PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Antonio Ilijito (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Daniel Castro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Castro is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Kanye West - Stronger. This should be a great matchup!

Ilijito
vs
Castro

190 cm
20
255 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

195 cm
22
254 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Antonio Ilijito!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Daniel Castro!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Sergei Dronov and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ilijito will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Castro uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ilijito.
Ilijito tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Castro swivels and escapes.
Castro connects with a body shot.
Ilijito is breathing heavily.

Ilijito has Castro up against the cage in a clinch.

Castro pulls Ilijito into guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Castro wants to stand up but Ilijito is controlling him.
Ilijito could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Castro scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Castro leaves Ilijito with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Antonio Ilijito. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ilijito stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ilijito wants it to stay on the feet.
Castro chopping away at his opponent's legs.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Castro lands a jab-cross combination.

Castro drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Castro is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Ilijito has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castro wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ilijito keeps working.
Ilijito being controlled for a moment.
Castro working the body and head with strikes.
Ilijito takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ilijito is not content to let Castro control the position.

Castro is working to tighten is grip on Ilijito's neck. He's isolated an arm and is working for an arm triangle. Ilijito has recognised the danger and is trying to turn with the submission but Castro is really squeezing tight and eventually Ilijito passes out! Castro breaks the hold and jumps onto the cage to celebrate! Submission of the night, I'd say!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Daniel Castro!
A relieved looking Daniel Castro thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.