PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Marques Moura (ranked 1473 p4p, 1219 weight class) and KJ Wassermann (ranked 197 p4p, 169 weight class). Moura comes to the cage accompanied by Sepultura - Tainted Love. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Moura
vs
Wassermann

188 cm
27
165
5 - 4 - 0

179 cm
27
157
9 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Marques Moura!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, KJ Wassermann!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Michael Johnstone and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Moura ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Wassermann moves away.
Wassermann doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Moura throws a left and a right that both miss
and Moura takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Moura tries a head kick but it misses.
Wassermann now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Moura shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Wassermann! But no joy.
Moura misses with a wild body shot.
Moura shoots in for a takedown but Wassermann shows good takedown defense.
Wassermann looks like he wants to counter punch here.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Moura.
Wassermann is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Moura with a body shot.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marques Moura. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Moura closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Wassermann quickly recovers to half guard.
Moura not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Moura moves nicely into side control.
Wassermann defending against the ground and pound.
Moura has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Wassermann is not content to let Moura control the position.
Moura is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Moura throws an elbow but Wassermann slips to the side and avoids it well.

Moura is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Wassermann is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Moura tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Moura has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Moura wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Wassermann, who protects the arm well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Moura tries for a kimura but Wassermann is defending well.
Wassermann is trying to buck Moura off.
Moura wants to lay and pray for a moment but Wassermann keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Moura is trying to ground and pound but Wassermann uses the momentary lack of control by Moura to regain half guard.
Moura missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Moura sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Wassermann defending well though.
Moura wants to pass to mount but Wassermann is defending the position.
Moura takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Wassermann has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Acme Island Savages. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Ground and pound from Moura.
Moura wants to lay and pray for a moment but Wassermann keeps working.
Moura throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Moura wants to take a breather but Wassermann is having none of it.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Wassermann can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Moura prevents Wassermann from standing back up.
Moura landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Moura wants to take a breather but Wassermann is having none of it.
Moura is looking to advance position but Wassermann won't allow it.
Moura is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Wassermann!

Wassermann defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Moura.
Moura lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Moura sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Wassermann really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Moura. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Moura is working for a guillotine from mount but Wassermann frees his head quite easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Moura tries to control but Wassermann wriggling away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Marques Moura dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Moura shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Wassermann pinned against the cage. Wassermann gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Moura with a nice calf kick.
Moura shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Wassermann connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Moura fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marques Moura. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Moura dives in and grabs Wassermann's left leg, looking for a takedown. Wassermann pushes down on Moura's head and hops out.
Wassermann wants to counter the offense by Moura and move into the clinch position.
Moura gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Wassermann counters with a straight right hand.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Moura.
Moura shoots in for a takedown but Wassermann shows good takedown defense.
Wassermann let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Moura throws an off balance right hand
and Wassermann counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Moura doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Wassermann counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Moura darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Moura connects with a nice short shot to Wassermann's temple.

Moura is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Moura is looking to advance position but Wassermann won't allow it.

Moura is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Wassermann sees it coming and defends easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Moura is looking to take a break and control but Wassermann is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Wassermann tries to kick Moura off but Moura keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Moura looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Moura has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Moura is looking to take a break and control but Wassermann is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Nice strikes from Moura there.
Wassermann is trying to stand back up but Moura is controlling him
Wassermann is staying active underneath Moura, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Moura seems to be working for a kimura but Wassermann defends the submission attempt.
Wassermann is refusing to be controlled, as Moura sits in half guard.
Moura looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Wassermann with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Moura is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Wassermann doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Moura.
Moura is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Wassermann can do to turn this around?
Moura thows a huge punch but Wassermann dodges it nicely.

Moura seems to be working for a kimura but Wassermann defends the submission attempt.

Moura looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Moura is trying to control. Wassermann wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Marques Moura will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Moura tries for a takedown but Wassermann sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Moura really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Moura shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Wassermann counters with a lovely shot to the body.
A low kick from Moura is predictable there
and Wassermann counters with a lovely straight right hand!
KJ Wassermann seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Moura misses with a takedown attempt
and Wassermann counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marques Moura. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Moura shoots for a takedown but Wassermann saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Moura is defended easily by Wassermann.
Wassermann let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Moura misses with a takedown attempt
and Wassermann counters with a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Moura fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Wassermann is looking for the big counter here.
KJ Wassermann is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Moura shoots and misses
letting Wassermann counter with a right hand.
Wassermann defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Moura.
Moura scores with a hook to the body. Wassermann takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Marques Moura seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Moura misses with a body shot
and Moura takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Some bone on bone action there as Wassermann checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Wassermann appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Moura shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Wassermann but Wassermann pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Moura doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Wassermann counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Moura misses with a low kick.
A countering left hand to the body from Wassermann misses.
Moura shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Wassermann sprawls well. Wassermann wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Moura gets slowly back to his feet.
Moura tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Wassermann manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Wassermann unleashes a big counter combination but Moura bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Moura misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Moura shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Wassermann throws out a counter right but Moura avoids it with no problem.
Moura tries for a takedown but Wassermann circles away easily
and Wassermann makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Moura shoots in for a takedown but Wassermann shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Wassermann let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Moura.
Wassermann is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Moura with a body shot.
Moura tries for a takedown but Wassermann circles away easily
and Wassermann counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
An inside leg kick from Moura misses.
Moura tries to clinch but Wassermann moves away
and Wassermann counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Moura tries for a takedown but Wassermann circles away easily
and Moura takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Moura shoots for a takedown but Wassermann saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A countering left hand to the body from Wassermann misses.
Wassermann stuffs the takedown.

Moura scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Moura wants to lay and pray for a moment but Wassermann keeps working.
Moura throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Moura is looking for a kimura but Wassermann is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Moura to get the leverage.
Moura is pressing down on Wassermann's thigh, looking to free his foot. Wassermann is holding on for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
KJ Wassermann comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Moura 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 Bart Greer scores the fight for KJ Wassermann!
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight for KJ Wassermann!
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight for KJ Wassermann!

KJ Wassermann wins by unanimous decision!
KJ Wassermann opened up his post fight interview with a scream to camera that he wants a title shot! Whether he deserves the shot will be up to the management of the organization, so I guess he'll have to wait and see.
Marques Moura was interviewed post fight and said 'Seja dono da sua boca, para não ser escravo de suas palavras.'.