PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Rocco Damato (ranked 2844 p4p, 2545 weight class) and Magby Mahrez (ranked 286 p4p, 263 weight class). Damato's entrance music is Thunderstruck. A fine choice. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Damato
vs
Mahrez

170 cm
25
150
10 - 15 - 0

185 cm
28
154
5 - 4 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Powerful

Voodoo Nutrition

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 10 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rocco Damato!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Magby Mahrez!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Wagner Zegers and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Mahrez throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Damato was covering up waiting for the punch and Mahrez finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Mahrez postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Damato is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Mahrez, into his guard.

Damato trying to control the position from guard on top but Mahrez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Mahrez looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Damato throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mahrez works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mahrez looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Damato works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Mahrez is looking to improve his position.

Damato is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Mahrez doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Damato.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mahrez looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Damato is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Mahrez is just riding it out for now. Damato eventually gives up the hold.

Damato stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Mahrez to get to his feet.
Damato misses with a few strikes there.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Mahrez is defended easily by Damato.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.

Mahrez tries to keep at a distance but Damato has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Damato pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Damato shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Mahrez is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Nice takedown defense from Damato. No joy for Mahrez on that attempt.
Mahrez shoots in looking for a takedown but Damato manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Mahrez's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Rocco Damato has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Magby Mahrez.
Mahrez will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Mahrez slaps away a takedown attempt from Damato, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Damato closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Mahrez to the mat! Mahrez manages to get full guard.

Mahrez has his foot on Damato's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Damato works his way back into a safe position though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Damato looking to pass the guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Mahrez is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Damato is aware though and is defending well.
Damato might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Mahrez working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Damato.
Mahrez keeping moving, preventing Damato from controlling successfully.

Mahrez looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mahrez is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a triangle but Damato frees his head nicely. Oh but Mahrez has switched to an armbar! Damato is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:25 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Magby Mahrez!