PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mikey Legs Ii (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arnost Paskalev (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.

Legs Ii
vs
Paskalev

170 cm
25
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

173 cm
18
153 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
KO power

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Solid chin

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 Hilo, Mikey Legs Ii!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Arnost Paskalev!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Jeff Smith and Ryoma Takatsuka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Paskalev stuffs the takedown attempt from Legs Ii. Legs Ii gets slowly back to his feet.
Paskalev fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Paskalev looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Legs Ii missing with punches from the bottom.
Paskalev wants to free his trapped foot but Legs Ii is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Paskalev is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Legs Ii defends it well.
Legs Ii moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Paskalev stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Legs Ii swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Legs Ii is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Paskalev is aware though and is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paskalev trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Paskalev passes Legs Ii's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Legs Ii is looking to control Paskalev's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Legs Ii avoid being mounted?
Paskalev trying to mount his opponent but Legs Ii defends it.
The fighters are battling for position here. Legs Ii manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Paskalev looking to pass the guard.
Paskalev is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Legs Ii looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Legs Ii keeping full guard, as Paskalev tries to pass.

Paskalev has gone for a leg lock! Legs Ii slips out almost immediately though and dives into Paskalev's guard.

Paskalev has his foot on Legs Ii's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Legs Ii works his way back into a safe position though.
Legs Ii sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Paskalev's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Legs Ii takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Paskalev is refusing to be controlled, as Legs Ii sits in half guard.
Paskalev tries to roll over but Legs Ii keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Legs Ii lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Legs Ii lands with a punch from half guard.
Paskalev wants to improve his position but Legs Ii is controlling well.
Legs Ii sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Paskalev defending well though.

Paskalev looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Paskalev is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ground and pound from Legs Ii.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Paskalev actively working from the bottom here.
Paskalev really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Legs Ii. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Paskalev looks winded!

Paskalev actively working from the bottom here.
Paskalev is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Legs Ii jumps into side control!
Legs Ii wants to control but Paskalev is keeping him busy.
Paskalev taking a bit of punishment here - Legs Ii scoring with strikes.
Paskalev is looking for a sweep.
Legs Ii lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Paskalev down.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Paskalev is looking for a sweep.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Paskalev is still trying to improve position.
Legs Ii advances nicely into full mount.
Paskalev is wriggling around trying to escape.
Legs Ii trying to control but Paskalev is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Mikey Legs Ii will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Legs Ii misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Legs Ii shoots in for a takedown but Paskalev shows good takedown defense.
Legs Ii tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Paskalev defends well and Legs Ii ends up having to push Paskalev into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mikey Legs Ii. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Paskalev tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Legs Ii just stands there and leans against the cage.
Legs Ii is looking to control Paskalev's arms but Paskalev gets an underhook and turns him. Now Legs Ii has his back to the cage.
Legs Ii drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Paskalev gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Legs Ii breaks from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Paskalev.
Paskalev tries to move into full mount but can't pass Legs Ii's legs.

Paskalev tries for a kimura but Legs Ii is defending well.
Legs Ii pushes Paskalev away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Paskalev gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Paskalev is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Legs Ii knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Paskalev tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Legs Ii is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Paskalev's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paskalev is looking to pass Legs Ii's guard but actually Legs Ii recovers to full guard.

Paskalev drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Legs Ii manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Paskalev has Legs Ii in his guard.

Paskalev had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Legs Ii defends it easily.
Paskalev is breathing heavily.

Paskalev looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Legs Ii has picked Paskalev up and slammed him! Paskalev can't keep hold of the triangle and Legs Ii manages to pass to side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paskalev manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Legs Ii wants to get back to his feet.
Paskalev tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Legs Ii has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Legs Ii looking to control but Paskalev is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Legs Ii sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Paskalev wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Legs Ii is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Paskalev wants to escape the position.

Legs Ii is persistently looking for the submission but Paskalev is defending it well.
Legs Ii is hanging on to Paskalev's back as he tries to escape.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Arnost Paskalev will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Legs Ii dives in and grabs Paskalev's left leg, looking for a takedown. Paskalev pushes down on Legs Ii's head and hops out.
Legs Ii misses with a head kick.

Paskalev dives in and scores a takedown into Legs Ii's guard.
Paskalev advances position into side control!
Paskalev tries to move into full mount but can't pass Legs Ii's legs.

Paskalev working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Paskalev swings around for an armbar but Legs Ii sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Paskalev's guard.

Paskalev working for submissions but it's allowed Legs Ii to get to half guard.
Legs Ii controlling the action here.
Paskalev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paskalev wants to sweep but Legs Ii has passed to side control!

Legs Ii decides to stand back up. Legs Ii steps back and let's Paskalev get back to his feet.
Legs Ii shoots in for a takedown but Paskalev shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Legs Ii misses with a takedown attempt - Paskalev sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mikey Legs Ii. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Paskalev darts in looking for a takedown but Legs Ii gets double underhooks and turns Paskalev into the cage.
Legs Ii tries for a takedown. No joy.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paskalev tries to pull guard but Legs Ii won't allow it.

Legs Ii breaks from the clinch.
Legs Ii stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Legs Ii wants it to stay on the feet.
Legs Ii changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Paskalev tries to avoid it but Legs Ii manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Paskalev to the ground. Paskalev escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Paskalev shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Legs Ii defends it nicely.
Paskalev goes for a double leg but Legs Ii avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Legs Ii continues to drive forward.
Legs Ii's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Legs Ii looking to slow down the pace here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paskalev tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Legs Ii smiles and moves away.

Paskalev shoots in and gets a takedown into Legs Ii's guard.
Legs Ii is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Arnost Paskalev has got the better of the ground game so far.
Paskalev trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Legs Ii manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Paskalev is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Legs Ii is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Paskalev looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Legs Ii thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Paskalev throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Legs Ii escapes and throws Paskalev's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Legs Ii trying to control the position but Paskalev is working away.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Legs Ii in side control, just content to control the action for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Mikey Legs Ii.
I think Legs Ii 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 Josh West scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 29:29
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Arnost Paskalev!
Arnost Paskalev decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.