PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between TJ Juan Costello (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ariobaldo Tavarez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Juan Costello
vs
Tavarez

190 cm
19
189 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

181 cm
19
200 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

Decent wrestler
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, TJ Juan Costello!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ariobaldo Tavarez!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Thiago Cunha and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tavarez closes the distance and pushes Juan Costello back into the cage.
A knee to the head by Tavarez.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

Juan Costello pulls Tavarez into guard.
Tavarez must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Tavarez controls from within his opponent's guard.

Juan Costello is looking for a triangle but Tavarez pushes his legs off easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Juan Costello 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.
Tavarez postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Tavarez controlling from the top position.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Tavarez avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

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.
Tavarez looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Juan Costello looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Tavarez controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Ariobaldo Tavarez.
Juan Costello keeps the fight on the outside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Juan Costello lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

Juan Costello closes the distance and clinches.
Tavarez unloads a knee to the mid-section. Juan Costello lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Tavarez lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Tavarez crunches a lovely knee into Juan Costello's ribcage.
Tavarez has Juan Costello pressed against the cage.
Tavarez tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Tavarez will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Juan Costello up against the cage.
The crowd are getting on Tavarez's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Ariobaldo Tavarez.

Juan Costello closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Tavarez lands a nice knee to the body.
Juan Costello is breathing heavily.
The referee is keeping an eye on Tavarez - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Tavarez using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Juan Costello has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Tavarez tries to land a knee to the head but Juan Costello blocks with his arms.
Juan Costello jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Tavarez walks away with a smile on his face. Juan Costello gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Ariobaldo Tavarez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tavarez tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Juan Costello paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Tavarez forces Juan Costello back against the cage and clinches.
Tavarez dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Tavarez looking to throw knees to the head but Juan Costello is blocking nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ariobaldo Tavarez dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Tavarez tries to keep at a distance but Juan Costello has taken the fight into the clinch.
Juan Costello is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Tavarez scores with a knee to the head.
Juan Costello tries to pull guard but Tavarez holds him up against the cage and eventually Juan Costello drops back down to his feet.
Tavarez tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Juan Costello ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Juan Costello no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Juan Costello is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Juan Costello not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Tavarez seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Juan Costello working for a triangle but Tavarez defends it easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Juan Costello has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Tavarez has passed into side control.
Juan Costello is trying to improve his position.
Tavarez in side control, just content to control the action for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Tavarez throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Tavarez happy to just control the position for now.
Juan Costello tries to bench press Tavarez off him but Tavarez keeps the position.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
You can see the frustration on Juan Costello's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Ariobaldo Tavarez.
Juan Costello throws a hook to the side of Tavarez's head but Tavarez sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Juan Costello has taken the fight to the clinch.

Juan Costello ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Juan Costello no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Tavarez really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Juan Costello. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Tavarez content to stall in guard here.

Juan Costello has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Tavarez can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Juan Costello being controlled here, momentarily.
Juan Costello working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Tavarez.
Tavarez slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Juan Costello trying to control the position.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Juan Costello keeping full guard, as Tavarez tries to pass.
Juan Costello working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Tavarez.
Tavarez's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Juan Costello escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Tavarez gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Juan Costello working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Tavarez doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Tavarez manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tavarez looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ariobaldo Tavarez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Tavarez fails with an attempt to clinch.
Tavarez tries to clinch up.

Tavarez gets tackled into the cage by Juan Costello. Juan Costello maintains the clinch.
Tavarez is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Juan Costello tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Tavarez avoids it.
Tavarez landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Tavarez unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tavarez unloads a knee to the mid-section. Juan Costello lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Tavarez scores with a knee to the head.
Tavarez landing knees to the head.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Tavarez lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

Juan Costello is rocked!
Tavarez taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tavarez with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Juan Costello takes a knee right on the jaw!
Oh Juan Costello is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Tavarez avoiding damage.

Tavarez has the Thai clinch. He lands a big knee to the head and Juan Costello goes down! Tavarez dives on top of him - Juan Costello manages to get guard.
Tavarez's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Juan Costello seems to have got his legs back now.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ariobaldo Tavarez has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Tavarez closes the distance and pushes Juan Costello back into the cage.
Juan Costello wants to break free but Tavarez has control.
Tavarez connects with a knee to the head.
Tavarez with a knee to the head.
Juan Costello tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Tavarez just stands there and leans against the cage.
Tavarez connects with a nasty looking knee right to Juan Costello's face.
Tavarez lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Juan Costello takes a knee right on the jaw!
Tavarez holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Juan Costello is trying to break the clinch but Tavarez is controlling him.
Tavarez landing knees to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Tavarez.
Tavarez landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Tavarez lands a knee to the head.
Tavarez using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Tavarez will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Juan Costello up against the cage.
Tavarez connects with a knee to the head.
Knees to the body from Tavarez.
Tavarez is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Ariobaldo Tavarez.

