PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Thiago Oliveira (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Flaubert Canto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thiago Oliveira has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Oliveira
vs
Canto

176 cm
26
163 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

170 cm
26
169 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Very quick

Good wrestler
Brawler
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thiago Oliveira!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Flaubert Canto!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Daniel Cesar and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Canto with a poor takedown
and Oliveira counters with a stiff right hand.
Canto walks into a left hand.
Oliveira missing with a left hand there. Canto was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Canto with a lazy takedown attempt

and Oliveira counters with a shoot takedown. Canto fights it but they end up in guard.
Oliveira is stalling in the full guard.
Canto keeping moving, preventing Oliveira from controlling successfully.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Canto can do anything to dispel that myth.
Oliveira is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Canto is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Thiago Oliveira.
Oliveira scores with a nice head shot.
A jab from Oliveira misses.

Canto shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Oliveira manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Canto loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Canto throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Oliveira works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Oliveira trying to control the position.
Canto won't allow Oliveira to sweep him here.
Oliveira is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oliveira works his way into full mount!
Oliveira takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Oliveira has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Oliveira's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Oliveira wants to control the pace but Canto is squirming around nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oliveira looking to control and managing it successfully.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Oliveira can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Canto is looking to escape.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Thiago Oliveira just wasn't active enough.
Canto misses with a takedown attempt
and Oliveira counters with a straight right hand.
Thiago Oliveira has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Flaubert Canto.
Oliveira with a lazy takedown attempt

and Canto counters with a nice double leg into side control. Oliveira won't be happy with that.

Canto decides to take the fight back to the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Canto misses with a takedown attempt
and Oliveira counters with a series of strikes. Canto will be more careful next time no doubt.
Canto looks gassed!
Canto misses with a takedown

and Oliveira counters with a shoot takedown. Canto fights it but they end up in guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Oliveira pushes down on Canto's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Oliveira trying to control the action but Canto is working from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Oliveira looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Canto throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Oliveira was covering up waiting for the punch and Canto finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Oliveira manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Canto manages to get himself to full guard.
Oliveira trying to control but Canto is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oliveira showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Canto keeping moving, preventing Oliveira from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Thiago Oliveira just wasn't active enough.

Oliveira gets the takedown into side control.
Thiago Oliveira overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Canto seems a little lost for a moment, as Oliveira dominates the positioning.
Oliveira tries to move to mount but Canto blocks the move with his legs.
Oliveira trying to control the position but Canto is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee asks Oliveira politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Oliveira prefers to stall for the moment though.
Canto is trying to get back to his feet.
Oliveira staying calm.
Oliveira trying to control the action but Canto is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Thiago Oliveira wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Canto fails with the takedown
and Oliveira counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Canto fails with the takedown

and Oliveira counters with a nice double leg into side control. Canto won't be happy with that.
Canto is breathing heavily.
Oliveira wants to lay and pray for a moment but Canto keeps working.
Oliveira in side control, just content to control the action for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Canto is not content to let Oliveira control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thiago Oliveira dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Canto shoots and misses

and Oliveira counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Oliveira seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Canto does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Oliveira wants to pass the guard but Canto is defending well.
Oliveira is keen to just control but Canto is a slippery customer.
Oliveira is taking a breather. Canto says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Thiago Oliveira.
Canto has his takedown stuffed

and Oliveira counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Oliveira wants to control but Canto is keeping him busy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Canto takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Oliveira works his way into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oliveira wants to lay and pray for a moment but Canto keeps working.
Oliveira remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Oliveira is looking to take a break and control but Canto is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Oliveira creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Canto sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Flaubert Canto has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Oliveira is looking to take a break and control but Canto is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Oliveira throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Oliveira wants to control but Canto is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oliveira controls the position from side control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Thiago Oliveira.
Canto has his takedown stuffed
and Oliveira counters with a stiff right hand.
Thiago Oliveira has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Flaubert Canto.

Canto shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Oliveira gets back to half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Oliveira manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Canto trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Oliveira tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Oliveira is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Oliveira wants to take a breather but Canto is having none of it.
Oliveira works his foot free and advances to mount.
Oliveira throwing strikes here but Canto is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thiago Oliveira showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Oliveira has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Thiago Cunha scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thiago Oliveira!