PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Matts Serra (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Flaubert Canto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Serra
vs
Canto

168 cm
27
165 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

170 cm
30
165 lbs
10 - 5 - 1

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

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 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Matts Serra!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Flaubert Canto!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Daniel Cesar and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Serra scores with a takedown into Canto's guard.
Serra trying to control but Canto is working from the bottom.
Serra works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Canto looks like he's trying to stand up.
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.

Serra seems to be working for a kimura but Canto defends the submission attempt.
Canto pushes Serra off looking to stand but Serra dives back in and keeps control.
Serra trying to control from half guard but Canto is working away.
Serra with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Canto really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Serra. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Canto wants to get back to his feet.
Canto won't allow Serra to pass to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Serra is trying to control the action in half guard but Canto is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Serra wants to pass to mount but Canto is defending the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Matts Serra just wasn't active enough.

Canto fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Serra, pushing him back against the cage.
Canto wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Canto is trying to break the clinch but Serra is controlling him.
Canto is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Serra is keeping busy.
Serra blocking some punches.

Serra breaks from the clinch.
Serra throws a looping overhand right but Canto ducks down to avoid it.
Serra swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Canto tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Serra paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Serra swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Serra lunges at Canto with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Canto's hand.
Serra connects with a nice looking jab.
Nice takedown defense from Canto. No joy for Serra on that attempt.

Canto closes the distance and clinches.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Serra misses with a hook from the clinch.
Serra has Canto pushed against the cage.
Canto is looking to break free of the clinch but Serra has double underhooks.
Canto holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Canto working hard to break the clinch.
Canto wants to break free but Serra has control.
Serra is looking to take this one to the mat.
Canto wants to break free but Serra has control.
Canto looking for a takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Canto is looking to control Serra's arms but Serra gets an underhook and turns him. Now Canto has his back to the cage.
Serra is looking to take this one to the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matts Serra. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Canto can't find room to land a body shot as Serra controls the action.
Canto has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Serra avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Canto taking a breather.
Serra will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Canto up against the cage.
Serra struggles to land a body shot inside as Canto controls his hands.
Canto wants to get back to striking at distance but Serra won't allow it.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Canto wants to break the clinch but can't.
Canto gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Serra.
Canto leaning against his opponent.
Serra struggles to land a body shot inside as Canto controls his hands.
Canto tries to break the clinch but Serra is controlling the position.

Canto pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Serra.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Canto clinches up against the cage.
Serra tries for a takedown but Canto manages to get underhooks.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
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 Matts Serra will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Canto throws the left hand but Serra avoids the punch easily.
Canto shoots in but Serra avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Canto forces Serra back against the cage and clinches.
Canto misses with a body punch.
Serra trying to stall but Canto improves his position.
Canto wants a takedown.
Serra slowing the pace effectively.
Serra stalling in the clinch but Canto improves position.

Canto's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Serra wants to clinch.
Serra throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Canto changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Serra lands with a good body shot.
Serra throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Canto is looking to clinch but Serra is avoiding it.
Canto looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Serra is fending him off so far but Canto persists. Nope, Serra circles away and we're back to standing.
Matts Serra has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Flaubert Canto.
Serra steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Canto.
Canto avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Serra ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Canto moves away.
Serra dives in and grabs Canto's left leg, looking for a takedown. Canto pushes down on Serra's head and hops out.
Canto moves in looking to clinch but Serra pushes him off.
Serra checks a low kick from Canto.
Canto tries to clinch there but Serra circles away.
Flaubert Canto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Canto manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Serra on his heels. He'll look to pass Serra's guard now, I'm sure.
Canto preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Canto is looking to work some ground and pound but Serra has wrist control.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Canto accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Canto is looking to stand up but Serra won't let him.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Canto wants to stand and escape but instead Serra has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Serra wants to control from the top but Canto keeps moving.
Serra trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Canto is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Serra is controlling him.
Serra sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Canto's guard.
Canto is staying active underneath Serra, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Canto is defending against the submission attempts here by Serra.
Canto is trying to stand up here but Serra is controlling him well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Canto makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Canto leaves Serra with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Canto wants to clinch
and Serra connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Serra fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Canto manages to avoid it.
Canto tries to score a power double leg takedown but Serra sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Canto somewhat.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Serra.
Canto tries to clinch there but Serra circles away.
The fighters circling - Serra throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nice sprawl there from Serra as Canto shoots in.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Canto uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Serra.
Serra shoots in for a double leg but Canto sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Serra goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Canto tries to clinch but Serra is having none of it.
Serra gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Canto counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Serra is looking to wear down Canto with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Canto throws a nice looking combination but Serra bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Canto fails in his attempt to clinch.
Serra avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Canto forces Serra back against the cage and clinches.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Serra's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Canto misses the shot to the body.
Serra ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Canto moves away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Flaubert Canto will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Serra doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Canto counters by moving into the clinch.

Canto manages to break the clinch.
Canto ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Serra moves away.

Canto darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Serra tries to get to full guard but Canto has control of the leg.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Serra works his way to full guard. Good work.
Serra wants to sweep here but Canto controlling him for the moment.
Canto controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

Serra looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Canto got a little sloppy there for a moment and Serra has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Canto has managed to get both his arms back between Serra's legs - danger averted.
Serra preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Canto lands a couple of digs.

Serra throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Serra 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.
Canto wants to control from the top but Serra keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Serra can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Canto controls the pace.
Serra looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Serra preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Serra controls Canto momentarily but Canto frees himself.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Flaubert Canto.
Serra thows a body shot but no joy.
Canto misses with a looping left.
Canto tries to clinch up but Serra circles away and keeps his distance.
Canto tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Serra paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Serra fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Canto manages to avoid it.
Canto doesn't manage to clinch there - Serra circles away.
Serra shoots in but no luck this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Canto looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Canto attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Serra just misses with a punch to the body.
Serra looks for a takedown but Canto sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matts Serra. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Canto tries to clinch but Serra is having none of it.
Serra keeps the fight on the outside.
Canto tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Serra manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Canto looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Serra!
Serra really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Canto looking to control but Serra is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Serra working to try and regain half guard.
Canto unloading with bombs!
Canto wants to control the pace but Serra is squirming around nicely.
Canto tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Serra is squirming around, avoiding Canto's attempts to control the action.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Serra keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Serra is squirming around, avoiding Canto's attempts to control the action.

And that's the end of the fight!
Flaubert Canto comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Canto has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Paulo Santos scores the fight for Flaubert Canto!
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight for Flaubert Canto!
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight for Flaubert Canto!

Flaubert Canto wins by unanimous decision!
Flaubert Canto thanked the fans post fight for their support.