PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Nick Bilalovski (ranked 4651 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rafael De Souza (ranked 5077 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.

Bilalovski
vs
De Souza

169 cm
25
155 lbs
2 - 6 - 0

175 cm
25
155 lbs
3 - 8 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Experienced

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 2 - 6 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Nick Bilalovski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 8 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Rafael De Souza!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, David Hoff and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
De Souza tries to clinch up.
Bilalovski takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Bilalovski misses with the combination.
De Souza connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Bilalovski shoots in for a takedown but De Souza shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
De Souza lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Bilalovski throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around De Souza's waist but De Souza gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Bilalovski off to one side.
De Souza sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
De Souza has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Bilalovski.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
De Souza shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Bilalovski defends it nicely.
Bilalovski tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
De Souza stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nick Bilalovski. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Souza thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Bilalovski if he has to take too many more of those.
Bilalovski tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but De Souza paws at him with a jab and circles away.
De Souza scores with a body shot.
De Souza closes the distance looking to clinch
and Bilalovski counters with a lovely shot to the body.
De Souza drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Bilalovski wants to clinch up but De Souza keeps it at a distance.
A head kick by De Souza misses
and Bilalovski counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Bilalovski misses with a double jab.
De Souza drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Bilalovski defends it well.
De Souza throws a series of punches but Bilalovski avoids them all with ease.
De Souza tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Bilalovski manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Bilalovski scores with a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bilalovski misses with a takedown attempt
and De Souza counters with a left to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bilalovski defends well against a solid takedown attempt from De Souza.
De Souza fails to land the takedown.
De Souza wants to clinch
and Bilalovski counters with a right hand to the body.
De Souza changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Bilalovski tries to avoid it but De Souza manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Bilalovski to the ground. Bilalovski escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Bilalovski stuffs the takedown.
Bilalovski tries to clinch but De Souza moves out of range.
A solid leg kick lands there for Bilalovski.
De Souza tried to score with a low kick but Bilalovski checks it.
Bilalovski tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but De Souza defends well and Bilalovski ends up having to push De Souza into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bilalovski misses with a body shot
and De Souza counters with a two punch combo.
No luck for Bilalovski with that takedown attempt.
De Souza is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
De Souza thuds a left hand into Bilalovski's body.
Bilalovski throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
De Souza looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Bilalovski blocks a head kick by De Souza.
De Souza keeps the fight on the outside.
De Souza shoots in but no luck this time.
Bilalovski shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with De Souza but De Souza pushes him off and we're back to square one.

De Souza looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bilalovski manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. De Souza keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bilalovski is looking for a takedown up against the cage. De Souza gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
De Souza looking to throw knees to the head but Bilalovski is blocking nicely.
Bilalovski looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
De Souza is trying to break the clinch but Bilalovski is controlling him.
Bilalovski has De Souza pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. De Souza manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
De Souza wants a takedown but no success here.
De Souza fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Bilalovski is looking to break free of the clinch but De Souza has double underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Rafael De Souza will probably get the nod.
That's time! Bilalovski's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

De Souza closes the distance and clinches.
A frustrated look appears on De Souza's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Bilalovski gets underhooks to prevent De Souza's takedown attempt.
De Souza tries to break the clinch but Bilalovski is controlling the position.
Bilalovski wants a takedown.

Bilalovski manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
De Souza advances to half guard.

