PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Joshua Aneke (ranked 5624 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jose Goncalves (ranked 5654 p4p, 0 weight class). Joshua Aneke had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Aneke
vs
Goncalves

185 cm
23
150 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
135 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Inexperienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Inexperienced

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Joshua Aneke!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jose Goncalves!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Hogan, Darius Henderson and Chris Dean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Aneke clinches.
Aneke drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Goncalves wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Aneke has him pressed against the cage.
Goncalves tries to break free but Aneke pushes him back against the cage.
Goncalves wants to break free but Aneke has control.
Aneke prevents Goncalves from breaking the clinch.

Goncalves breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Aneke has closed the distance and engaged Goncalves in a clinch.
Goncalves is trying to break the clinch but Aneke has him pressed against the cage.
Aneke keeps control of Goncalves as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Goncalves on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aneke tries to pull guard but Goncalves holds him up against the cage and eventually Aneke drops back down to his feet.

Aneke jumps guard.
Goncalves slips nicely into half guard.
Goncalves content to control rather than advance.
Aneke is looking to improve his position.
Goncalves wants to pass to mount but Aneke is defending the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aneke slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Aneke is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Goncalves presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Aneke tries to break free but Goncalves pushes him back against the cage.
Goncalves wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Aneke has him pressed against the cage.
Goncalves wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Aneke has him pressed against the cage.
Goncalves wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Aneke pressing his opponent against the cage.
Aneke tries to break free but Goncalves pushes him back against the cage.
Aneke 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 three minutes gone in the round.
Aneke is trying to break the clinch but Goncalves is controlling him.
Aneke is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Goncalves managing to block the knees to the body from Aneke.

Aneke ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Aneke no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Aneke keeping moving, preventing Goncalves from controlling successfully.
Aneke is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Aneke lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Aneke throwing strikes but missing.
Aneke seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Goncalves working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Aneke.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joshua Aneke dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Aneke shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Goncalves as he jumps to the side.
Aneke doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Goncalves counters with a stiff right hand.
Joshua Aneke seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Goncalves throws a right hand that misses
and Aneke counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Aneke is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Goncalves can do to turn this around?
Nice shot by Goncalves.
Aneke lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Aneke throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Horrible takedown attempt by Aneke or perhaps it was just good defense by Goncalves, which made it look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joshua Aneke. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Aneke shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Goncalves but Goncalves pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aneke throws a lazy body kick
and Goncalves counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

Aneke is rocked!
A jab from Goncalves misses.
Goncalves waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Aneke.
Aneke dives in and grabs Goncalves's left leg, looking for a takedown. Goncalves pushes down on Aneke's head and hops out.
It seemed like Goncalves was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

Aneke moves into the clinch successfully.
Goncalves is trying to break the clinch but Aneke has him pressed against the cage.
Goncalves is trying to push Aneke away but Aneke has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Aneke is trying to break free.

Goncalves escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Aneke looks for a takedown but Goncalves sprawls well.
Goncalves lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Goncalves throws a nice looking combination but Aneke bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Jose Goncalves is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Aneke throws out a leg kick but Goncalves moves out of range and Aneke only half commits.
Goncalves stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Goncalves wants it to stay on the feet.
Aneke throws a body kick that misses.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Goncalves throws a shot from downtown. Aneke moves away and avoids it.

Aneke gets a takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Aneke stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Goncalves to get to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Goncalves missing with a left hand there. Aneke was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Goncalves tries to bum rush Aneke with a series of wild strikes but Aneke uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Aneke drives through and clinches with Goncalves against the cage.
Aneke has Goncalves pressed against the cage.
Aneke tries to break the clinch but Goncalves is controlling the position.

Aneke breaks from the clinch.
Goncalves slaps away a takedown attempt from Aneke, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Goncalves throws a counter combo.
Goncalves tries to bum rush Aneke with a series of wild strikes but Aneke uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aneke dives in for a single leg takedown but Goncalves sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Goncalves throws a counter combo.

Aneke has Goncalves up against the cage in a clinch.
Aneke is trying to pull guard but Goncalves turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Aneke keeps control of Goncalves as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Aneke breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Aneke bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Goncalves misses with a jab, cross combination.

Aneke has closed the distance and engaged Goncalves in a clinch.

Aneke escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jose Goncalves will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Aneke shoots in for a takedown but Goncalves shows good takedown defense.
Goncalves looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Goncalves misses with an uppercut. Aneke saw that one coming.
Aneke tries to counter with a takedown but Goncalves is quick to defend against it.
Goncalves throws a looping overhand right but Aneke ducks down to avoid it.
Goncalves misses with a jab, cross combination.
Aneke throws a big counter combination but Goncalves scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Goncalves throws a looping overhand right but Aneke ducks down to avoid it.
As Goncalves tries to get set, Aneke tries to push him back and clinch up but Goncalves manages to avoid the attempt.
Goncalves stuffs the takedown.
Aneke defending well as Goncalves loads up on a big left hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Goncalves throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Aneke moves out of range as Goncalves strikes.
Aneke closes the distance looking to clinch
letting Goncalves counter with a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aneke looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Goncalves is looking for the big counter here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joshua Aneke. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice sprawl there from Goncalves as Aneke shoots in.
Aneke tries to close the distance and clinch up but Goncalves swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Aneke uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Goncalves.
Goncalves misses with the combination.
Goncalves throws the kick towards the body but Aneke avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A bone on bone clash there as Goncalves blocks the leg kick.
Goncalves feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Anekes jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Aneke gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Goncalves lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Aneke throws a sloppy head kick
and Goncalves counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Goncalves throws a hook but Aneke blocks it.
Aneke displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Goncalves throws out the jab.
Aneke goes for a double leg but Goncalves avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Goncalves continues to drive forward.
Jose Goncalves seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Goncalves throws a combination that misses
and Aneke counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Goncalves throws a right and a left that both miss.
Aneke tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Goncalves manages to circle out of the way.
Goncalves might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.

Aneke takes the fight into the clinch.
Aneke pushes off an throws an elbow but Goncalves leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Goncalves stops a takedown attempt from Aneke.

Aneke escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Aneke throws a sloppy head kick and Goncalves moves out of range easily.
Aneke goes for a double leg but Goncalves avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Goncalves continues to drive forward.
Aneke dives in and grabs Goncalves's left leg, looking for a takedown. Goncalves pushes down on Aneke's head and hops out.
Aneke walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Aneke lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Goncalves has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Goncalves and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Aneke is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Goncalves.
Goncalves throws a front kick that sends Aneke stumbling back into the cage.
Goncalves lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Aneke circles away quickly and effectively.
Goncalves slaps away a takedown attempt from Aneke, before circling back to the center of the mat.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Goncalves looks to land a right hand but Aneke moved out of range.
A big right from Goncalves misses.
Aneke looks for the body kick but Goncalves saw that one coming.
Joshua Aneke has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Aneke takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jose Goncalves comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Goncalves 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 Bruno Hogan scores the fight for Jose Goncalves!
Judge Darius Henderson scores the fight for Jose Goncalves!
Judge Chris Dean scores the fight for Jose Goncalves!

Jose Goncalves wins by unanimous decision!