PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Rocco Damato (ranked 2329 p4p, 4351 weight class) and Jean Labosky (ranked 245 p4p, 403 weight class). Damato's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Thunderstruck. 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.

Damato
vs
Labosky

170 cm
24
150
8 - 13 - 0

182 cm
50
155
32 - 61 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Knockout power

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 8 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rocco Damato!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 32 - 61 - 1, fighting out of New York, Jean Labosky!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Aafke Stam and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Labosky scores with a push kick.
Damato doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Labosky counters with an outside leg kick.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Labosky, as that shot connected.
Labosky's jab looks to have found its range, popping Damato under the eye.

Labosky moves into the clinch.

Labosky breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Labosky thuds his shin into the meat of Damato's side.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Labosky scores with a sloppy right hand. Damato should have avoided that one.

Labosky fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Damato, pushing him back against the cage.
Damato takes a knee right on the jaw!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Labosky lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Labosky manages to break the clinch.
Labosky throws a nice looking combination but Damato bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Damato went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Jean Labosky is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Labosky goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

Labosky clinches up against the cage.

Labosky breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Labosky drives through and clinches with Damato against the cage.

Labosky breaks from the clinch.
Labosky lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Labosky lands with a slapping head kick.
Damato tries to score a power double leg takedown but Labosky sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Damato somewhat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Labosky clinches with his opponent.
Labosky lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

Labosky pulls Damato into guard.

Labosky has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Damato can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Damato pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Labosky is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Damato is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Damato trying to control the position from guard on top but Labosky is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Damato is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Labosky is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Labosky keeping full guard, as Damato tries to pass.
Damato trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Damato slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Damato is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Labosky knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Labosky can't do much from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Labosky is looking for a sweep.

Damato is in a dominant position here, looking for a kimura. Labosky looks calm but he's in trouble here. Damato gets his leg over his opponent's head and yanks on the arm. Labosky is tapping like a morse code operator on the titanic! SOS! SOS! Damato lets go of the hold and Labosky can pop his arm back in it's socket.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:43 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Rocco Damato!
A very excited looking Rocco Damato made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.