QFC Tournament 610 Round 2 PBP Commentary

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between JoJo Rip (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Will Young (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Rip
vs
Young

180 cm
25
165 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

175 cm
25
164 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

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 Las Vegas, JoJo Rip!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Will Young!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Wesley Smith and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Young fails with a takedown attempt.
Young scores with a kick to the body.
Rip looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Young showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Rip.
Young throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rip seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Young fails with the takedown.
Rip feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Young's calf.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Young.
JoJo Rip has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Will Young.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Rip.
Young closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rip circles away.
Young fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Rip looks to land a combination but Young avoids it well.

Young has closed the distance and engaged Rip in a clinch.
Young keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Rip's efforts to push away.
Young jumps guard but Rip stands there with Young around his waist. Young gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rip can't break the clinch.
Young stops a takedown attempt from Rip.
Young gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

It looks like JoJo Rip has been cut.

Young breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rip throws a low kick, looking for Young's leg but Young calmly moves out of range.

Young has Rip up against the cage in a clinch.
Rip is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Rip looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Young jumps guard but Rip turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Young is looking to take this one to the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rip is pressed up against the cage. Young has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Rip down to the mat. Rip avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Will Young seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rip just misses with a punch to the body.
Rip misses with an attempted mid kick.
Rip on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Young shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rip as he avoids it easily.
Young slaps away a takedown attempt from Rip, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Rip fails with an attempt to clinch.
Rip takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Young dives in for a single leg takedown but Rip sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Rip blocks a head kick by Young.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rip fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Young avoids it really well and circles away.
Rip will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Young rushes Rip and presses him up against the cage.
Rip wants to break the clinch but can't.
Young prevents Rip from breaking the clinch.
Young is trying to pull guard but Rip turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rip has had enough of the clinch but Young keeps him there for the moment.

Young's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Will Young will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on JoJo Rip's cut.
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.

Rip looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Rip.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rip looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Young looks for the body kick but Rip saw that one coming.
Young misses with a takedown attempt - Rip sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Rip half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rip tries to clinch there but Young circles away.
Young wants to counter the offense by Rip and move into the clinch position.
Young shoots in looking for a takedown but Rip manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Young's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Young shoots for a double leg takedown but Rip sprawls well. He's pushed Young's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
JoJo Rip has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Will Young.
Rip keeps Young at a distance using the push kick.
Young is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Young avoids the head kick by Rip.
Nice sprawl there from Rip as Young shoots in.
Rip swinging wildly here.
Young shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rip.
Rip lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Rip misses with a takedown

and Young counters by clinching up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Young keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Rip's efforts to push away.
Young tries to land knees in the clinch but Rip avoids the damage to the body.
Young trying to control the position but instead, Rip has worked for underhooks and has pushed Young into the cage.
A short right from Young on the inside.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Rip has had enough of the clinch but Young keeps him there for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Young has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Rip avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Young can't get the takedown.
Rip tries to break the clinch but Young is controlling the position.
Rip tries to pull guard but Young holds him up against the cage and eventually Rip drops back down to his feet.
Rip wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A bit of stalling here from Young.
Rip is trying to drag Young to the mat but Young just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Young breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Young tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Rip counters with a two punch combo.

Rip moves into the clinch.
Rip looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Young breaks from the clinch.
Young misses with the combination.
Rip wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Young has a takedown stuffed.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

JoJo Rip dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on JoJo Rip's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

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

Young bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Young throws a head kick but Rip moves out of range.
Young shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rip defends it nicely.
It looked like Rip wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Rip slaps away a takedown attempt from Young, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Rip throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Rip throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rip lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Young shoots for a double leg takedown but Rip sprawls well. He's pushed Young's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
JoJo Rip has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Will Young.
Young takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rip throws a shot from downtown. Young moves away and avoids it.
Young displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Rip throws out the jab.
Young shoots in but no luck this time.
Young shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rip pinned against the cage. Rip gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Rip throws a series of strikes that have Young backpedaling.
JoJo Rip is winning the standup battle so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rip misses with a series of wild punches.

Young gets caught flat footed, as Rip shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Young wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Rip manages to pass to side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Young gets back to full guard.
Rip trying to control the position from guard on top but Young is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rip gets to his feet - Young follows without any prompting.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Young is defended easily by Rip.
Rip wants to clinch up but Young keeps it at a distance.
Young tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

Young moves into the clinch.

Rip turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Rip manages to end up in side control.
Young tries to buck Rip off but Rip is having none of it.

Rip tries for a kimura but Young is defending well.
Rip is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Young can do to turn this around?

Rip is trying to get an arm triangle but Young is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rip wants to lay and pray for a moment but Young keeps working.
You can see the frustration on Young's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Young tries to improve position but can't.
Will Young has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
JoJo Rip is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Rip looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

And that's the end of the fight!
JoJo Rip showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Rip has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight for JoJo Rip!
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight for JoJo Rip!
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight for JoJo Rip!

