PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Sam Ponjev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johnny Abatti (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Ponjev
vs
Abatti

185 cm
26
180 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

180 cm
25
180 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Intelligent

DROPPIN BODIES
Ace of Spades Clothing

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 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Sam Ponjev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Johnny Abatti!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Daniel Franklin and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ponjev tries to keep at a distance but Abatti has taken the fight into the clinch.
Ponjev has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Abatti manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Abatti taking a breather.
Ponjev misses with a punch to the body.

Abatti escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ponjev throws a head kick but Abatti moves out of range.
Ponjev throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
The crowd cheers as Abatti lands an impressive looking overhand right. Ponjev doesn't seem phased though.
Abatti throws a head kick that misses

and Ponjev counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Ponjev.
Ponjev missing with knees to the body.
Abatti swings wildly with an uppercut but Ponjev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Abatti is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Abatti lands a body punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ponjev tries to pull guard but Abatti forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Abatti looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ponjev.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Abatti creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A nice left hand lands by Abatti.
Abatti blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ponjev swings wildly with an uppercut but Abatti uses good head movement to avoid it.
Abatti lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Abatti.
Ponjev is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Ponjev looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Ponjev lands with a right to the head.
Ponjev misses with a punch on the inside.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Ponjev is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Abatti can't fight it off and eventually Ponjev manages to take the fight to the floor. Abatti looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ponjev stands up over Abatti, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Ponjev drops back, looking for a kneebar! Abatti looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Abatti looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Abatti!

Abatti goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Ponjev has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Abatti but great work by Ponjev.
Ponjev lands a nice forearm strike.
Abatti takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Abatti really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Ponjev. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Abatti is looking for a sweep.
Ponjev just content to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ponjev is working for what looks like an arm triangle here. Abatti is trying to escape and Ponjev transitions quickly into an armbar! He's slapped it on tight and Abatti is forced to tap! Nice work there by Ponjev! Very nice indeed!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:20 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Sam Ponjev!
A victorious Sam Ponjev thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.
Johnny Abatti was interviewed post fight and said 'MMA judging sucks!'.