PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Paulo Thiago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mark Selwoods (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thiago comes to the cage accompanied by Drake - Forever. Mark Selwoods will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Thiago
vs
Selwoods

190 cm
22
174 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

185 cm
20
180 lbs
5 - 6 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Rocha Nutrition
St. Paul's Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Paulo Thiago!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mark Selwoods!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Eddie Farnsworth and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thiago doesn't manage to clinch there - Selwoods circles away.

Thiago darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Thiago looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Thiago is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Thiago seems to be looking for submissions.
Selwoods tries to get to full guard but Thiago has control of the leg.
Selwoods is trying to stand up here but Thiago is controlling him well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Selwoods gets back to full guard.

Thiago drops back looking for a leg! Selwoods is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Selwoods manages to kick Thiago off! Thiago jumps back into Selwoods's guard.
Selwoods is trying to keep Thiago in close.

Thiago is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Thiago drops back looking for a leg! Selwoods is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Selwoods manages to kick Thiago off! Thiago jumps back into Selwoods's guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Selwoods will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Selwoods scores with a hook to the body. Thiago takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Selwoods has taken the fight to the clinch.
Thiago has Selwoods pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Selwoods manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Selwoods wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Thiago has him pressed against the cage.
Thiago wants to break the clinch but can't.
Thiago has had enough of the clinch but Selwoods keeps him there for the moment.
Selwoods gets underhooks to prevent Thiago's takedown attempt.
Thiago is breathing heavily.
Thiago wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Paulo Thiago. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thiago goes for a takedown attempt but Selwoods pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Selwoods throws a series of punches but Thiago avoids them all with ease.
Selwoods misses with a wild combination.
Selwoods bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Thiago takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Selwoods misses with a jab, cross combination.
Thiago doesn't manage to clinch there - Selwoods circles away.

Selwoods closes the distance and clinches.

Selwoods manages to break the clinch.
Some wild striking there from Selwoods.
Selwoods lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Thiago at a distance.
Thiago has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Selwoods throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Thiago.
Thiago on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

Selwoods gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Selwoods is pressed up against the cage. Thiago has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Selwoods down to the mat. Selwoods avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Selwoods fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Thiago, pushing him back against the cage.
Thiago is trying to break free.

Selwoods breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Selwoods scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Some wild striking there from Selwoods.
Selwoods misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Thiago.
Selwoods is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Thiago rather than just go for the knockout.
Selwoods scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
No joy there for Selwoods, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A lazy left from Selwoods finds it's target.

Selwoods clinches up against the cage.
Thiago can't break the clinch.
Selwoods lands a right hand.

Selwoods pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Thiago showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Selwoods.
Thiago misses with the combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Selwoods dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Selwoods clinches up against the cage.
Thiago has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Selwoods is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Thiago tries for a takedown but Selwoods manages to get underhooks.

Thiago breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Selwoods has managed to clinch.
Selwoods prevents Thiago from breaking the clinch.
Selwoods stops a takedown attempt from Thiago.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Paulo Thiago. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thiago tries to score a body lock takedown but Selwoods shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Thiago wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Selwoods has him pressed against the cage.

Selwoods escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Selwoods lands a body shot.
Selwoods throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Thiago counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Selwoods tries to kick Thiago off but Thiago keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Selwoods has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Thiago is working away from the top position though.
Selwoods tries to kick Thiago off but Thiago keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Selwoods wants to control but Thiago is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Selwoods gets full guard.

Selwoods throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Thiago postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Selwoods is looking for a triangle but Thiago pushes his legs off easily.

Selwoods throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Thiago avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Thiago wants to pass the guard but Selwoods is keeping the position.

That's two 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.

Thiago drops back looking for a leg! Selwoods is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Selwoods manages to kick Thiago off! Thiago jumps back into Selwoods's guard.

Selwoods throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Selwoods is looking for a triangle but Thiago pushes his legs off easily.
Selwoods wants to sweep here but Thiago controlling him for the moment.

Thiago drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Thiago jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Selwoods is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Thiago is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Selwoods lands with a shot to the body.
Mark Selwoods is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Selwoods looks to land a combination but Thiago avoids it well.
Selwoods misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Thiago.

Thiago rushes Selwoods and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Thiago tries for a takedown. No joy.
Thiago tries to pull guard but Selwoods won't allow it.

Selwoods breaks the clinch.
Some wild striking there from Thiago.
Thiago lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Thiago.
Selwoods just misses with a punch to the body.
Selwoods throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Selwoods tries to bum rush Thiago with a series of wild strikes but Thiago uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Left hook, right uppercut from Selwoods.
Mark Selwoods seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thiago swats away the attempt to clinch by Selwoods.
Selwoods ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Thiago moves away.
Selwoods falls off balance throwing a combination

and Thiago counters with a takedown into side control.
Selwoods pushes Thiago away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Thiago gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Thiago wants to lay and pray for a moment but Selwoods keeps working.
Selwoods can't do much from the bottom here.

Thiago tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Paulo Thiago will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Selwoods throws a right and a left that Thiago avoids nicely.
Selwoods just misses with a punch to the body.
Thiago tries to clinch up but Selwoods circles away and keeps his distance.
Thiago keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Selwoods.
Thiago shoots in but Selwoods avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Selwoods looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Selwoods throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Selwoods circles away from the clinch attempt
and Selwoods makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thiago wants to clinch but Selwoods slips to the side
and Selwoods counters with a stiff right hand.
Selwoods connects with a jab.
A combination from Selwoods does no damage.
Selwoods throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Thiago counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Selwoods's guard now.
Thiago is looking to advance position but Selwoods has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Selwoods is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Selwoods throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Thiago misses with a takedown attempt
and Selwoods makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Selwoods fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Thiago looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

Selwoods gets a clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Selwoods breaks from the clinch.
Mark Selwoods seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Selwoods closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Selwoods tests Thiago's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Paulo Thiago is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Selwoods throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Thiago misses with a takedown

and Selwoods holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Paulo Thiago. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thiago is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Thiago wants a takedown.

