PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Armando Quetzalcoatl (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bruce Darnell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Quetzalcoatl might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to J-Lo : On the Floor. 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.

Quetzalcoatl
vs
Darnell

202 cm
21
279 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

188 cm
28
210 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Very quick

Good takedowns
Good kicks
Knockout power

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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Armando Quetzalcoatl!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Bruce Darnell!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Tarja Halkonen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Quetzalcoatl staying out of range there.
Quetzalcoatl just misses with a punch to the body.
Darnell circles away from the clinch attempt.

Darnell darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Quetzalcoatl wants to get back to his feet.
Darnell throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Quetzalcoatl looks like he's trying to stand up.

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

Darnell is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Quetzalcoatl defends it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Quetzalcoatl is trying to stand up here but Darnell is controlling him well.
Darnell not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Darnell lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Darnell is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Darnell thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Quetzalcoatl's head.
Quetzalcoatl tries to kick Darnell off but Darnell keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Darnell passes the guard and advances to mount!
Quetzalcoatl is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Darnell lands a heavy elbow.

It looks like Armando Quetzalcoatl has been cut.
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!
Darnell has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Quetzalcoatl's face.
Darnell is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Quetzalcoatl can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

Darnell is working for a guillotine from mount but Quetzalcoatl frees his head quite easily.
Darnell lands a heavy elbow.

Darnell is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Quetzalcoatl to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Quetzalcoatl shrugs it off.
Quetzalcoatl on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Quetzalcoatl tries to get out of the position.
Darnell won't let Quetzalcoatl get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.

Darnell is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Quetzalcoatl has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Quetzalcoatl trying desperately to get to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Darnell is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Quetzalcoatl has managed to escape the submission attempt.

Darnell looking for a guillotine from mount but Quetzalcoatl is having none of it.
Quetzalcoatl is trying to stand up.

Darnell is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Quetzalcoatl can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Quetzalcoatl wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Darnell with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

Darnell is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Quetzalcoatl has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Darnell has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Quetzalcoatl is trying to get back to his feet but can't.

Darnell wants to finish this one by submission but Quetzalcoatl is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Darnell.
Darnell working the ground and pound effectively.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Quetzalcoatl really wants to buck Darnell off and get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bruce Darnell dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Armando Quetzalcoatl's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Darnell fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Quetzalcoatl is out of range.
Quetzalcoatl slips a jab from Darnell.
Darnell misses with an uppercut. Quetzalcoatl saw that one coming.
Quetzalcoatl takes one to the side of the head.
Darnell bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Quetzalcoatl misses the shot to the body.
Quetzalcoatl fails in his attempt to clinch.
Armando Quetzalcoatl seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Darnell connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Darnell avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Darnell swats away the attempt to clinch by Quetzalcoatl.

Darnell gets in close and instigates a clinch.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Darnell. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Darnell manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Darnell is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Darnell manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Quetzalcoatl manages to get himself to full guard.
Bruce Darnell has got the better of the ground game so far.
Darnell stops Quetzalcoatl from standing up.
Quetzalcoatl will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Quetzalcoatl trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

Darnell is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Quetzalcoatl wants to stand and escape but Darnell is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Darnell is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Darnell in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Darnell is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Quetzalcoatl preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Quetzalcoatl wants to get back to his feet but Darnell passes into half guard.
Darnell sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Quetzalcoatl defending well though.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Darnell is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Quetzalcoatl is just riding it out for now. Darnell eventually gives up the hold.
Darnell not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Darnell prevents Quetzalcoatl from standing back up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Darnell lands strikes from half guard.

Darnell 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.
Quetzalcoatl knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Darnell on the ground.
Darnell is looking to advance position but Quetzalcoatl won't allow it.
Darnell is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Quetzalcoatl wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Darnell cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

Darnell working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

Darnell is working for a guillotine from mount but Quetzalcoatl frees his head quite easily.
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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Darnell cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

Darnell looking for a guillotine from mount but Quetzalcoatl is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bruce Darnell showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Armando Quetzalcoatl's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Quetzalcoatl moves to clinch but Darnell breaks away
and Darnell counters with a two punch combo.
The fight stays on the outside here - Quetzalcoatl looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Darnell lands a head shot.
Quetzalcoatl throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Quetzalcoatl wants to clinch
and Darnell cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Darnell lands with a hook. Quetzalcoatl tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

Armando Quetzalcoatl's cut is getting worse.
Quetzalcoatl tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Darnell manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A big right from Darnell misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A chopping leg kick lands by Darnell.
Quetzalcoatl wants to clinch up but Darnell keeps it at a distance.
Quetzalcoatl moves in looking to clinch but Darnell pushes him off.
Armando Quetzalcoatl is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Quetzalcoatl displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Darnell throws out the jab.
A head kick misses from Quetzalcoatl.
Quetzalcoatl tries to clinch but Darnell moves away
and Darnell counters with a straight right hand.
Darnell keeps the fight on the outside.

Quetzalcoatl clinches up against the cage.
Quetzalcoatl throws an elbow that misses.

Darnell has hold of one of Quetzalcoatl's legs. Quetzalcoatl is fighting the takedown attempt but Darnell gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Darnell working some strikes from top position.
Darnell passes Quetzalcoatl's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Darnell has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!

Quetzalcoatl has one foot on Darnell's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Quetzalcoatl jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Quetzalcoatl wants to clinch
and Quetzalcoatl takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Armando Quetzalcoatl's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Darnell avoids the head kick by Quetzalcoatl.
Darnell throws a jab when Quetzalcoatl was well out of range.
Bruce Darnell seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Quetzalcoatl slips a jab from Darnell.
Darnell lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Darnell keeps the fight on the outside.
Armando Quetzalcoatl has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Quetzalcoatl throws a hook but Darnell blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Darnell keeps the fight on the outside.
Darnell ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Quetzalcoatl moves away.
Darnell looks to throw the jab but Quetzalcoatl is out of range.
Quetzalcoatl moves in looking to clinch but Darnell pushes him off.
Darnell lands a lovely overhand right.
Quetzalcoatl plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

It looks like Bruce Darnell has been cut.
Darnell throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Quetzalcoatl has managed to clinch.
Darnell wants to take the fight to the mat but Quetzalcoatl manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Darnell tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Quetzalcoatl just stands there and leans against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Quetzalcoatl creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Quetzalcoatl putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Darnell in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Darnell takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Darnell is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Quetzalcoatl pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Armando Quetzalcoatl has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bruce Darnell.
Quetzalcoatl tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Darnell avoids it.
Quetzalcoatl has the Thai clinch. He lands a big knee to the head that stumbles Darnell - he's in trouble! Another big knee to the head from Quetzalcoatl, and another! Darnell is out on his feet - the ref jumps in to save him and ends the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:18 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Knees). Armando Quetzalcoatl!
Armando Quetzalcoatl decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.