PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Charles Darwin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Stephen Neal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Darwin
vs
Neal

175 cm
29
192 lbs
14 - 17 - 1

188 cm
29
200 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
Good kicks
Good gas tank

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 14 - 17 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Charles Darwin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Stephen Neal!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Seu Braga and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Darwin slips under a jab from Neal.
A combination from Darwin does no damage.
Darwin throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Neal stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
A cross from Darwin lands.
Stephen Neal seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Neal ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Darwin moves away.
Neal throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Darwin swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Some bone on bone action there as Darwin checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Neal looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Neal staying out of range there.
Darwin uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Neal.
Darwin misses with a wild combination.
A slow jab from Darwin misses its intended target.
Neal misses with a looping right.
Neal slips a jab from Darwin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Darwin throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Neal.
Neal throws a low kick, looking for Darwin's leg but Darwin calmly moves out of range.
The fighters circling - Darwin throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Good standup being displayed there by Neal as he connects with a hook.
Neal looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Darwin throws a hook but Neal blocks it.

Neal looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Darwin is looking for a sweep. Neal is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Darwin trying to control here.
Neal is looking to advance position but Darwin won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Darwin tries to get to full guard but Neal has control of the leg.
Neal wants to free his trapped foot but Darwin is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Neal prevents Darwin from improving his position.
Neal is just content to waste time from the top position. Darwin takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Neal won't allow Darwin to sweep him here.
Neal must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Darwin is on top in guard.
Darwin might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Darwin is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Neal holds on and takes a little breather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Darwin thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Neal has control of Darwin's left arm, preventing Darwin from doing any damage.
Neal controls Darwin momentarily but Darwin frees himself.

Darwin postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Neal is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Darwin, into his guard.
Darwin being controlled here, momentarily.
Neal trying to control but Darwin is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Darwin bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Neal's guard.
Neal 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.
Darwin postures up.
Darwin slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Darwin tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Darwin misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
You can see the frustration on Neal's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Darwin is in a dominant position here, looking for a kimura. Neal looks calm but he's in trouble here. Darwin gets his leg over his opponent's head and yanks on the arm. Neal is tapping like a morse code operator on the titanic! SOS! SOS! Darwin lets go of the hold and Neal can pop his arm back in it's socket.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Charles Darwin!
Charles Darwin managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, GTI - 1337 sponsors VERSUS, into his post fight interview.