PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Habil Bictashev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thefy Rabago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Bictashev
vs
Rabago

173 cm
19
165 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

180 cm
18
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Inexperienced

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 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Habil Bictashev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Thefy Rabago!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Michael Johnstone and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bictashev looks to land a body kick but Rabago moved away.
Bictashev fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Rabago looks to clinch

and Bictashev holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Rabago trying to stall but Bictashev improves his position.
Rabago tries to work over Bictashev's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Rabago stalling against the cage.
Rabago continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.

Bictashev ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Bictashev no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Bictashev is trying to keep Rabago in close.
Bictashev on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Bictashev tries to get out of the position.
Rabago is looking to stand up but Bictashev won't let him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bictashev is looking for a triangle but Rabago pushes his legs off easily.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Bictashev is on top in guard.

Bictashev decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Rabago tries to clinch but Bictashev moves away

and Bictashev counters by clinching up.
Rabago is looking to control Bictashev's arms but Bictashev gets an underhook and turns him. Now Rabago has his back to the cage.
Bictashev blocks a body shot from Rabago.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Rabago pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

Bictashev manages to break the clinch.
Bictashev circles away from the clinch attempt

and Bictashev counters with a nice double leg into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Bictashev prevents Rabago from getting back to his feet.
Bictashev looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rabago looks winded!

Bictashev drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Bictashev jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Bictashev controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Rabago really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Bictashev. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Bictashev sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Rabago's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bictashev with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Bictashev looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Habil Bictashev wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Rabago moves to clinch but Bictashev breaks away
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.

Bictashev darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Bictashev stands up and beckons Rabago to join him on the feet.

Bictashev darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Bictashev wants to work for an arm triangle but Rabago is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Bictashev stands up out of the half guard.

Bictashev gets a takedown into half guard.
Bictashev drops an elbow to the side of Rabago's head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bictashev not doing much here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Habil Bictashev dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Bictashev moves into the clinch successfully.
Rabago controlling the action here for a moment.
Bictashev goes for a takedown attempt but Rabago pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Rabago moves to clinch but Bictashev breaks away

and Bictashev counters by moving into the clinch.

Bictashev works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Bictashev wants to control from the top but Rabago keeps moving.
Bictashev prevents Rabago from getting back to his feet.
Bictashev passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Bictashev happy to just control the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rabago is breathing heavily.
Rabago is trying to get back to his feet.

Bictashev stands up and beckons Rabago to his feet.
Rabago wants to clinch
and Bictashev connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Bictashev gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Rabago is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Bictashev is keeping busy.

Bictashev has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Rabago clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Rabago is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Bictashev.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Bictashev is working the back position looking for the choke. Oh, he's slid into an armbar! Beautiful transition and Rabago taps out! Fantastic Jiu Jitsu from Bictashev.

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