PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Nobunaga Oda (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rafael Amaral (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rafael Amaral told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Oda
vs
Amaral

189 cm
24
194 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

189 cm
24
194 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

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 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Nobunaga Oda!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rafael Amaral!
The judges for this bout are , Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Oda checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

Amaral moves into the clinch.

Oda manages to break the clinch.

Amaral has taken the fight to the clinch.
Amaral is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Oda fails to pull guard.
Amaral softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Oda jumps guard but Amaral stands there with Oda around his waist. Oda gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Oda has Amaral pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Amaral manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nobunaga Oda. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Amaral throws an elbow but it misses.
Still in the clinch, Amaral scores with a nice short uppercut.
Oda has Amaral pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Amaral manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Amaral stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Amaral missing with knees to the body.
A knee to the head by Amaral.

It looks like Nobunaga Oda has been cut.
Amaral lands a knee to the head.
Amaral tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Oda lands a damaging elbow.

It looks like Rafael Amaral has been cut.
Amaral looking to throw knees to the head but Oda is blocking nicely.
Oda fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Amaral misses with a knee strike.
Amaral has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. So far he's outscoring his opponent in the clinch so it seems to have been worthwhile.
Amaral lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Oda avoiding damage as Amaral throws knees to the body.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Oda tries to pull guard but Amaral holds him up against the cage and eventually Oda drops back down to his feet.
Oda is working for takedown but Amaral is calmly controlling the position for now.
Oda has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Amaral controlling the action here for a moment.

Oda manages to pull guard.
Oda is trying to keep Amaral in close.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oda looking to control but Amaral passes into half guard.
Amaral is figuring out what he wants to do next.

Oda looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Oda tries to roll over but Amaral keeps him under control.

Oda actively working from the bottom here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Amaral wants to stand up but Oda has a hold of him and won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Amaral is taking a breather. Oda says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Oda is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Amaral pulls his head out easily.
Oda wants to improve his position but Amaral is controlling well.
Oda is staying active underneath Amaral, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Amaral not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Amaral perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Amaral prevents Oda from improving his position.
Oda gets full guard.
Oda controlling Amaral's posture.

Oda is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Amaral is aware though and is defending well.

Oda is looking for a triangle but Amaral pushes his legs off easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Oda is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Amaral defends well.
Amaral wants to get up but he can't break Oda's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rafael Amaral dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Amaral lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
A head kick from Amaral lands but Oda takes it in his stride.
Amaral blocks a low kick nicely.
Oda shoots in looking for a takedown but Amaral manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Oda's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Left hook, right uppercut from Amaral.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Amaral displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Oda.

Amaral clinches up with Oda and pushes him back against the cage.
Amaral tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Oda avoids it.
Oda jumps guard but Amaral turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nobunaga Oda. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Amaral avoiding damage.
Oda stalling the fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oda avoiding damage as Amaral throws knees to the body.
Oda wants to get back to striking at distance but Amaral won't allow it.
Oda throws a punch but it's blocked by Amaral.
Amaral stops a takedown attempt from Oda.
Amaral is pressed up against the cage. Oda has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Amaral down to the mat. Amaral avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Amaral stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Amaral wants it to stay on the feet.
Amaral looks to land a combination. Oda sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Amaral swinging wildly here.
A jab lands there for Amaral.
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!
Amaral darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Rafael Amaral is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Amaral dips to his left and cracks Oda with an uppercut!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Amaral clinches up against the cage.
Amaral tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Oda taking a breather.
Oda being controlled against the cage.
Oda wants to stall.
Amaral stalling the fight.
Amaral tries to work over Oda's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Oda tightens his grip and picks Amaral up, before dumping him to the ground. Amaral manages to land in guard.
Oda trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Amaral controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oda passes Amaral's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Amaral is not content to let Oda control the position.
Oda not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Oda throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Amaral to regain full guard.
Oda passes into half guard.
Oda throwing shots but Amaral is blocking nicely.
Oda with the ground and pound but Amaral uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Oda pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Amaral is keeping the position for now.

Oda postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Amaral is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Oda, into his guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Oda working for submissions but it's allowed Amaral to get to half guard.
Amaral perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Amaral passes into side control, despite Oda's attempt to control the position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Oda tries to improve position but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rafael Amaral showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Amaral takes the fight into the clinch.
Amaral misses with some punches.
Oda tries to pull guard but Amaral holds him up against the cage and eventually Oda drops back down to his feet.
Amaral scores with a shoulder strike.
Oda tries to pull guard but Amaral holds him up against the cage and eventually Oda drops back down to his feet.
Amaral misses with a knee strike.
Amaral trying to stall but Oda improves his position.
Oda is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Amaral is keeping busy.
Amaral using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Oda has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Amaral misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Amaral is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Oda stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Amaral lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Oda trying to stall but Amaral improves his position.
Amaral goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Knees in the clinch landing for Amaral.
Amaral takes an elbow to the forehead.
Amaral throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Oda blocks it with crossed arms.
Oda tries to work over Amaral's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Amaral scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Oda tries for a takedown but Amaral manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nobunaga Oda. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Amaral scores with a knee to the head.
Oda is trying to pull guard but Amaral turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Amaral presses Oda against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Amaral using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Oda has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
A knee to the head by Amaral.
Amaral looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Oda avoiding damage as Amaral throws knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Amaral lands with a short shot to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Oda.
Amaral stalling against the cage.
Oda is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Amaral pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Amaral landing knees to the body.
Amaral comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
The referee is keeping an eye on Amaral - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Oda pushes Amaral back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Oda takes a knee right on the jaw!
Oda is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Oda misses with a knee strike.
Amaral lands a hook that snaps the head of Oda backwards.
Amaral landing knees to the body.
A right hook to the body lands for Amaral.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Amaral lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Oda is trying to pull guard but Amaral has him pressed against the cage.
Amaral leaning against his opponent.
Oda is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Amaral to keep the fight standing.
Amaral lands a left hand that snaps the head of Oda backwards.
Amaral tries a knee to the head but Oda blocks it.
Oda jumps guard but Amaral stands there with Oda around his waist. Oda gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
A knee to the head by Amaral.
Amaral crunches a lovely knee into Oda's ribcage.
Amaral lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Amaral lands a left hand that snaps the head of Oda backwards.
Amaral missing with knees to the body.
Amaral lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Oda tries a knee to the head but Amaral blocks it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Amaral landing knees to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Amaral lands with a short shot to the head.
Amaral will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Oda up against the cage.
Oda is looking for a takedown.
Oda tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Amaral smiles and moves away.
Amaral moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Nobunaga Oda has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rafael Amaral seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Amaral throws a head kick but Oda moves out of range.
Amaral stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Amaral wants it to stay on the feet.
Amaral throws a series of punches but Oda avoids them all with ease.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rafael Amaral comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Amaral winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rafael Amaral!
A very excited looking Rafael Amaral made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.