PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Maibals Itchie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hector Casados (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Itchie comes to the cage accompanied by Slipknot-Psychosocial. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Itchie
vs
Casados

188 cm
18
197 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

175 cm
22
185 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

BioPharm Nutrition

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Maibals Itchie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Hector Casados!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Thiago Cunha and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Casados is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Casados needs to keep his hands up - Itchie had a free shot at his head there.

Itchie gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Casados advances to half guard.
Itchie is pressing down on Casados's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Itchie manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Casados manages to get himself to full guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Itchie looking to pass the guard.

Casados has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Itchie can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Casados keeping full guard, as Itchie tries to pass.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Itchie is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Itchie accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Itchie trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Casados is trying to control the position but Itchie postures up.

Itchie is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Itchie slips a jab and a cross from Casados.
Casados blocks a head kick by Itchie.

Casados darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Itchie is breathing heavily.
Casados wants to control but Itchie is keeping him busy.
Itchie slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Itchie wants to sweep but no luck.

Casados avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Casados pushes down on Itchie's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Casados tries to pass the half guard into mount. Itchie knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Itchie is not content to let Casados control the position.

Itchie looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Itchie is refusing to be controlled, as Casados sits in half guard.
Itchie tries to get to full guard but Casados has control of the leg.
Casados seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Itchie does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Itchie wants to get back to full guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Casados clinches with his opponent.

Casados pulls guard.

Casados had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Itchie is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Casados Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Itchie's back instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Casados is looking to control Itchie but Itchie is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Casados somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.
Casados is trying to stick to Itchie's back but Itchie is turning into Casados. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Casados's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Itchie.
Casados lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Itchie!
Itchie is trying to escape the mount.

Casados is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Itchie is surviving well by controlling Casados's body position as best he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Itchie is desperately trying to improve his position but Casados has a good base and remains in mount.
Itchie manages to regain half guard. Good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Casados thows a huge punch but Itchie dodges it nicely.
Itchie manages to get to full guard.
Casados tries to free his leg and advance position but Itchie is retaining full guard.
Itchie wants to sweep here but Casados controlling him for the moment.
Casados must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Casados in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Casados loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Casados tries to free his leg and advance position but Itchie is retaining full guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Itchie doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Casados counters with a shoot takedown. Itchie fights it but they end up in guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Casados is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hector Casados dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Itchie gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Casados counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Casados is looking to take a break and control but Itchie is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Casados uses his free foot to push down on Itchie's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Itchie.
Itchie is working to get back to half guard.
Casados trying to control but Itchie is having none of it.
Casados putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!

Casados get's back to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Itchie doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Casados counters by clinching up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Casados pulls guard effortlessly.
Itchie will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Casados trying to control the position.
Itchie content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Casados lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Itchie!
Casados fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Itchie is looking to improve his position but Casados isn't that keen on the idea.
Hector Casados has got the better of the ground game so far.

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

Casados is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Itchie is surviving well by controlling Casados's body position as best he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Casados looking to ground and pound but Itchie is blocking nicely.
Itchie can't escape the position.
Casados landing strikes, looking to finish!
Itchie regains half guard.
Itchie moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Casados looking to pass the guard.
Casados wants to get up but he can't break Itchie's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Itchie is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Itchie looking to hit a scissor sweep but Casados is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Casados postures up in Itchie's guard and throws a big left but Itchie blocks it.
Casados throwing strikes but missing.
Itchie looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Casados sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Itchie's guard.
Casados trying to pass the guard but Itchie defending well.
Itchie gets back to full guard.
Casados advances to half guard.
Itchie moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Itchie lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Casados!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Casados defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Itchie.

Itchie is working for a guillotine from mount but Casados frees his head quite easily.
Itchie thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Casados bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

Itchie had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Casados is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Itchie Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Casados's back instead.

Casados is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hector Casados showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Casados works over Itchie's head and body with a nice combination.

Casados drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Casados slips nicely into half guard.
Itchie regains full guard. Nicely done.

Itchie has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Casados can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Casados wants to control from the top but Itchie keeps moving.
Casados pushing down on Itchie's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Itchie looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Itchie is looking to improve his position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Itchie is staying active underneath Casados, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Itchie is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Casados's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Casados's back!

Itchie has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Casados is in bad spot here.

Itchie has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Itchie is trying to stick to Casados's back but Casados is turning into Itchie. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Itchie's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Casados.
Itchie keeping moving, preventing Casados from controlling successfully.
Itchie thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Itchie throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

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

Itchie is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Casados gets to his feet. Itchie looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Itchie gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Casados decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Itchie's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Casados trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Casados lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Casados trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Itchie has his foot on Casados's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Casados works his way back into a safe position though.
Maibals Itchie has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Casados avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Casados trying to control the position from guard on top but Itchie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Itchie bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Casados's guard.
Itchie throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Casados avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Itchie drops back looking for a leg! Casados is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Casados manages to kick Itchie off! Itchie jumps back into Casados's guard.

Casados working for a triangle but Itchie defends it easily.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Itchie keeping moving, preventing Casados from controlling successfully.

Casados avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Casados wants to pass the guard but Itchie is keeping the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Itchie throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Maibals Itchie.
I think Casados has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 28:29
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 28:29
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hector Casados!