PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jericho Datu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andrae Armstrong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Armstrong has chosen O Let's Do It as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Datu
vs
Armstrong

173 cm
21
150 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

185 cm
18
145 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Tends to cut

Win Nutritional - proof of quality

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jericho Datu!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Andrae Armstrong!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Datu misses with a low kick.

Datu rushes Armstrong and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Datu is trying to force a seperation but Armstrong has the dominant position.
Datu wants a takedown but no success here.
Datu on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Datu goes for a takedown attempt but Armstrong pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Armstrong tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Datu counters with a nice double leg into side control. Armstrong won't be happy with that.
Armstrong is trying to improve his position.
Armstrong wants to get back to his feet.
Datu working away.
Armstrong is looking to reverse the position.
Datu trying to control the action but Armstrong is working from the bottom.
Datu creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Armstrong sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Datu tries for a kimura but Armstrong is defending well.
Armstrong is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Datu tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Armstrong is able to avoid easily.
Armstrong tries to clinch up

and Datu counters with a single leg into guard. Armstrong didn't expect that.
Datu working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Armstrong not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Datu with a flurry of punches that miss.
Armstrong is looking to stand up but Datu isn't so interested in that idea.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Datu thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Armstrong wants to get back to his feet but Datu passes into half guard.
Armstrong is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Armstrong is trying to stand up here but Datu is controlling him well.
Datu thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
The fight stays on the outside here - Datu looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Armstrong keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Datu misses with the combination.
Datu lands with a thumping leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Armstrong tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Datu counters with a good low kick that Armstrong was not able to check.
Jericho Datu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Armstrong looks gassed!

Datu moves into the clinch successfully.
Armstrong prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jericho Datu. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Datu can't get the takedown.
Armstrong with a knee to the head.
Armstrong looking for a takedown.
Datu looking for a takedown.
Armstrong is trying to drag Datu to the mat but Datu just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Datu has clasped his hands together around Armstrong's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Datu working the ground and pound.
Datu lands a decent elbow from side control.
Armstrong really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Datu. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Armstrong tries to bench press Datu off him but Datu keeps the position.
Datu happy to just control the position for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Armstrong wants to get back to his feet but Datu drags him back down.
Armstrong is letting Datu control him for a moment.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Datu is in a dominant position here, looking for a kimura. Armstrong looks calm but he's in trouble here. Datu gets his leg over his opponent's head and yanks on the arm. Armstrong is tapping like a morse code operator on the titanic! SOS! SOS! Datu lets go of the hold and Armstrong can pop his arm back in it's socket.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Jericho Datu!
Jericho Datu retains his featherweight title!