PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Matheus Cardoso (ranked 2945 p4p, 4176 weight class) and Anderson Adesanya (ranked 340 p4p, 435 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Cardoso
vs
Adesanya

183 cm
26
180
2 - 1 - 0

182 cm
26
195
2 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

NARCOS

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 London, Matheus Cardoso!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Anderson Adesanya!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Don Winkell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Adesanya doesn't manage to clinch there - Cardoso circles away.
Cardoso throws a body shot but no joy.
Adesanya defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Cardoso.
Adesanya throws a shot to the body.
Adesanya tries to clinch there but Cardoso circles away.
Adesanya swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Cardoso misses the body punch
enabling Adesanya to counter with a crisp jab.
A head kick misses from Adesanya.
Adesanya's coach down at Tappelukerho was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Adesanya's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
A jab from Adesanya misses.

Adesanya closes the distance and clinches.
Cardoso lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Adesanya works on Cardoso's body with a couple of short punches.
Cardoso blocking some punches.
Cardoso lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Adesanya scores with a nice hook to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Adesanya tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Cardoso avoids it.
Cardoso works on Adesanya's body with a couple of short punches.
Adesanya prevents Cardoso from breaking the clinch.
Adesanya stalling in the clinch but Cardoso improves position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cardoso breaks the clinch.
Cardoso definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Adesanya pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Adesanya throws a sloppy head kick

and Cardoso counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Adesanya!
Cardoso working away.
Adesanya avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Cardoso.
Adesanya tries to escape but Cardoso is in control.
Adesanya manages to get back to half guard.
Cardoso with the ground and pound but Adesanya uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Adesanya has his hands on Cardoso's head, controlling the position.
Adesanya utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cardoso is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Adesanya looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Adesanya is trying to keep Cardoso in close.
Cardoso trying to control but Adesanya is working from the bottom.
Adesanya is looking to stand up but Cardoso isn't so interested in that idea.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Cardoso throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Adesanya is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cardoso shoots for a takedown but Adesanya saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Adesanya wants to clinch up but Cardoso keeps it at a distance.
Cardoso fails to land with a series of punches.
Adesanya tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Cardoso manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Adesanya doesn't manage to clinch there - Cardoso circles away.
Cardoso misses with a straight left.
Adesanya slips a jab and a cross from Cardoso.
Cardoso misses with a hook.
Adesanya looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Cardoso throws an overhand right that lands on Adesanya's shoulder, as Adesanya tries to avoid the shot.
Adesanya jabs at Cardoso's body.
Cardoso misses with a left hand
and Adesanya counters with a nice body kick.
Cardoso just misses with a punch to the body.
Adesanya looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Adesanya tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Cardoso manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Adesanya throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Cardoso walks into a straight right hand from Adesanya.
Adesanya tries to close the distance and clinch but Cardoso swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Adesanya tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Adesanya bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Adesanya ducks under a wild hook from Cardoso.
Adesanya connects with a solid leg kick.
Adesanya avoids the body shot from Cardoso.
Adesanya lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Adesanya slaps away a takedown attempt from Cardoso, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matheus Cardoso. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Adesanya with the inside leg kick.
Adesanya cracks Cardoso with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Adesanya moves in looking to clinch but Cardoso pushes him off.
Cardoso shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Adesanya as he jumps to the side.
Adesanya steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Cardoso.
Cardoso misses with a body shot.
Adesanya leaves Cardoso with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Anderson Adesanya dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Cardoso tries a body shot but Adesanya blocks it.
Adesanya throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Cardoso blocks it with crossed arms.
Cardoso digs a right hand into Adesanya's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Adesanya's gas tank.
Cardoso is trying to break the clinch but Adesanya is controlling him.
Adesanya lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Adesanya throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Cardoso blocks it with crossed arms.
Cardoso is looking to take this one to the mat.
A knee to the head by Adesanya.
Adesanya lands with a right to the head.

