PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Edmundo Animal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rafael Paiva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 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?

Animal
vs
Paiva

189 cm
25
196 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

193 cm
25
195 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Edmundo Animal!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rafael Paiva!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Mauricio Rocha and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Animal closes this distance looking for a takedown but Paiva circles away.
Paiva throws a series of punches but Animal moves out of range.
Paiva misses with a double jab.

Animal drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Animal is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Animal drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Animal jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Animal postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Paiva is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Animal, into his guard.
Animal wants to improve his position but instead Paiva has moved into half guard.
Animal gets back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Animal working for a triangle but Paiva defends it easily.
Paiva is looking to stand up but Animal won't let him.
Animal is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Paiva has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Animal is proving hard to escape from.
Animal tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Animal is working hard here to advance position.
Paiva has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Animal is proving hard to escape from.
Paiva must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Animal looking to hit a scissor sweep but Paiva is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Paiva stands up from Animal's guard - Paiva perhaps looking for a knockout.
Animal shoots in for a double leg but Paiva sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A punch combination from Paiva misses.
Animal shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Paiva defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Edmundo Animal. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Paiva misses with a few strikes there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Animal fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Animal.
Animal dives in and grabs Paiva's left leg, looking for a takedown. Paiva pushes down on Animal's head and hops out.
Paiva throws a right hand that Animal ducks under and follows up with a left that Animal also avoids with ease.
Animal fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Paiva avoids it really well and circles away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Animal is defended easily by Paiva.
Animal is breathing heavily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Paiva lands with a right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rafael Paiva dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Paiva thows a left - swing and a miss!

Animal looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Paiva!
Paiva is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.

Animal with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

Animal goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Paiva is on top in guard.
Animal trying to keep a closed guard but Paiva is proving a slippery customer.

Paiva stands up from Animal's guard - Paiva perhaps looking for a knockout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Animal fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Animal keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Paiva misses with a series of wild punches.
Paiva fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Animal looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Animal looks for a takedown but Paiva sprawls well.
Animal shoots in for a takedown but Paiva shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Edmundo Animal. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Animal drops his hands momentarily and Paiva takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Animal takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice body kick from Paiva.
Rafael Paiva is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Paiva connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

It looks like Edmundo Animal has been cut.
Paiva scores with a sloppy right hand. Animal should have avoided that one.
Paiva scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Paiva catches Animal with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Paiva looks to land a combination but Animal avoids it well.
Paiva connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Animal momentarily.
Animal takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Paiva throws a nice outside leg kick.
Paiva with a hook.
Paiva fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paiva scores with the left hand. Animal knows he should have avoided that one.
Paiva misses the shot to the body.

Paiva drops Animal with a nice combination! Paiva dives into Animal's guard, looking to finish!
Paiva wants to stand but Animal is controlling his posture from full guard.

Animal is working an open guard so Paiva takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Animal slips a jab and a cross from Paiva.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paiva swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Paiva swinging wildly here.
Both fighters circling a little - Paiva finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Paiva stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Paiva wants it to stay on the feet.
Paiva misses with a few strikes there.
Animal shoots for a double leg takedown but Paiva sprawls well. He's pushed Animal's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Paiva scores with a decent looking hook.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Paiva throws out a powerful jab.

Edmundo Animal's cut is getting worse.
Paiva misses with a body shot.
Animal throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Paiva's waist but Paiva gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Animal off to one side.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rafael Paiva showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Edmundo Animal's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Paiva will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Paiva throws a right hand that Animal ducks under and follows up with a left that Animal also avoids with ease.
Animal has a takedown stuffed.
Animal fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Animal misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Edmundo Animal. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Paiva throws a right hand that Animal ducks under and follows up with a left that Animal also avoids with ease.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Animal crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Paiva - the referee stops the clock and Animal gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Paiva. Animal manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paiva rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Animal moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Animal slips a straight right by Paiva.
Animal is trying hard to land a takedown here. Paiva sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Paiva leaves Animal with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
A right-left combo lands from Paiva.
Paiva works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Paiva jabs at Animal's body.
Paiva punishes Animal's body with a nice straight punch.
Edmundo Animal is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Animal takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Paiva swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Animal.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paiva connects with a crisp jab.
Paiva throws a wild body kick that Animal sees coming a mile off.
A combination from Paiva does no damage.
Paiva lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Animal circles away quickly and effectively.
Paiva swinging wildly here.
Paiva leaves Animal with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Animal shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Paiva sprawls well. Paiva wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Animal gets slowly back to his feet.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Animal is defended easily by Paiva.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paiva throws a right and a left that both miss.
A chopping leg kick lands by Paiva.
Rafael Paiva seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Paiva scores with a one two! Animal had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

Edmundo Animal's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Paiva throws an overhand right from the outside, which connects and sends Animal stumbling backwards into the cage! Animal bounces back off the cage towards Paiva, who cracks him with a two punch combination that drops him to his knees! Paiva lands two more shots before the referee has chance to intervene - what a finish! Paiva celebrates with his corner as the crowd cheer loudly.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:43 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Rafael Paiva!