PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Marco Aurelio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Derek Hamed (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Aurelio
vs
Hamed

180 cm
19
185 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

200 cm
22
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Inexperienced

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Marco Aurelio!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Derek Hamed!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Luis Engracia and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Aurelio gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Hamed has had enough of the clinch but Aurelio keeps him there for the moment.
Aurelio misses with an elbow strike.
Aurelio looking to throw knees to the head but Hamed is blocking nicely.
Hamed wants to get back to striking at distance but Aurelio won't allow it.
Hamed wants to break free but Aurelio has control.
Hamed wants to break free but Aurelio has control.
Aurelio keeps control of Hamed as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Hamed is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Hamed breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Aurelio misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hamed misses with a head kick.
Hamed throws a leg kick but Aurelio sees it coming and moves out of range.
Hamed throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Aurelio.

It looks like Marco Aurelio has been cut.
Hamed throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Aurelio has taken the fight to the clinch.
Aurelio tries to land a knee to the head but Hamed blocks with his arms.

Aurelio breaks the clinch.
Hamed circles away from the clinch attempt.

Aurelio has managed to clinch.

Aurelio's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Horrible takedown by Aurelio or perhaps it was just good defense by Hamed which made him look bad.

Aurelio pushes Hamed up against the cage in a clinch.
Hamed wants to break free but Aurelio has control.
Aurelio looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marco Aurelio. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hamed wants to break the clinch but can't.
Hamed wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Aurelio has him pressed against the cage.
Hamed wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Hamed can't break the clinch.
Hamed can't break the clinch.
Hamed avoids the elbow strike from Aurelio, against the cage.
Hamed wants to get back to striking at distance but Aurelio won't allow it.
Aurelio looking to throw knees to the head but Hamed is blocking nicely.
Aurelio keeps control of Hamed as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Hamed's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Aurelio connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Hamed misses with a double jab.
Hamed fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Aurelio moves into the clinch.
With the fighters up against the cage, Aurelio throws an elbow but misses.
Hamed wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Aurelio goes for a takedown attempt but Hamed pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Aurelio closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hamed circles away.
Hamed connects with a body shot.
Derek Hamed is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Aurelio is breathing heavily.
Hamed throws a nice looking combination but Aurelio bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Hamed lands a high kick!
Derek Hamed seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Aurelio clinches up against the cage.
Hamed wants to break free but Aurelio has control.

Hamed breaks from the clinch.
Hamed rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Aurelio moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Hamed waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Aurelio.
Hamed lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Aurelio circles away quickly and effectively.
Hamed circles away from the clinch attempt.

Aurelio gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Knees in the clinch landing for Aurelio.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Aurelio has hold of one of Hamed's legs. Hamed is fighting the takedown attempt but Aurelio gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Hamed wants to stand but Aurelio is controlling the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Aurelio throwing strikes from guard but Hamed blocks nicely.
Hamed wants to stand but Aurelio is controlling the position.
Hamed really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Aurelio. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Aurelio controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aurelio trying to control the position from guard on top but Hamed is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Aurelio stops Hamed from standing up.
Aurelio pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hamed is keeping the position for now.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Hamed misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Aurelio throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hamed scores with a jab.
Aurelio moves out of range as Hamed strikes.
Hamed thows a leg kick but Aurelio checks it

and Aurelio moves into the clinch.

Aurelio tightens his grip and picks Hamed up, before dumping him to the ground. Hamed manages to land in guard.
Hamed is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Hamed can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Aurelio accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Aurelio with a flurry of punches that miss.

Hamed wriggles free and stands up.

Aurelio gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Aurelio prevents Hamed from breaking the clinch.

Hamed escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hamed throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Aurelio.

Aurelio darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Hamed wants to get back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Marco Aurelio will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Marco Aurelio's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

The fight stays on the outside here - Aurelio looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hamed misses with a body shot
and Aurelio counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Hamed is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Aurelio shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hamed as he avoids it easily.
Hamed lands with a kick to the temple. Aurelio shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Hamed avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Aurelio misses with a double jab.
Hamed swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hamed misses with a head kick.
A thudding body kick lands there by Aurelio!

Aurelio closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Hamed to the mat! Hamed manages to get full guard.
Aurelio trying to control but Hamed is working from the bottom.
Hamed wants to stand but Aurelio is controlling the position.

Hamed scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Hamed takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hamed lands a two punch combo.

Aurelio gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Hamed wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Aurelio has him pressed against the cage.
Hamed wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Aurelio pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hamed stuffs the takedown.
Hamed turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Hamed pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A combination from Hamed does no damage.
Hamed showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Aurelio.
Hamed throws a nice looking combination but Aurelio bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Hamed lands with a shot to the body.
Aurelio looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Hamed rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Aurelio moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Aurelio throws a series of punches but Hamed avoids them all with ease.
Aurelio moves forwards but Hamed connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Derek Hamed seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hamed pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hamed misses with a combination

and Aurelio counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Aurelio prevents Hamed from standing back up.

