PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Saint Ezekiel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Riccardo Puller (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Saint Ezekiel has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Ezekiel
vs
Puller

185 cm
19
135 lbs
0 - 15 - 0

162 cm
19
145 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

Good takedowns
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Saint Ezekiel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Riccardo Puller!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Paulo Santos and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Puller clinches up against the cage.
Puller dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

Puller breaks from the clinch.

Ezekiel tries to sprawl but Puller drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Puller drops an elbow to the side of Ezekiel's head.
Ezekiel won't allow Puller to pass to mount.
My spies in Soul Supremacy Rio inform me that Puller has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Puller looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
It looks like Puller might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ezekiel wants to control but Puller passes into side.
You can see the frustration on Ezekiel's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Puller controlling the position.
Puller cracks Ezekiel with a big elbow.
Ezekiel is trying to control Puller's posture but Puller avoids it.
Puller working the ground and pound from side control.

Puller decides to stand up, so the ref orders Ezekiel to his feet.
Ezekiel avoids the head kick by Puller.
Ezekiel really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Puller looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Ezekiel!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Puller slows the pace down.
Puller advances nicely into full mount.
Puller looking to control and managing it successfully.
Ezekiel has given up his back here.
Ezekiel is really stuck here.
Puller has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Puller is riding his opponent, not letting Ezekiel buck him off.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Puller punches Ezekiel on the ear.
Puller really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Ezekiel.

Puller has the rear naked choke here! This is very bad for Ezekiel! Can he survive? No! He's out! Puller gets to his feet and celebrates with his cornermen. He looks absolutely delighted. In the post fight interviews he takes time to thank his parents and everyone who has believed in him from the start. How sweet.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:44 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Riccardo Puller!