PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rueben Yates (ranked 24698 p4p, 0 weight class) and Golias Elcabrino (ranked 5468 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Yates
vs
Elcabrino

196 cm
18
214 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

190 cm
22
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rueben Yates!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Golias Elcabrino!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Matheus Silva and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yates misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Yates displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Elcabrino.
Elcabrino ducks under a wild hook from Yates.
Elcabrino gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Yates counters by clinching up.
Yates tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Elcabrino avoids it.
Elcabrino tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Rueben Yates has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Golias Elcabrino.
Yates prevents Elcabrino from breaking the clinch.
Elcabrino tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Elcabrino blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Yates prevents a body shot from Elcabrino.
Elcabrino is trying to force a seperation but Yates has the dominant position.
Elcabrino tries to circle away but Yates has him pinned against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yates blocking some punches.

Elcabrino's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Elcabrino darts in and clinches Yates up against the cage.
Elcabrino has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Elcabrino drops down looking for an ankle pick but Yates pulls his leg out and moves away.
Elcabrino blocks a low kick nicely.
Elcabrino keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Yates.
Elcabrino shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Yates as he avoids it easily.
Rueben Yates is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Yates avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Yates tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Elcabrino manages to circle out of the way.

Elcabrino instigates a clinch.
Yates trying to land knees to the body.
Elcabrino tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Elcabrino misses with a knee strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yates prevents Elcabrino from breaking the clinch.
Elcabrino prevents a body shot from Yates.
Elcabrino has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Yates avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Yates prevents Elcabrino from breaking the clinch.
Elcabrino has had enough of the clinch but Yates keeps him there for the moment.
Elcabrino can't find room to land a body shot as Yates controls the action.
Yates goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Elcabrino jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Yates walks away with a smile on his face. Elcabrino gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Yates misses with a wild combination.
A little jabbing left from Elcabrino on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Elcabrino shoots in and drives through. Yates sprawls well.
Yates is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Elcabrino.
Yates throws a head kick that misses.
Elcabrino feints the counter takedown.
Elcabrino wants to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yates keeps the fight on the outside.
A nice combination there by Yates.
Elcabrino is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Yates wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Elcabrino is looking to clinch.
Yates circles away from the clinch attempt

and Yates counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Elcabrino!
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Yates tries to score with some ground and pound. Elcabrino controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

Yates decides to stand up, so the ref orders Elcabrino to his feet.
Elcabrino lands a jab to Yates's midsection.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yates loads up on a big right hand but Elcabrino slips the punch.
Elcabrino fails with an attempt to clinch.
Elcabrino tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Yates paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Elcabrino closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Elcabrino's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Yates avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Elcabrino checks a low kick from Yates.
Elcabrino fails in his attempt to clinch.
Yates tries to counter by clinching up but Elcabrino breaks away and moves out of range.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Elcabrino tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Yates paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Yates seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Elcabrino tries to clinch but Yates is having none of it.
Yates fires out a quick counter leg kick but Elcabrino just manages to avoid it.
Yates misses with a jab, cross combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rueben Yates dominated that 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.

Elcabrino shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Yates seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Yates is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Elcabrino can do to turn this around?
Elcabrino fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Yates is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Elcabrino.
Yates misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Elcabrino.
Golias Elcabrino seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Elcabrino misses with a low kick.
Elcabrino circles away from the clinch attempt.
Elcabrino tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Elcabrino bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Elcabrino throws a right and a left that Yates avoids nicely.
Elcabrino is looking to clinch but Yates is avoiding it.
Elcabrino tries to clinch but Yates moves out of range.
Yates wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Elcabrino tries to clinch but Yates moves out of range.
Elcabrino with a lazy takedown attempt

and Yates counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Rueben Yates has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Golias Elcabrino.
Yates lands strikes from half guard.
Yates throws a strike but Elcabrino avoids it easily and moves to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yates throws a big right hand that misses.
Yates throwing strikes but missing.
Yates throws a strike but Elcabrino rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Yates working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Elcabrino.
Elcabrino throwing strikes but missing.
Yates seems keen to control Elcabrino's posture.

