PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Michelangelo Di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni (ranked 3274 p4p, 275 weight class) and Newton Fandango (ranked 3507 p4p, 284 weight class). Newton Fandango is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni
vs
Fandango

170 cm
26
150 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

172 cm
26
155 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good knees
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Woodhouse's

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Michelangelo Di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Newton Fandango!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Dirk Anderson and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fandango misses the shot to the body.
Fandango looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Fandango fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Buonarroti Simoni avoids it really well and circles away.
Buonarroti Simoni tries a low kick but Fandango avoids it.
Buonarroti Simoni definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

Buonarroti Simoni gets caught flat footed, as Fandango shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Fandango trying to control but Buonarroti Simoni is working from the bottom.
Buonarroti Simoni is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fandango postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Fandango showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Fandango missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fandango throws an elbow that misses. Buonarroti Simoni uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Fandango's guard. Nice move by Buonarroti Simoni!

Fandango wants to sweep but no luck.
Fandango is controlling Buonarroti Simoni's posture.
Buonarroti Simoni is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Fandango trying to control the position.
Fandango looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Fandango can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Buonarroti Simoni controls the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fandango has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Fandango is trying to keep Buonarroti Simoni in close.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Fandango can do anything to dispel that myth.
Buonarroti Simoni tries to free his leg and advance position but Fandango is retaining full guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Fandango is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Fandango shoots in looking for a takedown but Buonarroti Simoni manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Fandango's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Fandango blocks the body kick.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Fandango is defended easily by Buonarroti Simoni.
Michelangelo Di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Newton Fandango.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Buonarroti Simoni lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Buonarroti Simoni misses with a leg kick

and Fandango counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Fandango throwing strikes from guard but Buonarroti Simoni blocks nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Buonarroti Simoni wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Buonarroti Simoni looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Buonarroti Simoni preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Buonarroti Simoni bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Fandango's guard.

Fandango looking for a sweep. Not yet Fandango, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fandango not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Buonarroti Simoni passes Fandango's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Buonarroti Simoni perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fandango is staying active underneath Buonarroti Simoni, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Fandango holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Fandango is staying active underneath Buonarroti Simoni, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Buonarroti Simoni is just content to waste time from the top position. Fandango takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Buonarroti Simoni trying to control the position from guard on top but Fandango is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Newton Fandango will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Buonarroti Simoni does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Fandango feints the counter takedown.
Fandango gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Buonarroti Simoni makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Buonarroti Simoni is looking to score with low kicks.
A nice leg kick lands there from Buonarroti Simoni.
Fandango checks a leg kick.
Fandango blocks a low kick nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fandango shoots in for a double leg but Buonarroti Simoni sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Buonarroti Simoni throws a body shot but no joy.
Fandango with the counter takedown but Buonarroti Simoni avoids it easily.
Nice sprawl there from Buonarroti Simoni as Fandango shoots in.
And Buonarroti Simoni counters with a quick kick to the body but Fandango blocks it.
Michelangelo Di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Newton Fandango.
Buonarroti Simoni attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Buonarroti Simoni darts in and clinches Fandango up against the cage.
Buonarroti Simoni lands a good knee to the midsection. Fandango won't want to take too many of those.
Fandango is trying to force a seperation but Buonarroti Simoni has the dominant position.
Buonarroti Simoni changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Fandango fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Buonarroti Simoni throws a head kick that misses

and Fandango counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Fandango.
Fandango scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Buonarroti Simoni is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Buonarroti Simoni pulls Fandango in to control the position.
Buonarroti Simoni's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Fandango keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Buonarroti Simoni's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fandango won't allow Buonarroti Simoni to sweep him here.
Buonarroti Simoni controls Fandango momentarily but Fandango frees himself.
Fandango postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Buonarroti Simoni controls Fandango momentarily but Fandango frees himself.
Fandango must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Fandango is working Buonarroti Simoni over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Buonarroti Simoni seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Fandango works over Buonarroti Simoni with some ground and pound from guard.
Fandango trying to control but Buonarroti Simoni is working from the bottom.
Buonarroti Simoni is trying to control the position but Fandango postures up.
Fandango in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Buonarroti Simoni manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Fandango manages to get himself to full guard.

