PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Israel Adesanya (ranked 4042 p4p, 4138 weight class) and Pedro Cardoso (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Adesanya
vs
Cardoso

180 cm
18
190
0 - 0 - 0

186 cm
18
195
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

Good wrestler
Brawler
Experienced

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Israel Adesanya!
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, Pedro Cardoso!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Skip Squint and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Adesanya gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Adesanya.
Adesanya prevents a takedown attempt there.
Cardoso drops down looking for an ankle pick but Adesanya pulls his leg out and moves away.

Cardoso shoots in and gets a takedown into Adesanya's guard.

Adesanya manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Cardoso is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Adesanya is defending well.
Israel Adesanya has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pedro Cardoso.
Adesanya is looking to take this one to the mat.
Cardoso managing to block the knees to the body from Adesanya.

Adesanya jumps guard and drags Cardoso to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Adesanya has his hands on Cardoso's head, controlling the position.

Adesanya is looking for a triangle but Cardoso pushes his legs off easily.
Cardoso throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Adesanya works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Adesanya has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cardoso loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Cardoso must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Cardoso trying to control the position from guard on top but Adesanya is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Adesanya working for a triangle but Cardoso defends it easily.
Adesanya avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Cardoso with a flurry of punches that miss.
Cardoso chips away with some ground and pound.
Adesanya looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Cardoso throwing strikes from guard but Adesanya blocks nicely.
Cardoso throwing strikes from guard but Adesanya blocks nicely.
Cardoso postures up and lands a big shot to Adesanya's brow.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Cardoso postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Cardoso is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Cardoso throwing strikes but missing.
Adesanya avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
Cardoso being controlled here momentarily.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Adesanya fails with the takedown.
Adesanya is breathing heavily.
Adesanya steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Cardoso.
Cardoso throws a body shot but no joy.

Cardoso looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Adesanya kicks Cardoso off and gets back to his feet.

Adesanya gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Cardoso to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Cardoso distracts Adesanya with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Adesanya wants to sweep but no luck.
Cardoso stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Adesanya swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Cardoso working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Cardoso distracts Adesanya with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Cardoso scoring with some ground and pound.
Adesanya has momentary wrist control but Cardoso slips an elbow through the middle.
Cardoso landing with the ground and pound.
Cardoso works over Adesanya with some ground and pound from guard.
Cardoso landing some decent shots from guard.
Cardoso really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Adesanya. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Cardoso with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Cardoso makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Cardoso cracks Adesanya with a solid left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Adesanya keeping moving, preventing Cardoso from controlling successfully.
Cardoso postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Cardoso lands a couple of elbows.
Cardoso is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Cardoso distracts Adesanya with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Adesanya is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Adesanya keeping moving, preventing Cardoso from controlling successfully.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Adesanya working a defensive guard here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Pedro Cardoso seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Cardoso closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Adesanya taking a bit of punishment here - Cardoso scoring with strikes.
Cardoso scoring with punches and elbows.
Adesanya is trying to get back to half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Pedro Cardoso will probably get the nod.
That's time! Adesanya's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Cardoso darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Adesanya kicks Cardoso off and gets back to his feet.
Israel Adesanya is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Adesanya gets caught napping as Cardoso dives in and scores a takedown. Adesanya manages to retain guard.

Adesanya has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Cardoso has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cardoso has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Adesanya after a bit of a struggle.
Cardoso changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Adesanya fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Cardoso ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Adesanya moves away.

Cardoso changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Adesanya looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Adesanya throws Cardoso to one side and escapes!
Adesanya fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Cardoso is defended easily by Adesanya.
Israel Adesanya has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pedro Cardoso.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Adesanya closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Cardoso drops down looking for an ankle pick but Adesanya pulls his leg out and moves away.

Cardoso decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Adesanya has one foot on Cardoso's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Cardoso looks for a takedown but Adesanya sprawls well.
An attempted straight right counter from Adesanya misses the target.
Cardoso shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Adesanya counters with a two punch combo.
Cardoso shoots for a takedown but Adesanya saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Adesanya shoots in but no luck this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cardoso takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Cardoso tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Adesanya defends well and Cardoso ends up having to push Adesanya into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Adesanya is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Cardoso can do to turn this around?
Cardoso shoots in but no luck this time.
Cardoso misses with a hook to the body

and Adesanya counters by moving into the clinch.