Yates wriggles free and stands up.
Yates throws a jab but it's blocked by Elcabrino.
Elcabrino wants to clinch.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Elcabrino shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Yates sprawls well. Yates wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Elcabrino gets slowly back to his feet.
Elcabrino is breathing heavily.
Elcabrino fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Yates is looking to counter the offense by Elcabrino and move into the clinch.
Rueben Yates is winning the standup battle so far.
Yates looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Elcabrino looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Yates is fending him off so far but Elcabrino persists. Nope, Yates circles away and we're back to standing.
Elcabrino fails in his attempt to clinch.
Elcabrino doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Yates holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Elcabrino has had enough of the clinch but Yates keeps him there for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Yates breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Elcabrino just misses with a punch to the body.
Elcabrino doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Yates holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Yates doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Elcabrino tries for a takedown but Yates manages to get underhooks.
Yates works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Yates is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Elcabrino is defending well for now.
Elcabrino doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Elcabrino is trying to force a seperation but Yates has the dominant position.
Yates dodges an elbow strike from Elcabrino.
Yates tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Elcabrino avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yates misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Elcabrino.
Elcabrino tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Elcabrino is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
A frustrated look appears on Elcabrino's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Yates content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Elcabrino is leaning against Yates and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Knees to the body from Yates.
Elcabrino takes a knee to the side of the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Yates managing to block the knees to the body from Elcabrino.
Elcabrino is looking for a takedown.
Yates tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Elcabrino avoids it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rueben Yates 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!

Elcabrino tries for a takedown but Yates circles away easily

and Yates counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Elcabrino tries to break free but Yates pushes him back against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Elcabrino fails to land.
Elcabrino throws an elbow but it misses.
Elcabrino changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Yates fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Elcabrino shoots in but no luck this time.
Rueben Yates has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Golias Elcabrino.
Yates misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Yates swings for the body but Elcabrino moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Elcabrino fails in his attempt to clinch.
Elcabrino takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Yates throws a head kick but Elcabrino moves out of range.
Elcabrino tries to clinch but Yates moves away
letting Yates counter with a right hand.
Elcabrino looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Elcabrino changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Yates tries to avoid it but Elcabrino manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Yates to the ground. Yates escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Yates ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Elcabrino moves away.

Yates darts in and clinches Elcabrino up against the cage.
Yates prevents Elcabrino from breaking the clinch.
Rueben Yates has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Elcabrino lands a good knee to the midsection. Yates won't want to take too many of those.
Elcabrino blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Yates has a couple of punches blocked by Elcabrino.
With the fighters up against the cage, Elcabrino throws an elbow but misses.
Yates pressing his opponent against the cage.
Elcabrino wants to break free but Yates has control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Elcabrino fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Yates tries to land knees in the clinch but Elcabrino avoids the damage to the body.

Elcabrino pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Elcabrino tries to close the distance and clinch up but Yates swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Yates swats away the attempt to clinch by Elcabrino.
Elcabrino feints a jab promting Yates to slip. Elcabrino then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Yates slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

It looks like Rueben Yates has been cut.
Elcabrino wants to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Elcabrino misses with a takedown

and Yates moves into the clinch.
Yates doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Elcabrino has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Elcabrino is looking to break free of the clinch but Yates has double underhooks.
Elcabrino managing to block the knees to the body from Yates.

Elcabrino breaks the clinch.
Elcabrino uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Yates.
Elcabrino is looking to clinch but Yates is avoiding it.
Yates tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Elcabrino manages to circle out of the way.
Elcabrino tries to clinch but Yates is having none of it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Yates. Elcabrino does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Elcabrino has taken the fight to the clinch.
Yates missing with knees to the body.
A short body shot lands from Yates as the two fighters clinch.
Elcabrino blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A frustrated look appears on Elcabrino's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Elcabrino wants to break the clinch but can't.
Yates trying to land knees to the body.
Yates has Elcabrino pressed against the cage, preventing Elcabrino from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Elcabrino landing knees to the body.
Golias Elcabrino has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Yates misses with a hook to the ribs.
Rueben Yates is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Elcabrino is trying to pull guard but Yates turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rueben Yates showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Yates 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 Luis Engracia scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rueben Yates!