PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sloth ss (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Rodrigo Nogueira
vs
ss

191 cm
21
240 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

189 cm
21
230 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Sloth ss!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Leandro Rodrigues and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

ss gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Nogueira has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Nogueira throws a big right hand that misses.
Nogueira trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Nogueira throws and elbow that misses. ss uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Nogueira's guard. Nice move by ss!
Nogueira is trying to keep ss in close.

Nogueira looking for a guillotine here but ss defends easily.

Nogueira throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
ss slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
ss wants to get up but he can't break Nogueira's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Nogueira is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Nogueira is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. ss is aware though and is defending well.
ss wants to control from the top but Nogueira keeps moving.

Nogueira looking for subs off his back but ss has passed one foot through into half guard.
Nogueira is breathing heavily.
Nogueira is looking to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Nogueira trying to hold on to ss's head to control him but ss postures up.
It looks like ss is going to stand back up.
ss trying to control the pace.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Nogueira is trying to control but can't.
ss wants to stand up but Nogueira is controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
ss is figuring out what he wants to do next.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nogueira looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Nogueira shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. ss defends it nicely.

Nogueira scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Nogueira has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

ss pushes Nogueira up against the cage in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nogueira is looking for a takedown up against the cage. ss gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

ss escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
ss moves in looking to clinch but Nogueira pushes him off.
ss misses with a wild combination.
No joy there for ss, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Nogueira misses the shot to the body.

Nogueira closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

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

Nogueira looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

ss misses with the combination.
ss fails with the takedown

and Nogueira counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for ss!

Nogueira jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… ss is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by ss and Nogueira has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
ss is trying to get back to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Nogueira goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, ss has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Nogueira but great work by ss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nogueira can't do much from the bottom here.

ss decides to stand back up.
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

ss bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Nogueira is not content to let ss control the position.
Nogueira is trying to control ss's posture but ss avoids it.
You can see the frustration on Nogueira's face as ss controls the position.

ss decides to stand back up. ss steps back and let's Nogueira get back to his feet.
Nogueira doesn't succeed with the takedown
and ss counters with a three punch combo that has Nogueira backing up. Nogueira nods at ss to acknowledge the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
ss throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Nogueira counters with a nice double leg into guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nogueira stops ss from standing up.
Nogueira trying to control the position from guard on top but ss is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nogueira pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. ss is keeping the position for now.
Nogueirais looking to pass into half guard but ss pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now ss is in guard.

Nogueira is working an open guard so ss takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nogueira gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and ss counters with a stiff right hand.
ss with a lazy takedown attempt

and Nogueira counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Nogueira wants to free his trapped foot but ss is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Nogueira is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. ss doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Nogueira.
ss wants to control but Nogueira is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
ss is trying to stand.

Nogueira is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Nogueira is just content to waste time from the top position. ss takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Nogueira scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
ss sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Nogueira is working for a kimura from half guard. He's really concentrating on the hold and it's allowed ss to slip a leg under and get back to full guard.
Nogueira trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but ss manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

ss stands up from Nogueira's guard - ss perhaps looking for a knockout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
ss throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Nogueira counters with a takedown into side control.
Nogueira passes to full mount! That's big trouble for ss!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Nogueira cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
ss is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Nogueira wants to control the action but instead ss gets a body lock and reverses into Nogueira's guard! Nice work!

Nogueira is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and ss defends well.
Nogueira working a defensive guard but ss passes into half guard.

ss decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nogueira changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. ss looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nogueira tries to advance to mount but ss instead regains half guard.
ss looks like he's trying to stand up.
Nogueira is looking to advance position but ss won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nogueira is looking for a kimura here.
Nogueira trying to control from half guard but ss is working away.
Nogueira stops ss from getting back to his feet.
Nogueira thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing ss to regain full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Nogueira trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Nogueira.
Nogueira tries to land a front kick but ss steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Nogueira gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

so ss counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Nogueira working a defensive guard but ss passes into half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nogueira trying to hold on to ss's head to control him but ss postures up.
Nogueira wants to improve his position but ss is controlling well.

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 Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Nogueira, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 29:28
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 30:28
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira!