PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Apolinario Mabini (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rico Olivarez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mabini comes to the cage accompanied by BODIES!!!. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Mabini
vs
Olivarez

165 cm
26
164 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

172 cm
27
155 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Very quick

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Apolinario Mabini!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Rico Olivarez!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Steven Brown and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mabini with a lazy takedown attempt

and Olivarez counters with a shoot takedown. Mabini fights it but they end up in guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Olivarez postures up.
Olivarez wants to pass the guard but Mabini is keeping the position.
Olivarez passes Mabini's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Olivarez is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Mabini doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Olivarez.

Olivarez is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Mabini is just riding it out for now. Olivarez eventually gives up the hold.

Olivarez is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Mabini defends it well.
Mabini works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Olivarez pushes down on Mabini's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Mabini tries to get to full guard but Olivarez has control of the leg.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mabini wants to control but Olivarez is keeping busy.
Mabini is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Olivarez's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Olivarez's back!

Mabini looking to finish the fight with a rear naked choke. Olivarez is controlling Mabini 's left arm and he spins nicely into guard.

Mabini is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Mabini is looking for a triangle but Olivarez pushes his legs off easily.
Olivarez working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Olivarez wants to pass the guard but Mabini is keeping the position.
Mabini manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Olivarez manages to get himself to full guard.
Olivarez controlling Mabini's posture.
Olivarez keeping full guard, as Mabini tries to pass.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mabini wants to control from the top but Olivarez keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Olivarez working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Mabini.
Mabini pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Olivarez is keeping the position for now.
Olivarez wants to sweep here but Mabini controlling him for the moment.
Mabini pushes down on Olivarez's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Mabini trying to pass the guard but Olivarez defending well.
Mabini looks to land a strike but Olivarez avoids it nicely and regains full guard.

Mabini drops back, looking for a kneebar! Olivarez looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Olivarez looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Olivarez!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mabini is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Olivarez off and has taken his back!
Mabini is trying to stick to Olivarez's back but Olivarez is turning into Mabini. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Mabini's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Olivarez.
Olivarez throws a strike but Mabini rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Mabini throws a strike but Olivarez rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Mabini has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Olivarez can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Olivarez drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Mabini manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Olivarez has Mabini in his guard.
Mabini trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Apolinario Mabini will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Olivarez throws a shot from downtown. Mabini moves away and avoids it.
Nice takedown defense from Mabini. No joy for Olivarez on that attempt.
Mabini throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Mabini just misses with a punch to the body.
Mabini misses the shot to the body.
Olivarez keeps the fight on the outside.
Mabini uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Olivarez.
Apolinario Mabini seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Mabini feints and as Olivarez raises his hands in defense, Mabini changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Mabini trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Olivarez avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Mabini pushing down on Olivarez's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Mabini is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Olivarez sees it coming and defends easily.
Olivarez moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Mabini looking to sit in guard and control but Olivarez gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Olivarez forces his way into half guard.
Olivarez is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Mabini!
Mabini really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Olivarez misses with a head shot.
Mabini tries to reverse the position but Olivarez maintains control.

Olivarez is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Mabini is surviving well by controlling Olivarez's body position as best he can.
Mabini tries to lock up and control but Olivarez gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Mabini can't escape the position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mabini tries to hold on but Olivarez pushes him away.
Mabini is trying desperately to improve position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Olivarez throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Mabini because Olivarez loaded up on that one.
Apolinario Mabini overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Olivarez thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Olivarez throwing strikes here but Mabini is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Mabini is looking to improve his position but Olivarez isn't that keen on the idea.

Olivarez wants to finish this one by submission but Mabini is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Olivarez.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Olivarez has control of Mabini's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Mabini regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Olivarez throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Mabini bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Mabini trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Mabini throws a strike but Olivarez rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Olivarez is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Mabini is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Mabini has escaped and now he's on top!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mabini trying to control but Olivarez is working from the bottom.
Olivarez bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Mabini's guard.

Olivarez has gone for a leg lock! Mabini slips out almost immediately though and dives into Olivarez's guard.
Mabini is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mabini tries to free his leg and advance position but Olivarez is retaining full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Apolinario Mabini will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Mabini fails with the takedown

so Olivarez counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Olivarez drops back, looking for a kneebar! Mabini looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Mabini looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Mabini!
The ground and pound from Mabini seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Mabini advances to mount.
Mabini looking to ground and pound but Olivarez is blocking nicely.

Mabini throws some shoulder strikes here and then postures up. Oh, he's gone for an armbar! Olivarez has his hands clasped together but Mabini breaks the hold and Olivarez is forced to tap! This one is aaaaaaaaaaall over! That was lightning fast by Mabini!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:02 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Apolinario Mabini!