Tavarez gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A knee to the head by Tavarez.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tavarez leaning against his opponent.
Juan Costello jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Tavarez walks away with a smile on his face. Juan Costello gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Juan Costello clinches up against the cage.
Tavarez has Juan Costello pushed against the cage.
Tavarez landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Juan Costello fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for TJ Juan Costello. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tavarez throws a knee to the head but misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Juan Costello is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Tavarez is defending well for now.
Juan Costello takes a knee right on the jaw!
Tavarez landing knees to the head.
Tavarez throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Juan Costello blocks it with crossed arms.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ariobaldo Tavarez really dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

The fight stays on the outside here - Tavarez looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Tavarez wants to clinch up but Juan Costello keeps it at a distance.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Tavarez tries a knee to the head but Juan Costello blocks it.
Tavarez with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Tavarez managing to block the knees to the body from Juan Costello.
Juan Costello being controlled against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Tavarez obliges.
Tavarez with a knee to the head.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Tavarez tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Tavarez holding his opponent close, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tavarez scores with a knee to the head.
Knees to the body from Tavarez.
Tavarez lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Tavarez lands a knee to the body.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Tavarez.
Tavarez connects with a nasty looking knee right to Juan Costello's face.
Tavarez misses with a knee strike.
Tavarez avoids a wild elbow strike from Juan Costello.
Tavarez lands a nice knee to the body.
Tavarez tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Juan Costello taking a breather.
Tavarez lands a nice knee to the body.
Juan Costello is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Tavarez is keeping busy.
Tavarez connects with a nasty looking knee right to Juan Costello's face.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavarez managing to block the knees to the body from Juan Costello.
Tavarez lands a nice knee to the body.
Tavarez landing knees to the body.
Tavarez stalling against the cage.
Tavarez unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Tavarez crunches a lovely knee into Juan Costello's ribcage.
Juan Costello is trying to push Tavarez away but Tavarez has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Juan Costello takes a knee to the side of the body.
Tavarez scores with a knee to the head.
Juan Costello managing to block the knees to the body from Tavarez.
Juan Costello avoiding damage as Tavarez throws knees to the body.
Juan Costello tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Tavarez misses with a knee to the head.
Ariobaldo Tavarez seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Juan Costello lands an elbow just above Tavarez 's eye.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavarez misses with a knee strike.
Tavarez tries to land a knee to the head but Juan Costello blocks with his arms.
Tavarez working Juan Costello over with knees to the body.
Juan Costello is trying to break the clinch but Tavarez has him pressed against the cage.
Tavarez content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Juan Costello jumps guard but Tavarez stands there with Juan Costello around his waist. Juan Costello gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Tavarez is pushing Juan Costello up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Juan Costello pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Tavarez landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Knees in the clinch landing for Tavarez.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Tavarez lands a good knee to the midsection. Juan Costello won't want to take too many of those.
Tavarez scores with a knee to the head.
Tavarez tries a knee to the head but Juan Costello blocks it.
Juan Costello tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for TJ Juan Costello. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tavarez throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Juan Costello blocks it with crossed arms.
Tavarez looking to throw knees to the head but Juan Costello is blocking nicely.
Tavarez managing to block the knees to the body from Juan Costello.
Tavarez misses with a knee strike.
Juan Costello lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Tavarez tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Tavarez throws a knee to the head but misses.
Juan Costello tries to break free but Tavarez pushes him back against the cage.
Tavarez tries to land a knee to the head but Juan Costello blocks with his arms.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ariobaldo Tavarez dominated that fourth round.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Juan Costello gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Juan Costello is trying to break free.
Tavarez avoiding damage.
Juan Costello is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Tavarez's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Tavarez with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Tavarez blocks an elbow strike.
Juan Costello creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Juan Costello tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Tavarez just stands there and leans against the cage.
Juan Costello avoiding damage as Tavarez throws knees to the body.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Tavarez with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Juan Costello wants to stall.
Tavarez looking to throw knees to the head but Juan Costello is blocking nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Juan Costello is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Tavarez with a knee to the head.
Tavarez tries a knee to the head but Juan Costello blocks it.
Tavarez using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Juan Costello has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Juan Costello tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Tavarez smiles and moves away.

Tavarez fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Juan Costello, pushing him back against the cage.
Tavarez pressing his opponent against the cage.
Juan Costello wants to break the clinch but can't.
Juan Costello takes a knee right on the jaw!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knees to the body from Tavarez.
Juan Costello takes a knee to the side of the body.
Tavarez just leaning against Juan Costello, taking a breather.
Juan Costello tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Tavarez just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for TJ Juan Costello. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Juan Costello takes a knee right on the jaw!
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Tavarez makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Tavarez will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Juan Costello up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knees to the body from Tavarez.
Tavarez has Juan Costello pressed against the cage, preventing Juan Costello from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Tavarez connects with a nasty looking knee right to Juan Costello's face.
Tavarez has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Tavarez misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Juan Costello.
Tavarez is struggling to control the position.
Juan Costello avoids a wild elbow strike from Tavarez.
Tavarez is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Juan Costello is defending well for now.
Juan Costello looking to throw knees to the head but Tavarez is blocking nicely.
Tavarez with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Juan Costello wants a takedown.
Tavarez avoiding damage.
Juan Costello takes a knee right on the jaw!
Juan Costello can't break the clinch.

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.
Juan Costello tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Tavarez just stands there and leans against the cage.
Tavarez prevents Juan Costello from breaking the clinch.
Tavarez landing knees to the body.
Tavarez with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
TJ Juan Costello has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tavarez landing knees to the head.
Tavarez has Juan Costello pressed against the cage.
Tavarez using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Tavarez blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Tavarez working Juan Costello over with knees to the body.
Tavarez scores with a knee to the head.
Tavarez controlling the action here for a moment.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Juan Costello tries to land knees in the clinch but Tavarez avoids the damage to the body.
Ariobaldo Tavarez is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Knees in the clinch landing for Tavarez.
Tavarez lands a knee to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ariobaldo Tavarez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Tavarez 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 45:50
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 44:50
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 44:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ariobaldo Tavarez!
Ariobaldo Tavarez is the new middleweight champion!