PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Paulo Carioca (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joaozinho Gurgel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Joaozinho Gurgel has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Carioca
vs
Gurgel

190 cm
28
215 lbs
13 - 10 - 0

193 cm
31
214 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Paulo Carioca!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Joaozinho Gurgel!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Paulo Santos and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gurgel has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Carioca.
Gurgel throws a sloppy head kick and Carioca moves out of range easily.
Gurgel misses with a wild combination.
Gurgel circles away from the clinch attempt
and Gurgel counters with a thumping low kick.
Carioca misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Carioca tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Carioca throws a low kick but it's checked well by Gurgel.
Gurgel moves out of range of the leg kick from Carioca.
Gurgel throws a one two combo.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gurgel throws a right hand that Carioca ducks under and follows up with a left that Carioca also avoids with ease.
Carioca tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Gurgel counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Gurgel.
Gurgel lands with a short shot to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Carioca misses with a punch on the inside.
Carioca is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Carioca blocks a body shot from Gurgel.
Gurgel is trying to break the clinch but Carioca is controlling him.
Carioca misses with a knee to the head.
Gurgel tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Carioca is trying to maintain a safe position but Gurgel gets an underhook and turns Carioca into the cage.
Gurgel lands a hook to the side of the head.
Gurgel lands a hook to the side of the head.
Gurgel lands a left hand that snaps the head of Carioca backwards.
Carioca misses with a knee to the head.

Gurgel escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Carioca throws a head kick that Gurgel semi-blocks.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Carioca walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Gurgel scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Gurgel stuns Carioca with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

Carioca drives through and clinches with Gurgel against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Carioca is stalling here.

Carioca manages to break the clinch.
Gurgel throws a leg kick that misses.
Gurgel lands a leg kick that knocks Carioca off balance momentarily.
Gurgel with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Carioca lands a front kick.
Carioca has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Carioca there as he acknowledges the shot.
Carioca displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Gurgel throws out the jab.
Gurgel throws a right and a left that both miss.
Gurgel motions for Carioca to come forward. Gurgel throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Carioca scores with a head kick. Gurgel tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Gurgel throws a head kick but Carioca moves out of range.
Good exchange - Gurgel coming out on top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Carioca moves into the clinch.
Carioca taking a breather.
Carioca misses with an elbow strike.
Gurgel takes a knee right on the jaw!
Gurgel tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Gurgel lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Carioca tries to break free but Gurgel pushes him back against the cage.
Gurgel blocking some punches.
Gurgel tries a body shot but Carioca blocks it.
Gurgel avoiding damage as Carioca throws knees to the body.
Carioca stalling in the clinch but Gurgel improves position.
Carioca misses with a knee strike.

Gurgel manages to break the clinch.
Carioca throws a low kick but Gurgel avoids it.
Carioca keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Gurgel.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
An inside leg kick lands from Gurgel.
Gurgel scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gurgel throws a body punch but Carioca moves out of range.
Gurgel throws a right hand that misses

and Carioca counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Carioca with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Carioca misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Gurgel.
Carioca misses with a hook to the ribs.

Carioca escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A slapping leg kick lands for Carioca.
Carioca throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Gurgel lands a nice shot to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gurgel keeps the fight on the outside.
Gurgel takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Gurgel fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Carioca throws a series of strikes that have Gurgel backpedaling.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Joaozinho Gurgel will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Joaozinho Gurgel's cut.
That's time! Carioca's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Carioca shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Carioca punishes Gurgel's body with a nice straight punch.
Carioca buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Carioca with a jab.

