PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rodrigo Nogueira (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Giovanni Batista (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Batista has a niggling injury. He would have liked to come in 100% fit but that's not always possible. Giovanni Batista told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Nogueira
vs
Batista

210 cm
22
230 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
256 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Intelligent

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight 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, Rodrigo Nogueira!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Giovanni Batista!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Emerson Jorge and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nogueira tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Batista is able to avoid easily.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Nogueira.
Batista looks gassed!
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Nogueira is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Nogueira tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nogueira misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nogueira is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Batista knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Nogueira in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Nogueira wants to lay and pray for a moment but Batista keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nogueira is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Batista is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

Nogueira tries for a kimura but Batista is defending well.
Nogueira controls the position.
Nogueira tries to advance to mount but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nogueira controls the position.
Nogueira seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Batista for as long as he can get away with.
Nogueira really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Nogueira tries to move into full mount but can't pass Batista's legs.
Batista is not content to let Nogueira control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Rodrigo Nogueira wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Nogueira tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Batista manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nogueira looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Batista!
Nogueira controlling his opponent.
Nogueira throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rodrigo Nogueira dominated that round.
That's time! Nogueira's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

A telegraphed takedown attempt from Nogueira is defended easily by Batista.
Nogueira misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Nogueira fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Batista avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rodrigo Nogueira. 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.
Nogueira shoots in looking for a takedown but Batista manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Nogueira's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Batista has eaten all the pies!
Batista is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nogueira is looking to clinch.

Nogueira shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Batista is trying to defend but Nogueira finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Nogueira is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Batista doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Nogueira.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nogueira not doing much here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nogueira is trying to control. Batista wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Batista won't allow Nogueira to pass to mount.

Nogueira is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Batista has managed to free his arm - good work.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Nogueira lands a nice short elbow.
Nogueira performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Rodrigo Nogueira overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Batista is staying active underneath Nogueira, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rodrigo Nogueira dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Nogueira closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Nogueira lands in his opponent's guard.
Nogueira trying to control the position from guard on top but Batista is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nogueira stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Batista swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Batista takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nogueira content to stall in guard here.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

We're going to have a standup here because Rodrigo Nogueira wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Batista displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Nogueira.

Nogueira shoots in and gets a takedown into Batista's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nogueira trying to control the position from guard on top but Batista is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Batista being controlled here, momentarily.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

We're going to have a standup here because Rodrigo Nogueira wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Batista misses with a takedown attempt

and Nogueira counters with a shoot takedown. Batista fights it but they end up in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nogueira stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Batista swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Nogueira slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Nogueira throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Batista tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Nogueira is in Batista's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nogueira controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Batista is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rodrigo Nogueira showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Nogueira 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 Emerson Jorge scores the fight 30:26
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rodrigo Nogueira!
A relieved looking Rodrigo Nogueira thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.