PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sergio Aguilar (ranked 1540 p4p, 207 weight class) and Flavio Lazzarini (ranked 857 p4p, 119 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Aguilar
vs
Lazzarini

180 cm
36
193 lbs
24 - 16 - 0

185 cm
42
201 lbs
25 - 10 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 24 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Sergio Aguilar!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Flavio Lazzarini!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Leandro Rodrigues and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Aguilar fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Lazzarini sprawls well initially but Aguilar persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Aguilar is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Lazzarini sees it coming and defends easily.

Aguilar is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Lazzarini sees it coming and defends easily.
Aguilar is looking to advance position but Lazzarini won't allow it.

Aguilar is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Lazzarini is just riding it out for now. Aguilar eventually gives up the hold.
Aguilar trying to advance position but Lazzarini counters by regaining guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lazzarini keeping moving, preventing Aguilar from controlling successfully.

Lazzarini looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aguilar is pushing down on Lazzarini's leg trying to pass to half guard. Lazzarini is fighting to maintain full guard but Aguilar has managed to sneak the leg through.
Lazzarini is looking to control Aguilar's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Lazzarini avoid being mounted?

Lazzarini looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Aguilar seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Lazzarini does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Aguilar in particular looking to stall.

Lazzarini looking for submissions off his back.
Aguilar moves nicely into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Aguilar is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Lazzarini knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Lazzarini is trying to get back to half guard.
Lazzarini is not content to let Aguilar control the position.
Lazzarini manages to work his way to half guard, despite Aguilar's best efforts.
Lazzarini is trying is best to control the position here.
Aguilar wants to pass to mount but Lazzarini is defending the position.

Lazzarini looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lazzarini actively working from the bottom here.
Lazzarini trying to control but Aguilar postures up.
Aguilar is looking to advance position but Lazzarini won't allow it.
Aguilar seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Lazzarini keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Lazzarini trying to control here.

That's four 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.
Aguilar works his way into full mount!

Aguilar looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Aguilar sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Aguilar fails to advance to Lazzarini's back.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Lazzarini tries to lock up and control but Aguilar gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Aguilar looking for a guillotine from mount but Lazzarini is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sergio Aguilar dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Lazzarini misses with a hook
and Aguilar connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Lazzarini punishes Aguilar's body with a nice straight punch.
Aguilar misses with a few strikes there.
Aguilar moves into range and connects with a jab.
Lazzarini throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
A looping hook to the body misses from Aguilar. Lazzarini does a little dance to reset his feet.
A lazy left from Aguilar finds it's target.
Aguilar thuds his right hand into Lazzarini's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
A punch combination from Lazzarini misses.
Nice shot lands for Lazzarini.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nice defenses there by Lazzarini.
The fighters circling - Aguilar throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Lazzarini lands a jab.
Aguilar throws out a loose jab but Lazzarini uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aguilar with a lazy takedown attempt
letting Lazzarini counter with a right hand.
Lazzarini swinging wildly here.
Lazzarini slips a jab and a cross from Aguilar.
Lazzarini throws a jab but it's blocked by Aguilar.
Lazzarini on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Nice defenses there by Aguilar.
Nice uppercut lands for Aguilar. That snapped Lazzarini's head back.
Aguilar misses with a two punch combination.
Lazzarini's jab looks to have found its range, popping Aguilar under the eye.
Aguilar tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Lazzarini paws at him with a jab and circles away.
It seemed like Lazzarini was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Lazzarini throws a half hearted mid kick.
Lazzarini moves out of range of the strikes.
Aguilar slips a jab from Lazzarini.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lazzarini on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Sergio Aguilar is winning the standup battle so far.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Aguilar bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Lazzarini's head backwards.
Lazzarini loads up on a big right hand but Aguilar slips the punch.
Lazzarini fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Aguilar is out of range.
Aguilar tries to score a power double leg takedown but Lazzarini sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Aguilar somewhat.
A little jabbing left from Lazzarini on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Aguilar connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Lazzarini's hands.
Lazzarini leaves Aguilar with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sergio Aguilar. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Aguilar scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Aguilar throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A nice inside leg kick there by Lazzarini. That's going to slow Aguilar down.
Lazzarini throws a jab but it's blocked by Aguilar.
A swing and a miss from Aguilar.

Aguilar fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Lazzarini, pushing him back against the cage.
Lazzarini scores with a nice hook to the head.
Lazzarini manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

Lazzarini manages to break the clinch.
Lazzarini throws out a leg kick but Aguilar moves out of range and Lazzarini only half commits.
Aguilar throws a big shot that misses.
Jab from Aguilar.

Aguilar gets a double leg takedown into Lazzarini's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lazzarini keeping full guard, as Aguilar tries to pass.

Lazzarini has his foot on Aguilar's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Aguilar works his way back into a safe position though.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Aguilar trying to control the position from guard on top but Lazzarini is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lazzarini can't keep his opponent in guard - Aguilar advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Aguilar wants to pass to mount but Lazzarini is defending the position.
Lazzarini tries to roll over but Aguilar keeps him under control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sergio Aguilar dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Aguilar throws a hook but Lazzarini blocks it.
Aguilar catches Lazzarini with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Lazzarini ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Aguilar has a takedown stuffed.
Aguilar jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Aguilar loads up on a big right hand but Lazzarini slips the punch.
Aguilar is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lazzarini can do to turn this around?
A head kick by Lazzarini misses

and Aguilar counters with a shoot takedown. Lazzarini fights it but they end up in guard.
Aguilar trying to move into half guard but instead Lazzarini has managed to sweep!

Aguilar is trying to control the position but Lazzarini postures up.
Sergio Aguilar overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Lazzarini trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Lazzarini must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Lazzarini is in close to Aguilar's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Lazzarini working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Lazzarini passes Aguilar's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aguilar is looking to improve his position.
Lazzarini missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Lazzarini is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Lazzarini raining down shots from the mount!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Aguilar tries to lock up and control but Lazzarini gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Lazzarini takes his opponent's back. Perhaps a chance to lock up a rear naked choke here.
Aguilar trying to get back to his feet but Lazzarini is in full control for now.
Aguilar is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lazzarini is looking to control Aguilar but Aguilar is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Lazzarini not allowing Aguilar to control his hands.
Lazzarini is hanging on to Aguilar's back as he tries to escape.
Lazzarini is punishing Aguilar with strikes - can he finish him?!
Lazzarini has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Aguilar's body.
Lazzarini lands shots from the back.

Lazzarini is working the back position looking for the choke. Oh, he's slid into an armbar! Beautiful transition and Aguilar taps out! Fantastic Jiu Jitsu from Lazzarini.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:56 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Flavio Lazzarini! Flavio Lazzarini retains his middleweight title!
After the fight, Flavio Lazzarini was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.