Selwoods breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Selwoods fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Thiago, pushing him back against the cage.
Thiago jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Selwoods walks away with a smile on his face. Thiago gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Selwoods's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Selwoods is looking to clinch but Thiago is avoiding it.
Selwoods lands with an uppercut that bounces Thiago off the cage and back into rage.
Thiago gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Selwoods counters by moving into the clinch.

Selwoods manages to break the clinch.
Thiago takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Thiago changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Selwoods tries to avoid it but Thiago manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Selwoods to the ground. Selwoods escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Selwoods cracks Thiago with a good jab.
Selwoods ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Thiago moves away.
Selwoods stalks Thiago and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Thiago's face. Thiago staggers backwards, shaken.
Selwoods closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Selwoods lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Thiago backs up against the cage.

Thiago is rocked!
Selwoods fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good exchange - Selwoods coming out on top.
Thiago takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

Selwoods moves into range and clinches up with Thiago.
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!
Selwoods slowing the pace effectively.
Selwoods scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Selwoods gets underhooks to prevent Thiago's takedown attempt.

Selwoods manages to break the clinch.

Selwoods drives through and clinches with Thiago against the cage.

Selwoods breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Selwoods moves away from the strike by Thiago.
Selwoods moves in looking to clinch but Thiago pushes him off.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Selwoods misses with a two punch combination.
Selwoods scores with a three punch combo!
Selwoods misses with a few strikes there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Selwoods really dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Selwoods misses the shot to the body.
Selwoods lands a nice looking body shot.
Thiago lands a nice shot to the body.
Thiago throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Selwoods stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Thiago pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Thiago misses with a takedown attempt

and Selwoods counters by clinching up.

Thiago pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Thiago swats away the attempt to clinch by Selwoods.
Thiago doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Selwoods counters with a two punch combo.
Selwoods digs a good body shot into Thiago's ribs.

Selwoods moves into the clinch.

Selwoods breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Thiago on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thiago showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Selwoods.
Thiago looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Selwoods!

Selwoods fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Thiago, pushing him back against the cage.
Thiago is trying to break the clinch but Selwoods has him pressed against the cage.
A right hook to the body lands for Selwoods.
Selwoods gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Thiago.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Paulo Thiago. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Selwoods's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Selwoods misses with a jab, cross combination.
Selwoods digs a good body shot into Thiago's ribs.
Selwoods displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Thiago 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 two minutes gone in the round.
Selwoods wants to clinch up but Thiago keeps it at a distance.

Selwoods has Thiago up against the cage in a clinch.

Selwoods escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A cross from Selwoods lands.
Selwoods will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Thiago tries to clinch up
and Selwoods counters with a three punch combo that has Thiago backing up. Thiago nods at Selwoods to acknowledge the strikes.

Selwoods gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Thiago is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Selwoods manages to break the clinch.
Selwoods misses with a double jab

and Thiago moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thiago is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Selwoods pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Thiago goes for a takedown attempt but Selwoods pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Selwoods stalks Thiago and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Thiago's face. Thiago staggers backwards, shaken.
Good exchange - Selwoods coming out on top.
Selwoods lands with a nice combination. Thiago backs away looking to recover.
Selwoods looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Selwoods lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Oh Thiago is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Selwoods misses with the combination.

Selwoods clinches with his opponent.
Thiago seems to have got his legs back now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Selwoods breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Thiago wants to clinch but Selwoods slips to the side

and Selwoods counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Thiago wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Thiago changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Selwoods fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Selwoods catches Thiago with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Selwoods is working the combinations to good effect here.
Selwoods throws a right and a left that Thiago avoids nicely.
Selwoods tries to clinch but Thiago moves out of range.
Thiago on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Thiago avoids a punch combination nicely.
Thiago wants to clinch but Selwoods slips to the side
and Selwoods counters with a one-two to the body.
Thiago fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Selwoods dominated that fourth 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. This is the final round!

Selwoods gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Thiago goes for a takedown attempt but Selwoods pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Thiago avoids a punch combination nicely.
Selwoods throws a right and a left that Thiago avoids nicely.
Selwoods lands a nice shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thiago takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Selwoods throws a sloppy body shot
and Thiago counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Thiago looks to clinch

and Selwoods holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Thiago tries to pull guard but Selwoods holds him up against the cage and eventually Thiago drops back down to his feet.
Thiago wants to get back to striking at distance but Selwoods won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thiago wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

Thiago manages to break the clinch.
Selwoods tries to close the distance and clinch but Thiago swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Thiago has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Jab from Selwoods.
Thiago swats away the attempt to clinch by Selwoods.
Selwoods misses with a wild combination.
Selwoods misses with a combination

and Thiago counters with a single leg into guard. Selwoods didn't expect that.
Thiago throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Selwoods works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Thiago has a momentary lapse of concentration, allowing Selwoods to throw up a leg and lock on what appears to be a pretty tight triangle! Thiago is fighting it off but it's all too little too late - Selwoods pulls down on the head and he's put Thiago to sleep! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:04 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Mark Selwoods!
Mark Selwoods is the new welterweight champion!