PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Greg Venece (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Smulo Mafra (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Mafra's choice of entrance music: Not Afraid - Eminem. Mafra has a niggling injury. He would have liked to come in 100% fit but that's not always possible. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Venece
vs
Mafra

195 cm
23
210 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

178 cm
18
201 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Enjoys gardening

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Greg Venece!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Smulo Mafra!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Emerson Jorge and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Venece shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Venece controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Venece seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Mafra for as long as he can get away with.
Venece knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Mafra on the ground.

We're going to have a standup here because Greg Venece wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Mafra shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Venece defends it nicely.

Venece rushes Mafra and presses him up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mafra changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Venece fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Venece feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Mafra has his foot on Venece's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Venece works his way back into a safe position though.
Mafra looks gassed!
Venece is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Venece stands and steps away. Mafra gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Horrible takedown by Mafra or perhaps it was just good defense by Venece which made him look bad.
Greg Venece has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Smulo Mafra.

Venece changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Mafra looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mafra should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Greg Venece.
Venece tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Mafra gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Venece counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Venece.
Venece content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Venece is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Venece will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Venece thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Venece gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Venece darts in and clinches Mafra up against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Venece gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Mafra working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Venece.
Venece wants to pass the guard but Mafra is keeping the position.
Venece engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Venece passes Mafra's left leg - he's now in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Mafra moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Mafra throws a head kick that misses.

Venece throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Mafra was covering up waiting for the punch and Venece finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Venece trying to stand up but can't free himself from Mafra's guard.
Venece sitting in guard here, content to control.
Mafra keeping full guard, as Venece tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Venece wants to get up but he can't break Mafra's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Mafra is breathing heavily.
Venece controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Greg Venece wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Venece closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Mafra's guard.
Mafra is trying to keep Venece in close.
Greg Venece overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Mafra has a closed guard, preventing Venece from standing up.
Venece controlling from the top position.

Mafra throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Venece slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Venece scoring with punches to the head and body.
Venece passes Mafra's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Venece trying to mount his opponent but Mafra defends it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Venece decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.

Venece shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Mafra manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Mafra throws his legs up looking for a submission but Venece uses it to pass to side control.

Venece wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Mafra, who protects the arm well.
Mafra is looking for a sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Venece is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Mafra will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Venece is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Mafra can do to turn this around?
Venece landing strikes.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mafra wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Venece has control of an arm but Mafra manages to advance to Venece's back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Greg Venece dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Venece's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Venece duly obliges.
Venece avoids the head kick by Mafra.
Mafra closes the distance but Venece moves to the side

and Venece decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Mafra's guard.

Venece stands up and waves to Mafra to follow him.
Mafra gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Venece counters with a right hand to the body.
Venece scores with a nice strike.
Mafra takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Venece has Mafra up against the cage in a clinch.

Venece breaks the clinch.

Venece fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Mafra to the ground. Venece is now in Mafra's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Venece showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Venece trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Mafra can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Venece controls the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Greg Venece wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Venece keeps the fight on the outside.
Greg Venece is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Venece fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Mafra, pushing him back against the cage.

Venece successfully pulls guard.

Venece has his foot on Mafra's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Mafra works his way back into a safe position though.
Mafra trying to control the position from guard on top but Venece is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Venece has his hands on Mafra's head, controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mafra works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Venece is looking for a sweep. Mafra is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Mafra is keen to just control but Venece is a slippery customer.
Venece is looking for a sweep. Mafra is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Mafra moves into full mount! Venece won't be happy about that!
Venece is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mafra looking to ground and pound but Venece is blocking nicely.
Venece is desperately trying to improve his position but Mafra has a good base and remains in mount.
Venece wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Mafra.
Venece wants to control but Mafra is having none of it.
Venece on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Venece tries to get out of the position.
Smulo Mafra has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Greg Venece is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

And that's the end of the fight!
Greg Venece showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Venece 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 Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 30:27
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 30:27
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Greg Venece!