PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Joe Rafinan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lou Decker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Rafinan
vs
Decker

170 cm
22
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

176 cm
22
143 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight 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, Joe Rafinan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Lou Decker!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Alexandre Firmino and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rafinan closes this distance looking for a takedown but Decker circles away.
Rafinan avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Decker shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Rafinan napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Rafinan is trying to improve his position.
Rafinan can't do much from the bottom here.
Rafinan is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Decker is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

Decker wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Rafinan, who protects the arm well.

Decker decides to stand back up.
Decker throws a sloppy head kick and Rafinan moves out of range easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rafinan tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Decker manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Rafinan wants to clinch up but Decker keeps it at a distance.
Rafinan wants to clinch.

Rafinan gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Decker to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Rafinan wants to sweep here but Decker controlling him for the moment.
Rafinan not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Rafinan is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Decker trying to control but Rafinan is working from the bottom.
Rafinan is looking to stand up but Decker isn't so interested in that idea.
Decker sitting in guard, not really doing much.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Lou Decker.

Decker closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Rafinan is breathing heavily.
Decker works his way into full mount!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Decker is giving the impression that he's looking to ground and pound but he switches suddenly into a beautiful far side armbar! Rafinan is forced to tap! Great finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Lou Decker!