PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Michael Durham (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ronaldo Souza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Durham might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Biggie Smalls - Hypnotize. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Durham
vs
Souza

189 cm
22
200 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

184 cm
22
185 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

SPARTAN FIGHTWARE
UCF Clothing

Win Nutritional

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 Rio de Janeiro, Michael Durham!
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, Ronaldo Souza!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Luis Engracia and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Souza fails with the takedown.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Souza.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Durham stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Souza looks to throw the jab but Durham is out of range.
Souza misses with a straight right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Durham misses with a jab, cross combination.
Durham misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Souza.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Durham stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Durham wants it to stay on the feet.
Michael Durham has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ronaldo Souza.

Souza 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.
Souza looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Souza pushing down on Durham's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Souza wants to pass the guard but Durham is defending well.

Souza is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Durham looks like he's trying to stand up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ronaldo Souza dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Durham scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Souza shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Durham is trying to defend but Souza finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Durham knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Souza on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Souza wants to work for an arm triangle but Durham is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Souza thows a huge punch but Durham dodges it nicely.
Durham trying to control here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Souza missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Souza wants to work for an arm triangle but Durham is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Durham wants to get back to his feet.

Durham is defending against the submission attempts here by Souza.
Souza thows a huge punch but Durham dodges it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Durham is looking to escape.
Durham trying to control from the bottom.

Souza is working for a submission of some sort.
Souza trying to advance position but Durham counters by regaining guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Durham has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Souza throws and elbow that misses. Durham uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Souza's guard. Nice move by Durham!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ronaldo Souza showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Durham misses with the combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Durham throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Souza has a takedown stuffed.
Michael Durham has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two 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.
Souza keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Durham.
Durham throws a series of punches but Souza moves out of range.
Ronaldo Souza is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Souza scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Souza is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Durham has escaped the position, nice work there.
Durham can't do much from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Souza in side control, throwing shots but Durham defends.
Souza is looking to take a break and control but Durham is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ronaldo Souza comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Souza winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 27:30
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ronaldo Souza!