PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Shifiinity Powel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ricardo Kaka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kaka has chosen Pjanoo by Eric Prydaz as his entrance music. There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Powel
vs
Kaka

173 cm
22
212 lbs
8 - 7 - 0

190 cm
21
203 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
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 8 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Shifiinity Powel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ricardo Kaka!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Leandro Rodrigues and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kaka has managed to clinch.
Kaka lands a nice knee to the body.
Kaka stops a takedown attempt from Powel.
Powel wants a takedown.
A knee to the head by Kaka.
Kaka lands a good knee to the midsection. Powel won't want to take too many of those.
Kaka tries a knee to the head but Powel blocks it.
Kaka throws a knee to the head but misses.
Powel drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shifiinity Powel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kaka gets underhooks to prevent Powel's takedown attempt.
Powel is breathing heavily.
Powel tries to score a body lock takedown but Kaka shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Powel drops down looking for an ankle pick but Kaka pulls his leg out and moves away.
Kaka throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Kaka closes the distance and clinches.
Kaka with a knee to the head.
Kaka with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Kaka putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Powel in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Kaka with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

It looks like Shifiinity Powel has been cut.
Kaka with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Kaka working Powel over with knees to the body.
Kaka landing knees to the head.
Kaka lands a knee to the head.
Kaka crunches a lovely knee into Powel's ribcage.
Powel takes a knee right on the jaw!
Kaka lands a knee to the head.
Powel tries to score a body lock takedown but Kaka shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaka lands a good knee to the midsection. Powel won't want to take too many of those.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Kaka obliges.
Kaka utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
A knee to the head by Kaka.
Kaka lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Powel or not.
Kaka connects with a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by Kaka.
Kaka scores with a knee to the head.
Kaka tries a knee to the head but Powel blocks it.
Kaka connects with a nasty looking knee right to Powel's face.
Kaka landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Kaka unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Powel is working for takedown but Kaka is calmly controlling the position for now.
Kaka scores with a knee to the head.
Kaka stops a takedown attempt from Powel.
Kaka tries to land a knee to the head but Powel blocks with his arms.
A knee to the head by Kaka.
Powel drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Powel has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kaka avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
A knee to the head by Kaka.
A knee to the head by Kaka.
Powel drops down looking for an ankle pick but Kaka pulls his leg out and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head kick from Kaka lands but Powel takes it in his stride.

Kaka has closed the distance and engaged Powel in a clinch.
Powel is working for takedown but Kaka is calmly controlling the position for now.
Kaka putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Powel in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Kaka using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Kaka lands a knee to the body.
Kaka with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Kaka using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kaka with a knee to the head.
Kaka connects with a knee to the head.
Kaka with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Powel is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Powel wants a takedown.
A knee to the head by Kaka.
Powel has Kaka pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kaka manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Kaka lands a knee to the head.
Powel wants a takedown.
Kaka scores with a knee to the head.
Kaka gets underhooks to prevent Powel's takedown attempt.
A knee to the head by Kaka.
Kaka tries to land knees in the clinch but Powel avoids the damage to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kaka gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Powel.
Kaka with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Powel is trying to drag Kaka to the mat but Kaka just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Kaka crunches a lovely knee into Powel's ribcage.
Kaka with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Powel takes a knee to the side of the body.
Kaka landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Powel is trying to drag Kaka to the mat but Kaka just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Powel takes a knee to the side of the body.
Powel tries to score a body lock takedown but Kaka shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Kaka lands a good knee to the midsection. Powel won't want to take too many of those.
Powel takes a knee to the side of the body.
Kaka landing knees to the head.
Kaka lands a knee to the head.
Kaka lands a knee to the head.
Kaka tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Powel is working for takedown but Kaka is calmly controlling the position for now.
Kaka unloads a knee to the mid-section. Powel lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Knees to the body from Kaka.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Powel drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Kaka gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Kaka scores with a knee to the head.
Powel is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Kaka gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Powel wants a takedown.
Kaka scores with a knee to the head.
Kaka connects with a knee to the head.
Knees to the body from Kaka.
Powel goes for a takedown attempt but Kaka pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Crunch! Kaka slams his shin into Powel's torso.
Powel shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kaka pinned against the cage. Kaka gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Kaka moves into the clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kaka lands a knee to the head.
Powel is working for takedown but Kaka is calmly controlling the position for now.
Kaka landing knees to the head.
Kaka crunches a lovely knee into Powel's ribcage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricardo Kaka dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Shifiinity Powel's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Kaka uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Powel.
Powel shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kaka defends it nicely.