Cardoso's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Adesanya wants to clinch up but Cardoso keeps it at a distance.
Good shot there by Adesanya.
Cardoso misses the body punch

and Adesanya counters by moving into the clinch.
Cardoso blocks an elbow strike.
Cardoso is working for takedown but Adesanya is calmly controlling the position for now.
Adesanya has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cardoso changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Adesanya fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matheus Cardoso. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A combination from Cardoso does no damage.
Adesanya misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Cardoso misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Adesanya.
Cardoso takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Cardoso dives in for a single leg takedown but Adesanya sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Adesanya has a couple of punches blocked by Cardoso.
Cardoso drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Adesanya gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Adesanya throws an elbow but it's blocked.
A nice right hand lands inside from Adesanya.
Adesanya stalling in the clinch.
Cardoso looking for a takedown.
Adesanya prevents a body shot from Cardoso.
Adesanya connects with a knee to the head.
Cardoso drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Adesanya gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Cardoso takes a knee right on the jaw!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Adesanya tries to stall but Cardoso uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Cardoso lands with a left to the head.
Adesanya tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Adesanya with a knee to the head.
Cardoso lands a hook to the side of the head.
Cardoso tries for a takedown but Adesanya manages to get underhooks.
Cardoso wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Adesanya lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Cardoso lands a left hand that snaps the head of Adesanya backwards.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Adesanya slowing the pace effectively.
Adesanya lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Cardoso tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Anderson Adesanya seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cardoso wants to get back to striking at distance but Adesanya won't allow it.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Adesanya.
A short uppercut from Cardoso.
Adesanya lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Cardoso lands with a light punch inside.
Cardoso looking to stall.
Cardoso lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Cardoso blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Adesanya lands a knee to the head.
Cardoso is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Adesanya is defending well.
Cardoso tries to land a knee to the head but Adesanya blocks with his arms.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Cardoso as Adesanya tries to tie him up.
Adesanya tries a knee to the head but Cardoso blocks it.
Adesanya gets underhooks to prevent Cardoso's takedown attempt.
Cardoso lands with a short shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Adesanya throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Cardoso blocks it with crossed arms.
A shot in the inside from Adesanya.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Adesanya misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Cardoso.
Cardoso creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Adesanya lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Cardoso is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Adesanya is defending well.
Cardoso has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Adesanya is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Adesanya misses with a knee strike.
Cardoso is looking to take this one to the mat.
Adesanya with a knee to the head.
Adesanya scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Adesanya tries a knee to the head but Cardoso blocks it.
Cardoso is looking for a takedown.
A knee to the head by Adesanya.
Cardoso drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Cardoso drops down looking for an ankle pick but Adesanya pulls his leg out and moves away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Anderson Adesanya showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

A slapping body kick lands there for Adesanya.
The fight stays on the outside here - Adesanya looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Adesanya closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Adesanya with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Adesanya throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Cardosos head.
Adesanya tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Cardoso avoids it.

Cardoso has picked Adesanya up - he's going for a ride! Cardoso dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Adesanya is refusing to be controlled, as Cardoso sits in half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cardoso thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Adesanya's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cardoso lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Adesanya trying to control here.
Adesanya is trying to get back to full guard.
Adesanya trying to control but Cardoso postures up.
Adesanya keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Cardoso missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Adesanya is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Cardoso not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Anderson Adesanya is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Cardoso missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Cardoso is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Cardoso throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Cardoso missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Cardoso working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Ground and pound from Cardoso.
Adesanya makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Adesanya.
Cardoso looking to sit in guard and control but Adesanya gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Cardoso can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Adesanya controls the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cardoso seems keen to control Adesanya's posture.

Adesanya gets to his feet - Cardoso follows without any prompting.
Cardoso scores with a jab to the jaw.
Adesanya tries to clinch up but Cardoso circles away and keeps his distance.
Cardoso jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Cardoso misses with a wild body shot.
Cardoso keeps the fight on the outside.
Cardoso throwing a counter right hand but Adesanya manages to avoid it.
Adesanya lands with a good body shot.
Cardoso fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Adesanya manages to avoid it.
Adesanya getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Adesanya tries to clinch

and Cardoso counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Adesanya is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Cardoso dives into side control.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Adesanya tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Cardoso wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Matheus Cardoso has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cardoso working the ground and pound.

Adesanya is rocked!
Adesanya gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Adesanya is still in real trouble! Can Cardoso finish him?
Cardoso looking to finish here with some ground and pound. He lands one big shot that has Adesanya covering up... and two more big strikes land, forcing the referee to step in and put and end to proceedings! This fight is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:47 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Matheus Cardoso!