PBP Commentary

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

Amaral
vs
Cousteau

189 cm
34
194 lbs
22 - 11 - 0

173 cm
30
175 lbs
15 - 16 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

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 22 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rafael Amaral!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jacques Cousteau!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Johanna Lukiainen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cousteau tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Cousteau connects with a nice looking jab.
A decent looking cross lands there for Cousteau.
Cousteau on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Cousteau misses the shot to the body.

Cousteau closes the distance and pushes Amaral back into the cage.
I was talking to Amaral's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Amaral tries to land knees in the clinch but Cousteau avoids the damage to the body.
Amaral gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Amaral misses with the head strike.
Cousteau blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Amaral tries to stall but Cousteau uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Amaral scores with a shot to the side of Cousteau's head.
Cousteau scores with a hook to the body.
Cousteau softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Amaral pushes Cousteau back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Cousteau blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Amaral with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Cousteau wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Cousteau breaks from the clinch.
Cousteau misses with a low kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Amaral misses the target.
Cousteau shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Cousteau.
Cousteau lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Amaral takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Amaral throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Cousteau's head.
Cousteau tries a head kick but it misses.

Cousteau shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Amaral is trying to defend but Cousteau finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Cousteau with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Cousteau is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Amaral is just riding it out for now. Cousteau eventually gives up the hold.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cousteau is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Amaral is controlling Cousteau's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Cousteau throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Amaral tries to kick Cousteau off but Cousteau keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Cousteau sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Amaral defending well though.
Cousteau is trying to control the action in half guard but Amaral is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Amaral is trying to stand back up but Cousteau is controlling him

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Amaral throws a sloppy head kick and Cousteau moves out of range easily.
Cousteau shoots in but no luck this time.
Amaral showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Cousteau.
It looked like Amaral wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Nice uppercut there from Cousteau.
Amaral throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Amaral lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Cousteau throws an overhand right that lands on Amaral's shoulder, as Amaral tries to avoid the shot.
Cousteau avoids the head kick by Amaral.
Amaral misses with a head kick.

Amaral takes the fight into the clinch.
Amaral scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Amaral has a couple of punches blocked by Cousteau.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Amaral misses with a short punch on the inside.
Cousteau is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Cousteau.

Cousteau breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cousteau uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Amaral.
A nice inside leg kick there by Amaral. That's going to slow Cousteau down.
Amaral pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Amaral moves into range and connects with a jab.
Amaral lands a high kick!
Cousteau avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rafael Amaral is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Cousteau shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rafael Amaral has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jacques Cousteau.
Amaral connects with a crisp jab.
Amaral slaps away a takedown attempt from Cousteau, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Cousteau, as that shot connected.
Amaral throws a front kick aimed at Cousteau's knee but Cousteau avoids it well.
Cousteau swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rafael Amaral dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Cousteau.
Cousteau swings for the body but Amaral moves out of range.
Cousteau walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Amaral checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Amaral misses with a head kick.
Cousteau scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

Amaral darts in and clinches Cousteau up against the cage.
Amaral blocking some punches.
Amaral misses with a hook from the clinch.
Amaral misses with the head strike.
Amaral has a couple of punches blocked by Cousteau.
Amaral has a couple of punches blocked by Cousteau.
Amaral dodges an elbow strike from Cousteau.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cousteau lands with a right to the head.
Amaral lands a right hand.
Amaral swings wildly with an uppercut but Cousteau uses good head movement to avoid it.
Cousteau blocking some punches.
Cousteau misses with an elbow over the top.
Cousteau tries for a takedown. No joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Amaral scores with a shot to the side of Cousteau's head.
Amaral is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Cousteau can do to turn this around?
A head punch on the inside from Cousteau fails to land.
Amaral throws a head punch that misses.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Cousteau takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Amaral swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Amaral misses with a hook from the clinch.
Cousteau throws a head punch that misses.
Amaral misses with a short punch on the inside.
Amaral holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Cousteau lands a body punch in the clinch.
Amaral swings wildly with an uppercut but Cousteau uses good head movement to avoid it.
Amaral looking to stall.
Cousteau misses with a body punch.
Amaral misses with some punches.
Cousteau throws an elbow that misses.
Amaral misses with some punches.
Amaral blocks an elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cousteau wants a takedown.
Rafael Amaral has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jacques Cousteau.
Cousteau swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Cousteau throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Amaral is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Cousteau scores a nice knee to the body.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Cousteau as Amaral tries to tie him up.
Cousteau lands an elbow just above Amaral 's eye.

