PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Antonio Marques (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and WiLL I Am (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). WiLL I Am is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Marques
vs
I Am

180 cm
25
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
22
150 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight 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, Antonio Marques!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, WiLL I Am!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Emerson Jorge and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Marques is trying hard to land a takedown here. I Am sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Marques checks a low kick from I Am.
A head kick by I Am misses

and Marques holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
I Am wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Marques has him pressed against the cage.

Marques breaks the clinch.
I Am walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Marques checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
I Am tries to work over Marques's front leg with a kick but Marques checks it.

Marques instigates a clinch.
I Am wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Marques has him pressed against the cage.

I Am is fighting off a takedown attempt but Marques is just too persistent for him and manages to trip I Am to the mat. I Am regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
I Am wants to get back to his feet but Marques is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
I Am seems keen to control Marques's posture.
I Am wants to get back to his feet but Marques is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Marques trying to control but I Am is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Antonio Marques wasn't doing enough on the ground.
I Am connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
I Am takes one on the button.
I Am thows a leg kick but Marques checks it

and Marques counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for I Am!

Marques looking to secure an arm triangle but I Am defends it well.
I Am wants to control but Marques is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
I Am is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Marques thowing shots but they're missing.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Marques controlling the position easily from mount.
I Am is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
I Am looks gassed!
Marques cracks I Am with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

Marques working for a guillotine from mount but I Am is in no mood to give up.
Marques controlling from the full mount.
Marques seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down I Am for as long as he can get away with.
I Am is desperately trying to improve his position but Marques has a good base and remains in mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marques controlling from the full mount.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Marques avoids the attempt from I Am to control.
Marques moves to the back position.

Marques looking for the choke from the back.
Marques is punishing I Am with some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
I Am covering up well under a barage of strikes.
I Am trying to control the action but Marques just sinks the hooks in.
I Am wants to get back to his feet.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Marques working for the rear naked choke here. He's got one arm under but I Am is defending well. A couple of punches soften him up though and Marques has tightened the hold! This one could be all over! It is! I Am taps out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:44 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Antonio Marques!