PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ariel Sabio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johnny Bodybag (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.

Sabio
vs
Bodybag

177 cm
25
177 lbs
11 - 1 - 0

175 cm
23
170 lbs
7 - 3 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ariel Sabio!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Johnny Bodybag!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Leandro Rodrigues and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A decent looking cross lands there for Bodybag.
Bodybag cracks Sabio with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

Bodybag clinches up against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Bodybag fails to land.
Bodybag cracks Sabio with a nice body shot.

Sabio escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Bodybag moves into the clinch.
Sabio looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Bodybag is leaning against Sabio and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Sabio looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Sabio doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Bodybag tries a body shot but Sabio blocks it.
A right handed body shot lands from Bodybag.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Bodybag.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Sabio.

Sabio jumps into guard, dragging Bodybag to the mat.
Bodybag wants to control from the top but Sabio keeps moving.
Sabio is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Bodybag loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bodybag trying to control the position from guard on top but Sabio is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bodybag trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Bodybag has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Sabio is proving hard to escape from.
Sabio pulls Bodybag in close to prevent any damage.

Bodybag decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

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.
Bodybag misses with a jab, cross combination.
Sabio jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Bodybag forces Sabio back against the cage and clinches.

Sabio breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sabio defending well as Bodybag loads up on a big left hand.
Johnny Bodybag seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bodybag misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sabio looks for the body kick but Bodybag saw that one coming.
Bodybag throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Bodybag moves into the clinch successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sabio slows down the pace here.
Sabio is trying to break the clinch but Bodybag is controlling him.
Bodybag lands an uppercut.
Sabio misses with a hook to the ribs.
Sabio blocks a body shot from Bodybag.
Sabio tries for a takedown. No joy.
Sabio lands a body shot in the clinch.
Bodybag tries to work over Sabio's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A nice right hand lands inside from Sabio.
Bodybag misses with a hook from the clinch.

Sabio breaks the clinch.
Bodybag throws a shot from downtown. Sabio moves away and avoids it.
Bodybag is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Sabio.
Bodybag moves in looking to clinch but Sabio pushes him off.
Bodybag ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Nice defenses there by Sabio.
Sabio misses with an uppercut. Bodybag saw that one coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bodybag tries to clinch there but Sabio circles away.
Sabio throws a head kick but Bodybag moves out of range.
Sabio plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

It looks like Johnny Bodybag has been cut.
Bodybag tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sabio paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Sabio misses with a wild body shot.
Bodybag rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sabio moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Bodybag scores with a jab.
Johnny Bodybag is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The fight stays on the outside here - Bodybag looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Jab from Sabio.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bodybag takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Johnny Bodybag will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Johnny Bodybag's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Sabio circles away from the clinch attempt.
Sabio throws a low kick but Bodybag avoids it.
A jab from Bodybag misses.
Bodybag misses with a few strikes there.
Bodybag lands with an uppercut that bounces Sabio off the cage and back into rage.
Bodybag scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Ariel Sabio is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sabio circles away from the clinch attempt.
Bodybag lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Bodybag.
Bodybag misses with a double jab.
Sabio misses with a head kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Bodybag misses the target.
Sabio pivots, looking for a leg kick but Bodybag is out of range and Sabio settles back down.
Bodybag might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bodybag throws a hook but Sabio avoids it easily.
Nice defenses there by Sabio.
Sabio thuds a left hand into Bodybag's body.
Sabio swats away the attempt to clinch by Bodybag.
Bodybag is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Bodybag checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Bodybag with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Sabio to score with a decent uppercut.
Ariel Sabio is winning the standup battle so far.
Bodybag doesn't manage to clinch there - Sabio circles away.
Sabio moves out of range as Bodybag strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bodybag blocks a leg kick.
Sabio is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Bodybag is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Sabio is looking to land body kicks.
Sabio misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Sabio shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Sabio prevents Bodybag from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sabio missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Sabio is working for a submission of some sort.
Bodybag makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Bodybag.
Sabio slips nicely into half guard.

