PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Akira Mahalo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jeffrey Ferrer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Mahalo
vs
Ferrer

175 cm
22
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

191 cm
24
154 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 Hilo, Akira Mahalo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Jeffrey Ferrer!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fray, Chris Saunders and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mahalo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Jeffrey Ferrer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mahalo slaps away a takedown attempt from Ferrer, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Ferrer fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Ferrer tries to clinch but Mahalo moves out of range.
No luck for Ferrer with that takedown attempt.
Akira Mahalo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jeffrey Ferrer.
Mahalo has a takedown stuffed.
Ferrer is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Ferrer keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ferrer defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Mahalo.
Ferrer shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Mahalo as he avoids it easily.
Mahalo appears to be looking for a big counter.
Mahalo tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Ferrer defends well and Mahalo ends up having to push Ferrer into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Ferrer tries to clinch there but Mahalo circles away.
Mahalo went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Mahalo fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferrer fails with the takedown.
Ferrer tries for a takedown but Mahalo sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Mahalo looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Ferrer looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Ferrer stuffs the takedown.

Ferrer rushes Mahalo and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Mahalo manages to pull guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Ferrer's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Ferrer landing with the ground and pound.
Ferrer works over Mahalo with some ground and pound from guard.
Ferrer trying to control the position from guard on top but Mahalo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mahalo might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mahalo is trying to control the position but Ferrer postures up.
Mahalo knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Ferrer on the ground.
Ferrer in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Ferrer decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Mahalo, up you get!

Mahalo closes the distance and clinches.
Ferrer can't break the clinch.

Mahalo jumps into guard, dragging Ferrer to the mat.
Ferrer has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Ferrer keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Mahalo's head.
Ferrer wants to control from the top but Mahalo keeps moving.
Ferrer with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Mahalo looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mahalo controls Ferrer momentarily but Ferrer frees himself.
Ferrer stands up over Mahalo, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Mahalo tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Ferrer working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Mahalo's head.
Mahalo avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Mahalo keeping moving, preventing Ferrer from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Ferrer decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Mahalo shoots in and drives through. Ferrer sprawls well.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Mahalo is defended easily by Ferrer.
Mahalo is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ferrer scores with a head kick. Mahalo tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Mahalo fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Ferrer keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Mahalo shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Ferrer's guard.

Ferrer has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Mahalo off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
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!
Mahalo defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ferrer.
Mahalo tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Ferrer manages to circle out of the way.
Mahalo goes for a double leg but Ferrer avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Ferrer continues to drive forward.

Ferrer drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeffrey Ferrer dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Ferrer fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Mahalo lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Ferrer goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Ferrer dives in for a single leg takedown but Mahalo sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Ferrer has a takedown stuffed.
Akira Mahalo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jeffrey Ferrer.

Mahalo moves into the clinch successfully.
Mahalo changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ferrer fights it off and pushes away nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mahalo moves into range and clinches up with Ferrer.
Ferrer has Mahalo pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Mahalo manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mahalo has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Ferrer is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Mahalo manages to break the clinch.
Nice sprawl there from Ferrer as Mahalo shoots in.

Ferrer clinches with his opponent.
Mahalo looking for a takedown.
Ferrer trying to stall but Mahalo improves his position.
Mahalo is pressed up against the cage. Ferrer has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Mahalo down to the mat. Mahalo avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Horrible takedown attempt by Ferrer or perhaps it was just good defense by Mahalo, which made it look bad.
Ferrer is breathing heavily.
Ferrer misses with a takedown

and Mahalo holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Mahalo breaks the clinch.

Mahalo rushes Ferrer and presses him up against the cage.

Mahalo pulls guard effortlessly.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ferrer throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mahalo works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Mahalo is working an open guard so Ferrer takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Mahalo has managed to clinch.
Ferrer can't find room to land a body shot as Mahalo controls the action.
Ferrer is trying to break free.
Mahalo avoiding damage.
Mahalo leaning his opponent against the cage.
Mahalo gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.

Mahalo breaks from the clinch.

Mahalo clinches up with Ferrer and pushes him back against the cage.
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!

Mahalo ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Mahalo no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ferrer drops back looking for a leg! Mahalo is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Mahalo manages to kick Ferrer off! Ferrer jumps back into Mahalo's guard.
Ferrer wants to control from the top but Mahalo keeps moving.
Ferrer content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Mahalo has his feet on Ferrer's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

Mahalo closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Mahalo manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Ferrer lands a couple of digs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ferrer wants to control from the top but Mahalo keeps moving.

Mahalo looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Ferrer throws a big elbow that misses.

Mahalo is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ferrer defends well.

Ferrer stands and steps away. Mahalo gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Akira Mahalo dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Ferrer doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Mahalo counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Mahalo.
Mahalo is trying to drag Ferrer to the mat but Ferrer just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Ferrer drops down looking for an ankle pick but Mahalo pulls his leg out and moves away.
Ferrer keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Ferrer unleashes a big counter combination but Mahalo bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Ferrer fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ferrer shoots in and drives through. Mahalo sprawls well.
Akira Mahalo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jeffrey Ferrer.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mahalo throws a nice looking combination but Ferrer bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Mahalo shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ferrer as he avoids it easily.
Mahalo displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ferrer.
Mahalo went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Mahalo. No joy for Ferrer on that attempt.
Ferrer doesn't manage to clinch there - Mahalo circles away.
Ferrer dives in and grabs Mahalo's left leg, looking for a takedown. Mahalo pushes down on Ferrer's head and hops out.
Mahalo tests Ferrer's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Mahalo fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Ferrer avoids it really well and circles away.
Ferrer shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Mahalo as he jumps to the side.
Mahalo fails to land the takedown.
Ferrer misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mahalo has a takedown stuffed.
Nice body kick there by Ferrer.

Mahalo closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Mahalo trying to control from half guard but Ferrer is working away.
Ferrer is trying to control but can't.

Mahalo is working for a submission of some sort.
Akira Mahalo overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Ferrer makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferrer fails with an attempt to clinch.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Mahalo.
Ferrer doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Mahalo counters with a left to the body.
Ferrer shoots in for a takedown but Mahalo shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Mahalo.
Ferrer leaves Mahalo with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ferrer closes the distance and clinches up with Mahalo, looking for a takedown. Ferrer pushes Mahalo against the cage but Mahalo circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Mahalo pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Mahalo has closed the distance and engaged Ferrer in a clinch.
Ferrer is trying to break the clinch but Mahalo has him pressed against the cage.

Mahalo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Mahalo goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Mahalo shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ferrer as he jumps to the side.
Mahalo displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ferrer.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ferrer shoots in and drives through. Mahalo sprawls well.
Mahalo fails to land the takedown.

And that's the end of the fight!
Akira Mahalo showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Mahalo has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Akira Mahalo!