PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jeff Castro (ranked 24405 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikolas Vieira (ranked 3196 p4p, 117 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Castro
vs
Vieira

166 cm
21
346 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

225 cm
25
300 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Good elbows
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jeff Castro!
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, Nikolas Vieira!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Thiago Cunha and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vieira tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Castro swivels and escapes.
Castro finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Castro displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Vieira.
Castro is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Vieira.
Vieira shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Castro but Castro pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Jeff Castro has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nikolas Vieira.
Vieira shoots in looking for a takedown but Castro manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Vieira's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Vieira checks the leg kick.
Castro tries to land a front kick but Vieira steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Nice sprawl there from Castro as Vieira shoots in.
Castro fails with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vieira changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Castro tries to avoid it but Vieira manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Castro to the ground. Castro escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Vieira goes for a double leg but Castro avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Castro continues to drive forward.
Vieira darts in looking for a takedown but Castro gets double underhooks and turns Vieira into the cage.
Vieira will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Castro is looking to counter with head kicks.
Vieira shoots in looking for a takedown but Castro manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Vieira's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Castro is looking to counter the offense by Vieira and move into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castro changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Vieira tries to avoid it but Castro manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Vieira to the ground. Vieira escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Vieira is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Vieira looks for a takedown but Castro sprawls well.
Vieira doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Castro counters with a nice leg kick.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Vieira.
Vieira looks winded!
Vieira shoots in looking for a takedown but Castro manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Vieira's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Castro tried to counter with a leg kick but Vieira avoided it.
Vieira shoots in and drives through. Castro sprawls well.
Castro really is a fat lump.
Nice sprawl there from Castro as Vieira shoots in.
Vieira misses with a takedown attempt - Castro sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Castro shoots in for a double leg but Vieira sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Castro fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Vieira avoids it really well and circles away.
Castro fails with the takedown.
Vieira drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Castro defends it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vieira closes the distance and clinches up with Castro, looking for a takedown. Vieira pushes Castro against the cage but Castro circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Vieira shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Castro looks to land a body kick but Vieira moved away.

Castro gets caught napping as Vieira dives in and scores a takedown. Castro manages to retain guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Castro throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Castro is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Castro had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Vieira defends it easily.
Castro knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Vieira on the ground.
Vieira stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Castro swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castro trying to keep a closed guard but Vieira is proving a slippery customer.
Vieira throwing strikes from guard but Castro blocks nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Castro has an active guard here but Vieira has managed to pass into half guard.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Vieira is looking for a kimura here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Vieira stops Castro from getting back to his feet.
Vieira moves nicely into side control.
Sloppy strikes there by Vieira.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Vieira tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Castro is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeff Castro dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Vieira shoots for a double leg takedown but Castro sprawls well. He's pushed Vieira's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Vieira shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Castro as he jumps to the side.
As Vieira tries to get set, Castro tries to push him back and clinch up but Vieira manages to avoid the attempt.
Vieira shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Castro as he avoids it easily.
Castro tries to counter by clinching up but Vieira breaks away and moves out of range.
Jeff Castro has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nikolas Vieira.
Castro throws a half hearted mid kick.
Vieira shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Castro as he jumps to the side.
Vieira looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Castro lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice sprawl there from Castro as Vieira shoots in.
Vieira keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Vieira shoots in but Castro avoids the takedown attempt easily.
As Vieira tries to get set, Castro tries to push him back and clinch up but Vieira manages to avoid the attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horrible takedown attempt by Vieira or perhaps it was just good defense by Castro, which made it look bad.
Vieira fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Jeff Castro is winning the standup battle so far.
Vieira is breathing heavily.
Vieira shoots in and drives through. Castro sprawls well.
Castro defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Vieira.
Vieira stuffs the takedown.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Castro.
Castro is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Vieira can do to turn this around?
Vieira wants to get back to his feet but Castro drags him back down.
Vieira wants to get back to his feet but Castro is dominant here and he's now got Vieira's back!
Castro misses with punches from the back.

Castro working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.

Castro has his opponent's back but Vieira is looking to stand. He manages to get to his feet and shakes off Castro.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Vieira shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nice takedown defense from Castro. No joy for Vieira on that attempt.
Castro seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Vieira is defended easily by Castro.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Vieira.
Castro shoots in for a double leg but Vieira sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Vieira leaves Castro with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Nice takedown defense from Castro. No joy for Vieira on that attempt.
Castro stuffs the takedown attempt from Vieira. Vieira gets slowly back to his feet.
Vieira looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Castro is fending him off so far but Vieira persists. Nope, Castro circles away and we're back to standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castro shoots in for a double leg but Vieira sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Vieira dives in and grabs Castro's left leg, looking for a takedown. Castro pushes down on Vieira's head and hops out.
Vieira fails with the takedown.
Castro tries to score a power double leg takedown but Vieira sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Castro somewhat.
Castro keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Vieira darts in looking for a takedown but Castro gets double underhooks and turns Vieira into the cage.
Castro fails with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Castro. No joy for Vieira on that attempt.
Vieira shoots in for a takedown but Castro shows good takedown defense.
Nice takedown defense from Castro. No joy for Vieira on that attempt.

Castro closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Vieira manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Castro keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Vieira fails to pull guard.

Castro has clasped his hands together around Vieira's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

Vieira explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Vieira closes the distance and clinches up with Castro, looking for a takedown. Vieira pushes Castro against the cage but Castro circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Vieira shoots in for a takedown but Castro shows good takedown defense.
Vieira has his takedown stuffed
and Castro counters with a low kick, right behind Vieira 's knee.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeff Castro dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Vieira looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Castro throws the left hand but Vieira avoids the punch easily.
Nikolas Vieira seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Vieira shoots in for a takedown but Castro shows good takedown defense.
Vieira fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Castro is looking to counter the offense by Vieira and move into the clinch.
Jeff Castro has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nikolas Vieira.
Vieira shoots in but no luck this time.

Vieira shoots in and gets a takedown into Castro's guard.

Castro manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Castro's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Vieira prevents a takedown attempt there.
Castro content to slow the pace in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vieira has Castro pressed against the cage, preventing Castro from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Castro tries to pull guard but Vieira holds him up against the cage and eventually Castro drops back down to his feet.
Castro stalling in the clinch but Vieira improves position.
Vieira tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Castro smiles and moves away.
Vieira looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Castro is fending him off so far but Vieira persists. Nope, Castro circles away and we're back to standing.
Vieira shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Vieira has a takedown stuffed.
Castro fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Vieira fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Castro to the ground. Vieira is now in Castro's guard.
Castro might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Castro has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Vieira can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Vieira avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Castro has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Vieira can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Vieira throwing strikes but missing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castro is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Castro is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Castro looking to control.
Castro working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Vieira.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Vieira shoots in for a takedown but Castro shows good takedown defense.
Vieira shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Castro keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Vieira moves out of range of the body kick.
Vieira shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Castro as he jumps to the side.
Vieira tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Castro defends well and Vieira ends up having to push Castro into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Castro fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Vieira shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Castro but Castro pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Vieira tries for a takedown but Castro sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Castro is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Vieira.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Vieira shoots in for a double leg but Castro sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Vieira tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Castro defends well and Vieira ends up having to push Castro into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Castro tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Vieira manages to circle out of the way.
Nikolas Vieira has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jeff Castro is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Vieira shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Castro pinned against the cage. Castro gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jeff Castro showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Castro, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 30:27
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 30:27
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jeff Castro!