PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ricardo Anora (ranked 3612 p4p, 3752 weight class) and Joel Paviotti (ranked 480 p4p, 495 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Anora
vs
Paviotti

178 cm
25
212
2 - 0 - 0

193 cm
25
212
2 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

Phoenix Island

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ricardo Anora!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Joel Paviotti!
The judges for this bout are David Hoff, Peter Branson and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Paviotti closes the distance and clinches.

Paviotti decides to pull guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Anora trying to control the position from guard on top but Paviotti is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Anora controls from within his opponent's guard.
Anora might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Paviotti escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Anora gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Anora trying to control the position from guard on top but Paviotti is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Paviotti has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Anora can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paviotti keeping moving, preventing Anora from controlling successfully.
Anora trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Paviotti looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Anora passes into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Anora has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Paviotti!
Anora controlling from the full mount.
Anora fails to move to back control.
Anora prevents Paviotti from getting the reversal.
Paviotti slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paviotti is looking for a sweep. Anora is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Anora works his way into side control.
Anora could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Paviotti is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Anora's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Anora seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Paviotti is trying to get back to full guard.
Paviotti looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Paviotti slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Paviotti working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Anora doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Anora manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Anora works over Paviotti with some ground and pound from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Anora looking to pass the guard.

Paviotti working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Anora has passed into half guard!
Paviotti gets back to full guard.
Anora forces his way into half guard.
Anora is controlling the pace.
Paviotti tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Anora has advanced to mount. Uh oh.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paviotti wants to control but Anora is having none of it.
Paviotti is wriggling around trying to escape.
Paviotti is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Paviotti is in a horrible position here. Anora smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Anora lands a couple of good shots and Paviotti has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Anora keeps control of the position easily here as Paviotti tries to buck him off.
Paviotti tries to roll but Anora sticks to his back.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ricardo Anora dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Paviotti gets a clinch.

Paviotti decides to pull guard.
Anora is pushing down on Paviotti's leg trying to pass to half guard. Paviotti is fighting to maintain full guard but Anora has managed to sneak the leg through.
Anora works his foot free and advances to mount.
Paviotti wants to hold on but Anora pushes him away.
Paviotti is looking to get to half guard.
Anora trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Paviotti wants to hold on but Anora pushes him away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Anora takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Paviotti working to try and regain half guard.

Anora working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anora looking to ground and pound but Paviotti is blocking nicely.
Paviotti is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Anora looking to control but Paviotti is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Anora moves to the back.
Paviotti rolls, trying to escape but Anora keeps control of the position.
Anora really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Paviotti.
Paviotti turns into Anora and is now in his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anora keeping moving, preventing Paviotti from controlling successfully.
Anora is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Anora has Paviotti pulled in close to control his posture.

Anora looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Anora manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Paviotti manages to get himself to full guard.

Anora preventing the sweep.
Paviotti keeping full guard, as Anora tries to pass.
Anora pushing down on Paviotti's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paviotti is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Anora trying to control from half guard but Paviotti is working away.
Anora thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The fighters are battling for position here. Paviotti manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Anora tries to free his leg and advance position but Paviotti is retaining full guard.

Paviotti escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Anora gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Paviotti looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Anora passes into side control.
Paviotti tries to buck Anora off but Anora is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paviotti managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Anora.
Anora trying to control the action but Paviotti is working from the bottom.
Anora taking a breather here.
Paviotti is trying to work for a sweep but Anora has mounted him!
Paviotti can't escape the position.
Anora trying to control but Paviotti is having none of it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Anora tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ricardo Anora dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Paviotti closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Anora to the mat! Anora manages to get full guard.
Anora keeping moving, preventing Paviotti from controlling successfully.

Anora working for a triangle but Paviotti defends it easily.
Paviotti passes Anora's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Paviotti is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Anora defends it well.
Anora trying to hold on to Paviotti's head to control him but Paviotti postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Paviotti is looking for a kimura but Anora is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Paviotti to get the leverage.
Anora tries to roll over but Paviotti keeps him under control.
Paviotti wants to pass to mount but Anora is defending the position.
Anora is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Paviotti can do to turn this around?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paviotti is still trying to improve position.
Anora trying to control from the bottom.
Paviotti wants to free his trapped foot but Anora is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Anora makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Anora.

Anora escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Paviotti gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Paviotti passes Anora's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Anora is refusing to be controlled, as Paviotti sits in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paviotti prevents Anora from improving his position.
Paviotti is looking to take a break and control but Anora is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Anora tries to roll over but Paviotti keeps him under control.
Anora keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Paviotti passes to full mount!
Paviotti tries to control but Anora wriggling away.
Paviotti avoids the attempt from Anora to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paviotti wants to control but instead Anora manages to regain half guard.
Anora manages to get to full guard.
Anora is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Paviotti postures up.
Anora is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Paviotti tries to free his leg and advance position but Anora is retaining full guard.
Anora is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Paviotti works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Paviotti is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Paviotti is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Anora is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Paviotti trying to control but Anora is working from the bottom.
Anora controlling Paviotti's posture.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Anora not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joel Paviotti comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Anora 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 David Hoff scores the fight 29:28
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ricardo Anora!