PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Karlo Kasap (ranked 4418 p4p, 4429 weight class) and Alvaro Ibanez (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.

Kasap
vs
Ibanez

166 cm
19
138
0 - 0 - 0

168 cm
19
143
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Good chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Karlo Kasap!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Alvaro Ibanez!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Daniel Cesar and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Some wild striking there from Ibanez.
Karlo Kasap seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kasap shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Ibanez counters with a series of strikes. Kasap will be more careful next time no doubt.

Kasap shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Ibanez manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Ibanez looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Kasap passes into half guard.
Kasap winds up and cracks Ibanez with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Kasap drops an elbow to the side of Ibanez's head.
Kasap blocks the strikes from Ibanez.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Ibanez can do anything to dispel that myth.
Ibanez wants to get back to full guard.
Ibanez has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kasap is working away from the top position though.
Kasap content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Kasap's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ibanez trying to control here.
Ibanez wants to get back to his feet.
Still in half guard, Kasap seems content to control.
Kasap wants to control but Ibanez is keeping him busy.
Kasap is nestled in close to Ibanez, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Kasap slips a nice elbow through Ibanez's hands, connecting with Ibanez's forehead.
Ibanez wants to control but Kasap is keeping busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kasap looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Ibanez with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Kasap performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Kasap prevents Ibanez from improving his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kasap scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Ibanez tries to roll over but Kasap keeps him under control.

Ibanez looking for submissions off his back.
Kasap lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Ibanez is rocked!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kasap is sitting in half guard. He's postured up and lands a nice elbow. Oh, Ibanez is hurt! He's hurt bad - Kasap fires away with more strikes and the referee jumps in to save Ibanez from any more punishment! Congratulations to Kasap! Great finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:29 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Karlo Kasap!
Karlo Kasap seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.