PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Francois Dominic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thiago Souza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Dominic
vs
Souza

157 cm
25
140 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

170 cm
19
155 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Experienced

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Francois Dominic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thiago Souza!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Felipe Paraventi and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Souza looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Souza drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Dominic dives on top into guard.
Dominic trying to control but Souza is working from the bottom.
Dominic pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Souza is keeping the position for now.

Souza working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Dominic doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Dominic manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Souza throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Dominic controlling from the top position.

Souza looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Dominic has picked Souza up and slammed him! Souza can't keep hold of the triangle and Dominic manages to pass to side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Souza is trying to get back to half guard.

Dominic decides to stand up, so the ref orders Souza to his feet.
Souza wants to clinch.

Dominic shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Dominic looking to pass the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Souza working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Dominic has passed into half guard!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
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. Dominic connects with a nice short shot to Souza's temple.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Souza looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Dominic could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Souza wants to get back to full guard.

Souza is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Dominic pulls his head out easily.
Dominic slows the pace down in half guard.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Souza is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Dominic pulls his head out easily.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Souza is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Dominic pulls his head out easily.
Souza is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dominic slips a nice elbow through Souza's hands, connecting with Souza's forehead.
Souza is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Dominic's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Dominic's back!
Dominic trying to control the position but Souza manages to sink in the hooks.

Dominic is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Souza gets his way!

Souza looking for the RNC.
Dominic turns into Souza and is now in his guard.

Souza throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Dominic escapes and throws Souza's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Souza manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Dominic desperately trying to maintain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Souza trying to advance position but Dominic counters by regaining guard.
Souza stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Dominic swivels though and keeps the full guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dominic with a couple of shots from the bottom there - nothing Souza can't handle though.
Dominic is trying to keep Souza in close.

Souza postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Dominic is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Souza, into his guard.

Souza working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Dominic has passed into half guard!

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Souza moves into full guard.

Souza had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Dominic defends it easily.

Dominic avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Souza looks gassed!
Dominic trying to control but Souza is working from the bottom.
Dominic is looking to stand up but Souza won't let him.

Souza is looking for a triangle but Dominic pushes his legs off easily.

That's six minutes gone in the round.

Souza is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Souza throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Dominic escapes and throws Souza's legs to the side, diving into side control!

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

Dominic fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Souza to the ground. Dominic is now in Souza's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Souza has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Dominic can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Dominic might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Dominic stands and throws Souza's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Dominic is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Souza knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Dominic wants to lay and pray for a moment but Souza keeps working.
Souza sneaks back into half guard.

Souza looking for subs from the bottom but Dominic mounts him!
Souza is working to get back to half guard.
Dominic manages to capitalize on a mistake by Souza to take his back!

Dominic looking for the choke but no joy.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Souza is trying to break free.
Souza is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Dominic lands shots from the back.
Souza is trying to break free.
Souza manages to reverse the position and now he's in Dominic's guard. Nice work there by Souza.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Souza lying in Dominic's guard like a wet fish here, stalling away. Dominic decides he's had enough of all that nonsense - he escapes his hips and locks up an armbar! Wow, that was slick! Souza taps! This one is aaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 8:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Francois Dominic!