PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tee Bagg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Silvano Assunicao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bagg comes into the arena with Bump-Kottonmouth Kings blaring out of the sound system. Tee Bagg had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Bagg
vs
Assunicao

180 cm
22
202 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

190 cm
20
219 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Prefers ground

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Tee Bagg!
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, Silvano Assunicao!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Mauricio Rocha and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bagg fails with the takedown.
Silvano Assunicao seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bagg misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Assunicao fails to land with a series of punches.
A swing and a miss from Assunicao.
Assunicao throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Bagg shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Assunicao but Assunicao pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tee Bagg. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bagg tries for a takedown but Assunicao sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Bagg tries for a takedown but Assunicao sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Bagg is breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Assunicao throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Bagg tries for a takedown but Assunicao sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Assunicao throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Assunicao jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Assunicao scores with the left hand. Bagg knows he should have avoided that one.

Bagg is rocked!
Assunicao throws a leg kick which misses Bagg's front leg but catches the back leg as Bagg tries to avoid it.
Oh Bagg is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Assunicao misses with a series of wild punches.
Bagg seems to have got his legs back now.
Bagg throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Assunicao's waist but Bagg gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Bagg off to one side.
Assunicao throws a shot from downtown. Bagg moves away and avoids it.
Bagg shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Assunicao as he avoids it easily.
Assunicao misses with a looping left.
Assunicao rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Bagg moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Bagg shoots in for a takedown but Assunicao shows good takedown defense.
Assunicao misses with a looping left.
Bagg looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Assunicao is fending him off so far but Bagg persists. Nope, Assunicao circles away and we're back to standing.
Assunicao throws a big shot that misses.

Bagg scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bagg working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Bagg goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Assunicao has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Bagg but great work by Assunicao.

Assunicao working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Bagg has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Assunicao is putting a hurting on Bagg here, landing some big shots from side control.
Bagg is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Assunicao decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Assunicao scores with a sloppy right hand. Bagg should have avoided that one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Assunicao throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Bagg ducks under a wild hook from Assunicao.
Nice sprawl there from Assunicao as Bagg shoots in.
Bagg keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Bagg feints and as Assunicao raises his hands in defense, Bagg changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Bagg works over Assunicao with some ground and pound from guard.
Bagg pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Assunicao is keeping the position for now.
Bagg won't allow Assunicao to sweep him here.
Bagg working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Bagg postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Assunicao is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Bagg, into his guard.

Bagg working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Assunicao doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Assunicao manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bagg throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Assunicao escapes and throws Bagg's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Assunicao working the head with strikes.
Bagg is trying to improve his position.

Assunicao stands up and beckons Bagg to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bagg looks frusrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Assunicao throws a series of punches but Bagg moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Silvano Assunicao dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Assunicao ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bagg moves away.
Assunicao throws a leg kick but Bagg sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Assunicao missing with a left hand there. Bagg was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Bagg shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Assunicao wants to sweep here but Bagg controlling him for the moment.
Bagg works over Assunicao with some ground and pound from guard.
Assunicao wants to stand and escape but Bagg is having none of it.
Bagg in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Bagg advances position into side control!
Assunicao is breathing heavily.
Bagg passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Assunicao!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Bagg cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Bagg with shots to the head and body - Assunicao looks very uncomfortable down there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bagg looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Bagg in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.

Bagg has hold of Assunicao's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Assunicao manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bagg is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Bagg lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Assunicao hang on?
Assunicao throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Assunicao sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

Assunicao kicks off Bagg and gets to his feet.
Assunicao misses the jab.
Bagg blocks a jab.
Assunicao fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Assunicao misses with an uppercut. Bagg saw that one coming.

Assunicao gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Bagg won't allow Assunicao to get back to his feet.
Bagg is looking to work some ground and pound but Assunicao has wrist control.
Assunicao wants to stand and escape but Bagg is having none of it.
Bagg throws a strike but Assunicao rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Bagg is on top in guard.
Bagg works over Assunicao with some ground and pound from guard.
Bagg keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Assunicao's head.
Bagg lands a couple of elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bagg wants to pass the guard but Assunicao is keeping the position.
Bagg is working hard here to advance position.

Bagg drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Assunicao dives on top into guard.
Tee Bagg overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Bagg manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Assunicao manages to get himself to full guard.
Bagg passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Bagg looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Bagg swings around for an armbar but Assunicao sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Bagg's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Assunicao slips nicely into half guard, despite the strikes coming from Bagg.
Assunicao winds up and cracks Bagg with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Bagg moves into full guard.
Assunicao is looking to stand up but Bagg won't let him.
Bagg can't keep his opponent in guard - Assunicao advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Assunicao connects with a nice short shot to Bagg's temple.

Bagg with the active half guard here but Assunicao passes nicely into side control.
Bagg tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Assunicao presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bagg is trying to escape the mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tee Bagg dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Bagg drives through with a takedown into guard.

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

Bagg looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Assunicao must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Assunicao stands and steps away. Bagg gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Bagg closes this distance looking for a takedown but Assunicao circles away.
Bagg tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Assunicao swivels and escapes.
Assunicao pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Assunicao misses with a straight right.
Bagg shoots in for a takedown but Assunicao shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tee Bagg. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Assunicao is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Bagg.

Bagg shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Assunicao's guard.
Bagg working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Bagg chips away with some ground and pound.
Bagg pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Assunicao is keeping the position for now.
Bagg is looking to work some ground and pound but Assunicao has wrist control.
Bagg wants to pass the guard but Assunicao is keeping the position.
Assunicao wants to stand but Bagg is controlling the position.
Bagg tries to free his leg and advance position but Assunicao is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bagg cracks Assunicao with a solid left hand.
Bagg preventing the sweep.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Assunicao throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Bagg.
Bagg shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Assunicao as he avoids it easily.
Assunicao tests Bagg's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Bagg blocks a leg kick.
Bagg displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Assunicao throws out the jab.
Bagg moves out of range of the strikes.
Bagg fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Nice takedown defense from Assunicao. No joy for Bagg on that attempt.
Bagg shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Assunicao but Assunicao pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Bagg looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Assunicao is fending him off so far but Bagg persists. Nope, Assunicao circles away and we're back to standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Assunicao lands a nice looking body shot.
Assunicao misses with a low kick.

Bagg changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Assunicao looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Bagg creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Bagg landing a few strikes.
Assunicao manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Assunicao moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Bagg.

Assunicao is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Bagg has escaped the position, nice work there.
Bagg is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Assunicao stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Assunicao, as that shot connected.
Assunicao rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Bagg moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Silvano Assunicao is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Assunicao looks to land a left hand but Bagg moved out of range nicely.
No joy there for Assunicao, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Bagg misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Assunicao scores with a jab to the jaw.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bagg fails with the takedown.
Bagg shoots in for a takedown but Assunicao shows good takedown defense.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Tee Bagg.
I think Bagg 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 Daniel Cesar scores the fight 29:28
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 28:29
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Tee Bagg!