PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rafael Almeida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mohammad Al Nasser (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mohammad Al Nasser is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Almeida
vs
Al Nasser

191 cm
27
195 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

178 cm
28
190 lbs
9 - 7 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Experienced

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rafael Almeida!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mohammad Al Nasser!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Tarja Halkonen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Almeida shoots in and bounces Al Nasser off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Almeida trying to control the position from guard on top but Al Nasser is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Almeida missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Almeida stands up and waves to Al Nasser to follow him.
Almeida shoots in for a takedown but Al Nasser shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Almeida fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Al Nasser to the ground. Almeida is now in Al Nasser's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Almeida wanted to stand there but Al Nasser had control of the position.
Almeida has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Almeida is pushing down on Al Nasser's leg trying to pass to half guard. Al Nasser is fighting to maintain full guard but Almeida has managed to sneak the leg through.

Almeida is looking for a kimura here.

Almeida wants to work for an arm triangle but Al Nasser is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Almeida working over Al Nasser with some ground and pound. Al Nasser looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Almeida stands up out of the half guard.
Rafael Almeida seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Almeida dives in and scores a takedown into Al Nasser's guard.
Al Nasser looks winded!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Almeida passes into half guard.
Al Nasser wants to improve his position but Almeida is controlling well.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Al Nasser is defending against the submission attempts here by Almeida.
Al Nasser is in trouble now - Almeida has advanced to mount!

Almeida is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Al Nasser can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

Al Nasser defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Almeida.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Almeida landing strikes, looking to finish!
Al Nasser tries to reverse the position but Almeida maintains control.
Almeida working the ground and pound effectively.

Almeida working for a guillotine from mount but Al Nasser is in no mood to give up.
Almeida landing shots from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Almeida lands a couple of good shots and Al Nasser has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
I really don't envy Al Nasser right now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Al Nasser showing good submission defense here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Almeida working for the choke.

Almeida is cranking Al Nasser's head sideways - that looks painful. He's managed to get his other arm under the chin and this looks bad for Al Nasser! He's tightened the choke and Al Nasser is tapping out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Rafael Almeida!