PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Anderson Souza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Claudio Ricardo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Anderson Souza has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Souza
vs
Ricardo

187 cm
19
184 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

177 cm
22
168 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Anderson Souza!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Claudio Ricardo!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Emerson Jorge and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Souza wants to clinch up but Ricardo keeps it at a distance.

Ricardo feints and as Souza raises his hands in defense, Ricardo changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Ricardo wants to pass the guard but Souza is keeping the position.
Ricardo works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Souza moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Souza 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.
Souza is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Ricardo wants to control but Souza is keeping busy.
Souza works his way into side control.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Souza goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Ricardo has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Souza but great work by Ricardo.
The ground and pound from Ricardo seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ricardo throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

Ricardo is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Souza is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
You can see the frustration on Souza's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Souza regains half guard.
Souza is pressing down on Ricardo's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Ricardo wants to control from the top but Souza keeps moving.
Souza trying to control the position.

Ricardo has gone for a leg lock! Souza slips out almost immediately though and dives into Ricardo's guard.
Ricardo is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Ricardo looks gassed!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Souza passes into half guard.
Souza is pressing down on Ricardo's thigh, looking to free his foot. Ricardo is holding on for now.

Souza is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Souza is figuring out what he wants to do next.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Souza wants to pass the guard but Ricardo is defending well.
Ricardo tries to get to full guard but Souza has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ricardo trying to control from the bottom.
Souza is keen to just control but Ricardo is a slippery customer.

Souza is trying to work for a kimura but Ricardo is defending well.

Souza seems to be working for a kimura but Ricardo defends the submission attempt.

Souza has hold of the far side arm. He's working for the Kimura, can Ricardo defend it? Souza steps over the head and cranks it - Ricardo is tapping out! That was textbook stuff right there - nice submission victory for Souza!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:33 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Anderson Souza!
A relieved looking Anderson Souza thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.