PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Joaquim Cheiroso (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rafael Kazashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cheiroso's entrance music is Afroman - Because I Got High. A fine choice. Kazashi is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Enter The Ninja. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Cheiroso
vs
Kazashi

186 cm
25
196 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
24
185 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Joaquim Cheiroso!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rafael Kazashi!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Matheus Silva and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cheiroso pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Cheiroso throws a sloppy head kick and Kazashi moves out of range easily.

Cheiroso clinches.
Cheiroso tries to circle away but Kazashi has him pinned against the cage.

Cheiroso breaks from the clinch.

Cheiroso closes the distance and clinches.
Kazashi wants to take the fight to the mat but Cheiroso manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Kazashi is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Cheiroso pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Kazashi has picked Cheiroso up - he's going for a ride! Kazashi dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Cheiroso is trying to stand up here but Kazashi is controlling him well.
Cheiroso wants to control but Kazashi is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Kazashi drops an elbow to the side of Cheiroso's head.
Cheiroso keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cheiroso is trying to stand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kazashi throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Kazashi stops Cheiroso from getting back to his feet.
Kazashi thows a huge punch but Cheiroso dodges it nicely.
Kazashi thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Cheiroso's head.
Kazashi is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cheiroso wants to improve his position but Kazashi is controlling well.
Cheiroso knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Kazashi on the ground.
Cheiroso keeping hold of Kazashi's head, controlling as best he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cheiroso tries to kick Kazashi off but Kazashi keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Kazashi connects with a nice short shot to Cheiroso's temple.
Kazashi is nestled in close to Cheiroso, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Cheiroso tries to roll over but Kazashi keeps him under control.
Cheiroso is working hard here to advance position.
Kazashi thows a huge punch but Cheiroso dodges it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kazashi is looking for a kimura here.
Cheiroso is trying is best to control the position here.
Cheiroso makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Cheiroso.
Kazashi slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Kazashi thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kazashi lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Cheiroso down.
Cheiroso is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Kazashi is controlling him well.
Kazashi tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Cheiroso is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Cheiroso tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kazashi with shots to the head and body - Cheiroso looks very uncomfortable down there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Rafael Kazashi will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Cheiroso delivers a nice body kick.
Cheiroso tries a head kick but it misses.
Kazashi tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Cheiroso swivels and escapes.
Cheiroso lands with a thumping leg kick.

Cheiroso has taken the fight to the clinch.
Kazashi is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Cheiroso to keep the fight standing.
Kazashi is looking to take this one to the mat.
Joaquim Cheiroso has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rafael Kazashi.
Kazashi wants a takedown but no success here.
Kazashi wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Cheiroso's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cheiroso throws a head kick that misses.
Kazashi is breathing heavily.

Cheiroso manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Kazashi on his heels. He'll look to pass Kazashi's guard now, I'm sure.
Cheiroso stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kazashi swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kazashi preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kazashi avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Cheiroso working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Kazashi working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Cheiroso has passed into half guard!
Cheiroso wants to stand up but Kazashi is controlling the position.
Cheiroso missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Cheiroso stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Kazashi to get to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cheiroso closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Kazashi to the mat! Kazashi manages to get full guard.

Cheiroso stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Cheiroso misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Cheiroso pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Cheiroso shoots in and bounces Kazashi off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Cheiroso decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Kazashi, up you get!
Joaquim Cheiroso seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cheiroso is looking to slow Kazashi down with leg kicks.

Cheiroso rushes Kazashi and presses him up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cheiroso pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Cheiroso throws a sloppy head kick and Kazashi moves out of range easily.
Kazashi fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Cheiroso throws a head kick that misses.
Cheiroso tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Cheiroso throws a head kick but Kazashi moves out of range.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Kazashi stalling.
Kazashi changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Cheiroso fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cheiroso throws a head kick that Kazashi semi-blocks.
Cheiroso throws a head kick that half lands.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Cheiroso fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kazashi, pushing him back against the cage.
Kazashi looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Cheiroso's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cheiroso tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Cheiroso throws a front kick that sends Kazashi stumbling back into the cage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Cheiroso scores with a head kick.
Cheiroso scores with a head kick. Kazashi tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Cheiroso throws a sloppy head kick and Kazashi moves out of range easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joaquim Cheiroso dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Kazashi takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Cheiroso lands a brutal head kick. Kazashi looks out on his feet and Cheiroso throws more strikes until the ref is forced to stop the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:11 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Kick and Punches). Joaquim Cheiroso!
Joaquim Cheiroso thanked the fans post fight for their support.