PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Pono Reyes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rocco Marchegiano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Reyes
vs
Marchegiano

190 cm
21
198 lbs
5 - 2 - 1

182 cm
24
192 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite 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 5 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Pono Reyes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Rocco Marchegiano!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Reyes throws a right hand that Marchegiano ducks under and follows up with a left that Marchegiano also avoids with ease.
Marchegiano bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Reyes's head.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Reyes.
Marchegiano misses the shot to the body.
Reyes changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Marchegiano tries to avoid it but Reyes manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Marchegiano to the ground. Marchegiano escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Reyes tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Marchegiano was well out of range. Poor timing from Reyes.
Marchegiano defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Reyes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pono Reyes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A head kick misses from Reyes.
Reyes fails with the takedown.
Reyes shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Marchegiano counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marchegiano throws a body punch but Reyes moves out of range.
Reyes avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rocco Marchegiano is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Marchegiano scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Reyes shoots in but Marchegiano avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Reyes looks for a takedown but Marchegiano sprawls well.
Reyes throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Marchegiano's waist but Marchegiano gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Reyes off to one side.
Reyes on the wrong end of a nice hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marchegiano waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Reyes.
Marchegiano throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Reyes.
Rocco Marchegiano seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice sprawl there from Marchegiano as Reyes shoots in.
Reyes misses with a takedown attempt - Marchegiano sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Reyes keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Reyes fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Reyes clinches up with Marchegiano and pushes him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marchegiano presses Reyes against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Reyes pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Reyes tries to pull guard but Marchegiano won't allow it.
Marchegiano prevents Reyes from breaking the clinch.
Reyes is breathing heavily.
Reyes is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Marchegiano swings wildly with an uppercut but Reyes uses good head movement to avoid it.
Marchegiano struggles to land a body shot inside as Reyes controls his hands.
Marchegiano lands an uppercut.
Marchegiano softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Reyes breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Reyes fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Marchegiano avoids it really well and circles away.
Reyes tries for a takedown but Marchegiano sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reyes closes this distance looking for a takedown but Marchegiano circles away.
Marchegiano scores with a jab to the body.
Reyes has a takedown stuffed.
Good standup being displayed there by Marchegiano as he connects with a hook.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Reyes on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Marchegiano darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Reyes is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Marchegiano.
Reyes shoots in but no luck this time.
Reyes takes one on the chin but seems OK.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rocco Marchegiano dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Marchegiano connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Marchegiano connects with the punch.
Marchegiano lands with a straight right. Reyes didn't see that one coming.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Reyes is defended easily by Marchegiano.
Reyes shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Marchegiano as he jumps to the side.
Marchegiano throws a right hand that Reyes ducks under and follows up with a left that Reyes also avoids with ease.
No luck for Reyes with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pono Reyes. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reyes shoots for a takedown but Marchegiano saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A swing and a miss from Marchegiano.
Reyes shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Marchegiano sprawls well. Marchegiano wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Reyes gets slowly back to his feet.
Reyes takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Reyes looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Marchegiano!
Reyes wants to take Marchegiano's back here but Marchegiano is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marchegiano wants to try and get back to his feet.
Marchegiano working to try and regain half guard.
Reyes fails to advance to Marchegiano's back.

Reyes is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Reyes ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Marchegiano misses with a lunging right hand

and Reyes counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Marchegiano!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Marchegiano has given up his back here. Will Reyes look for the submission or keep pounding away?
Marchegiano really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Reyes. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Reyes sinks in the hooks and is looking for the choke. He's got it! Marchegiano taps out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:04 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Pono Reyes!