Bodybag is defending against the submission attempts here by Sabio.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Bodybag controlling the position for now.
Bodybag wants to get back to full guard but Sabio has mounted him!
Bodybag is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Bodybag gets back to half guard.
Bodybag blocking the ground and pound attempt from Sabio.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Johnny Bodybag will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Johnny Bodybag's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Bodybag tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sabio swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Bodybag is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Bodybag tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Sabio throws a nice head kick!
A looping hook to the body misses from Bodybag. Sabio does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bodybag tries to close the distance and clinch but Sabio swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A swing and a miss from Bodybag.
Sabio throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sabio takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Sabio bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bodybag cracks Sabio with a right hand to the side of the head.
Bodybag avoids the head kick by Sabio.

Bodybag clinches up against the cage.
Sabio is looking to break free of the clinch but Bodybag has double underhooks.
Sabio tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Bodybag's elbow.
Bodybag prevents a body shot from Sabio.
Bodybag lands with a left to the head.
Sabio struggles to land a body shot inside as Bodybag controls his hands.
A right hand to the body from Sabio.
Sabio tries a body shot but Bodybag blocks it.
Bodybag fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Bodybag lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A short right from Bodybag.
Sabio blocks an uppercut.
Bodybag scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Sabio throws a head punch that misses.
Sabio misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Sabio misses with a body punch.
Sabio is trying to maintain a safe position but Bodybag gets an underhook and turns Sabio into the cage.
Sabio holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Bodybag misses with a hook from the clinch.
Sabio lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Bodybag as Sabio tries to tie him up.
Bodybag lands a body shot.
Bodybag lands a nice uppercut.
Sabio misses with a punch on the inside.
Sabio blocking some punches.
Bodybag is leaning against Sabio and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Bodybag throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Sabios head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Sabio creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A left hand lands to the body for Bodybag.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sabio tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Bodybag's elbow.
Sabio wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Bodybag has him pressed against the cage.
Bodybag prevents the takedown attempt.
Sabio wants to break free but Bodybag has control.
Bodybag lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Sabio backwards.
Sabio goes for a takedown attempt but Bodybag pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Sabio walks into a straight right hand from Bodybag.
Bodybag ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sabio moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sabio uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bodybag.
A big left from Bodybag misses.
Sabio keeps the fight on the outside.
Bodybag fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Sabio takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Bodybag tries to close the distance and clinch but Sabio swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Bodybag clinches with his opponent.
Bodybag makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Bodybag.
Sabio is trying to maintain a safe position but Bodybag gets an underhook and turns Sabio into the cage.
Sabio blocks an uppercut.
Sabio is trying to break the clinch but Bodybag has him pressed against the cage.
A right hand to the body from Bodybag.
Sabio tries to work over Bodybag's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Still in the clinch, Bodybag scores with a nice short uppercut.
Still in the clinch, Bodybag scores with a nice short uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sabio blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Sabio tries a body shot but Bodybag blocks it.
Johnny Bodybag seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Sabio is trying to drag Bodybag to the mat but Bodybag just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ariel Sabio. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sabio tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
A frustrated look appears on Sabio's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Bodybag misses with a short punch on the inside.
Bodybag keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Sabio's efforts to push away.
Sabio has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Bodybag lands with a left to the head.
Sabio struggles to land a body shot inside as Bodybag controls his hands.
Sabio struggles to land a body shot inside as Bodybag controls his hands.
A head punch on the inside from Bodybag fails to land.
Sabio working aggressively here.
Bodybag is leaning against Sabio and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Sabio fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Bodybag lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Bodybag fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Sabio has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sabio doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Bodybag throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Sabios head.
Sabio is trying to force a seperation but Bodybag has the dominant position.
Bodybag lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A left hand lands to the body for Bodybag.
Sabio takes a shot to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Bodybag really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Johnny Bodybag's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Sabio takes one to the chin there.
A head kick misses from Sabio.
Nice body punch from Sabio.
Sabio ducks under a wild hook from Bodybag.
Bodybag fails in his attempt to clinch.
Bodybag throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Bodybag scores with a hook to the body. Sabio takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Bodybag tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sabio swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Bodybag just misses with a punch to the body.
Bodybag throws a big shot that misses.
Bodybag takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Bodybag is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bodybag tries to clinch but Sabio moves out of range.
Bodybag tries to clinch up but Sabio circles away and keeps his distance.
Sabio will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Bodybag misses with a hook. Sabio ducked under it nicely.
The fight stays on the outside here - Bodybag looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Bodybag tries to clinch up but Sabio circles away and keeps his distance.
Bodybag moves in looking to clinch but Sabio pushes him off.
Bodybag tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sabio swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's two 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.
Bodybag is looking to clinch but Sabio is avoiding it.
Bodybag falls off balance throwing a combination
and Sabio counters with a thumping low kick.
Bodybag looks to score with a jab to the body but Sabio is just out of range.
Sabio looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Bodybag fails in his attempt to clinch.
Sabio throws a series of punches but Bodybag moves out of range.
Sabio slips a jab from Bodybag.
Bodybag moves out of range of the strikes.
Bodybag fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bodybag wants to clinch but Sabio slips to the side
and Sabio counters with a big head kick but Bodybag shrugs it off.
Bodybag throws a hook but Sabio blocks it.
Bodybag wants to clinch
and Sabio counters with a straight right hand.