Adesanya successfully pulls guard.
Adesanya thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Israel Adesanya overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Cardoso trying to control but Adesanya is working from the bottom.

Adesanya escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Cardoso gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cardoso is working Adesanya over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Cardoso works over Adesanya with some ground and pound from guard.
Cardoso content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Cardoso lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cardoso landing some decent shots from guard.
Cardoso postures up and lands a big shot to Adesanya's brow.
Adesanya controls Cardoso momentarily but Cardoso frees himself.
Adesanya has momentary wrist control but Cardoso slips an elbow through the middle.
Cardoso lands a couple of elbows.
Cardoso cracks Adesanya with a solid left hand.
Cardoso lands a couple of elbows.
Cardoso is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Cardoso working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Cardoso works over Adesanya with some ground and pound from guard.
Adesanya is trying to keep Cardoso in close.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Cardoso shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cardoso working Adesanya over with strikes.
Ground and pound from Cardoso.
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. Cardoso connects with a nice short shot to Adesanya's temple.
Cardoso working over Adesanya with some ground and pound. Adesanya looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Cardoso seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Adesanya has hold of Cardoso's hands but Cardoso slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Adesanya is refusing to be controlled, as Cardoso sits in half guard.
Adesanya taking some punishment here, with Cardoso in his half guard.
Ground and pound from Cardoso.
Cardoso is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Cardoso is thwarting Adesanya's attempts to control the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Israel Adesanya dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Cardoso shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Adesanya's guard.

Adesanya kicks Cardoso off and gets to his feet.
Cardoso just misses with a punch to the body.
Cardoso swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Adesanya cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Adesanya fails with the takedown.

Cardoso scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cardoso landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Adesanya tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Cardoso scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Adesanya to see if he's OK.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cardoso landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Check out the look on Cardoso's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Cardoso is putting a hurting on Adesanya here, landing some big shots from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cardoso wants to lay and pray for a moment but Adesanya keeps working.
Adesanya is trying to get back to half guard.
Adesanya can't do much from the bottom here.
Adesanya on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Cardoso lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Adesanya taking a bit of punishment here - Cardoso scoring with strikes.
Cardoso cracks Adesanya with an elbow. That is naaassty.
You can see the frustration on Adesanya's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Cardoso lands an elbow.
Cardoso lands a nice forearm strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cardoso trying to control the action but Adesanya is working from the bottom.
Cardoso scores with a couple of short elbows.
Check out the look on Cardoso's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Adesanya taking punishment in the form of punches.
Check out the look on Cardoso's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Cardoso cracks Adesanya with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Cardoso scores with a couple of short elbows.
Cardoso working the ground and pound from side control.
Cardoso connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Adesanya some visible discomfort.
Adesanya on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Cardoso is putting a hurting on Adesanya here, landing some big shots from side control.
Cardoso working the head and body with strikes.
Adesanya taking a bit of punishment here - Cardoso scoring with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Adesanya takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Check out the look on Cardoso's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Cardoso working the ground and pound from side control.
Cardoso looks up at the clock and then as Adesanya takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Cardoso smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Cardoso looks up at the clock and then as Adesanya takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Cardoso smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Cardoso landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Cardoso scores with a couple of short elbows.
Cardoso is working Adesanya over with some ground and pound from side control.
Cardoso working the head and body with strikes.
Cardoso lands a decent elbow from side control.
Cardoso is chipping away with strikes.
Adesanya is looking to regain half guard here but Cardoso keeps moving and retains side control.
Adesanya takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cardoso wants to lay and pray for a moment but Adesanya keeps working.
Cardoso working the ground and pound from side control.
Adesanya tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Cardoso wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Adesanya takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Cardoso in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Cardoso landing strikes.
Cardoso trying to control the position but Adesanya is working away.
Adesanya is working to avoid the ground and pound but Cardoso connects with a decent elbow.
Cardoso lands some shots froms side control.
Cardoso is putting a hurting on Adesanya here, landing some big shots from side control.
Cardoso working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Cardoso looks up at the clock and then as Adesanya takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Cardoso smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!

And that's the end of the fight!
Pedro Cardoso comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Cardoso 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 Steve Erwin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 28:29
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pedro Cardoso!