabban is looking to work some ground and pound but Castrogiovanni has wrist control.
Rabban is looking to work some ground and pound but Castrogiovanni has wrist control.

Castrogiovanni looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Rabban in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rabban throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Rabban drops back looking for a leg! Castrogiovanni is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Castrogiovanni manages to kick Rabban off! Rabban jumps back into Castrogiovanni's guard.
Castrogiovanni looking to control.
Rabban working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Castrogiovanni is trying to control the position but Rabban postures up.
Rabban has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Paolo Castrogiovanni has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Castrogiovanni scores with a jab to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Castrogiovanni misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Castrogiovanni scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A head kick misses from Castrogiovanni.
Castrogiovanni leaves Rabban with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Paolo Castrogiovanni has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Beast Rabban.
Rabban takes a swing at Castrogiovanni's ribcage but misses.

Castrogiovanni gets caught flat footed, as Rabban shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Rabban stands and throws Castrogiovanni's legs to the side, diving into side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Rabban is trying to get an arm triangle but Castrogiovanni is defending well.

Rabban is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Castrogiovanni knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Castrogiovanni manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Castrogiovanni wants to control but Rabban is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Rabban seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Castrogiovanni does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Castrogiovanni is trying to stand back up but Rabban is controlling him
Rabban is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Rabban looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Rabban thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Castrogiovanni's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Castrogiovanni keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Castrogiovanni is not content to let Rabban control the position.
Rabban throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Castrogiovanni to regain full guard.
Castrogiovanni not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Castrogiovanni is pulling down on Rabban's head. It's preventing any offense from Rabban, at least for the moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rabban in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Beast Rabban dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Castrogiovanni throws a sloppy head kick and Rabban moves out of range easily.
Rabban fails to land the takedown.
Rabban throws a body kick that misses.
Rabban dodges the punch combination from Castrogiovanni.
Rabban stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Castrogiovanni.
Castrogiovanni misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Castrogiovanni ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rabban moves away.
Rabban shoots in looking for a takedown but Castrogiovanni manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Rabban's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rabban dives in and grabs Castrogiovanni's left leg, looking for a takedown. Castrogiovanni pushes down on Rabban's head and hops out.
Paolo Castrogiovanni has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Beast Rabban.
Castrogiovanni misses with a head kick.
Rabban blocks a head kick by Castrogiovanni.
Castrogiovanni swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Castrogiovanni throws a head kick but Rabban moves out of range.
Rabban misses with a head kick.
Paolo Castrogiovanni is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rabban avoids the head kick by Castrogiovanni.
Castrogiovanni moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Castrogiovanni misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rabban is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Castrogiovanni's half guard.
Rabban throwing shots but Castrogiovanni is blocking nicely.
Castrogiovanni is looking for a sweep. Rabban is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Rabban throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Castrogiovanni trying to hold on to Rabban's head to control him but Rabban postures up.

Rabban is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Castrogiovanni defends it well.
Rabban is breathing heavily.
Rabban thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rabban winds up and cracks Castrogiovanni with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rabban is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Castrogiovanni has managed to free his arm - good work.
Castrogiovanni is concentrating on defense, preventing Rabban from advancing position.
Rabban missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Rabban not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Rabban thows a huge punch but Castrogiovanni dodges it nicely.
Rabban is pressing down on Castrogiovanni's thigh, looking to free his foot. Castrogiovanni is holding on for now.
Rabban not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Castrogiovanni keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Castrogiovanni trying to control from the bottom.
Rabban is trying to control. Castrogiovanni wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Rabban thows a huge punch but Castrogiovanni dodges it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rabban seems to be looking for submissions.
Rabban throwing shots but Castrogiovanni is blocking nicely.
Castrogiovanni avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Rabban.
Rabban seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Castrogiovanni does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Castrogiovanni has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Rabban is working away from the top position though.
Rabban throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Castrogiovanni to regain full guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rabban trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rabban is looking to work some ground and pound but Castrogiovanni has wrist control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Beast Rabban showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

A head kick misses from Rabban.
Castrogiovanni lands with a kick to the temple. Rabban shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Castrogiovanni.

Rabban closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Castrogiovanni did well to prevent Rabban getting side control.
Rabban blocks the strikes from Castrogiovanni.
Rabban throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Castrogiovanni pushes Rabban off looking to stand but Rabban dives back in and keeps control.
Rabban misses with a head shot. Castrogiovanni uses the momentum to regain guard.
Castrogiovanni wants to stand up but Rabban is controlling him.
Rabban lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castrogiovanni preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Rabban is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Castrogiovanni is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Castrogiovanni has escaped and now he's on top!
Rabban controlling the position.
Rabban takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Castrogiovanni trying to stand up but can't free himself from Rabban's guard.
Castrogiovanni trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rabban throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Rabban is on top in guard.
Castrogiovanni is trying to keep Rabban in close.
Rabban wants to control from the top but Castrogiovanni keeps moving.
Rabban throwing strikes from guard but Castrogiovanni blocks nicely.
Rabban throws an elbow that misses. Castrogiovanni uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Rabban's guard. Nice move by Castrogiovanni!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Rabban is on top in guard.
Castrogiovanni is pulling down on Rabban's head. It's preventing any offense from Rabban, at least for the moment.
Rabban cracks Castrogiovanni with a solid left hand.
Beast Rabban is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Rabban drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Castrogiovanni manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Rabban has Castrogiovanni in his guard.
Rabban not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Castrogiovanni wants to stand and escape but instead Rabban has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Rabban drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Rabban jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Castrogiovanni is trying to keep Rabban in close.
Beast Rabban has got the better of the ground game so far.
Castrogiovanni working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rabban.
Castrogiovanni looking to control.
Rabban looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rabban pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Castrogiovanni is keeping the position for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Beast Rabban comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Rabban winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Beast Rabban!
Our winner, Beast Rabban, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.