PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Xavier Moreno (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rod Wallis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Moreno
vs
Wallis

180 cm
18
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

177 cm
19
192 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Xavier Moreno!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rod Wallis!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Moreno shoots in looking for a takedown. Wallis tries to sprawl out of it but Moreno keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Wallis manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Wallis drives through with a takedown into guard.
Wallis wants to control from the top but Moreno keeps moving.
Wallis preventing the sweep.

Wallis is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Moreno wants to sweep here but Wallis controlling him for the moment.
Wallis lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Wallis trying to control but Moreno is working from the bottom.
Wallis must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Wallis stands up over Moreno, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Moreno working a defensive guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wallis is stalling in the full guard.
Moreno trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

Wallis drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Moreno dives on top into guard.
Wallis striking off his back but it's not causing Moreno any problems.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Wallis tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Moreno trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Wallis working for a triangle but Moreno defends it easily.
Wallis looks gassed!
Moreno trying to control but Wallis is working from the bottom.
Moreno postures up in Wallis's guard and throws a big left but Wallis blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Moreno trying to control but Wallis is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Moreno doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Wallis counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Moreno is wriggling around but Wallis manages to pass to half guard.

Wallis is trying to work for a kimura but Moreno is defending well.
The fighters are battling for position here. Moreno manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Wallis slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Wallis tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Wallis has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Moreno can't do much from the bottom here.
Wallis cracks Moreno with a big right hand but Moreno just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Moreno takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

Moreno is rocked!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wallis landing strikes.
Oh Moreno is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Wallis moves into full mount!
Wallis is landing with some decent strikes but Moreno is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.

Wallis with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
The referee warns Moreno that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Wallis lands with some strikes.
Moreno is looking to improve his position but Wallis isn't that keen on the idea.
Moreno tries to hold on but Wallis postures up.
Wallis lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Moreno hang on?

It looks like Xavier Moreno has been cut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Moreno wants to control but Wallis is having none of it.
Wallis landing strikes, looking to finish!
Wallis working the ground and pound effectively.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wallis scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Wallis with shots to the head and body - Moreno looks very uncomfortable down there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wallis prevents Moreno from getting the reversal.
Wallis landing strikes, looking to finish!
Wallis lands a nice shot to the head.
Moreno keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Wallis controlling from mount.
Wallis is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Moreno can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

Wallis working from mount. He moves in close and looks like he might be going for an arm triangle... He's hopped off to the side and he's transitioned into an Anaconda choke. Moreno turning a nasty shade of purple. He's refusing to tap but he's gone! He's out! The ref rips Wallis off and cradles Moreno's limp body as Wallis celebrates with his corner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Anaconda Choke). Rod Wallis!