PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Michael Edwards (ranked 5868 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rafael De Souza (ranked 8833 p4p, 0 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.

Edwards
vs
De Souza

175 cm
25
156 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
25
155 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Solid 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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Michael Edwards!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Rafael De Souza!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Peter Branson and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
De Souza shoots in and drives through. Edwards sprawls well.
Edwards dives in and grabs De Souza's left leg, looking for a takedown. De Souza pushes down on Edwards's head and hops out.
De Souza slaps away a takedown attempt from Edwards, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Edwards tries for a takedown but De Souza circles away easily
and De Souza connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michael Edwards. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Edwards's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Edwards duly obliges.
Edwards scores with a crisp jab that stopped De Souza in his tracks.
De Souza changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Edwards tries to avoid it but De Souza manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Edwards to the ground. Edwards escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
De Souza tried to score with a low kick but Edwards checks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
De Souza shoots for a takedown but Edwards saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
As De Souza tries to get set, Edwards tries to push him back and clinch up but De Souza manages to avoid the attempt.
De Souza throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Edwards's waist but Edwards gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing De Souza off to one side.
De Souza throws a quick inside leg kick.
De Souza throws a wild body kick that Edwards sees coming a mile off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Edwards stuffs the takedown attempt from De Souza. De Souza gets slowly back to his feet.
De Souza avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

De Souza closes the distance and pushes Edwards back into the cage.
De Souza is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Edwards gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
De Souza drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Edwards gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Edwards manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
De Souza trying to control the position from guard on top but Edwards is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Edwards is trying to keep De Souza in close.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Edwards has his foot on De Souza's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. De Souza works his way back into a safe position though.
De Souza wants to stand but Edwards has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
De Souza trying to control but Edwards is working from the bottom.
Edwards tries to land a sweep but no joy.
De Souza postures up.
De Souza's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Edwards striking off his back but it's not causing De Souza any problems.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Edwards looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
De Souza really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Edwards. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
De Souza stops Edwards from standing up.
Edwards not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
De Souza wants to control from the top but Edwards keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
De Souza controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Edwards trying to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
De Souza trying to control the position from guard on top but Edwards is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Edwards fails to land the takedown.
Edwards bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
De Souza defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Edwards.
De Souza will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
De Souza will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Edwards half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Edwards dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Edwards misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Edwards tries to clinch up but De Souza circles away and keeps his distance.

Edwards forces De Souza back against the cage and clinches.
De Souza has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Edwards after a bit of a struggle.
Edwards is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
De Souza can't get the takedown.

De Souza breaks the clinch.
Edwards has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michael Edwards. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
De Souza keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
De Souza with a lazy takedown attempt
and Edwards counters with a series of strikes. De Souza will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Souza stuffs the takedown attempt from Edwards. Edwards gets slowly back to his feet.
Edwards is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that De Souza can do to turn this around?
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Edwards.
Edwards tries to land a front kick but De Souza steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
De Souza throws a counter combo.
Edwards displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from De Souza.
Edwards tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but De Souza paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Edwards stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Edwards wants it to stay on the feet.
Edwards tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but De Souza swivels and escapes.
De Souza tries to score a power double leg takedown but Edwards sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten De Souza somewhat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Edwards misses with a low kick.
A nice side step and De Souza releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Edwards tries to clinch but De Souza moves away
and De Souza counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
De Souza stuffs the takedown.

Edwards closes the distance and clinches.

De Souza breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

De Souza gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

De Souza pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
De Souza shoots in for a takedown but Edwards shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
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!

Edwards tries to keep at a distance but De Souza has taken the fight into the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Edwards's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De Souza wants a takedown but no success here.
De Souza fails to pull guard.

De Souza manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
De Souza utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Edwards in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

De Souza working for submissions but it's allowed Edwards to get to half guard.
Edwards thows a huge punch but De Souza dodges it nicely.
De Souza wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Edwards performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Edwards is looking to take a break and control but De Souza is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Edwards tries to stand but can't do so whilst De Souza controls his leg.
Edwards missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Edwards trying to control the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Rafael De Souza will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Edwards will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Edwards has his takedown stuffed
and De Souza counters with a head kick. That will keep Edwards thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Edwards shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says De Souza as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michael Edwards. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Edwards shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says De Souza as he avoids it easily.
Edwards slaps away a takedown attempt from De Souza, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Edwards fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Edwards stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Edwards wants it to stay on the feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Edwards looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? De Souza is fending him off so far but Edwards persists. Nope, De Souza circles away and we're back to standing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Edwards shoots in for a double leg but De Souza sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
De Souza blocks the body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.

De Souza clinches.

De Souza pulls guard successfully.
Edwards stops De Souza from standing up.
De Souza controls Edwards momentarily but Edwards frees himself.
De Souza pulls Edwards in close to prevent any damage.
De Souza controls Edwards momentarily but Edwards frees himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Edwards trying to control but De Souza is working from the bottom.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

De Souza has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Edwards is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for De Souza.

Edwards decides to stand back up.
De Souza leaves Edwards with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Edwards rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but De Souza moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
De Souza misses with a combination
and Edwards counters with a three punch combo that has De Souza backing up. De Souza nods at Edwards to acknowledge the strikes.
De Souza tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Edwards swivels and escapes.
De Souza moves out of range of the leg kick from Edwards.
De Souza dives in for a single leg takedown but Edwards sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Edwards with a poor takedown
and De Souza counters with a three punch combo that has Edwards backing up. Edwards nods at De Souza to acknowledge the strikes.
Edwards shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts De Souza as he jumps to the side.
Rafael De Souza seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Edwards tries to clinch but De Souza moves away
and De Souza counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
De Souza misses with a telegraphed body shot
and De Souza takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
De Souza throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Edwards's waist but Edwards gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing De Souza off to one side.

De Souza gets tackled into the cage by Edwards. Edwards maintains the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Edwards jumps guard but De Souza stands there with Edwards around his waist. Edwards gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

De Souza pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
No luck for Edwards with that takedown attempt.
Edwards wants to clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Rafael De Souza.
I think De Souza has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Sandra Marshall scores the fight 28:29
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Rafael De Souza!