PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Marcelo Santos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Emmanuel Felix Zakora (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Santos
vs
Felix Zakora

168 cm
22
158 lbs
6 - 7 - 0

175 cm
22
163 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

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 6 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Marcelo Santos!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Emmanuel Felix Zakora!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Trevor Gratis and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zakora defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Santos.

Santos drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Zakora tries to buck Santos off but Santos is having none of it.

Santos tries for a kimura but Zakora is defending well.
Santos lands a decent elbow from side control.
Zakora manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Zakora wants to advance to full mount but Santos doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Santos is trying to control the position but Zakora postures up.
Santos looking to hit a scissor sweep but Zakora is one step ahead there.
Zakora content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Zakora preventing the sweep.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Zakora drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Santos dives on top into guard.
Santos scoring with punches to the head and body.

Santos 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zakora tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Zakora working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Santos doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Santos manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Santos stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Zakora swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Santos trying to control the position from guard on top but Zakora is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zakora is trying to keep Santos in close.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Santos is pushing down on Zakora's leg trying to pass to half guard. Zakora is fighting to maintain full guard but Santos has managed to sneak the leg through.
Zakora is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Santos's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Santos's back!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Santos trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.

Zakora has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Zakora controlling well, preventing Santos from escaping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zakora doesn't have the hooks in and Santos manages to turn into his guard.

Zakora looking for a guillotine here but Santos defends easily.
Santos is stalling in the full guard.
Zakora preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Zakora escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Santos gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Zakora looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Santos landing some decent shots from guard.
Santos passes into half guard.

Santos is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Zakora has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zakora moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Santos wants to control from the top but Zakora keeps moving.

Santos thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Santos trying to control but Zakora is working from the bottom.
Santos sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Zakora's guard.
Zakora is looking to improve his position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Zakora is refusing to be controlled, as Santos sits in half guard.
Zakora is looking to improve his position.
Zakora trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Santos manages to pass to mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zakora is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Santos pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.
Santos with shots to the head and body - Zakora looks very uncomfortable down there.
Zakora is looking to improve his position but Santos isn't that keen on the idea.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Santos is giving the impression that he's looking to ground and pound but he switches suddenly into a beautiful far side armbar! Zakora is forced to tap! Great finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:43 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Marcelo Santos!