PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Javier Alejara (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jackson Souza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Javier Alejara has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Alejara
vs
Souza

180 cm
22
144 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

168 cm
19
146 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Javier Alejara!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jackson Souza!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Mauricio Rocha and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Souza shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Alejara's guard.
Alejara looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Souza is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Souza stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Alejara swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Souza drops back looking for a leg! Alejara is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Alejara manages to kick Souza off! Souza jumps back into Alejara's guard.
Souza sitting in guard here, content to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Souza wants to control from the top but Alejara keeps moving.
Souza might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Alejara kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Souza throwing strikes but missing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Souza postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Alejara is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Souza, into his guard.
Alejara stopping the sweep attempt from Souza.
Souza managing to control the position.
Alejara looking to sit in guard and control but Souza gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Alejara will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Alejara keeping full guard, as Souza tries to pass.
Alejara keeping moving, preventing Souza from controlling successfully.
Souza landing some decent shots from guard.

Souza drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Alejara dives on top into guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Alejara accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Alejara's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Souza throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Souza lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Alejara!

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

Souza goes for an armbar but Alejara turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Alejara.
Alejara has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alejara trying to control but Souza is working from the bottom.
Alejara with a flurry of punches that miss.
Alejara trying to control the position from guard on top but Souza is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Alejara really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Souza is controlling Alejara's posture.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Alejara makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Alejara trying to control but Souza is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jackson Souza dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Souza shoots in and drives through. Alejara sprawls well.
Nice sprawl there from Alejara as Souza shoots in.
Alejara stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Alejara wants it to stay on the feet.
Javier Alejara has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jackson Souza.

Alejara clinches.

Alejara turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

Alejara is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Souza has escaped the position, nice work there.
Alejara throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Souza struggling a bit here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Alejara tries to move into full mount but can't pass Souza's legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alejara lands some shots froms side control.
Souza wants to control but Alejara postures up.
A bit of a lull in the action here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Souza tries for a takedown but Alejara sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A lazy left from Alejara finds it's target.
Alejara stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Alejara wants it to stay on the feet.
Alejara with a lazy takedown attempt

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

Souza is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Alejara is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Alejara has escaped and now he's on top!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alejara trying to control but Souza is working from the bottom.
Souza is trying to control the position but Alejara postures up.
Alejara wants to control from the top but Souza keeps moving.

Souza working for a triangle but Alejara defends it easily.
Souza has control of Alejara's left arm, preventing Alejara from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alejara is looking to work some ground and pound but Souza has wrist control.
Alejara wants to control from the top but Souza keeps moving.
Alejara with a flurry of punches that miss.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Alejara misses with a takedown attempt

and Souza counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Souza passes Alejara's left leg - he's now in half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Souza wants to take a breather but Alejara is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alejara moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Souza slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Souza laying and praying for a moment but Alejara takes advantage and regains half guard.
Souza seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Alejara does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Souza wants to work for an arm triangle but Alejara is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jackson Souza 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! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Alejara bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Souza wants to control but Alejara postures up.
Souza manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Souza is trying to control but Alejara manages to pass to mount!
Alejara throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.

Alejara looking to isolate an arm here. Souza doesn't see it coming and as Alejara extends the arm, he's forced to tap out! Nice submission by Alejara!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:55 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Javier Alejara!