PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tafa Misapati (ranked 4269 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arslan Clegg (ranked 3017 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Misapati
vs
Clegg

180 cm
25
275 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

180 cm
25
273 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Tafa Misapati!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Arslan Clegg!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, Michael Johnstone and David Hoff.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Clegg throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Misapati was covering up waiting for the punch and Clegg finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Clegg lands a couple of elbows.
Clegg prevents Misapati from getting back to his feet.
Clegg has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Clegg throwing strikes from guard but Misapati blocks nicely.
Misapati is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Misapati knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Clegg on the ground.
Clegg lands a couple of digs.
Clegg should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Clegg is working Misapati over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Misapati keeping moving, preventing Clegg from controlling successfully.

Misapati is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Clegg presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Clegg stalling the fight.
Misapati misses with a punch on the inside.
Stalling in the clinch from Clegg.
Misapati has had enough of the clinch but Clegg keeps him there for the moment.
Clegg blocking some punches.
Misapati wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Clegg has him pressed against the cage.
Clegg can't get the takedown.
Clegg tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Misapati smiles and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Misapati throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Clegg takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Clegg will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Misapati is looking to counter punch.
Misapati misses with a looping right.
A swing and a miss from Misapati.
Clegg takes one to the chin there.
Misapati connects with a right hand. Clegg shakes it off.
Clegg's coach down at Island Safe Space was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Clegg's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Misapati throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

Clegg closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Misapati is trying to stand up here but Clegg is controlling him well.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Clegg connects with a nice short shot to Misapati's temple.
Misapati is trying to stand.
Misapati keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Clegg is working for a kimura but Misapati is defending it quite comfortably.
Misapati wants to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Clegg not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Clegg is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Clegg is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Misapati defends it well.
Clegg stops Misapati from getting back to his feet.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Clegg has eaten all the pies!
Clegg is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

Clegg is looking for a kimura here.

Clegg 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.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Misapati wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Clegg seems to be looking for submissions.
Clegg seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Misapati is staying active underneath Clegg, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Clegg seems to be looking for submissions.

Clegg is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Misapati tries to kick Clegg off but Clegg keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Clegg wants to take a breather but Misapati is having none of it.

Clegg seems to be looking for submissions.

Clegg is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Misapati has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Clegg is keen to just control but Misapati is a slippery customer.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Misapati won't allow Clegg to pass to mount.
Clegg thows a huge punch but Misapati dodges it nicely.

Clegg maintaining the dominant position here and is working for a kimura. He's locked it up! Misapati could be in real trouble here! He's trying to wriggle out but Clegg has cracked it and Misapati is screaming in pain - he's tapped out! Great finish by Clegg!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:35 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Arslan Clegg!