PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Habakuk Tibatong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rza Reckta (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tibatong comes to the cage accompanied by In Flames - Cloud Connected. Reckta is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Bring The Pain. The key to victory for Habakuk Tibatong has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Tibatong
vs
Reckta

184 cm
23
205 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

195 cm
22
205 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

MMA's Best Nutrition
Crippler's Corner

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Habakuk Tibatong!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rza Reckta!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, George Francis and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tibatong lands a nice leg kick that just misses Reckta's sensitive parts.
Tibatong shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Reckta as he avoids it easily.
Reckta throws a leg kick
and Tibatong counters with a nice body kick.
Reckta shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Tibatong pinned against the cage. Tibatong gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Reckta tries for a takedown but Tibatong sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Tibatong tries to clinch but Reckta moves out of range.

Tibatong shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Reckta tries to roll over but Tibatong keeps him under control.
Tibatong seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Reckta does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Reckta tries to get to full guard but Tibatong has control of the leg.
Tibatong seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Reckta 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tibatong is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Tibatong working over Reckta with some ground and pound. Reckta looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Reckta tries for a takedown but Tibatong sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Habakuk Tibatong has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rza Reckta.
Tibatong lands a front kick.

Reckta scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Reckta seems to be working for a kimura but Tibatong defends the submission attempt.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Reckta works his foot free and advances to mount.
Reckta avoids the attempt from Tibatong to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Reckta swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Tibatong is now in Reckta's guard. A big mistake from Reckta there, giving up the dominant position!

Tibatong avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Reckta looks gassed!
Tibatong wants to control from the top but Reckta keeps moving.
Reckta looking for a sweep. Not yet Reckta, not yet.
Reckta keeping moving, preventing Tibatong from controlling successfully.
Reckta is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Reckta passes the guard and advances to mount!

Reckta jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Tibatong is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Tibatong and Reckta has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tibatong tries to buck Reckta off but Reckta is having none of it.
Reckta has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Tibatong!
Reckta forces the positional change into back control.
Tibatong might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Reckta has the rear naked choke here! This is very bad for Tibatong! Can he survive? No! He's out! Reckta gets to his feet and celebrates with his cornermen. He looks absolutely delighted. In the post fight interviews he takes time to thank his parents and everyone who has believed in him from the start. How sweet.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:50 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Rza Reckta!