PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Guillermo Castillo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marcelo Garcia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Marcelo Garcia will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Castillo
vs
Garcia

184 cm
23
171 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

169 cm
21
170 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Guillermo Castillo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Marcelo Garcia!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Emerson Jorge and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Castillo misses with a kick to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Garcia. Castillo does a little dance to reset his feet.
Castillo walks into a jab.
Garcia misses with a double jab.
Garcia lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Castillo keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Garcia.
Castillo blocks a jab.
Castillo throws a head kick that Garcia semi-blocks.
Castillo uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Garcia.
Garcia throws out a loose jab but Castillo uses good head movement to avoid it.

Garcia gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Castillo stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Garcia swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Garcia is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Castillo defends well.
Castillo thows a big elbow that misses.
Garcia being controlled here, momentarily.
Garcia tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Garcia keeping moving, preventing Castillo from controlling successfully.
Castillo wants to pass the guard but Garcia is keeping the position.

Garcia has his foot on Castillo's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Castillo works his way back into a safe position though.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Castillo throws a push kick but Garcia slaps the foot to one side.
A swing and a miss from Garcia.
Castillo lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Castillo blocks a jab.
Castillo goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Garcia missing with a left hand there. Castillo was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Castillo throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Castillo throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Garcia cracks Castillo with an open hand slap.
Marcelo Garcia seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Garcia thows a left - swing and a miss!
Garcia throws a right hand that Castillo ducks under and follows up with a left that Castillo also avoids with ease.
Castillo looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Garcia rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Castillo moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Castillo shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Garcia is trying to defend but Castillo finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Castillo wants to pass the guard but Garcia is defending well.
Castillo trying to control from half guard but Garcia is working away.
Castillo not doing much here.
Garcia tries to get to full guard but Castillo has control of the leg.
Garcia won't allow Castillo to pass to mount.
Castillo stalling.
Garcia is staying active underneath Castillo, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Garcia is trying to get back to full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Castillo is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Garcia's half guard.
Garcia is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Castillo's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Castillo's back!
Garcia is trying to stick to Castillo's back but Castillo is turning into Garcia. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Garcia's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Castillo.
Castillo postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Garcia bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Castillo's guard.
Castillo is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Garcia trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Garcia sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Garcia is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Castillo is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Castillo has escaped and now he's on top!
Castillo trying to control but Garcia is working from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Castillo pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Garcia is keeping the position for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Guillermo Castillo dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Garcia throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Castillo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Garcia misses the target.
Garcia jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Castillo slips a jab from Garcia.
Castillo slips a jab from Garcia.
Garcia missing with a left hand there. Castillo was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Castillo keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Garcia.
Garcia 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.
Garcia lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Castillo backs up against the cage.
Castillo fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Garcia checks it well.

Castillo drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Garcia trying to control the position here.
Castillo trying to control but Garcia is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Castillo is looking to work some ground and pound but Garcia has wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Garcia working a defensive guard but Castillo passes into half guard.
Castillo throwing shots but Garcia is blocking nicely.
Castillo will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Garcia regains full guard. Nicely done.

Garcia has his foot on Castillo's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Castillo works his way back into a safe position though.
Garcia keeping moving, preventing Castillo from controlling successfully.
Garcia looking to hit a scissor sweep but Castillo is one step ahead there.
Castillo stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Garcia swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Garcia is trying to keep Castillo in close.
Garcia keeping moving, preventing Castillo from controlling successfully.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Garcia misses with a looping right.

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.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Garcia crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Castillo - the referee stops the clock and Garcia gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Castillo. Garcia manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Garcia throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Garcia throws an overhand right that lands on Castillo's shoulder, as Castillo tries to avoid the shot.
Garcia throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Castillo uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Garcia.
The fighters circling - Garcia throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Castillo steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Garcia.
Garcia misses with a looping right.
Castillo blocks a jab.
Castillo moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Garcia tests Castillo's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Castillo shoots in looking for a takedown. Garcia tries to sprawl out of it but Castillo keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Garcia manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Garcia misses with the combination.
Garcia throws a right and a left that Castillo avoids nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Garcia paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

Castillo is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Garcia's half guard.
Garcia is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Castillo scores with a couple of nice shots.
Garcia avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Castillo.
Garcia wants to control but Castillo is keeping busy.
Castillo has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Castillo controlling the position easily from mount.
Castillo trying to control but Garcia is having none of it.
Castillo lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Garcia wants to hold on but Castillo pushes him away.
Castillo wants to control the pace but Garcia is squirming around nicely.
Castillo breaks from Garcia's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Garcia is wriggling around trying to escape.
Castillo scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Garcia?
Guillermo Castillo overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Castillo lands a big shot there that rocks Garcia but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Garcia is trying to escape the mount.
Garcia tries to hold on but Castillo postures up.
Castillo prevents Garcia from getting the reversal.
Castillo breaks from Garcia's wrist control and lands an elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Guillermo Castillo dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Castillo throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Garcia thows a left - swing and a miss!
Castillo pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Castillo throws out a leg kick but Garcia moves out of range and Castillo only half commits.
No joy there for Garcia, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Castillo slips a jab from Garcia.
Castillo moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Garcia throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Garcia lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Castillo misses with a low kick.
Garcia misses with a straight right.
Garcia keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Castillo ducks under a wild hook from Garcia.
Castillo throws a sloppy head kick and Garcia moves out of range easily.
Garcia misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Castillo.
Castillo looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Castillo keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Garcia.
Castillo misses with a body shot.
Castillo fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castillo shoots in for a double leg but Garcia sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Castillo misses with a body kick.
Garcia is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.

Castillo looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Garcia is trying to keep Castillo in close.
Castillo scoring with punches to the head and body.
Garcia has control of Castillo's left arm, preventing Castillo from doing any damage.
Castillo postures up.
Garcia looking for a sweep. Not yet Garcia, not yet.
Castillo trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Garcia trying to control the position.
Garcia takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Castillo trying to control but Garcia is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Garcia loads up on a big right hand but Castillo slips the punch.
Garcia waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Castillo.
Marcelo Garcia seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Garcia fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Castillo manages to avoid it.
Garcia throws a right and a left that Castillo avoids nicely.
A big left from Garcia misses.

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

Castillo is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Castillo wants to pass to mount but Garcia is defending the position.
Garcia is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Castillo wants to lay and pray for a moment but Garcia keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Garcia trying to control from the bottom.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Castillo trying to pass the guard but Garcia defending well.
Castillo works his way into full mount!
Garcia tries to lock up and control but Castillo gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Castillo is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Garcia to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Garcia shrugs it off.
Garcia wants to hold on but Castillo pushes him away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Garcia is in all sorts of trouble here.
Garcia wants to control but Castillo is having none of it.
Garcia is wriggling around trying to escape.
Castillo scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Garcia?
Castillo has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Garcia's face.
A nice elbow there by Castillo.
Castillo is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Garcia can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Castillo scoring with strikes but Garcia is staying in there.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Castillo cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Garcia bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Garcia wants to control from the top but Castillo keeps moving.

And that's the end of the fight!
Guillermo Castillo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Castillo, 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 Felipe Paraventi scores the fight for Guillermo Castillo!
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight for Guillermo Castillo!
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight for Guillermo Castillo!

Guillermo Castillo wins by unanimous decision!