That has opened up Joaozinho Gurgel's cut even more.
Gurgel avoids the head kick by Carioca.
Carioca wants to clinch up but Gurgel keeps it at a distance.
Gurgel blocks a head kick by Carioca.
Paulo Carioca is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gurgel circles away from the clinch attempt.
Gurgel looks to land a body kick but Carioca moved away.
Carioca lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Gurgel misses with a hook.
Carioca tries to clinch up.
Gurgel misses with a low kick.
Gurgel is looking to slow Carioca down with leg kicks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gurgel throws a head kick but Carioca moves out of range.
Carioca scores with a head kick.
Carioca walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Gurgel checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Gurgel throws a jab when Carioca was well out of range.
Gurgel looks for the body kick but Carioca saw that one coming.
Nice defenses there by Carioca.
Carioca on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Carioca tries to clinch up
enabling Gurgel to counter with a crisp jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Carioca lands with a cross.
A solid leg kick lands there for Gurgel.
Gurgel throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Carioca misses with a telegraphed body shot
letting Gurgel counter with a right hand.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Gurgel - that will leave a mark!
Joaozinho Gurgel seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Carioca takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Gurgel checks the leg kick.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Carioca lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Gurgel has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Gurgel and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Gurgel moves out of range of the strikes.
Gurgel avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Gurgel throws a nice inside leg kick.
Gurgel throws a push kick but Carioca slaps the foot to one side.
Gurgel throws a right hand that Carioca ducks under and follows up with a left that Carioca also avoids with ease.
Carioca looks to clinch
and Gurgel counters with a series of strikes. Carioca will be more careful next time no doubt.
Gurgel lands a front kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The fighters circling - Gurgel throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carioca misses with a kick to the body.
Carioca tries to clinch up.
A big left from Carioca misses.
Carioca tries to clinch but Gurgel is having none of it.
Paulo Carioca seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Carioca tries to clinch but Gurgel is having none of it.
Carioca turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Gurgel throws a shot from downtown. Carioca moves away and avoids it.
Gurgel fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Carioca checks it well.
Carioca misses with a series of wild punches.
Gurgel fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Carioca has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Carioca throws a right and a left that Gurgel avoids nicely.
Carioca slips a jab and a cross from Gurgel.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gurgel throws a right and a left that Carioca avoids nicely.
Carioca looks to score with a jab to the body but Gurgel is just out of range.
No joy there for Carioca, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Carioca throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Carioca swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Carioca fails with an attempt to clinch.
Carioca keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gurgel is looking to slow Carioca down with leg kicks.
Carioca throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Gurgel counters by moving into the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Carioca with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Carioca trying to land knees to the body.
A left hand lands to the body for Gurgel.
Gurgel scores with a shoulder strike.

Gurgel manages to break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joaozinho Gurgel showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Joaozinho Gurgel's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - 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.

Gurgel lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Carioca is looking to clinch.
Gurgel lands the left hand.
Carioca is looking to land body kicks.
Gurgel moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Gurgel jabs at Carioca's body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A good leg kick by Gurgel.
Carioca avoids the head kick by Gurgel.
Carioca wants to clinch up but Gurgel keeps it at a distance.
Carioca is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Gurgel.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Gurgel drops Carioca with a hook right on the temple. He thinks about going to the ground but Carioca looks back up at him and smiles so Gurgel waves him back to his feet - he obviously thinks he can knock him out after that shot landed.

Carioca is rocked!
Gurgel lands a body shot.
Oh Carioca is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Gurgel lands a leg kick that knocks Carioca off balance momentarily.
Gurgel scores with the left hand. Carioca knows he should have avoided that one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gurgel lands a nice leg kick that just misses Carioca's sensitive parts.
Gurgel misses with a kick to the body.
Carioca seems to have got his legs back now.
Gurgel dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Carioca. That did some damage!
Carioca takes a jab right on the kisser.
Gurgel will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Carioca throws the kick towards the body but Gurgel avoids it.
Carioca looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Carioca throws a sloppy head kick and Gurgel moves out of range easily.
Gurgel swats away the attempt to clinch by Carioca.
A head kick misses from Gurgel.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gurgel circles away from the clinch attempt.
Gurgel looks to land a left hand but Carioca moved out of range nicely.
Gurgel throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Gurgel misses with a jab, cross combination.
Gurgel listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nice straight punches there by Carioca. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Carioca.
Carioca avoids a kick to the body.
Carioca throws a leg kick but Gurgel sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Carioca slips a jab and a cross from Gurgel.
Carioca tries a head kick but it misses.
Carioca is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Gurgel throws a front kick aimed at Carioca's knee but Carioca avoids it well.
Carioca takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carioca uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Gurgel.
Carioca feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Gurgel's calf.
Carioca fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Gurgel has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Gurgel showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Carioca.
Paulo Carioca has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gurgel ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Carioca moves away.
Carioca walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Gurgel, as that shot connected.
Carioca looks to land a combination but Gurgel avoids it well.
Carioca looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Carioca is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Gurgel walks forward, straight into a front kick from Carioca.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gurgel scores with a leg kick.
A nice combination there by Gurgel.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gurgel lands with a right hand.
Carioca doesn't manage to clinch there - Gurgel circles away.
An inside leg kick lands from Gurgel.
Carioca lands with a slapping head kick.
Gurgel throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Gurgel throws a head kick but Carioca moves out of range.
Carioca throws a nice outside leg kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Some bone on bone action there as Gurgel checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Gurgel ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Carioca misses with a straight left.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joaozinho Gurgel comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Gurgel 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 27:30
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joaozinho Gurgel!
An out of breath Joaozinho Gurgel thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.