PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Reynaldo Garrison (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Norberto Napolitano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Garrison
vs
Napolitano

216 cm
24
194 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
25
184 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Very confident

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Reynaldo Garrison!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Norberto Napolitano!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Luis Engracia and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Napolitano shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Garrison as he avoids it easily.
Napolitano fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Garrison avoids it really well and circles away.
Napolitano shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Garrison pinned against the cage. Garrison gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Garrison quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Reynaldo Garrison has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Norberto Napolitano.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Napolitano forces Garrison back against the cage and clinches.

Napolitano breaks from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Garrison gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Napolitano wants to control from the top but Garrison keeps moving.
Garrison lands a couple of decent looking body shots there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Garrison lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Garrison cracks Napolitano with a solid left hand.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Napolitano utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Garrison avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Garrison stands and steps away. Napolitano gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Garrison gets the takedown into side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Napolitano tries to buck Garrison off but Garrison is having none of it.
Garrison throws an elbow but Napolitano slips to the side and avoids it well.
Napolitano takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Garrison misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Napolitano tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The strikes coming from Garrison are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Napolitano is looking for a sweep.
Garrison working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Napolitano is trying to control Garrison's posture but Garrison avoids it.

Garrison goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Napolitano has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Garrison but great work by Napolitano.
Garrison is not content to let Napolitano control the position.

Napolitano decides to stand up, so the ref orders Garrison to his feet.

Napolitano drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Garrison tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Garrison is working hard here to advance position.
Garrison 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 four minutes gone in the round.
Napolitano trying to control the position from guard on top but Garrison is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Garrison looking to hit a scissor sweep but Napolitano is one step ahead there.
Napolitano is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Napolitano content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Napolitano trying to control the position from guard on top but Garrison is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Garrison thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Norberto Napolitano will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Napolitano clinches up with Garrison and pushes him back against the cage.
Garrison being controlled against the cage.

Napolitano has picked Garrison up - he's going for a ride! Napolitano dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Napolitano is keen to just control but Garrison is a slippery customer.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Napolitano in particular looking to stall.
Garrison wants to control but Napolitano is keeping busy and won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Garrison is staying active underneath Napolitano, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Garrison avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Napolitano.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Garrison is looking to improve his position.

Napolitano stands up and beckons Garrison to join him on the feet.
Napolitano is trying hard to land a takedown here. Garrison sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Garrison feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Garrison throws a left and a right that both miss

and Napolitano counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
A frustrated look appears on Garrison's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Garrison is trying to push Napolitano away but Napolitano has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Garrison's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Napolitano moves into range and clinches up with Garrison.
Garrison wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Napolitano tries to pull guard but Garrison holds him up against the cage and eventually Napolitano drops back down to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Garrison is trying to break the clinch but Napolitano has him pressed against the cage.
Napolitano changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Garrison fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Reynaldo Garrison has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Norberto Napolitano.
Napolitano circles away from the clinch attempt.

Garrison gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Napolitano to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Garrison wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Garrison keeping moving, preventing Napolitano from controlling successfully.
Garrison looking for a sweep. Not yet Garrison, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Garrison wants to hit a switch here but Napolitano passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Garrison there!
Napolitano sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Garrison manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Garrison is looking to control Napolitano's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Garrison avoid being mounted?
Garrison tries to roll over but Napolitano keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Napolitano is looking to take a break and control but Garrison is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Napolitano thows a huge punch but Garrison dodges it nicely.
Napolitano thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Garrison's head.
Napolitano is looking to take a break and control but Garrison is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Napolitano passes to full mount!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Garrison tries to reverse the position but Napolitano maintains control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Norberto Napolitano showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Napolitano tries to score a power double leg takedown but Garrison sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Napolitano somewhat.
Napolitano fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Garrison defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Napolitano.
Reynaldo Garrison has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Norberto Napolitano.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Napolitano gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Napolitano tries to pull guard but Garrison won't allow it.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Garrison as Napolitano tries to tie him up.

Garrison breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Napolitano.
Garrison blocks a head kick by Napolitano.
Garrison throws a right hand that Napolitano ducks under and follows up with a left that Napolitano also avoids with ease.

Napolitano gets a takedown into half guard.
Garrison regains full guard. Nicely done.
Napolitano takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Garrison wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Garrison will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Napolitano has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Garrison keeping moving, preventing Napolitano from controlling successfully.
Garrison manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Napolitano manages to get himself to full guard.

Napolitano pulls Garrison in to control the position.
Napolitano is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Garrison lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Napolitano throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Garrison throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Napolitano has his feet on Garrison's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Napolitano shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Garrison defends it nicely.
Garrison feinted there with a counter leg kick.

Garrison gets caught flat footed, as Napolitano shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Garrison wants to sweep here but Napolitano controlling him for the moment.
Garrison is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Garrison keeping moving, preventing Napolitano from controlling successfully.
Napolitano stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Garrison swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Garrison pulls Napolitano in to control the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Napolitano preventing the sweep.
Garrison controls Napolitano momentarily but Napolitano frees himself.
Reynaldo Garrison has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Norberto Napolitano is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Garrison looking to hit a scissor sweep but Napolitano is one step ahead there.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Norberto Napolitano comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Napolitano 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 Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 27:30
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 27:30
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Norberto Napolitano!