PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Mark Corrigan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Neculai Costel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Corrigan comes into the arena with Teardrop blaring out of the sound system. Costel comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Ain't No Sunshine kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Mark Corrigan has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Corrigan
vs
Costel

180 cm
27
147 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

165 cm
20
140 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Basic striking
Very quick

Powerful takedowns
Good kicks
Good gas tank

GREEN!160
Arcticus University: London

KAISER
Sun-Tzu

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mark Corrigan!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Neculai Costel!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Chris Downing and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Corrigan with a lazy takedown attempt

and Costel counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Costel.
Corrigan looking to control.
Costel trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Corrigan has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Corrigan is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Costel wants to control from the top but Corrigan keeps moving.
Costel looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Costel postures up.
Costel stands and throws Corrigan's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Costel staying calm.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Corrigan is looking to regain half guard here but Costel keeps moving and retains side control.

Costel is trying to get an arm triangle but Corrigan is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Costel thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Costel wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Corrigan, who protects the arm well.
Corrigan wants to control but Costel postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Corrigan is trying to improve his position.

Costel is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Corrigan has escaped the position, nice work there.
Corrigan is trying to control Costel's posture but Costel avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Costel tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Costel has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Corrigan tries to bench press Costel off him but Costel keeps the position.
Costel has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Corrigan is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Corrigan is desperately trying to improve his position but Costel has a good base and remains in mount.

Costel wants to finish this one by submission but Corrigan is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Costel.
Corrigan regains half guard.
Costel wants to lay and pray for a moment but Corrigan keeps working.
Costel passes the guard and advances to mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Costel wants to control the pace but Corrigan is squirming around nicely.
Corrigan is trying desperately to improve position.

Costel is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Corrigan has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Corrigan!
Corrigan advances position into side control!
Corrigan working away.
Costel is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Corrigan is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Corrigan tries to control but Costel wriggling away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Costel is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Costel is just holding on here. Corrigan manages to take his back.

Costel preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Corrigan.
Corrigan is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.

Corrigan has the rear naked choke here! This is very bad for Costel! Can he survive? No! He's out! Corrigan gets to his feet and celebrates with his cornermen. He looks absolutely delighted. In the post fight interviews he takes time to thank his parents and everyone who has believed in him from the start. How sweet.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:54 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Mark Corrigan!
Mark Corrigan is the new bantamweight champion!
Mark Corrigan took to the mic in his post fight interview and said 'Costel.. You are a boring ass fighter, I made you my Wife out there tonight. Altair The Assassin, you are a BITCH... I'd like to dedicate this win to my teammate Ferris Bueller and my Flatmate Jez.'.