PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Nisse Metaxa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Enrico Ciccone (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Metaxa's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Skillet-Hero. The key to victory for Nisse Metaxa has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Metaxa
vs
Ciccone

165 cm
26
145 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

176 cm
27
157 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
KO power

Excellent grappler
Basic striking
Solid chin

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 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Nisse Metaxa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Enrico Ciccone!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Colin Fotheringham and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Metaxa stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Metaxa wants it to stay on the feet.
Metaxa misses the jab.
Ciccone dives in for a single leg takedown but Metaxa sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Ciccone tries to score a body lock takedown but Metaxa shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Nisse Metaxa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Enrico Ciccone.
Ciccone avoids the elbow strike from Metaxa, against the cage.
Ciccone is trying to drag Metaxa to the mat but Metaxa just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Ciccone pulls Metaxa into guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Ciccone wants to hit a switch here but Metaxa passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Ciccone there!
Ciccone is wriggling around trying to escape.
Metaxa controlling the position easily from mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Metaxa is trying to stand up but he's being controlled by his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ciccone sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Ciccone makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Ciccone.

Ciccone working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Metaxa doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Metaxa manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Metaxa might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Ciccone being controlled here, momentarily.
Metaxa would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Metaxa avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ciccone looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Ciccone working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Metaxa has passed into half guard!
Ciccone is trying to maintain the position but Metaxa is very close to passing his half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Metaxa seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Ciccone tries to get to full guard but Metaxa has control of the leg.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Ciccone is staying active underneath Metaxa, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Ciccone looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Metaxa takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Metaxa is looking to advance position but Ciccone won't allow it.
Metaxa prevents Ciccone from improving his position.

Ciccone is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Metaxa pulls his head out easily.
Metaxa tries to stand but can't do so whilst Ciccone controls his leg.
Ciccone is looking to control Metaxa's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Ciccone avoid being mounted?

Ciccone is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Metaxa pulls his head out easily.
Ciccone is looking to control Metaxa's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Ciccone avoid being mounted?
Metaxa tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Metaxa slows the pace down in half guard.

Ciccone looking for subs from the bottom but Metaxa mounts him!

Metaxa is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Metaxa throws a jab when Ciccone was well out of range.
Metaxa missing with a left hand there. Ciccone was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Metaxa throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ciccone sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Ciccone defending well as Metaxa loads up on a big left hand.
Ciccone fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ciccone throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Metaxa's waist but Metaxa gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Ciccone off to one side.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ciccone avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Ciccone darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Metaxa is trying to stand back up but Ciccone is controlling him
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Enrico Ciccone will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Horrible takedown by Ciccone or perhaps it was just good defense by Metaxa which made him look bad.
Metaxa throws the left hand but Ciccone avoids the punch easily.
Metaxa displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ciccone.
Ciccone shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Metaxa pinned against the cage. Metaxa gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
We've been told by Metaxa's head coaches at Allstars MMA that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Nisse Metaxa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Enrico Ciccone.
Metaxa misses with a straight right.
A big right from Metaxa misses.
Metaxa swings widly with a right hand

and Ciccone counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Metaxa!
Ciccone throws an elbow but Metaxa slips to the side and avoids it well.
Metaxa tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Ciccone is trying to get an arm triangle but Metaxa is defending well.
Ciccone has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Metaxa!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ciccone throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Metaxa because Ciccone loaded up on that one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ciccone looking to finish with strikes here!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Metaxa taking shots to the head.
Ciccone throws some wild stikes that Metaxa manages to avoid easily.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Ciccone cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Ciccone dominating with strikes here.
Metaxa really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Metaxa in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Ciccone scores with a couple of good head shots there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Metaxa tries to hold on but Ciccone postures up.
Ciccone scores with a couple of good head shots there.

Metaxa is rocked!
Metaxa bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

Ciccone working for a triangle but Metaxa defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ciccone trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

Ciccone is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Metaxa is aware though and is defending well.
Metaxa has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Ciccone is proving hard to escape from.
Ciccone keeping moving, preventing Metaxa from controlling successfully.
Metaxa wants to get up but he can't break Ciccone's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Ciccone looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Metaxa wanted to stand there but Ciccone had control of the position.

Ciccone is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Ciccone escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Metaxa gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Ciccone keeping moving, preventing Metaxa from controlling successfully.
Metaxa trying to stand up but can't free himself from Ciccone's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Metaxa got a little sloppy there for a moment and Ciccone has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Metaxa has managed to get both his arms back between Ciccone's legs - danger averted.
Ciccone not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Metaxa has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Ciccone is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Metaxa rolls with it to try and escape but Ciccone cranks on the arm and Metaxa is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:47 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Enrico Ciccone!