PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Rafael Palhares (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Congo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Palhares
vs
Congo

164 cm
25
143 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

160 cm
19
135 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Rafael Palhares!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Joe Congo!
The judges for this bout are David Hoff, Winston Alpacca and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Congo throws a hook to the side of Palhares's head but Palhares sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Palhares manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Congo on his heels. He'll look to pass Congo's guard now, I'm sure.
Palhares trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Palhares trying to control the position from guard on top but Congo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Palhares forces his way into half guard.
Congo is refusing to be controlled, as Palhares sits in half guard.
Palhares definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Palhares is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Congo sees it coming and defends easily.
Palhares tries to pass the half guard into mount. Congo knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Congo trying to control from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Palhares trying to mount his opponent but Congo defends it.
Congo is looking to escape.
Congo is not content to let Palhares control the position.

Palhares is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Congo defends it well.
Palhares is looking to take a break and control but Congo is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Palhares is looking to advance position but Congo won't allow it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Palhares is looking for a kimura here.
Congo looks like he's trying to stand up.

Palhares is working for a kimura but Congo is defending it quite comfortably.

Congo looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Palhares perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Palhares trying to control from half guard but Congo is working away.
Palhares prevents Congo from standing back up.
Palhares trying to control from half guard but Congo is working away.

Palhares 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.
Palhares stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palhares wants to lay and pray for a moment but Congo keeps working.
Palhares passes the guard and advances to mount!
Palhares tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Palhares with some aggressive grappling here, looking for the finish.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Palhares fails with the takedown
and Congo counters with a one-two to the body.
Palhares with a lazy takedown attempt
and Congo counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Palhares thinking.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Palhares checks a leg kick.
Palhares dives in and grabs Congo's left leg, looking for a takedown. Congo pushes down on Palhares's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rafael Palhares. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Congo pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Palhares fails with the takedown
and Congo counters with a left and a right that stings Palhares.
Congo throws a right and a left that both miss.
A head kick misses from Congo.
Palhares wants to clinch up but Congo keeps it at a distance.
Congo avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Congo misses with a few strikes there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Congo lands with a kick to the temple. Palhares shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
We've been informed that Congo has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Congo throws a low kick, looking for Palhares's leg but Palhares calmly moves out of range.

Palhares darts in and clinches Congo up against the cage.
Congo wants to break free but Palhares has control.
Congo throws a punch but it's blocked by Palhares.
Congo tries to stall but Palhares uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Palhares successfully pulls guard.

Palhares is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Congo is aware though and is defending well.
Congo must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Palhares looking to try and escape his hips here, looking for a submission. It looks like he's going for a triangle but Congo is defending well. Palhares quickly switches to an armbar and extends the arm! Congo has no choice but to tap, to a very quick submission! Wow, that was lightning fast! Palhares celebrates on the cage, with the crowd.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Rafael Palhares!