Powel changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Kaka looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Kaka gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kaka manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Powel trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kaka keeping moving, preventing Powel from controlling successfully.
Kaka looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Kaka has his foot on Powel's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Powel works his way back into a safe position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaka is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Powel scoring with punches to the head and body.
Powel looking to pass the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Powel postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Powel throwing strikes from guard but Kaka blocks nicely.
Powel thows a big elbow that misses.
Kaka looking to control.
Kaka manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Powel tries to get back to half guard but can't.

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.
Kaka trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Powel is working to get back to half guard.
Kaka looking to control but Powel is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Powel wants to hold on but Kaka pushes him away.
Kaka wants to control the pace but Powel is squirming around nicely.
Powel swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Powel tries to lock up and control but Kaka gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kaka looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.

Kaka working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Powel wants to hold on but Kaka pushes him away.
Powel tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Powel is working hard here to advance position.
Kaka wants to control the pace but Powel is squirming around nicely.
Powel wants to hold on but Kaka pushes him away.

That's four 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.
Powel can't escape the position.
Powel sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

Powel actively working from the bottom here.
Kaka wants to lay and pray for a moment but Powel keeps working.

Kaka is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Powel has managed to free his arm - good work.
Still in half guard, Kaka seems content to control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Powel looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Powel wants to improve his position but Kaka is controlling well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ricardo Kaka will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Shifiinity Powel's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Kaka throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Powel.

Powel bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Kaka tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Powel wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
An elbow from Powel crashes against the mat.
Powel working away.
Powel in side control, throwing shots but Kaka defends.
Powel lands a decent elbow from side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kaka defending against the ground and pound.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Powel doesn't manage to clinch there - Kaka circles away.

Kaka rushes Powel and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Powel tries for a takedown but Kaka manages to get underhooks.
Powel is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Kaka putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Powel in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Kaka lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Kaka lands a knee to the body.
Kaka prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shifiinity Powel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kaka with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Powel has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Kaka is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Powel is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Kaka unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Kaka scores a nice knee to the body.
Kaka misses with a knee strike.
Powel has Kaka pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kaka manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Kaka landing knees to the head.
A knee to the head by Kaka.
Ricardo Kaka seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Kaka is pressed up against the cage. Powel has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kaka down to the mat. Kaka avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Kaka has Powel up against the cage in a clinch.
Powel takes a knee right on the jaw!
Kaka prevents a takedown attempt there.
Powel has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Kaka is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Kaka lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Kaka with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Powel wants a takedown but no success here.
Kaka using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Kaka unloads a knee to the mid-section. Powel lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Kaka missing with knees to the body.

Powel turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kaka regains half guard.
Powel is trying to control the action in half guard but Kaka is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Powel is trying to work for a kimura but Kaka is defending well.
Kaka keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Powel wants to pass to mount but Kaka is defending the position.
Kaka trying to control from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Powel throwing shots but Kaka is blocking nicely.
Powel seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Powel throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Left hook, right uppercut from Powel.
Kaka throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.

Kaka darts in and clinches Powel up against the cage.
Kaka scores with a knee to the head.
Kaka connects with a nasty looking knee right to Powel's face.
Kaka with a knee to the head.
Kaka prevents a takedown attempt there.
Kaka using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Powel has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Powel takes a knee to the side of the body.
Kaka with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Kaka has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kaka crunches a lovely knee into Powel's ribcage.
Kaka is pressed up against the cage. Powel has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kaka down to the mat. Kaka avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Kaka is looking to clinch but Powel is avoiding it.
Powel shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kaka as he jumps to the side.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kaka lands a high kick!
Powel shoots in but Kaka avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Ricardo Kaka is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Kaka takes the fight into the clinch.
Kaka tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kaka misses with a knee to the head.
Powel wants a takedown.
Kaka is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Kaka connects with a knee to the head.
Kaka using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Powel looking for a takedown.
Kaka landing knees to the body.
Powel tries to score a body lock takedown but Kaka shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Kaka prevents a takedown attempt there.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kaka connects with a nasty looking knee right to Powel's face.
Kaka tries a knee to the head but Powel blocks it.
Powel has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kaka avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Shifiinity Powel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ricardo Kaka is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Powel drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kaka connects with a knee to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ricardo Kaka comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kaka winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 26:30
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 26:30
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ricardo Kaka!