PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Diogo Pinto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ariobaldo Tavarez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pinto comes to the cage accompanied by Do you really want to hurt me. Ariobaldo Tavarez has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Diogo Pinto's chin.

Pinto
vs
Tavarez

189 cm
27
197 lbs
15 - 4 - 0

181 cm
25
200 lbs
16 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Great low kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

CEC Nutrition Q160 *Christmas Sale*

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Diogo Pinto!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ariobaldo Tavarez!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Felipe Paraventi and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pinto throws a leg kick
enabling Tavarez to counter with a crisp jab.
Tavarez walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

It looks like Ariobaldo Tavarez has been cut.
Pinto throws a head kick that misses.
Pinto looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Pinto throws a one two combo.
Pinto throws a half hearted mid kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tavarez bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Diogo Pinto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pinto pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Pinto misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Tavarez counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Pinto throws a series of punches but Tavarez moves out of range.
Pinto throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Pinto misses with a two punch combination.
Pinto takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Tavarez tries to close the distance and clinch up but Pinto swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Tavarez displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Pinto throws out the jab.
Pinto throws out a leg kick but Tavarez moves out of range and Pinto only half commits.
A good leg kick by Tavarez.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pinto swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Pinto wants to slow Tavarez down by chopping away at his legs.
Tavarez tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Pinto manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Pinto darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Pinto looks to throw the jab but Tavarez is out of range.
Tavarez checks a leg kick nicely.
A bone on bone clash there as Pinto blocks the leg kick.
Tavarez lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Pinto at a distance.
Tavarez stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Pinto.
Tavarez scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Pinto throws a series of punches but Tavarez moves out of range.
A head kick misses from Pinto.
Ariobaldo Tavarez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Pinto throws a right hand that Tavarez ducks under and follows up with a left that Tavarez also avoids with ease.
Tavarez throws out a powerful jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tavarez bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Pinto misses with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pinto throws a sloppy head kick and Tavarez moves out of range easily.
Good exchange - Tavarez coming out on top.
Tavarez defending well as Pinto loads up on a big left hand.
Pinto shoots for a takedown but Tavarez saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Tavarez tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Jab by Tavarez.

Tavarez clinches with his opponent.
Knees in the clinch landing for Tavarez.
Pinto is breathing heavily.
Pinto throws a head punch that misses.
Tavarez lands a left hand.
Pinto is trying to drag Tavarez to the mat but Tavarez just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
A short right from Tavarez.
Pinto landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Tavarez looking to throw knees to the head but Pinto is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavarez missing with knees to the body.
Tavarez gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Pinto.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Diogo Pinto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tavarez pushes Pinto back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Tavarez prevents a takedown attempt there.
Pinto misses with a punch to the body.
Pinto tries to land knees in the clinch but Tavarez avoids the damage to the body.
Tavarez presses Pinto against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Tavarez tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Pinto avoids it.
Pinto blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Pinto changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Tavarez fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Pinto keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pinto tries a head kick but it misses.
Pinto scores with a jab to the body.
Tavarez throws a body punch but Pinto moves out of range.
An inside leg kick from Pinto misses.
A slow jab from Pinto misses its intended target.
Pinto gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Tavarez fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Pinto manages to avoid it.
Pinto misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tavarez wants to clinch up but Pinto keeps it at a distance.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pinto just misses with a punch to the body.
Pinto steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Tavarez.
Pinto wants to land a leg kick but Tavarez is out of range.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Tavarez keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Tavarez moves out of range of the strikes.
Pinto throws a shot from downtown. Tavarez moves away and avoids it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Pinto misses with a body shot.
Pinto with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Tavarez tries to close the distance and clinch but Pinto swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Diogo Pinto is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A telegraphed right hand from Tavarez misses the target.
Tavarez avoids the head kick by Pinto.
Pinto throws a series of punches but Tavarez moves out of range.
Pinto will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Tavarez lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Pinto circles away quickly and effectively.
Tavarez is looking to clinch.
Pinto tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Tavarez is able to avoid easily.
Pinto throws a low kick but Tavarez avoids it.

Tavarez moves into range and clinches up with Pinto.
Tavarez throws a head punch that misses.
Tavarez blocks an elbow strike.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Tavarez obliges.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tavarez throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Pinto blocks it with crossed arms.
Tavarez blocks an uppercut.
Tavarez throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Pinto blocks it with crossed arms.
Tavarez tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Pinto jumps guard but Tavarez stands there with Pinto around his waist. Pinto gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
A knee to the head by Tavarez.

It looks like Diogo Pinto has been cut.
Pinto lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Ariobaldo Tavarez seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Tavarez tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Pinto's elbow.
Tavarez pushes Pinto back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Tavarez throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Pinto blocks it with crossed arms.
Pinto on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Pinto jumps guard but Tavarez turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Tavarez with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Pinto managing to block the knees to the body from Tavarez.
Pinto drops down looking for an ankle pick but Tavarez pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Diogo Pinto. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavarez scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

Tavarez moves into the clinch.
Pinto takes a knee to the side of the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pinto is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Tavarez to keep the fight standing.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Tavarez working Pinto over with knees to the body.
Tavarez misses with a body punch.
Tavarez tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Tavarez using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Pinto has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Tavarez throws a knee to the head but misses.
Tavarez scores with a nice hook to the head.
Tavarez gets through Pinto's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Pinto goes for a takedown attempt but Tavarez pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Tavarez has Pinto up against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A knee to the head by Tavarez.
Pinto on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Pinto avoiding damage as Tavarez throws knees to the body.
Tavarez using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Pinto has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Pinto fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Tavarez with a knee to the head.
Tavarez throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Pinto blocks it with crossed arms.
Tavarez with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Pinto managing to block the knees to the body from Tavarez.
Pinto with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Pinto blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Pinto drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Tavarez misses with a knee strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tavarez misses with a punch to the body.
Tavarez utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tavarez tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Tavarez lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Pinto misses with a body punch.

