PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Edmundo Jr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hugo Rossi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Jr
vs
Rossi

165 cm
20
155 lbs
6 - 0 - 1

173 cm
23
153 lbs
8 - 3 - 1

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Powerful

Hilo Clothing Co
ANABOLIC **160** and LAUNDRY

ANABOLIC **160** and LAUNDRY

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Edmundo Jr!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Hugo Rossi!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Leandro Rodrigues and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jr with a lazy takedown attempt

and Rossi counters with a single leg into guard. Jr didn't expect that.
Jr keeping full guard, as Rossi tries to pass.
Jr is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rossi stopping the sweep attempt from Jr.
Rossi trying to control the position from guard on top but Jr is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jr wants to get back to his feet but Rossi is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Jr keeping moving, preventing Rossi from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Jr shoots and misses

and Rossi counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Rossi.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rossi throwing strikes from guard but Jr blocks nicely.
Rossi pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Jr is keeping the position for now.
Jr keeping moving, preventing Rossi from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rossi is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Rossi showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Jr is looking to stand up but Rossi isn't so interested in that idea.
Rossi wants to control from the top but Jr keeps moving.

Hugo Rossi has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Jr keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Rossi displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Jr.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Edmundo Jr. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jr doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Rossi counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rossi throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Jr tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Rossi is in Jr's guard.
Rossi throwing strikes but missing.
Rossi throws a big right hand that misses.
Jr 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.
Rossi passes Jr's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Rossi seems to be working for a kimura but Jr defends the submission attempt.
Jr pushes Rossi off looking to stand but Rossi dives back in and keeps control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rossi is pressing down on Jr's thigh, looking to free his foot. Jr is holding on for now.
Rossi is stalling here. Jr is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Rossi seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Jr has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Jr lands some shots froms side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jr lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Rossi down.
Rossi is trying to control Jr's posture but Jr avoids it.
Rossi gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Rossi wants to control but Jr is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Rossi wants to improve his position but Jr is controlling well.
Rossi trying to control from the bottom.
Still in half guard, Jr seems content to control.
Rossi is refusing to be controlled, as Jr sits in half guard.
Rossi is looking for a sweep. Jr is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Rossi shoots in and drives through. Jr sprawls well.
A punch combination from Rossi misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Jr tries to sprawl but Rossi drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Jr is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Rossi's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Rossi's back!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Jr punches Rossi on the ear.
Jr missing with strikes from the back.
Jr is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Rossi staying busy and making it hard for Jr to control.
Rossi trying to control the action but Jr just sinks the hooks in.
Rossi is taking damage to the body and head.
You can see the frustration on Rossi's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Jr throwing wild punches that miss their target.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rossi trying to control the action but Jr just sinks the hooks in.
You can see the frustration on Rossi's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Jr connects with a big shot to the side of Rossi's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hugo Rossi dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Jr with a lazy takedown attempt
and Rossi counters with a right hand to the body.
Jr shoots in looking for a takedown but Rossi manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Jr's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Edmundo Jr seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Rossi tries to sprawl but Jr drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Rossi trying to hold on to Jr's head to control him but Jr postures up.
Jr prevents Rossi from improving his position.
Rossi manages to get to full guard.
Jr in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Jr wants to control from the top but Rossi keeps moving.
Rossi 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.
Jr postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jr looking to pass the guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Jr accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Rossi wants to sweep but no luck.
Jr is working Rossi over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Rossi looking to control.
Rossi wants to hit a switch here but Jr passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Rossi there!
Jr has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Rossi's face.
Jr controlling the pace for now.
Jr breaks from Rossi's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Rossi bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rossi trying to control the position from guard on top but Jr is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jr is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Rossi is controlling him.
Jr working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rossi.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rossi trying to control but Jr is working from the bottom.
Rossi tries to free his leg and advance position but Jr is retaining full guard.
Rossiis looking to pass into half guard but Jr pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Jr is in guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rossi has momentary wrist control but Jr slips an elbow through the middle.
Rossi is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Jr stopping the sweep attempt from Rossi.
Jr content to stall in guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rossi looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Rossi lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Jr!
Jr is looking to get to half guard.
Rossi throwing strikes here but Jr is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Rossi tries to control but Jr wriggling away.
Jr working to try and regain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jr wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Rossi.
Rossi takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Jr is wriggling around trying to escape.
Jr tries to hold on but Rossi postures up.
Jr wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Rossi scores with a couple of good head shots there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Jr tries to hold on but Rossi pushes him away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jr is looking to get to half guard.
Rossi throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Jr sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Hugo Rossi will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action!

Rossi cracks Jr with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Jr fails with the takedown
and Rossi makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Jr dodges the punch combination from Rossi.

