PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Renan Barao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gabriel Costa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Barao's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Lose yourself. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Gabriel Costa was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Barao
vs
Costa

174 cm
24
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

195 cm
21
165 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Renan Barao!
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, Gabriel Costa!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Matheus Silva and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barao throws a left and a right that both miss
and Costa counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Costa fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Barao manages to avoid it.
Barao works over Costa's head and body with a nice combination.
The fight stays on the outside here - Costa looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Barao fails to land with a series of punches.
Costa needs to keep his hands up - Barao had a free shot at his head there.
Costa displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Barao throws out the jab.
Costa is looking to clinch.
Barao throws a lazy right hand but Costa sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Barao rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Costa moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Costa fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Barao avoids it really well and circles away.
Barao lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Costa circles away quickly and effectively.
Horrible takedown by Costa or perhaps it was just good defense by Barao which made him look bad.
Costa misses with a takedown attempt - Barao sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Renan Barao has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gabriel Costa.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Barao throws a right and a left that Costa avoids nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Costa gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Barao wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Costa has him pressed against the cage.
Costa tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Barao has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Barao wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Barao pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Barao keeps the fight on the outside.
Costa shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Barao sprawls well. Barao wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Costa gets slowly back to his feet.
Nice takedown defense from Barao. No joy for Costa on that attempt.
Barao looks to throw the jab but Costa is out of range.
Barao lands a jab to the head.
Barao throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Costa moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Barao misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Barao throws a lazy uppercut
and Costa counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Barao rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Costa moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Barao throws a right and a left that Costa avoids nicely.
Horrible takedown by Costa or perhaps it was just good defense by Barao which made him look bad.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Barao falls off balance throwing a combination
and Costa counters with a nice body shot.
Barao is breathing heavily.
Costa doesn't manage to clinch there - Barao circles away.
Barao looks to land a combination but Costa avoids it well.
Barao misses with an uppercut. Costa saw that one coming.
Costa looks to score with a jab to the body but Barao is just out of range.
Costa tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Barao manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Barao throws a combination that misses
and Costa counters with a nice leg kick.
Barao throws a right and a left that Costa avoids nicely.
Barao misses the jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barao will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Barao misses with a combination
and Costa counters with a right hand to the body.
That kick from Costa tenderised Barao's leg. Barao is trying to keep his angry face on.
Barao throws an off balance right hand
and Costa counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Costa will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Costa shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Costa is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Barao works over Costa's head and body with a nice combination.
Barao throws a hook but Costa avoids it easily.
Barao throws a right and a left that Costa avoids nicely.
Costa fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Barao avoids it really well and circles away.
Barao throws a hook but Costa avoids it easily.
Barao misses with a double jab.
Renan Barao is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Costa changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Barao tries to avoid it but Costa manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Barao to the ground. Barao escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Barao misses with a series of wild punches.
Renan Barao seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Costa dodges the punch combination from Barao.
Costa scores with a head kick. Barao tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Costa is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Barao lands a two punch combo.
Barao throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Costa tries for a takedown but Barao sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Barao scores with the left hand. Costa knows he should have avoided that one.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Barao avoids the head kick by Costa.
Barao connects with a good right hand that stumbles Costa. Costa circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Barao connects with a single shot there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Renan Barao dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Barao stuffs the takedown.
Barao throws a one two combo.
Jab by Barao.
Barao misses with a double jab
and Costa connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Barao will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Barao throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Costa sees it coming and avoids it easily.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Costa has Barao pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Barao manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Costa is breathing heavily.

Barao breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Barao misses with an uppercut. Costa saw that one coming.
Costa shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Renan Barao has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gabriel Costa.
Barao throws a right hand that misses
and Costa counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barao stalks Costa and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Costa's face. Costa staggers backwards, shaken.
Costa wants to clinch.
Barao throws a right and a left that both miss.
Costa takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Barao misses the jab.
Barao is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Costa shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Barao but Barao pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Costa misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Barao throws a right and a left that Costa avoids nicely.
Barao's corner calls for a 1-2. Barao obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Barao closes the distance and lands a one-two.

