PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Gilberto Duque (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Theo Romeiro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Duque
vs
Romeiro

183 cm
18
178 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
24
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Gilberto Duque!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Theo Romeiro!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Alexandre Firmino and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Romeiro tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Duque swivels and escapes.
Duque tries to clinch up.
Romeiro closes the distance and clinches up with Duque, looking for a takedown. Romeiro pushes Duque against the cage but Duque circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Romeiro looks gassed!
Romeiro looks for a takedown but Duque sprawls well.
Gilberto Duque has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Theo Romeiro.
Duque keeps Romeiro at a distance using the push kick.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Duque.
Duque throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Romeiro.
Duque shoots in for a takedown but Romeiro shows good takedown defense.
Duque changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Romeiro tries to avoid it but Duque manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Romeiro to the ground. Romeiro escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Duque scores with a head kick.
Romeiro fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Horrible takedown by Duque or perhaps it was just good defense by Romeiro which made him look bad.

Duque takes the fight into the clinch.
Romeiro prevents a takedown attempt there.
Duque is trying to drag Romeiro to the mat but Romeiro just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Duque stalling the fight.
Duque tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Romeiro tries for a takedown but Duque manages to get underhooks.
Romeiro avoiding damage as Duque throws knees to the body.

Duque successfully pulls guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Duque wants to stand up but Romeiro is controlling him.
Romeiro tries to stand but Duque is controlling from the bottom.
Duque controls Romeiro momentarily but Romeiro frees himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Romeiro wants to stand but Duque has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Duque looking for a guillotine here but Romeiro defends easily.

Duque throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Duque is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
A looping hook to the body misses from Duque. Romeiro does a little dance to reset his feet.
Duque tries to close the distance and clinch but Romeiro swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Duque is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Duque fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Romeiro misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Romeiro takes a kick to the side of the head.
Duque fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Duque moves in looking to clinch but Romeiro pushes him off.
Duque looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Duque throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Theo Romeiro seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Duque shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Romeiro sprawls well. Romeiro wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Duque gets slowly back to his feet.
Duque throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Duque misses with the combination.

Duque has closed the distance and engaged Romeiro in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Duque is trying to stall.
Duque goes for a takedown in the clinch but Romeiro prevents it.
Duque can't get the takedown.
Duque is trying to break the clinch but Romeiro is controlling him.
Duque tries to score a body lock takedown but Romeiro shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Romeiro as Duque tries to tie him up.

Romeiro is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Duque can't fight it off and eventually Romeiro manages to take the fight to the floor. Duque looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Duque has a closed guard, preventing Romeiro from standing up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Gilberto Duque will probably get the nod.
That's time! Duque's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Duque pushes Romeiro up against the cage in a clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Duque's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Duque wants to break the clinch but can't.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Romeiro looking for a takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Duque has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Romeiro is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Duque looking to stall.
Duque looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Romeiro is trying to drag Duque to the mat but Duque just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Romeiro is breathing heavily.
Duque is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Romeiro pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Duque stalling.
Duque wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Romeiro has him pressed against the cage.
Romeiro tries for a takedown. No joy.
Gilberto Duque has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Theo Romeiro.
Duque tries to pull guard but Romeiro holds him up against the cage and eventually Duque drops back down to his feet.
Duque looking for a takedown.
Duque misses with a hook to the ribs.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Romeiro as Duque tries to tie him up.

That's two 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.
Duque looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Romeiro gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Duque.
Duque tries to pull guard but Romeiro holds him up against the cage and eventually Duque drops back down to his feet.
Duque tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Romeiro just stands there and leans against the cage.
Romeiro prevents a takedown attempt there.
Duque fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Duque wants to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Duque has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Romeiro has Duque pressed against the cage, preventing Duque from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Romeiro changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Duque fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Duque shoots in for a takedown but Romeiro shows good takedown defense.
Gilberto Duque is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Romeiro ducks under a wild hook from Duque.
Duque looks to land a combination but Romeiro avoids it well.
Duque tries to clinch but Romeiro is having none of it.
Romeiro shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Duque defends it nicely.
Duque shoots in for a takedown but Romeiro shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Duque looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Romeiro is fending him off so far but Duque persists. Nope, Romeiro circles away and we're back to standing.
Romeiro avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Duque fails to land the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Romeiro steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Duque. That one must have hurt.
Duque shoots in for a double leg but Romeiro sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Duque is looking to clinch.
Duque rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Romeiro moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Duque looks for a takedown but Romeiro sprawls well.
Duque chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Romeiro keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Duque shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Romeiro as he avoids it easily.
Romeiro shoots in for a takedown but Duque shows good takedown defense.
Romeiro shoots for a double leg takedown but Duque sprawls well. He's pushed Romeiro's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Duque tries for a takedown but Romeiro sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Duque will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Duque fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Romeiro fails with a takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Theo Romeiro will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Duque is looking to clinch.
Romeiro fails with the takedown.
Duque tries to clinch but Romeiro moves out of range.
Duque closes the distance and clinches up with Romeiro, looking for a takedown. Duque pushes Romeiro against the cage but Romeiro circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Duque tries for a takedown but Romeiro sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Duque tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Romeiro swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gilberto Duque. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Duque looks for a takedown but Romeiro sprawls well.
Romeiro misses with a takedown attempt

and Duque holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Duque jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Romeiro walks away with a smile on his face. Duque gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Duque is trying hard to land a takedown here. Romeiro sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Duque looks for a takedown but Romeiro sprawls well.
Romeiro swats away the attempt to clinch by Duque.
Romeiro shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Duque fails with a takedown attempt.
Duque fails with an attempt to clinch.
Duque shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Romeiro pinned against the cage. Romeiro gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Romeiro is trying hard to land a takedown here. Duque sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Romeiro fails with a takedown attempt.

Duque scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Romeiro wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Duque trying to control the position but Romeiro is working away.
Romeiro is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Duque has just dragged him back down to the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Duque wants to stand but Romeiro is controlling his arm.
Romeiro is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Duque is controlling him well.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Duque fails in his attempt to clinch.
Duque throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Romeiro's waist but Romeiro gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Duque off to one side.
Duque will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Duque fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Romeiro avoids it really well and circles away.
Duque tries to close the distance and clinch up but Romeiro swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Romeiro shoots for a takedown but Duque saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Romeiro circles away from the clinch attempt.
Duque fails with an attempt to clinch.
Duque throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Romeiro takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Duque fails with the takedown.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Duque is defended easily by Romeiro.
Romeiro fails with the takedown.
An inside leg kick lands from Duque.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Romeiro prevents the takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Duque is trying to break the clinch but Romeiro has him pressed against the cage.
Duque tries to break free but Romeiro pushes him back against the cage.
Duque wants a takedown but no success here.
A frustrated look appears on Duque's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Duque is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Romeiro prevents the takedown attempt.
Duque gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Romeiro.
Duque prevents the takedown attempt.

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 Gilberto Duque.
I think Duque 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 Matheus Silva scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 29:28
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Gilberto Duque!