PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Paul Bourque (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fantinaz Del Norte (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Del Norte comes into a darkened arena with his song building. La Coka Nostra - Malverde Market kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Bourque
vs
Del Norte

192 cm
49
156 lbs
54 - 31 - 2

165 cm
41
141 lbs
27 - 19 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
KO power

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Powerful

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 54 - 31 - 2, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Paul Bourque!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 19 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Fantinaz Del Norte!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Matheus Silva and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bourque missing with a left hand there. Del Norte was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Bourque lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Bourque works the jab nicely.
Del Norte misses with a hook. Bourque ducked under it nicely.
A big left from Del Norte misses.
Del Norte misses with an uppercut.

Del Norte shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Bourque manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Bourque 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.
Bourque keeping full guard, as Del Norte tries to pass.
Bourque has Del Norte pulled in close to control his posture.
Bourque will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Del Norte trying to control the position from guard on top but Bourque is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Del Norte wants to pass the guard but Bourque is keeping the position.
Del Norte is still trying to improve position.
Del Norte passes Bourque's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Del Norte is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Bourque is just riding it out for now. Del Norte eventually gives up the hold.
Del Norte looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Del Norte not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Del Norte is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Del Norte not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Del Norte is pressing down on Bourque's thigh, looking to free his foot. Bourque is holding on for now.
Del Norte not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bourque tries to roll over but Del Norte keeps him under control.

Del Norte looking for a submission but Bourque manages to get full guard, putting an end to that submission attempt.
Bourque can't keep his opponent in guard - Del Norte advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Del Norte controlling the action here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Del Norte is looking for a kimura but Bourque is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Del Norte to get the leverage.
Del Norte is pressing down on Bourque's thigh, looking to free his foot. Bourque is holding on for now.
Del Norte wants to take a breather but Bourque is having none of it.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Bourque lands a body shot.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bourque throws a hook to the side of Del Norte's head but Del Norte sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Del Norte pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Bourque was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Del Norte walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Bourque!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Fantinaz Del Norte will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Bourque throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Del Norte sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Del Norte misses with a straight left.
Del Norte misses with a straight right.
Bourque moves away from the strike by Del Norte.
Del Norte misses with an uppercut.

Del Norte shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Del Norte was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Del Norte working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Del Norte working away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Del Norte looks up at the clock and then as Bourque takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Del Norte smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Del Norte misses with the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Del Norte trying to control the position but Bourque is working away.
Bourque really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Del Norte tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

Del Norte working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Bourque is not content to let Del Norte control the position.
Bourque wants to control but Del Norte postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Del Norte tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Bourque tries to improve position but can't.
Del Norte misses with the ground and pound.

Del Norte is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Bourque is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Del Norte looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Bourque is avoiding damage well.

Del Norte swings around for an armbar but Bourque sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Del Norte's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bourque wants to get up but he can't break Del Norte's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Del Norte tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Del Norte keeps trying to improve his position.

Del Norte looking for a guillotine here but Bourque defends easily.

Bourque decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Del Norte, up you get!
Bourque lands with a nice body punch.
Del Norte avoids a punch combination nicely.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Del Norte shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Bourque napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Del Norte is looking to take a break and control but Bourque is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fantinaz Del Norte showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Bourque's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Del Norte will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Bourque throwing a counter right hand but Del Norte manages to avoid it.
Bourque throws a looping overhand right but Del Norte ducks down to avoid it.
Bourque scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Del Norte throws a big shot that misses.
Bourque lands a jab to the nose.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Del Norte. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Bourque on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Good shot there by Bourque.
Del Norte catches Bourque with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Bourque is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Del Norte throws a shot from downtown. Bourque moves away and avoids it.
An attempted straight right counter from Bourque misses the target.
Del Norte dives in and grabs Bourque's left leg, looking for a takedown. Bourque pushes down on Del Norte's head and hops out.
No joy there for Bourque, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Paul Bourque is winning the standup battle so far.
Del Norte throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Del Norte misses with a wild body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bourque scores with a decent looking hook.
Bourque throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Nice cross by Bourque.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bourque moves away from the strike by Del Norte.
Bourque was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Del Norte misses with an uppercut. Bourque saw that one coming.

Del Norte shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Bourque manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Del Norte stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bourque swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Del Norte would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Del Norte wants to control from the top but Bourque keeps moving.
Del Norte looking to pass the guard.
Del Norte throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Paul Bourque has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Del Norte is looking to work some ground and pound but Bourque has wrist control.
Bourque avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Bourque keeping moving, preventing Del Norte from controlling successfully.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Del Norte avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Bourque's corner calls for a 1-2. Bourque obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Del Norte misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bourque.
Bourque scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Bourque is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Del Norte misses with a wild combination.
Bourque was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Bourque digs a good body shot into Del Norte's ribs.
Bourque misses the jab.
Bourque takes a swing at Del Norte's ribcage but misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bourque takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Del Norte misses with a wild body shot.
Del Norte misses with a kick to the body.
A punch lands to the side of Bourque 's head but he takes it in his stride.
No joy there for Del Norte, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Bourque swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Del Norte ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bourque moves away.
Bourque scores with a nice right hand.
Paul Bourque is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Del Norte scores with a nice strike.
Del Norte avoids a punch combination nicely.
Bourque looks to throw the jab but Del Norte is out of range.
Bourque connects with a single shot there.

Del Norte scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Del Norte wants to lay and pray for a moment but Bourque keeps working.
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!

Del Norte is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Del Norte moves into full mount! Bourque won't be happy about that!
Del Norte looking to ground and pound but Bourque is blocking nicely.
Bourque is squirming around, avoiding Del Norte's attempts to control the action.
Del Norte avoids the attempt from Bourque to control.
Del Norte wants to control the action but instead Bourque gets a body lock and reverses into Del Norte's guard! Nice work!

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Fantinaz Del Norte.
I've got Del Norte 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 Paulo Santos scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Fantinaz Del Norte!
Fantinaz Del Norte bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.