De Souza decides to stand and escape the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bilalovski misses with a leg kick.
Nice sprawl there from Bilalovski as De Souza shoots in.
Bilalovski dives in for a single leg takedown but De Souza sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
A shot to the liver by Bilalovski. Beautiful body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Souza shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Bilalovski sprawls well. Bilalovski wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. De Souza gets slowly back to his feet.
Nick Bilalovski has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rafael De Souza.
De Souza shoots in and drives through. Bilalovski sprawls well.
Bilalovski plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Bilalovski misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Bilalovski defends well against a solid takedown attempt from De Souza.
The fight stays on the outside here - De Souza looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
De Souza shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Bilalovski but Bilalovski pushes him off and we're back to square one.
De Souza is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Bilalovski. Those never looked like landing.
De Souza feints a counter leg kick.
Bilalovski connects with a solid leg kick.
De Souza tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Bilalovski paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A punch combination from Bilalovski misses.
De Souza chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Bilalovski can pounce on him.
Nick Bilalovski is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bilalovski circles away from the clinch attempt.
De Souza tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Bilalovski paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Bilalovski drops down looking for a counter takedown but De Souza sprawls and moves away.
De Souza is trying hard to land a takedown here. Bilalovski sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
De Souza shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Bilalovski counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
De Souza dives in for a single leg takedown but Bilalovski sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Bilalovski is looking to counter the offense by De Souza and move into the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bilalovski fails to land the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Bilalovski with that takedown attempt.
De Souza circles away from the clinch attempt.
Bilalovski keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
De Souza shoots for a takedown but Bilalovski saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Decent striking displayed by Bilalovski there.
De Souza is looking to clinch.
De Souza is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
As De Souza tries to get set, Bilalovski tries to push him back and clinch up but De Souza manages to avoid the attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bilalovski shoots and misses
letting De Souza counter with a right hand.
Bilalovski throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
De Souza tries to clinch there but Bilalovski circles away.
Bilalovski tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but De Souza paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Bilalovski looks to land a combination but De Souza avoids it well.
Bilalovski misses with a series of wild punches.
De Souza fails with an attempt to clinch.
De Souza wants to clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The fight stays on the outside here - De Souza looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
As De Souza looks to move away, Bilalovski throws a big counter combo but De Souza just gets out of the way.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Bilalovski dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

De Souza lands a jab-cross combination.
De Souza darts in looking for a takedown but Bilalovski gets double underhooks and turns De Souza into the cage.
As De Souza looks to move away, Bilalovski throws a big counter combo but De Souza just gets out of the way.
Bilalovski tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Bilalovski shoots in for a double leg but De Souza sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
De Souza dodges the punch combination from Bilalovski.
Bilalovski sets himself, and De Souza steps forward looking for the clinch! Bilalovski avoids it this time.
Bilalovski tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but De Souza defends well and Bilalovski ends up having to push De Souza into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
De Souza dives in and grabs Bilalovski's left leg, looking for a takedown. Bilalovski pushes down on De Souza's head and hops out.
No luck for Bilalovski with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nick Bilalovski. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bilalovski darts in looking for a takedown but De Souza gets double underhooks and turns Bilalovski into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Souza leaves Bilalovski with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bilalovski circles away from the clinch attempt.
De Souza darts in looking for a takedown but Bilalovski gets double underhooks and turns De Souza into the cage.
Bilalovski drops down looking for a counter takedown but De Souza sprawls and moves away.
Bilalovski defends well against a solid takedown attempt from De Souza.
De Souza looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Bilalovski swats away the attempt to clinch by De Souza.
Bilalovski defends well against a solid takedown attempt from De Souza.
Bilalovski appears to be looking for a big counter.
De Souza is looking to clinch but Bilalovski is avoiding it.
Bilalovski shoots in but no luck this time.
De Souza is looking for the big counter here.
The fight stays on the outside here - De Souza looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bilalovski leaves De Souza with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
De Souza tries to clinch up but Bilalovski circles away and keeps his distance.
Bilalovski shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. De Souza defends it nicely.
De Souza throws a head kick that misses
and Bilalovski counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Bilalovski misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
De Souza fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nice sprawl there from De Souza as Bilalovski shoots in.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bilalovski throws a sloppy head kick and De Souza moves out of range easily.
De Souza looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Bilalovski throws a sloppy head kick
and De Souza counters with a one-two to the body.
De Souza shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Bilalovski sprawls well. Bilalovski wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. De Souza gets slowly back to his feet.

Bilalovski has taken the fight to the clinch.
De Souza gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Bilalovski.
De Souza wants to get back to striking at distance but Bilalovski won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
De Souza has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Bilalovski after a bit of a struggle.
Bilalovski scores with a shoulder strike.
Bilalovski tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Bilalovski digs a right hand into De Souza's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on De Souza's gas tank.
Bilalovski wants to get back to striking at distance but De Souza won't allow it.

Bilalovski manages to break the clinch.
Nick Bilalovski is winning the standup battle so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
De Souza tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Bilalovski defends well and De Souza ends up having to push Bilalovski into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
De Souza doesn't manage to clinch there - Bilalovski circles away.
Bilalovski throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and De Souza counters with a three punch combo that has Bilalovski backing up. Bilalovski nods at De Souza to acknowledge the strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Nick Bilalovski.
Well Bilalovski has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:29
Judge David Hoff scores the fight 30:28
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Nick Bilalovski!