Costa is rocked!
Barao misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Costa is still on wobbly legs! Can Barao finish him?
Barao misses with a double jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barao fails to land with a series of punches.
Barao waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Costa.
Costa dives in and grabs Barao's left leg, looking for a takedown. Barao pushes down on Costa's head and hops out.
Barao scores with a jab. Costa acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Barao lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Costa circles away quickly and effectively.
Barao swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Costa counters with a leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Barao throws a right and a left that both miss.
Costa shoots in but Barao avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Costa takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Barao connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Costa momentarily.
Costa showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Barao.
Barao swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Costa counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A combination from Barao does no damage.
Barao throws a right and a left that Costa avoids nicely.
Costa fails in his attempt to clinch.
Costa seems to have recovered his senses.
Barao keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Costa shoots in for a double leg but Barao sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Barao throws a right hand that Costa ducks under and follows up with a left that Costa also avoids with ease.
Barao missing with a left hand there. Costa was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Costa shoots for a takedown but Barao saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Costa is trying desperately to land a takedown but Barao is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Costa.
Sloppy strikes from Barao. Those never looked like landing.
Costa throws a right and a left that Barao avoids nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barao cracks Costa with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Costa is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Barao rather than just go for the knockout.
Costa shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Barao pinned against the cage. Barao gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Barao swinging wildly here.
Some wild striking there from Barao.
Costa closes this distance looking for a takedown but Barao circles away.
Renan Barao is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Barao misses with a double jab.
Costa uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Barao.

Costa gets a double leg takedown into Barao's guard.
Costa trying to control but Barao is working from the bottom.
Barao might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Costa working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Barao has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Costa is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Barao.
Barao manages to get back to half guard.
Costa thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Barao is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Costa pulls his head out easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Costa is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Barao defends it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Renan Barao dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Barao is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Costa.
Barao throws a right and a left that Costa avoids nicely.
Costa shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Barao as he avoids it easily.
Barao uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Costa.
Barao connects with a right hand. Costa shakes it off.
Barao misses with the combination.
Costa has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Costa shoots in looking for a takedown but Barao manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Costa's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Barao swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Barao tests Costa's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Costa is defended easily by Barao.
Renan Barao has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gabriel Costa.
Barao throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Costa tries for a takedown but Barao sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Barao's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Barao duly obliges.
Costa moves forwards but Barao connects with a nice, crisp jab.
A jab from Barao misses.
Barao lunges at Costa with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Costa's hand.
Barao misses with a two punch combination.
Barao throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Costa shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Barao defends it nicely.
Barao is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Costa.
Barao throws a one two combo.
Barao has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
No joy there for Costa, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barao pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
No luck for Costa with that takedown attempt.
Barao fails to land with a series of punches.
Barao will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Barao throws a series of punches but Costa avoids them all with ease.
Barao misses with a lunging right hand
and Costa counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Barao keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
No joy there for Barao, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Barao tries to bum rush Costa with a series of wild strikes but Costa uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Renan Barao is winning the standup battle so far.
Costa throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Barao throws a right and a left that Costa avoids nicely.
Barao swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Costa counters by moving into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barao has had enough of the clinch but Costa keeps him there for the moment.
Costa drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A frustrated look appears on Barao's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Costa breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Barao misses with a hook
and Costa counters with a head kick.
Barao clobbers Costa with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Barao, as that shot connected.
Barao slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Barao misses with a double jab.
Costa moves in looking to clinch but Barao pushes him off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barao throws a series of strikes that have Costa backpedaling.
Costa has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Barao throws a poor cross that misses
and Costa makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Barao really felt that one!
Barao misses with a double jab
and Costa counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Barao thinking.
Barao tests Costa's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Barao throws a right and a left that Costa avoids nicely.
Barao throws a right and a left that Costa avoids nicely.
Barao fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Costa shoots in and drives through. Barao sprawls well.
Barao throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Costa.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Costa closes the distance and clinches up with Barao, looking for a takedown. Costa pushes Barao against the cage but Barao circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Barao misses with a few strikes there.
Gabriel Costa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Renan Barao is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Barao misses with an uppercut
and Costa counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

And that's the end of the fight!
Renan Barao showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Barao, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Edson Gomes scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Renan Barao!
After winning the bout, Renan Barao thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.