The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Buonarroti Simoni trying to control the position from guard on top but Fandango is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Buonarroti Simoni engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Fandango keeping moving, preventing Buonarroti Simoni from controlling successfully.
Buonarroti Simoni stopping the sweep attempt from Fandango.
Buonarroti Simoni wants to control from the top but Fandango keeps moving.
Buonarroti Simoni preventing the sweep.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Fandango is trying to keep Buonarroti Simoni in close.
Fandango wants to sweep here but Buonarroti Simoni controlling him for the moment.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Buonarroti Simoni throws a leg kick which misses Fandango's front leg but catches the back leg as Fandango tries to avoid it.
Buonarroti Simoni throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

so Fandango counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Buonarroti Simoni seems keen to control Fandango's posture.
Fandango trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Buonarroti Simoni bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Fandango's guard.

The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Buonarroti Simoni postures up.
Buonarroti Simoni is stalling in the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Michelangelo Di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Buonarroti Simoni thows a leg kick but Fandango checks it

and Fandango decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Buonarroti Simoni's guard.
Buonarroti Simoni is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Buonarroti Simoni controls Fandango momentarily but Fandango frees himself.
Fandango trying to control the position from guard on top but Buonarroti Simoni is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Buonarroti Simoni is trying to control the position but Fandango postures up.
Fandango postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Buonarroti Simoni is pulling down on Fandango's head. It's preventing any offense from Fandango, at least for the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fandango missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Fandango throws a big right hand that misses.
Buonarroti Simoni is trying to keep Fandango in close.
Buonarroti Simoni has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fandango makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Fandango works over Buonarroti Simoni with some ground and pound from guard.
Buonarroti Simoni pulls Fandango in close to his closed guard and prevents Fandango from doing any damage or advancing position.
Fandango working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Fandango postures up and lands a big shot to Buonarroti Simoni's brow.
Buonarroti Simoni keeping moving, preventing Fandango from controlling successfully.
Fandango is looking to work some ground and pound but Buonarroti Simoni has wrist control.
Buonarroti Simoni is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Buonarroti Simoni throws the kick towards the body but Fandango avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Buonarroti Simoni scores with a spinning back kick!
Fandango ducks under a wild hook from Buonarroti Simoni.
Fandango shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Buonarroti Simoni as he avoids it easily.
Buonarroti Simoni throws a low kick but Fandango moves out of range easily.
Buonarroti Simoni lands with a thumping leg kick.
Buonarroti Simoni thows a body kick. Fandango tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Buonarroti Simoni misses with a low kick.
Fandango drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Buonarroti Simoni defends it well.
Fandango shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Buonarroti Simoni pinned against the cage. Buonarroti Simoni gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fandango checks a leg kick.
Buonarroti Simoni throws a nice head kick!
Buonarroti Simoni throws a sloppy head kick

and Fandango decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Buonarroti Simoni's guard.
Fandango being controlled here momentarily.
Fandango trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Fandango is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Buonarroti Simoni working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Fandango.
Fandango with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Fandango wants to control from the top but Buonarroti Simoni keeps moving.
Fandango loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Buonarroti Simoni controls Fandango momentarily but Fandango frees himself.
Newton Fandango has got the better of the ground game so far.
Fandango passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Fandango working the ground and pound.
Fandango misses with the ground and pound.
Fandango in the domination position with Buonarroti Simoni hanging on.
Buonarroti Simoni gets back to half guard.
Fandango is trying to control the action in half guard but Buonarroti Simoni is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Buonarroti Simoni is holding on to half guard well.
Fandango is pressing down on Buonarroti Simoni's thigh, looking to free his foot. Buonarroti Simoni is holding on for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Newton Fandango comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Fandango 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 Santiago Holmes scores the fight 29:29
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Michelangelo Di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni!
During a confident post fight interview, Michelangelo Di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.