Pinto jumps guard and drags Tavarez to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Tavarez stopping the sweep attempt from Pinto.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Tavarez is stalling in the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ariobaldo Tavarez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Pinto misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Tavarez counters with a three punch combo that has Pinto backing up. Pinto nods at Tavarez to acknowledge the strikes.
Pinto swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Pinto is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Tavarez.
Diogo Pinto is winning the standup battle so far.

Tavarez clinches with his opponent.
Pinto is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Tavarez is keeping busy.
Tavarez with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Nice body punch from Pinto.
Tavarez tries to land a knee to the head but Pinto blocks with his arms.
Pinto misses with a body punch.
Tavarez tries a knee to the head but Pinto blocks it.
Pinto is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Tavarez with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Tavarez throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pinto pulls guard.
Tavarez preventing the sweep.

Pinto has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Tavarez can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Pinto working a defensive guard here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tavarez pushing down on Pinto's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Tavarez really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Pinto. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Tavarez looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Pinto is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pinto manages to get to full guard.
Tavarez wants to control from the top but Pinto keeps moving.

Pinto throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Tavarez escapes and throws Pinto's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Pinto tries to improve position but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavarez lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Pinto down.
Pinto tries to improve position but can't.
Check out the look on Tavarez's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Tavarez wants to control but Pinto is keeping him busy.
Tavarez tries to advance to mount but can't.
Tavarez is looking to take a break and control but Pinto is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Tavarez tries to score with some ground and pound. Pinto controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pinto is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Tavarez off and has taken his back!
Tavarez tries to break free.

Pinto is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Tavarez has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tavarez holding both Pinto 's hands and preventing any damage.
Pinto is landing with strikes from the back.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Pinto connects with a big shot to the side of Tavarez's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Diogo Pinto did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Pinto fails to land with a series of punches.
Pinto on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

Tavarez has taken the fight to the clinch.
Tavarez looking to throw knees to the head but Pinto is blocking nicely.
Tavarez with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Pinto wants to take the fight to the mat but Tavarez manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Pinto gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Tavarez looking to throw knees to the head but Pinto is blocking nicely.
Tavarez using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Pinto has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Tavarez prevents the takedown attempt.
Tavarez lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Tavarez tries a knee to the head but Pinto blocks it.
Pinto lands a body shot in the clinch.
Tavarez missing with knees to the body.
Pinto avoiding damage as Tavarez throws knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tavarez prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Diogo Pinto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tavarez crunches a lovely knee into Pinto's ribcage.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Pinto managing to block the knees to the body from Tavarez.
Pinto trying to stall but Tavarez improves his position.
Pinto struggles to land a body shot inside as Tavarez controls his hands.
Pinto tries a knee to the head but Tavarez blocks it.
Tavarez prevents a body shot from Pinto.
Pinto scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Tavarez with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Pinto jumps guard but Tavarez stands there with Pinto around his waist. Pinto gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Tavarez landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Tavarez throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Pinto blocks it with crossed arms.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavarez lands a hook that snaps the head of Pinto backwards.
Tavarez managing to block the knees to the body from Pinto.
Pinto misses with the head strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Tavarez.
Tavarez looking to throw knees to the head but Pinto is blocking nicely.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Pinto trying to land knees to the body.
Pinto working Tavarez over with knees to the body.
Pinto goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Pinto lands a good knee to the midsection. Tavarez won't want to take too many of those.
Tavarez tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Pinto goes for a takedown attempt but Tavarez pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Pinto missing with a left hand there. Tavarez was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavarez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Pinto.
Tavarez avoids a punch combination nicely.
Tavarez fails in his attempt to clinch.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Tavarez checks a leg kick.
Tavarez moves forwards but Pinto connects with a nice, crisp jab.
A slapping leg kick lands for Pinto.
Tavarez slaps away a takedown attempt from Pinto, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Tavarez tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Pinto shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Tavarez's guard.
Pinto wants to pass the guard but Tavarez is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pinto looking to sit in guard and control but Tavarez gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Pinto keeping full guard, as Tavarez tries to pass.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Diogo Pinto had his way with Ariobaldo Tavarez in that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Tavarez bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Tavarez staying out of range there.
Tavarez walks forward, straight into a front kick from Pinto.
Pinto feints and then cracks Tavarez's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Tavarez down.
Pinto thows a body shot but no joy.

Tavarez has managed to clinch.
Tavarez lands a good knee to the midsection. Pinto won't want to take too many of those.
Pinto pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Tavarez tries to land a knee to the head but Pinto blocks with his arms.
Tavarez lands a nice uppercut.
A short right from Pinto on the inside.
Tavarez using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Pinto has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tavarez looking to throw knees to the head but Pinto is blocking nicely.
Tavarez blocks the elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good body shot from Pinto.
Pinto has a couple of punches blocked by Tavarez.
Pinto cracks Tavarez with a nice body shot.
Pinto misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Pinto has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Tavarez avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Tavarez tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Pinto drags the fight down to the ground.

Pinto has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think Tavarez should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, Pinto has tightened it up now! Tavarez should have reacted faster there - he's in big trouble and yes, he's tapped out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:50 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Diogo Pinto!
Diogo Pinto retains his middleweight title!
Diogo Pinto seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.