PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between George Conor Russell (ranked 4933 p4p, 428 weight class) and Ritchie Souza (ranked 2408 p4p, 256 weight class). Souza has chosen Luxurious as his entrance music. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Conor Russell
vs
Souza

190 cm
18
153 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

170 cm
21
155 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, George Conor Russell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ritchie Souza!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Sosuke Kotani and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice defenses there by Russell.
Souza lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

It looks like George Conor Russell has been cut.
A head kick misses from Souza.
No luck for Souza with that takedown attempt.
Souza misses with a hook
and Russell counters with a left and a right that stings Souza.
The crowd cheers as Souza lands an impressive looking overhand right. Russell doesn't seem phased though.
Souza cracks Russell with a right hand to the side of the head.
Russell throws a nice looking combination but Souza bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
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!
Souza throws a series of punches but Russell avoids them all with ease.
Russell is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Souza.
Souza shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Russell pinned against the cage. Russell gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Souza throws a left and a right that both miss
and Russell counters with a one-two to the body.
Russell keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Souza throws a head kick that misses.
Souza throws a sloppy head kick

and Russell counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Russell.
Souza is looking to stand back up but Russell counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Souza.

Souza trying to control but Russell postures up.
Russell seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Souza is concentrating on defense, preventing Russell from advancing position.
Souza wants to improve his position but Russell is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Souza misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Souza works his way to full guard. Good work.
Russell won't allow Souza to get back to his feet.
Russell wanted to stand there but Souza had control of the position.
Russell won't allow Souza to sweep him here.
Russell will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Souza tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Russell feinted with a counter takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Souza misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
George Conor Russell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ritchie Souza.
Souza will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Russell steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Souza.
Russell tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Souza manages to circle out of the way.
Souza thows a left - swing and a miss!
Russell half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
A nice combination there by Russell.
Russell takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Souza throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Russell counters with a series of strikes. Souza will be more careful next time no doubt.
Russell misses with a wild combination.
Souza misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russell misses with a series of wild punches.
George Conor Russell is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Russell throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Souza.
Souza throws a right hand that Russell ducks under and follows up with a left that Russell also avoids with ease.
We've been informed that Souza has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Russell rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Souza moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Russell avoids a kick to the body.
Russell takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Souza ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Russell takes one on the button.
Russell misses with a jab, cross combination.
Souza throws a counter combo.
Souza works Russell's body with a nice hook.
Russell misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Souza swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that George Conor Russell will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on George Conor Russell's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Souza misses with a double jab

and Russell counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Souza moves into full guard.
Souza pulls Russell in close to prevent any damage.

Souza escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Russell gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Russell wants to stand but Souza has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Souza holds on and takes a little breather.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Souza has a closed guard, preventing Russell from standing up.

Souza is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

Souza manages to pull guard.

Russell wants to stand up, so he's looking to wriggle free of Souza's closed guard. He's half up but Souza has locked on to an arm! Uh oh! Souza pivots and extends the arm, Russell falls face first to the mat and taps??... does he?? YES! He's tapping! Excellent counter grappling there by Souza! Well done that man!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:56 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Ritchie Souza!
Post fight, an emotional Ritchie Souza said 'i'm not surprised mother fuckers, Tap, snap or Nap bitches...'.