PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Apophis Kalmisto (ranked 816 p4p, 823 weight class) and Miguel Azevedo Souza (ranked 109 p4p, 110 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Kalmisto
vs
Azevedo Souza

175 cm
35
157
17 - 15 - 0

176 cm
36
150
29 - 16 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

NARCOS
Shadow Realm Apparel

NARCOS

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Apophis Kalmisto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 29 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Miguel Azevedo Souza!
The judges for this bout are Ben Watson, Damien Edna and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kalmisto moves into the clinch.
Azevedo Souza lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Kalmisto backwards.
A short left from Azevedo Souza.
A hook to the body from Azevedo Souza.
Kalmisto has a couple of punches blocked by Azevedo Souza.
Kalmisto working aggressively here.
Azevedo Souza tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kalmisto just stands there and leans against the cage.
Kalmisto blocks a body shot from Azevedo Souza.
Kalmisto creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Azevedo Souza's defenses.

It looks like Miguel Azevedo Souza has been cut.
Azevedo Souza tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kalmisto blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kalmisto softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Azevedo Souza misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A body shot lands from Azevedo Souza.
Azevedo Souza is trying to pull guard but Kalmisto turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Kalmisto trying to land knees to the body.
Azevedo Souza working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Azevedo Souza pulls Kalmisto into guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Kalmisto passes Azevedo Souza's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Kalmisto is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Azevedo Souza reverses the position - he's now on top in Kalmisto's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kalmisto looking to hit a scissor sweep but Azevedo Souza is one step ahead there.
Kalmisto wants to hit a sweep here but Azevedo Souza passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Kalmisto there!
Kalmisto gets back to half guard.

Azevedo Souza is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Kalmisto sees it coming and defends easily.
My spies in Tappelukerho inform me that Azevedo Souza has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Azevedo Souza trying to mount his opponent but Kalmisto defends it.
Azevedo Souza uses his free foot to push down on Kalmisto's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Kalmisto.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kalmisto regains half guard.
Kalmisto is trying to get back to full guard.
Azevedo Souza seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Azevedo Souza is looking for a kimura but Kalmisto is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Azevedo Souza to get the leverage.
Azevedo Souza is looking to take a break and control but Kalmisto is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Kalmisto looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kalmisto moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Kalmisto seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Azevedo Souza is pushing down on Kalmisto's leg trying to pass to half guard. Kalmisto is fighting to maintain full guard but Azevedo Souza has managed to sneak the leg through.
Kalmisto tries to roll over but Azevedo Souza keeps him under control.
Azevedo Souza wants to control but Kalmisto is keeping him busy.
Azevedo Souza might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Kalmisto haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Kalmisto is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Kalmisto manages to get to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kalmisto looking for a guillotine here but Azevedo Souza defends easily.
Azevedo Souza trying to control but Kalmisto is working from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Azevedo Souza stopping the sweep attempt from Kalmisto.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Kalmisto throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Miguel Azevedo Souza dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Miguel Azevedo Souza's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Azevedo Souza tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Kalmisto defends well and Azevedo Souza ends up having to push Kalmisto into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Kalmisto.
Azevedo Souza lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Azevedo Souza lands with a nice combination. Kalmisto backs away looking to recover.
Apophis Kalmisto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kalmisto misses with a straight right.
Nice defenses there by Kalmisto.
Azevedo Souza scores with a shot to the body.
Kalmisto lands with a thumping leg kick.
Kalmisto uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Azevedo Souza.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Azevedo Souza fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Azevedo Souza.
Nice straight punches there by Azevedo Souza. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Azevedo Souza.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kalmisto tries to clinch up

and Azevedo Souza counters with a shoot takedown. Kalmisto fights it but they end up in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kalmisto keeping moving, preventing Azevedo Souza from controlling successfully.
Kalmisto wants to sweep here but Azevedo Souza controlling him for the moment.
Azevedo Souza trying to control but Kalmisto is working from the bottom.
Azevedo Souza wants to pass the guard but Kalmisto is keeping the position.
Azevedo Souza content to stall in guard here.
Azevedo Souza wants to control from the top but Kalmisto keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Kalmisto manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Azevedo Souza manages to get himself to full guard.

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Azevedo Souza throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Kalmisto looking to pass the guard.
Kalmisto is pushing down on Azevedo Souza's leg trying to pass to half guard. Azevedo Souza is fighting to maintain full guard but Kalmisto has managed to sneak the leg through.
Kalmisto works his foot free and advances to mount.
Kalmisto with some aggressive grappling here, looking for the finish.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azevedo Souza working to try and regain half guard.
Azevedo Souza wants to hold on but Kalmisto pushes him away.
Azevedo Souza is looking to get to half guard.
Kalmisto misses with a head shot.
Azevedo Souza tries to hold on but Kalmisto pushes him away.
Azevedo Souza is working to get back to half guard.

Kalmisto is giving the impression that he's looking to ground and pound but he switches suddenly into a beautiful far side armbar! Azevedo Souza is forced to tap! Great finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Apophis Kalmisto!
An out of breath Apophis Kalmisto thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.