It looks like Rafael Amaral has been cut.
Amaral connects with a knee to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Amaral's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Amaral using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Cousteau blocks an uppercut.
Cousteau misses with a hook from the clinch.
Cousteau tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Amaral's elbow.
A short right from Amaral on the inside.
Cousteau is looking to take this one to the mat.
Cousteau tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Amaral working aggressively here.
Cousteau misses with an elbow over the top.
Amaral fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Cousteau lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Amaral backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Amaral lands with a right to the head.
Amaral throws a head punch that misses.
Cousteau creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Amaral creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Cousteau throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Amarals head.
Amaral misses with a short punch on the inside.
Cousteau has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Amaral avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Amaral lands with a right to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Amaral.
Amaral swings wildly with an uppercut but Cousteau uses good head movement to avoid it.
Amaral scores with a shoulder strike.
Cousteau scores with a nice hook to the head.
Cousteau blocks an uppercut.
Amaral missing with knees to the body.

Cousteau pulls guard effortlessly.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cousteau trying to control the position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Cousteau is on top in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Amaral wants to get back to his feet but Cousteau is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Cousteau trying to control but Amaral is working from the bottom.
Cousteau in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Cousteau trying to control but Amaral is working from the bottom.
Cousteau throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Cousteau wants to pass the guard but Amaral is keeping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Rafael Amaral will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Rafael Amaral's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're 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.

Amaral looks to score with a jab to the body but Cousteau is just out of range.
Amaral blocks a head kick by Cousteau.
Amaral connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Cousteau momentarily.
Amaral moves forwards but Cousteau connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Cousteau throws a shot to the body.
Cousteau scores with the left hand. Amaral knows he should have avoided that one.
Amaral misses with a straight right.
Amaral throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Cousteau sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Cousteau throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
enabling Amaral to counter with a crisp jab.
Amaral waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Cousteau.
Cousteau swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Amaral's corner calls for a 1-2. Amaral obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Cousteau throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Jacques Cousteau seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cousteau with a jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Amaral throws a head kick but Cousteau moves out of range.
Cousteau uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Amaral.
Amaral motions for Cousteau to come forward. Amaral throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Cousteau is defended easily by Amaral.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Amaral cracks Cousteau with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Cousteau tries to land a leg kick but Amaral saw it coming and moves away.
Amaral on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Cousteau will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Amaral throws a jab when Cousteau was well out of range.
A head kick misses from Amaral.
Cousteau throws a hook to the side of Amaral's head but Amaral sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Cousteau throws a body shot but no joy.
Decent striking displayed by Cousteau there.

Cousteau looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Cousteau trying to control from half guard but Amaral is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cousteau trying to mount his opponent but Amaral defends it.

Cousteau is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Amaral has managed to free his arm - good work.
Jacques Cousteau has got the better of the ground game so far.
Amaral looks like he's trying to stand up.

Cousteau is looking for a kimura here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cousteau wants to lay and pray for a moment but Amaral keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cousteau is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Cousteau prevents Amaral from standing back up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Cousteau blocks a head kick by Amaral.
Amaral waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Cousteau.

Cousteau moves into the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Amaral.
Cousteau struggles to land a body shot inside as Amaral controls his hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cousteau lands a left hand that snaps the head of Amaral backwards.
Amaral takes a shot to the head.
Cousteau wants to take the fight to the mat but Amaral manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Amaral tries to land knees in the clinch but Cousteau avoids the damage to the body.
Jacques Cousteau has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rafael Amaral is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Cousteau lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Amaral swings wildly with an uppercut but Cousteau uses good head movement to avoid it.
Cousteau is working for takedown but Amaral is calmly controlling the position for now.
Rafael Amaral has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jacques Cousteau.
Amaral working aggressively here.
Amaral blocks an elbow strike from Cousteau.
A right handed body shot lands from Cousteau.
A short uppercut from Cousteau.
Rafael Amaral has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Cousteau works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cousteau postures up in Amaral's guard and throws a big left but Amaral blocks it.

Cousteau drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Cousteau jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Amaral avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jacques Cousteau comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Amaral has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Rafael Amaral!
Rafael Amaral seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.