JoJo Rip wins by unanimous decision!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
38%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Lorenz Larkin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mauricio Costa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lorenz Larkin could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Mauricio Costa's chin.

Larkin
vs
Costa

175 cm
25
153 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

190 cm
25
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Sun-Tzu

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 Las Vegas, Lorenz Larkin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mauricio Costa!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Wesley Smith and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Costa bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Costa.
Larkin tries to bum rush Costa with a series of wild strikes but Costa uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Larkin takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
A punch combination from Larkin misses.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Larkin throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Larkin shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Larkin is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

It looks like Lorenz Larkin has been cut.
No joy there for Costa, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Larkin misses with a series of wild punches.
Larkin throws a right and a left that both miss.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Oooooh!!! Costa has knocked Larkin down with a huge combo! Costa steps away and waves a wobbly Larkin back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

Larkin is rocked!
An inside leg kick lands from Costa.
Oh Larkin is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Larkin fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Larkin dodges the punch combination from Costa.
Costa swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Larkin seems to have got his legs back now.
Larkin shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Costa pinned against the cage. Costa gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Larkin is breathing heavily.
Costa moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Larkin is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Larkin fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Costa fails to land with a series of punches.
Left hook, right uppercut from Larkin.
Larkin throws a body kick that misses.
Larkin throws a combination. Costa tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Larkin takes a kick to the side of the head.
Whack! Costa lands a heavy head kick that drops Larkin. The ref tackles Costa to stop the fight - a great save by the referee because Larkin was done.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:41 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Head Kick). Mauricio Costa!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
86%

Co-main event

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jason Dee Penn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rustam Arlovski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rustam Arlovski will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Dee Penn
vs
Arlovski

150 cm
25
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

225 cm
25
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

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 Las Vegas, Jason Dee Penn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rustam Arlovski!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Gwen Towbar and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Arlovski pushes Penn up against the cage in a clinch.
Penn has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Arlovski after a bit of a struggle.
Arlovski is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Penn stalls.
Penn fails to pull guard.
Penn jumps guard but Arlovski turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jason Dee Penn. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Arlovski tries to break free but Penn pushes him back against the cage.

Arlovski breaks from the clinch.

Arlovski moves into range and clinches up with Penn.

Arlovski pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Penn shoots in for a double leg but Arlovski sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Penn looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Arlovski moves into range and clinches up with Penn.
Arlovski gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Penn.
Penn prevents a body shot from Arlovski.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Arlovski turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Arlovski is looking to take a break and control but Penn is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Arlovski tries to move into full mount but can't pass Penn's legs.
Penn tries to buck Arlovski off but Arlovski is having none of it.
Arlovski remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Arlovski is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Penn sneaks back into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Penn is looking to escape.
Penn is trying to get back to full guard.
Penn might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Penn throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Arlovski is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Penn trying to control here.
Arlovski not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Penn on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Penn tries to get out of the position.

Penn is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Arlovski pulls his head out easily.

Penn looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arlovski controlling the action here.
Let's hope that Arlovski has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Penn tries to get to full guard but Arlovski has control of the leg.
Arlovski wants to lay and pray for a moment but Penn keeps working.
Arlovski slows the pace down in half guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Arlovski has taken the fight to the clinch.
Arlovski missing with knees to the body.

Penn decides to pull guard.
Arlovski sitting in guard here, content to control.

Penn has thrown up a leg looking for a triangle. Arlovski doesn't defend quickly enough and Penn has managed to lock this one up! Can Arlovski escape?! NO! He's tapping out! Damn, that was a quick submission - congrats to Penn on a fantastic submission victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:47 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Jason Dee Penn!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
30%

Main event

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Thomas Almeida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Danok Linus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Almeida
vs
Linus

179 cm
25
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

175 cm
19
145 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

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 Las Vegas, Thomas Almeida!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Danok Linus!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Gwen Towbar and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Almeida shoots in for a takedown but Linus shows good takedown defense.
Almeida tries a head kick but it misses.
Linus changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Linus slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Almeida lands with a slapping head kick.
Linus checks a low kick from Almeida.
Linus drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Almeida defends it well.
Linus steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Almeida. That one must have hurt.
Almeida gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Linus counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Almeida uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Almeida will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Linus now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Linus blocks a head kick by Almeida.
Linus avoids the head kick by Almeida.
Almeida throws a head kick but Linus moves out of range.
Linus avoids the head kick by Almeida.
Almeida is breathing heavily.
Almeida tries a head kick but it misses.
Almeida throws a head kick but Linus moves out of range.

Linus drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Linus looks up at the clock and then as Almeida takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Linus smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Linus moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
It looks like Linus might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.

Linus is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Almeida knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Almeida is trying to get back to half guard.
Linus lands a nice forearm strike.
Linus working the body and head with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Almeida is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Linus lands some shots froms side control.
Linus lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Almeida down.

