PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Elias Golden (ranked 23676 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joao Miguel (ranked 4524 p4p, 0 weight class). Elias Golden has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Golden
vs
Miguel

225 cm
19
140 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

175 cm
25
130 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Prefers standup

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Elias Golden!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Joao Miguel!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Seu Braga and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Miguel drives through with a takedown into Golden's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Miguel stops Golden from standing up.

Golden is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Miguel defends well.
Golden wants to stand and escape but Miguel is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Miguel stands up and waves to Golden to follow him.

Miguel changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Golden looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Golden is trying to buck Miguel off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Golden tries to control but end up mounted... ooooh, that's bad.
Miguel manages to capitalize on a mistake by Golden to take his back!
Golden trying to get back to his feet but Miguel is in full control for now.
Miguel really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Golden.

That's two 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.
Golden wants to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Golden rolls, trying to escape but Miguel keeps control of the position.

Miguel gets back to his feet - a bit of a stange decision given the position he was in.
Golden throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
And Miguel tries to counter it with a takedown but Golden pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Good work by Miguel as he checks the leg kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Golden looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Miguel shoots in and gets a takedown into Golden's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Golden wants to stand but Miguel is controlling the position.

Golden looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Golden is breathing heavily.

Miguel stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Miguel throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Golden was covering up waiting for the punch and Miguel finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Miguel decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Golden, up you get!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Miguel closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Golden quickly recovers to half guard.

Miguel gets to his feet - back to striking we go!

Miguel looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Miguel won't allow Golden to get back to his feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Miguel stands and steps away. Golden gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joao Miguel 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.

Golden misses with a jab, cross combination.

Miguel throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Golden was covering up waiting for the punch and Miguel finishes the takedown easily into guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Golden manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Golden tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Miguel smiles and moves away.
Miguel has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Miguel drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Golden will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Golden wants to stand but Miguel is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Golden is looking for a triangle but Miguel pushes his legs off easily.

Golden is working an open guard so Miguel takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Miguel looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Miguel stands and steps away. Golden gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Golden gets caught napping as Miguel dives in and scores a takedown. Golden manages to retain guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Golden wants to sweep here but Miguel controlling him for the moment.

Miguel gets to his feet. Golden looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Miguel closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Golden bucks up and tries to throw Miguel off but instead Miguel has got his back!
Golden really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Miguel decides to stand up.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Miguel shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Golden is trying to defend but Miguel finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Miguel decides to stand and escape the position.

Miguel scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Golden bucks up and tries to throw Miguel off but instead Miguel has got his back!
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Miguel decides to stand up.

Miguel drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Miguel decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joao Miguel showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Miguel feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Miguel gets to his feet. Golden looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Miguel bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Golden throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Miguel drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Golden is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Miguel defends well.

Golden is looking for a triangle but Miguel pushes his legs off easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Golden is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Miguel defends well.

Miguel decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Golden, up you get!

Miguel shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Miguel stands up out of the half guard.
Elias Golden is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Golden gets caught flat footed, as Miguel shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Miguel stands up and waves to Golden to follow him.
Golden scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

Golden is working an open guard so Miguel takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Miguel shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Golden napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Golden is trying to get back to his feet.
Golden bucks up and tries to throw Miguel off but instead Miguel has got his back!
Golden tries to break free.
Golden wants to get back to his feet.

Miguel has decided that he can't make progress quickly enough from the back position and has rather unusually decided to stand up from the dominant position. Obviously he's going to be looking for the knockout on the feet here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Miguel scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Golden explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!

Miguel shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Golden napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Golden tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Miguel won't let Golden get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Elias Golden has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Joao Miguel is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Golden throwing hammer fists to the chest of Miguel. What's that going to do exactly?

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 Elias Golden.
I think Miguel 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 Edson Gomes scores the fight 27:30
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 28:29
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joao Miguel!