PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Michael Alvarez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Basso Toscano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Alvarez
vs
Toscano

173 cm
24
165 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

173 cm
24
160 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
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 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Michael Alvarez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Basso Toscano!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Leandro Rodrigues and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Alvarez.
Toscano shoots in looking for a takedown. Alvarez tries to sprawl out of it but Toscano keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Alvarez manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Alvarez fails with the takedown

and Toscano counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Alvarez tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Toscano drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Toscano jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Alvarez throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Toscano slips nicely into half guard.

Toscano 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.
Toscano works his way into full mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alvarez is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Toscano connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Toscano postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Alvarez looks a forlorn figure.
Toscano prevents Alvarez from getting the reversal.

Toscano is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Alvarez can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Toscano landing punches.
Alvarez keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Toscano is working for a guillotine from mount but Alvarez frees his head quite easily.
Alvarez is working to get back to half guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Toscano with some aggressive grappling here, looking for the finish.
Alvarez has given up his back.
Alvarez tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Toscano with a couple of short strikes.
Alvarez is looking to improve his position but Toscano isn't that keen on the idea.
Alvarez is breathing heavily.

Toscano working for a submission but Alvarez is keeping him at bay.

Toscano swings around for an armbar and he's got it! Wow, that came out of nowhere! What a finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:04 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Basso Toscano!