PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Joao Anabolino (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arash Bourkadi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Joao Anabolino had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 171.7lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Anabolino
vs
Bourkadi

179 cm
19
175 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

182 cm
18
179 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Joao Anabolino!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Arash Bourkadi!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Marco Blurström and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Anabolino moves into range and clinches up with Bourkadi.
Anabolino looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!

Anabolino gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Bourkadi is looking to improve his position.

Bourkadi looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Bourkadi looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Bourkadi preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.

Bourkadi actively working from the bottom here.
Bourkadi manages to get to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bourkadi throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Bourkadi keeping moving, preventing Anabolino from controlling successfully.
Anabolino preventing the sweep.
Bourkadi trying to keep a closed guard but Anabolino is proving a slippery customer.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Anabolino won't allow Bourkadi to sweep him here.
Bourkadi trying to control the position.

Bourkadi has his foot on Anabolino's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Anabolino works his way back into a safe position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bourkadi lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Anabolino!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Bourkadi looking to finish Anabolino with some ground and pound. This is bad for Anabolino!
Bourkadi trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Bourkadi lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
The referee warns Anabolino that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
A nice elbow there by Bourkadi.

Bourkadi looking to secure an arm triangle but Anabolino defends it well.
Bourkadi looking to control but Anabolino is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bourkadi with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Anabolino is bucking up trying to escape but Bourkadi cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Bourkadi lands a big elbow.
Bourkadi mounts Anabolino! Really nice guard pass there!

Anabolino is flailing around, obviously not happy about being mounted. Bourkadi locks hold of one of his arms and spins for an armbar. He's got it! Anabolino is forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:01 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Arash Bourkadi!