PBP Commentary

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

Sousa
vs
Fernandes

170 cm
22
130 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
19
142 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Big heart

Good takedowns
Brawler
Knockout power

Team S.W.A.T.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight 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, Rafael Sousa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Bibiano Fernandes!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Alexandre Firmino and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sousa tries to clinch but Fernandes moves out of range.
Sousa fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Fernandes drops Sousa with a nice combination! Fernandes dives into Sousa's guard, looking to finish!

Sousa is rocked!
Fernandes advances to half guard.
Oh Sousa is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Sousa is staying active underneath Fernandes, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Sousa seems to have got his legs back now.
Sousa wants to get back to full guard.
Sousa gets full guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fernandes content to stall in guard here.
Fernandes pushes down on Sousa's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Fernandes is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Sousa doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Fernandes.
Fernandes wants to pass to mount but Sousa is defending the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fernandes sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Fernandes tries to pass the half guard into mount. Sousa knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Fernandes trying to control the action but Sousa is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Sousa is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Fernandes's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Fernandes's back!
Fernandes can't escape the position.
Sousa lands shots from the back.
Sousa has the hooks in. Fernandes is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Fernandes is keeping busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fernandes manages to reverse the position and now he's in Sousa's guard. Nice work there by Fernandes.
Fernandes slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Sousa is breathing heavily.
You can see the frustration on Sousa's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Fernandes is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Sousa has escaped the position, nice work there.

Fernandes stands up and beckons Sousa to his feet.

Fernandes looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Sousa!
Fernandes controlling from the full mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fernandes pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.

Fernandes stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.

Fernandes shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Fernandes stands and steps away. Sousa gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fernandes misses with the combination.
Fernandes misses with a double jab.
Sousa misses with a takedown

and Fernandes counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bibiano Fernandes dominated that round.
That's time! Sousa's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Fernandes throws a nice looking combination but Sousa bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Sousa.
Sousa shoots and misses

so Fernandes counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Fernandes decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Fernandes has taken the fight to the clinch.

Fernandes pulls guard effortlessly.

Fernandes has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sousa can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Fernandes had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Sousa is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Fernandes Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Sousa's back instead.
Sousa trying to control the position but Fernandes manages to sink in the hooks.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fernandes looking for the rear naked choke. And he's got it! Sousa taps!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:30 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Bibiano Fernandes!