Jr closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Rossi to the mat! Rossi manages to get full guard.
Jr working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Rossi seems keen to control Jr's posture.
Rossi is trying to control the position but Jr postures up.
Jr trying to control the position from guard on top but Rossi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jr has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Jr misses with a takedown attempt
and Rossi counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jr changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rossi tries to avoid it but Jr manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rossi to the ground. Rossi escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Edmundo Jr. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jr misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Jr shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rossi defends it nicely.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Jr keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Jr shoots in for a takedown but Rossi shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Jr doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Rossi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Rossi misses with the combination.
Jr has a takedown stuffed.
Jr with a poor takedown
and Rossi counters with a three punch combo that has Jr backing up. Jr nods at Rossi to acknowledge the strikes.
Hugo Rossi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rossi fails with a takedown attempt.

Jr closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Rossi quickly recovers to half guard.
Rossi is trying to control but can't.
Rossi manages to get to full guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Jr postures up in Rossi's guard and throws a big left but Rossi blocks it.
Rossi manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Jr manages to get himself to full guard.
Rossi looking to pass the guard.
Jr working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rossi.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jr is looking to stand up but Rossi isn't so interested in that idea.

Rossi drops back looking for a leg! Jr is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Jr manages to kick Rossi off! Rossi jumps back into Jr's guard.
Rossi trying to control the position from guard on top but Jr is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jr is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Jr controls Rossi momentarily but Rossi frees himself.
Rossi tries to free his leg and advance position but Jr is retaining full guard.
Rossi is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Jr is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rossi looking to sit in guard and control but Jr gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Rossi manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Rossi throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Rossi scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Rossi thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jr is squirming around, avoiding Rossi's attempts to control the action.

Rossi moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Jr has worked his arm free - good work by Jr!

Rossi wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Jr, who protects the arm well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Jr has his takedown stuffed
and Rossi counters with a stiff right hand.
Jr is trying hard to land a takedown here. Rossi sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Jr tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rossi sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Jr somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Edmundo Jr. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jr stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Jr wants it to stay on the feet.
Jr shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rossi but Rossi pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Rossi tries to close the distance and clinch up but Jr swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Rossi is trying hard to land a takedown here. Jr sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Jr looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Rossi is fending him off so far but Jr persists. Nope, Rossi circles away and we're back to standing.
Rossi misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Jr shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rossi but Rossi pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rossi fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Jr.
Jr tries for a takedown but Rossi circles away easily
and Rossi counters with a low kick, right behind Jr 's knee.
Hugo Rossi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Jr shoots and misses
and Rossi counters with a one-two to the body.

Rossi closes the distance and clinches.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Jr is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Rossi gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rossi stalls.
Rossi prevents the takedown attempt.
Jr working hard to break the clinch.

Rossi's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Jr shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Jr showed some decent athleticism there.
Rossi tries to get to full guard but Jr has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jr scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Rossi tries to roll over but Jr keeps him under control.
Rossi wants to control but Jr is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Jr wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rossi keeps working.
Rossi moves into full guard.
Rossi pulls Jr in close to his closed guard and prevents Jr from doing any damage or advancing position.
Rossi 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 four minutes gone in the round.

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

Rossi is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Jr has managed to free his arm - good work.
Jr makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Jr.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rossi throws a big right hand that misses.
Rossi trying to control the position from guard on top but Jr is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jr keeping full guard, as Rossi tries to pass.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hugo Rossi dominated that fourth round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Rossi tries to clinch up but Jr circles away and keeps his distance.
Jr with a lazy takedown attempt
and Rossi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Rossi closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Rossi lands in his opponent's guard.

Rossi drops back, looking for a kneebar! Jr looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Jr looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Jr!
Jr content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Rossi tries to bench press Jr off him but Jr keeps the position.
Jr trying to control the action but Rossi is working from the bottom.
Rossi struggling a bit here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rossi is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Rossi is trying to get back to half guard.
Rossi gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Rossi on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Hugo Rossi has got the better of the ground game so far.
Jr working over Rossi with some ground and pound. Rossi looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Rossi gets full guard.
Jr won't allow Rossi to sweep him here.
Jr working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Rossi is trying to control the position but Jr postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jr is in close to Rossi's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Jr postures up.
Rossi looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Jr wants to control from the top but Rossi keeps moving.
Jr in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Jr won't allow Rossi to sweep him here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rossi manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Rossi can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Jr is looking to escape.

Rossi is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Jr has managed to escape the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jr keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Jr avoids a series of strikes thrown by Rossi.
Jr manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Jr regains full guard. Nicely done.
Jr working a defensive guard here.
Rossi preventing the sweep.
Rossi missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Rossi showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Jr keeping moving, preventing Rossi from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rossi slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Jr is not content to let Rossi control the position.
Jr is holding Rossi down, trying to stall.
Rossi taking a break here but Jr is having none of it and regains half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rossi tries to pass to full mount but Jr defends it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hugo Rossi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Rossi has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Edson Gomes scores the fight 45:50
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 45:50
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hugo Rossi!
Hugo Rossi is the new featherweight champion!
An out of breath Hugo Rossi thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.