PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Timmy Tebow (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kin Ittenap (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Tebow
vs
Ittenap

182 cm
25
192 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

186 cm
25
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 Rio de Janeiro, Timmy Tebow!
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, Kin Ittenap!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Emerson Jorge and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tebow manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Ittenap on his heels. He'll look to pass Ittenap's guard now, I'm sure.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Ittenap is on top in guard.

Tebow has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Ittenap can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Tebow wants to sweep here but Ittenap controlling him for the moment.
Ittenap is fighting to break Tebow's control of his arms but Tebow is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

Tebow working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ittenap doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Ittenap manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Tebow working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Ittenap has passed into half guard!
Tebow is trying to get back to full guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Ittenap decides to stand up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tebow shoots in looking for a takedown but Ittenap manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Tebow's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Tebow shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ittenap as he avoids it easily.
Tebow misses with a leg kick.
Ittenap doesn't manage to clinch there - Tebow circles away.
Ittenap slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Tebow has his takedown stuffed

and Ittenap counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Timmy Tebow. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tebow tries to get to full guard but Ittenap has control of the leg.

Tebow actively working from the bottom here.
Tebow is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ittenap wants to stand up but Tebow has a hold of him and won't allow it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tebow is refusing to be controlled, as Ittenap sits in half guard.
Ittenap is controlling the pace.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Kin Ittenap hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Tebow tries to sprawl but Ittenap drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Tebow wants to get back to full guard.
Tebow is refusing to be controlled, as Ittenap sits in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tebow is looking to improve his position.

Tebow actively working from the bottom here.
Ittenap trying to control from half guard but Tebow is working away.

Tebow looking for submissions off his back.
Ittenap takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Ittenap is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Tebow sees it coming and defends easily.
Tebow gets full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ittenap would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Ittenap must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Tebow looking for a sweep. Not yet Tebow, not yet.
Ittenap passes Tebow's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Ittenap tries to pass the half guard into mount. Tebow knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Ittenap looks gassed!
Tebow is trying to get back to full guard.
Tebow is working hard here to advance position.

Tebow is defending against the submission attempts here by Ittenap.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tebow tries to roll over but Ittenap keeps him under control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kin Ittenap dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Tebow.
Ittenap dodges the ground and pound from Tebow.
Tebow throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Ittenap works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Tebow thows a huge punch but Ittenap dodges it nicely.
Tebow not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Tebow is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Tebow wants to work for an arm triangle but Ittenap is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Timmy Tebow overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The fighters are battling for position here. Ittenap manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ittenap avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Tebow throwing strikes but missing.
Tebow sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Ittenap's guard.
Tebow tries to pass to full mount but Ittenap defends it.
Tebow throws a strike but Ittenap avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Ittenap keeping full guard, as Tebow tries to pass.
Tebow trying to control but Ittenap is working from the bottom.
Ittenap seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Tebow sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Ittenap's guard.

Tebow is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tebow is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Tebow tries to pass to full mount but Ittenap defends it.
Tebow not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Tebow passes to full mount!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tebow trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Ittenap is looking to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ittenap tries to hold on but Tebow pushes him away.
Tebow lands with some strikes.
Tebow in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Ittenap tries to lock up and control but Tebow gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Ittenap tries to buck Tebow off but he can't manage it.
Ittenap is breathing heavily.
Tebow moves to take his opponent's back.
Tebow tries to get the hooks in deep but Ittenap pushed the leg off.
Tebow lands with a hammerfist to the side of Ittenap's head.

Tebow working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tebow is not going to allow Ittenap to sit and survive in this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ittenap is keeping busy.
Tebow is looking to finish with some ground and pound!

Tebow working for the choke.
Tebow lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Ittenap grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Tebow looking for the RNC.
Ittenap tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Timmy Tebow dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Ittenap is looking to land body kicks.

Ittenap drives through with a takedown into guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Tebow is on top in guard.

Tebow has gone for a leg lock! Ittenap slips out almost immediately though and dives into Tebow's guard.

Tebow throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Tebow is looking for a triangle but Ittenap pushes his legs off easily.
Ittenap throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tebow working a defensive guard but Ittenap passes into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ittenap looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Tebow trying to control but Ittenap postures up.
Ittenap tries to stand but can't do so whilst Tebow controls his leg.
Tebow wants to control but Ittenap passes into side.
Sloppy strikes there by Ittenap.
You can see the frustration on Tebow's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tebow sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Tebow manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Tebow escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ittenap gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Tebow tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Tebow is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ittenap is aware though and is defending well.
Tebow looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ittenap tries to free his leg and advance position but Tebow is retaining full guard.

Tebow has his foot on Ittenap's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ittenap works his way back into a safe position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tebow had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Ittenap defends it easily.
Ittenap with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Ittenap stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Tebow looks to score with a jab to the body but Ittenap is just out of range.
Tebow checks the leg kick nicely there.

Tebow throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Ittenap tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Tebow is in Ittenap's guard.
Ittenap keeping moving, preventing Tebow from controlling successfully.
Tebow stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ittenap swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tebow lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Tebow keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Ittenap's head.

Ittenap pushes Tebow off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Ittenap drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Ittenap tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Ittenap throwing shots but missing, from side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tebow is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Ittenap off and has taken his back!
Tebow has his opponent trapped and is landing shots. Not a good position for Ittenap.

And that's the end of the fight!
Timmy Tebow showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Tebow has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 29:28
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 29:28
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Timmy Tebow!