PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Thiago Oliveira (ranked 5678 p4p, 5693 weight class) and Otavio Mesido (ranked 439 p4p, 441 weight class). Thiago Oliveira has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Oliveira
vs
Mesido

167 cm
18
145
1 - 1 - 0

167 cm
18
144
2 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thiago Oliveira!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Otavio Mesido!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Alan Glass and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Oliveira throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Mesido tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Oliveira is in Mesido's guard.
Oliveira stops Mesido from standing up.
Oliveira wants to control from the top but Mesido keeps moving.
Oliveira won't allow Mesido to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mesido utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Our spies down at at XXX inform us that Mesido has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Oliveira stops Mesido from standing up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Oliveira fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oliveira wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

Oliveira shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Mesido is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Mesido keeping moving, preventing Oliveira from controlling successfully.
Oliveira is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Oliveira with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oliveira postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Oliveira trying to control but Mesido is working from the bottom.
Mesido wants to get back to his feet but Oliveira is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Oliveira throws a big elbow that misses.
Mesido is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Oliveira is controlling him.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Oliveira lands with a nice body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oliveira shoots in looking for a takedown. Mesido tries to sprawl out of it but Oliveira keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Mesido manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Oliveira throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Mesido was covering up waiting for the punch and Oliveira finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Mesido wants to stand up but Oliveira is controlling him.
Oliveira trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Mesido manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Oliveira looking to control but Mesido passes into half guard.
Oliveira trying to hold on to Mesido's head to control him but Mesido postures up.

Oliveira is looking to regain full guard. He's left an arm up in the air though and Mesido has latched onto it... Big trouble! Mesido pivots for an armbar - it's in tight and it Oliveira is tapping in no time flat! Great counter grappling there from Mesido!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:51 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Otavio Mesido!