Bodybag instigates a clinch.
Bodybag fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Sabio misses with a punch to the body.
Sabio blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A frustrated look appears on Sabio's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Sabio tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Bodybag just stands there and leans against the cage.
Bodybag stops a takedown attempt from Sabio.
Bodybag can't find room to land a body shot as Sabio controls the action.
Sabio tries to break the clinch but Bodybag is controlling the position.
Sabio tries to stall but Bodybag uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Bodybag works on Sabio's body with a couple of short punches.
A right hook to the body lands for Bodybag.
A hook to the body from Bodybag.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sabio working hard to break the clinch.
Bodybag lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bodybag lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Sabio trying to stall but Bodybag improves his position.
A short uppercut from Bodybag.
Sabio misses with the head strike.
A short uppercut from Bodybag.
Bodybag lands with a short shot to the head.
Sabio misses with a punch to the body.
A short right from Bodybag on the inside.
Bodybag lands a body punch.
Sabio wants to get back to striking at distance but Bodybag won't allow it.
A right handed body shot lands from Bodybag.
Bodybag lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Bodybag lands a right hand that snaps the head of Sabio backwards.
Bodybag keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Sabio's efforts to push away.
Bodybag lands a left hand.
A head punch on the inside from Sabio fails to land.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sabio misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Bodybag scores with a nice hook to the head.
Still in the clinch, Bodybag scores with a nice short uppercut.
Bodybag lands a body punch in the clinch.
Bodybag lands a left hand.
Bodybag lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Sabio backwards.
Bodybag lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Johnny Bodybag will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Johnny Bodybag's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Bodybag uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Sabio has time to react.
Bodybag wants to clinch up but Sabio keeps it at a distance.
The fight stays on the outside here - Bodybag looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Sabio feints and then cracks Bodybag's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Bodybag down.
Sabio swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sabio circles away from the clinch attempt
and Sabio counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Bodybag darts in trying to clinch
and Sabio counters with a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bodybag is looking to clinch.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Bodybag!
Bodybag throws a left and a right that both miss
and Sabio makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Bodybag really felt that one!
Bodybag is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Sabio will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Sabio changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Bodybag tries to clinch but Sabio moves out of range.
Sabio misses with a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sabio throws a nice looking combination but Bodybag bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Sabio lands a nice looking body shot.
Sabio fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Bodybag is out of range.
Sabio on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Bodybag tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Sabio counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Ariel Sabio has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sabio throws a sloppy head kick and Bodybag moves out of range easily.
Bodybag scores with a nice strike.
Sabio thows a body shot but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Bodybag looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Sabio moves out of range as Bodybag strikes.
Bodybag tries to clinch there but Sabio circles away.
Bodybag looks to land a right hand but Sabio moved out of range.
Bodybag tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sabio swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Sabio uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bodybag.
Bodybag misses with a hook to the body
and Sabio counters with an inside leg kick.
Sabio throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bodybag throws a hook but Sabio avoids it easily.
Sabio throws a head kick but Bodybag moves out of range.
Good leg kick by Sabio there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

Sabio throws a head kick that lands with a deafening thwack! The crowd roars as Bodybag stumbles backwards and falls to the mat. Sabio follows into mount!

Bodybag is rocked!

Bodybag is flailing around, obviously not happy about being mounted. Sabio locks hold of one of his arms and spins for an armbar. He's got it! Bodybag is forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:44 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Ariel Sabio!
Ariel Sabio retains his welterweight title!