PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Joshua Blahyi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Gouveia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Blahyi's entrance music is All Hail Liberia Hail !!!!. A fine choice. Mike Gouveia is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Blahyi
vs
Gouveia

173 cm
26
163 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

180 cm
21
165 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Machine Fight Gear
Conquer

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Joshua Blahyi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mike Gouveia!
The judges for this bout are Jeff Smith, Josh West and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Blahyi drives through with a takedown into Gouveia's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Blahyi controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Gouveia wants to stand up but Blahyi is controlling him.
Blahyi is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Gouveia not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Gouveia wants to stand up but Blahyi is controlling him.
Blahyi slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Blahyi tries to advance to mount but Gouveia denies him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gouveia gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Blahyi controlling from mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee warns Gouveia that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Blahyi punching from mount but Gouveia doing a good job of avoiding damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Blahyi fails to advance to Gouveia's back.
Blahyi definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

Blahyi is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Gouveia can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Blahyi controlling the pace for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blahyi is trying to take his opponent's back.
Gouveia tries to buck Blahyi off but he can't manage it.

Blahyi looking for a guillotine from mount but Gouveia is having none of it.
Blahyi throws some wild stikes that Gouveia manages to avoid easily.
Gouveia tries to hold on but Blahyi postures up.
Blahyi controlling from mount.
Blahyi avoids the attempt from Gouveia to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Blahyi jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Gouveia is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Gouveia and Blahyi has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Blahyi works to advance to full mount. Gouveia defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Gouveia keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Blahyi looking to control but Gouveia is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Blahyi looking to secure an arm triangle but Gouveia defends it well.

Blahyi quickly switches position and commits to an armbar! It's a big risk for Blahyi but it's paid off an Gouveia is forced to tap! Nice work by Blahyi.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Joshua Blahyi!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Joshua Blahyi made sure he mentioned Machine Fight Gear, along with how happy he was to win his fight.