Aurelio decides to return to a standing position.
Hamed scores with a hook.
Nice takedown defense from Hamed. No joy for Aurelio on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marco Aurelio. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Hamed, as that shot connected.
Hamed lands a high kick!
Hamed misses with a hook. Aurelio ducked under it nicely.
Hamed loads up on a big right hand but Aurelio slips the punch.
Hamed keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Hamed plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Hamed pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Aurelio fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Hamed sprawls well initially but Aurelio persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hamed makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Aurelio blocks a head kick by Hamed.
Aurelio showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hamed.
Hamed is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Aurelio moves out of range of the strikes.
Aurelio dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Hamed. That did some damage!
Aurelio drops his hands momentarily and Hamed takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

Aurelio moves into range and clinches up with Hamed.
Aurelio fails to pull guard.

Hamed escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hamed tries to bum rush Aurelio with a series of wild strikes but Aurelio uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Hamed keeps the fight on the outside.
Aurelio slips a jab and a cross from Hamed.
Aurelio fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hamed throws a right hand that Aurelio ducks under and follows up with a left that Aurelio also avoids with ease.
Aurelio wants to clinch up but Hamed keeps it at a distance.
Hamed tries a head kick but it misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hamed throws a left and a right that both miss

and Aurelio counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Aurelio.
Hamed blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Hamed breaks the clinch.
Hamed throws a head kick that misses.
Hamed goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Hamed throws a jab when Aurelio was well out of range.

Aurelio closes the distance and pushes Hamed back into the cage.
Hamed has had enough of the clinch but Aurelio keeps him there for the moment.
Hamed is trying to break the clinch but Aurelio has him pressed against the cage.
Hamed is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Aurelio prevents Hamed from breaking the clinch.
Hamed wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Aurelio has him pressed against the cage.
Hamed is trying to break the clinch but Aurelio has him pressed against the cage.

Aurelio pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hamed misses with a head kick.
Aurelio blocks a head kick by Hamed.
Hamed dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Aurelio throws a sloppy head kick
and Hamed counters with a series of strikes. Aurelio will be more careful next time no doubt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marco Aurelio dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Marco Aurelio's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Aurelio tries to bum rush Hamed with a series of wild strikes but Hamed uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Aurelio wants to clinch up but Hamed keeps it at a distance.
Aurelio looks for a takedown but Hamed sprawls well.
Hamed misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hamed throws a right and a left that both miss.
Aurelio tries to clinch there but Hamed circles away.
Hamed throws a lazy head kick

and Aurelio counters by moving into the clinch.
Hamed is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Hamed is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Aurelio breaks the clinch.

Hamed gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Hamed is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Aurelio postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hamed wants to stand and escape but Aurelio is having none of it.

Hamed pushes Aurelio off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Marco Aurelio is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hamed dodges the punch combination from Aurelio.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Aurelio checks a leg kick.
Hamed misses with a low kick as Aurelio jumps back.
Hamed stuffs the takedown.
Aurelio shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hamed pinned against the cage. Hamed gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marco Aurelio. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A chopping leg kick lands by Hamed.
A nice combination there by Hamed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aurelio tries to close the distance and clinch but Hamed swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Aurelio moves into the clinch.
Aurelio throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hamed blocks it with crossed arms.
Hamed wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Hamed is looking to break free of the clinch but Aurelio has double underhooks.
Aurelio using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Hamed has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Hamed's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Hamed throws a sloppy head kick

and Aurelio counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Hamed wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Aurelio has him pressed against the cage.
Hamed wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Aurelio creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Hamed is looking to break free of the clinch but Aurelio has double underhooks.
Hamed wants to break the clinch but can't.

Aurelio escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Aurelio rushes Hamed and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Hamed pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hamed throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Aurelio.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Hamed is looking to break free of the clinch but Aurelio has double underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aurelio fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Hamed wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Aurelio has him pressed against the cage.

Hamed breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hamed swinging wilding here.
Hamed lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Aurelio circles away quickly and effectively.
Aurelio is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Aurelio with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Hamed to score with a decent uppercut.
Hamed circles away from the clinch attempt.
Aurelio pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hamed lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Hamed swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Aurelio closes the distance and clinches up with Hamed, looking for a takedown. Aurelio pushes Hamed against the cage but Hamed circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Hamed takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Hamed misses with a head kick.

Aurelio pushes Hamed up against the cage in a clinch.
Hamed wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hamed blocks an elbow strike.

Aurelio pulls guard effortlessly.

Hamed decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Aurelio throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Hamed's waist but Hamed gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Aurelio off to one side.
Aurelio is looking to clinch.
Aurelio blocks a head kick by Hamed.
Aurelio tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Aurelio fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Aurelio takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Hamed lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Aurelio looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hamed is fending him off so far but Aurelio persists. Nope, Hamed circles away and we're back to standing.
A nice inside leg kick there by Hamed. That's going to slow Aurelio down.
Aurelio avoids the head kick by Hamed.
Derek Hamed has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Marco Aurelio is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A head kick from Hamed lands but Aurelio takes it in his stride.
Aurelio blocks a leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Derek Hamed.
I think Aurelio has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Matheus Silva scores the fight 29:29
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 28:29
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 30:28

The fight is ruled a draw!