PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mata Hughes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mutant Morais (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mutant Morais told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Hughes
vs
Morais

170 cm
29
134 lbs
10 - 8 - 0

203 cm
26
290 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

GREEN!160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mata Hughes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mutant Morais!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Tiny Johnson and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hughes tries for a takedown but Morais circles away easily
and Morais counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Morais throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Hughes drops his hands momentarily and Morais takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Morais lands a jab to Hughes's midsection.
Morais swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hughes feinted with a counter takedown.
Hughes definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Morais throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hughes drops down looking for a counter takedown but Morais sprawls and moves away.
Hughes shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Morais as he jumps to the side.
Morais throws a combination. Hughes tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morais fails to land with a series of punches.
Morais ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hughes moves away.
Morais throws a jab but it's blocked by Hughes.
Hughes shoots in looking for a takedown. Morais tries to sprawl out of it but Hughes keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Morais manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mata Hughes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Morais throws a body shot but no joy.
Morais keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Morais closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Morais ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hughes moves away.
Morais throws a right and a left that Hughes avoids nicely.
Hughes changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Morais misses with a series of wild punches.
Hughes drops down looking for a counter takedown but Morais sprawls and moves away.
Morais punishes Hughes's body with a nice straight punch.
Morais misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hughes.
Morais misses with a looping left.
Hughes feinted with a counter takedown.
Hughes uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Morais.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Morais throws a series of punches but Hughes moves out of range.
Hughes drops down looking for a counter takedown but Morais sprawls and moves away.
Morais ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hughes moves away.
Hughes takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Morais has worked on his takedown defense in the runup to this fight and it is paying off so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hughes displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Morais throws out the jab.
Hughes takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Hughes shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
letting Morais counter with a right hand.
Morais throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hughes attempts a counter takedown but Morais avoids it well and moves away.
Hughes keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Morais.
Hughes drops down looking for a counter takedown but Morais sprawls and moves away.
Morais throws a left and a right that both miss

and Hughes counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Morais is not content to let Hughes control the position.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Hughes takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Hughes lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hughes is taking a breather. Morais says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Hughes seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Morais does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Hughes is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Morais is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Hughes trying to mount his opponent but Morais defends it.
Hughes is looking to take a break and control but Morais is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Morais taking some punishment here, with Hughes in his half guard.
Hughes wants to take a breather but Morais is having none of it.
Hughes controlling the action here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Hughes is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mutant Morais dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Hughes showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Morais.
Morais moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Morais has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Morais misses with a straight right.
Hughes attempts a counter takedown but Morais avoids it well and moves away.
Hughes uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Morais.
Hughes shoots in looking for a takedown but Morais manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Hughes's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Mutant Morais seems to be getting the better of the standup.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Morais cracks Hughes with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Hughes gets cracked there but stands up to it.
A jab lands there for Morais.
Morais misses with a two punch combination.
Hughes feinted with a counter takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morais misses with a hook to the body

so Hughes counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Morais wants to stand and escape but Hughes is having none of it.
Hughes not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Hughes pushing down on Morais's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Morais is trying to stand.
Hughes keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Morais really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Hughes. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Hughes is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
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. Hughes connects with a nice short shot to Morais's temple.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Hughes content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Hughes tries to pass to full mount but Morais defends it.
Hughes drops an elbow to the side of Morais's head.

Morais has one foot on Hughes's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Morais swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Hughes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Morais cracks Hughes with a right hand to the side of the head.
Morais misses with a looping left.
Hughes tries to counter with a takedown but Morais is quick to defend against it.
Mutant Morais is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Morais waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hughes.
Mutant Morais is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hughes takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morais takes a swing at Hughes's ribcage but misses.
Hughes gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Morais.
Morais misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hughes.
Mutant Morais seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Morais misses with a wild combination.
Hughes tries to counter with a takedown but Morais is quick to defend against it.
Morais throws a hook to the side of Hughes's head but Hughes sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hughes changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Morais just misses with a punch to the body.
Hughes attempts a counter takedown but Morais avoids it well and moves away.
Morais is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
A jab from Morais misses.
Morais swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Morais is breathing heavily.
Hughes shoots in but no luck this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hughes uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Morais.

Hughes shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Hughes tries to pass to full mount but Morais defends it.
Hughes working Morais over with strikes.

Hughes is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Morais has managed to free his arm - good work.
Morais is trying to stand back up but Hughes is controlling him
Hughes lands strikes from half guard.
Morais wants to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mutant Morais showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

The fighters circling - Morais throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
The fighters circling - Morais throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hughes changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Hughes ducks under a wild hook from Morais.
Hughes appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Hughes avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Hughes appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Hughes slips a jab and a cross from Morais.
Morais throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Morais misses with a double jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
No joy there for Morais, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Morais stuffs the takedown.
Morais connects with a body shot that sends Hughes's belly button to the back.
Morais takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Morais displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Hughes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morais throws an overhand right that lands on Hughes's shoulder, as Hughes tries to avoid the shot.
Hughes changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Morais lands a nice shot to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Morais misses the target.
Hughes appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Hughes slips a straight right by Morais.
Hughes appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Morais connects with a good right hand that stumbles Hughes. Hughes circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Morais lands with a nice combination. Hughes backs away looking to recover.
Hughes moves out of range of the strikes.
Morais misses with a body shot.
Mata Hughes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hughes decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Hughes lands with a punch from half guard.
Hughes wants to pass the guard but Morais is defending well.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hughes seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Morais does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Hughes sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Morais looks like he's trying to stand up.
Hughes tries to pass the half guard into mount. Morais knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Hughes is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Morais has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hughes trying to control from half guard but Morais is working away.
Hughes with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Morais tries to kick Hughes off but Hughes keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Hughes passes to full mount!
Hughes trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Mutant Morais is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Hughes putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Hughes looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.

Hughes wants to finish this one by submission but Morais is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Hughes.
Morais squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Hughes landing punches.

Hughes jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Morais manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Hughes cracks Morais with a big elbow.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Morais can do anything to dispel that myth.
Hughes trying to control the position but Morais is working away.

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 Mata Hughes.
I think Morais has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mutant Morais!