Linus tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Linus has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Linus is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Linus lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Linus working the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Almeida throws Linus to one side and escapes!
Almeida tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nice body kick there by Almeida.
Almeida throws a head kick that misses.
Linus is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Linus clinches with his opponent.
Linus avoids a wild elbow strike from Almeida.
Knees to the body from Almeida.
Almeida lands a knee to the head.
Linus is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Almeida to keep the fight standing.
Linus tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Almeida lands an elbow inside that Linus shrugs off.
Almeida is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Linus is keeping busy.
Almeida landing some nice looking knees to the body.

Linus jumps into guard, dragging Almeida to the mat.

Almeida drops back looking for a leg! Linus is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Linus manages to kick Almeida off! Almeida jumps back into Linus's guard.
Linus wants to stand up but Almeida is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Almeida wants to control from the top but Linus keeps moving.

Almeida drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Almeida jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Linus is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Linus is on top in guard.

Linus pushes down on Almeida's leg and manages to get into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Almeida moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Linus won't allow Almeida to sweep him here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Almeida dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Almeida gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
enabling Linus to counter with a crisp jab.
Almeida throws a head kick that misses.
Almeida tries a head kick but it misses.
Almeida throws a head kick that misses.
Linus now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Linus takes a kick to the side of the head.
Almeida throws a head kick that misses
and Linus connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Almeida pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Almeida throws a sloppy head kick
and Linus counters with a one-two to the body.
Thomas Almeida is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Almeida throws a head kick but Linus moves out of range.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Almeida crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Linus - the referee stops the clock and Almeida gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Linus. Almeida manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Linus throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Almeida throws a sloppy head kick and Linus moves out of range easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Linus clinches up with Almeida and pushes him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Linus pulls Almeida into guard.

Linus pushes Almeida off and gets back to his feet.
Almeida misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Linus scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Almeida throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Linus drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Linus landing a few strikes.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Almeida takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Almeida explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Almeida throws a head kick that misses

and Linus counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Linus controlling the action here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Almeida is trying to stand back up but Linus is controlling him
Linus looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Linus drops an elbow to the side of Almeida's head.
Linus looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Almeida with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Almeida slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Almeida is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Linus is controlling him.
Linus 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.
Linus wants to control from the top but Almeida keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Linus working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Almeida's head.
Linus preventing the sweep.
Almeida wants to get back to his feet but Linus is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Almeida pushes Linus off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Almeida scores with a kick to the body.
Almeida connects with an inside leg kick.
Linus blocks a head kick by Almeida.
Almeida misses with a head kick.
A nice side step and Linus releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Almeida fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good shot there by Linus.
Almeida misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thomas Almeida. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Almeida throws a sloppy head kick and Linus moves out of range easily.
Almeida misses with a head kick.
Linus changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Linus scores with a nice body kick.
Linus changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Thomas Almeida seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Almeida throws a head kick that misses
enabling Linus to counter with a crisp jab.

Linus pushes Almeida up against the cage in a clinch.
Linus makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Linus jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Almeida walks away with a smile on his face. Linus gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Danok Linus showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Almeida lands with a slapping head kick.
Almeida throws a head kick but Linus moves out of range.

Linus scores with a takedown into Almeida's guard.
Linus connects with a couple of short punches.
Almeida is wriggling around but Linus manages to pass to half guard.
Nice strikes from Linus there.
Linus takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Almeida has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Linus is on him like a limpet, forcing Almeida back against the cage.
Almeida landing knees to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Linus jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Almeida walks away with a smile on his face. Linus gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Almeida misses with a head kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A head kick by Almeida misses

and Linus counters with a single leg into guard. Almeida didn't expect that.
Linus connects with a couple of short punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Linus sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Almeida has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Linus off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Almeida wants to clinch up but Linus keeps it at a distance.
Almeida misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Almeida misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A head kick by Almeida misses

and Linus counters with a nice double leg into side control. Almeida won't be happy with that.
Linus connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Almeida some visible discomfort.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Linus in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Linus looks up at the clock and then as Almeida takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Linus smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Almeida pushes Linus away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Linus gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Linus has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Almeida!
Almeida is working to get back to half guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Linus sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Almeida tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Almeida sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Danok Linus has got the better of the ground game so far.
Linus lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Linus scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Linus takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Linus works his way into side control.
The strikes coming from Linus are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Almeida manages to get back to half guard.

Almeida manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Linus keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Almeida wants to stall.
Linus takes a knee to the side of the body.
Almeida lands a knee to the head.
Almeida tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Linus jumps guard but Almeida stands there with Linus around his waist. Linus gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Linus tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Almeida smiles and moves away.
Thomas Almeida has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Danok Linus.
Almeida lands with a slapping head kick.
Almeida throws a sloppy head kick
and Linus counters with a nice uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Linus scores with a takedown into Almeida's guard.
Linus really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Almeida. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Linus prevents Almeida from getting back to his feet.
Linus works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Linus wants to control but Almeida is keeping him busy.
Linus is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Almeida tries to kick Linus off but Linus keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

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 Thomas Almeida.
I think Almeida has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Alan Glass scores the fight for Thomas Almeida!
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight for Danok Linus!
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight for Danok Linus!

Danok Linus wins by split decision!