PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Thiago Alvarez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dan Pilot (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Alvarez
vs
Pilot

225 cm
22
300 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

225 cm
22
300 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Great elbows
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thiago Alvarez!
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, Dan Pilot!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Mauricio Rocha and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Alvarez closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Alvarez is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Pilot knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Alvarez thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Pilot struggling a bit here.

Alvarez is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Pilot is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Pilot takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

Alvarez working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Alvarez is breathing heavily.
Pilot tries to bench press Alvarez off him but Alvarez keeps the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pilot is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Alvarez is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Pilot will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Pilot tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Alvarez advances to mount.
Pilot trying desperately to get to his feet.
Alvarez lands a big shot there that rocks Pilot but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

Alvarez has hold of Pilot's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Pilot manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Alvarez tries to control but Pilot wriggling away.
Alvarez avoids the attempt from Pilot to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pilot might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Alvarez kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Pilot is looking to improve his position but Alvarez isn't that keen on the idea.
Pilot tries to hold on but Alvarez pushes him away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The referee warns Pilot that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Alvarez controlling the position easily from mount.
Pilot is squirming around, avoiding Alvarez's attempts to control the action.
Alvarez prevents Pilot from getting the reversal.

Alvarez with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Pilot tries to hold on but Alvarez pushes him away.
Pilot is desperately trying to improve his position but Alvarez has a good base and remains in mount.
Alvarez controlling the pace for now.
Pilot is trying to escape the mount but Alvarez keeps good control and instead manages to take Pilot's back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez is looking to finish with some ground and pound!
Pilot really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Alvarez. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Alvarez has both hooks in and is working for a choke. Pilot is in real trouble here. Alvarez gets an arm under the chin and tightens the submission attempt... is this the end? Yes, Pilot is tapping out! Alvarez wins by rear naked choke!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:31 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Thiago Alvarez!