PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Miguel Azevedo Souza (ranked 311 p4p, 1128 weight class) and Enzo Williams (ranked 44 p4p, 128 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Azevedo Souza
vs
Williams

176 cm
30
150
19 - 9 - 0

180 cm
30
145
16 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

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 19 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Miguel Azevedo Souza!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 13 - 0, fighting out of London, Enzo Williams!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Williams throws a poor cross that misses
and Williams takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Azevedo Souza keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Williams.
Williams fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
An attempted straight right counter from Azevedo Souza misses the target.
Williams throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Azevedo Souza counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Williams throws an off balance right hand
and Azevedo Souza counters with a nice body shot.
Williams rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
letting Azevedo Souza counter with a right hand.
A shot to the body from Williams misses
and Azevedo Souza counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Williams is rocked!
Azevedo Souza staying out of range there.
Azevedo Souza was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Williams fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Azevedo Souza manages to avoid it.
Azevedo Souza appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Williams throws a sloppy body shot
and Azevedo Souza counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Williams forces Azevedo Souza back against the cage and clinches.
Williams has had enough of the clinch but Azevedo Souza keeps him there for the moment.
Azevedo Souza fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Williams tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Williams has a couple of punches blocked by Azevedo Souza.
Williams lands a nice uppercut.
Azevedo Souza pushes Williams back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Williams's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Williams misses with a shot to the kidneys.
We've been hearing reports that Azevedo Souza has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.

Azevedo Souza works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Williams controls Azevedo Souza momentarily but Azevedo Souza frees himself.
Azevedo Souza pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Williams is keeping the position for now.
Williams has Azevedo Souza pulled in close to control his posture.
Azevedo Souza wants to pass the guard but Williams is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Azevedo Souza is working hard here to advance position.
Azevedo Souza is looking to advance position but Williams has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Azevedo Souza is working to get back to half guard.
Williams is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Williams sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Azevedo Souza is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Williams content just to control the position here.
Azevedo Souza is looking to get to half guard.
Azevedo Souza looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Azevedo Souza manages to reverse the position and now he's in Williams's guard. Nice work there by Azevedo Souza.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Azevedo Souza trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Williams has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Azevedo Souza has passed into side control.

Azevedo Souza tries for a kimura but Williams is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Williams prevents Azevedo Souza from improving position.
Azevedo Souza moves into full mount!
Williams is wriggling around trying to escape.

Azevedo Souza goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Williams is on top in guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Miguel Azevedo Souza dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Williams misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Williams swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Azevedo Souza cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Williams wants to clinch.

Williams clinches up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Williams blocking some punches.
Azevedo Souza lands with a right to the head.
Williams has a couple of punches blocked by Azevedo Souza.
A head punch on the inside from Azevedo Souza fails to land.
Azevedo Souza lands with a light punch inside.
Azevedo Souza scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Williams throws a punch but it's blocked by Azevedo Souza.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Azevedo Souza fails to land.
A head punch on the inside from Williams fails to land.
Williams misses with a hook from the clinch.
Williams tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Azevedo Souza.
Williams throws a head punch that misses.
Williams misses with a short punch on the inside.
Azevedo Souza has a couple of punches blocked by Williams.
A short uppercut from Azevedo Souza.
Williams blocking some punches.
Williams blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Williams misses with some punches.
Williams misses with a short punch on the inside.
Williams tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Azevedo Souza.
Williams lands a left hand.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Williams.
Azevedo Souza changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Williams fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Azevedo Souza lands a jab to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Azevedo Souza ducks under a wild hook from Williams.
Azevedo Souza avoids the body shot from Williams.
A counter left hand to the body from Azevedo Souza misses its target.
Azevedo Souza is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Williams can do to turn this around?
Azevedo Souza blocks a jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Azevedo Souza avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Williams swings for the body but Azevedo Souza moves out of range.
Azevedo Souza changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Williams thuds his right hand into Azevedo Souza's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Williams misses with a looping left.
It looked like Azevedo Souza was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Williams.
Azevedo Souza uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Williams.
Williams throws a predictable looking body shot
and Azevedo Souza counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Azevedo Souza throws a shot from downtown. Williams moves away and avoids it.
Williams doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Azevedo Souza blocks a jab.
Azevedo Souza tries to counter with a takedown but Williams is quick to defend against it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Williams misses with a lunging right hand
and Azevedo Souza counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Azevedo Souza goes for a double leg but Williams avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Williams continues to drive forward.
Williams swings wildly with an uppercut but Azevedo Souza uses good head movement to avoid it.
Williams swings wildly with an uppercut but Azevedo Souza uses good head movement to avoid it.

Azevedo Souza ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Azevedo Souza no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Williams slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Azevedo Souza throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Azevedo Souza manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Williams manages to get himself to full guard.

Azevedo Souza has gone for a leg lock! Williams slips out almost immediately though and dives into Azevedo Souza's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Azevedo Souza looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Williams puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Azevedo Souza is looking to improve his position.

Azevedo Souza looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Williams performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
My spies in London MMA Club inform me that Williams has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Azevedo Souza is pressing down on Williams's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Miguel Azevedo Souza will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Williams swings widly with a right hand
and Azevedo Souza counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Williams tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Azevedo Souza paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Williams misses with a straight left.
Azevedo Souza is looking to counter punch.
Williams fails in his attempt to clinch.
Williams tries to clinch but Azevedo Souza moves away
and Azevedo Souza counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Williams throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A little feinted left hand from Azevedo Souza on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Azevedo Souza connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Williams momentarily.
A jab from Williams misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Williams throws a looping overhand right but Azevedo Souza ducks down to avoid it.
Azevedo Souza ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Azevedo Souza changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Azevedo Souza's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Williams connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Azevedo Souza scrambles back to his feet.
Williams misses with a straight right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Williams misses with an uppercut
and Azevedo Souza counters with a stiff right hand.
Williams connects with a body shot that sends Azevedo Souza's belly button to the back.

Williams fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Azevedo Souza, pushing him back against the cage.
Williams misses with a short punch on the inside.
Azevedo Souza swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Azevedo Souza tries to score a body lock takedown but Williams shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Williams tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Azevedo Souza lands a left hand.
Williams misses with a hook from the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Williams.

Azevedo Souza is trying to trip Williams. He has hold of a leg but Williams is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Azevedo Souza persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Azevedo Souza passes Williams's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Azevedo Souza wants to work for an arm triangle but Williams is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Azevedo Souza is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Azevedo Souza is looking to advance position but Williams has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Azevedo Souza tries to reverse the position but Williams maintains control.
Williams looking to control and managing it successfully.
Azevedo Souza is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Williams controlling from the full mount.
Miguel Azevedo Souza overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Let's hope that Williams has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Azevedo Souza is wriggling around trying to escape.
Williams content just to control the position here.
Azevedo Souza is trying to escape the mount but Williams keeps good control and instead manages to take Azevedo Souza's back.
Williams controlling well, preventing Azevedo Souza from escaping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Williams controlling from the back.
Azevedo Souza is in bad spot here.
Azevedo Souza tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Williams sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Azevedo Souza is looking to improve his position but Williams isn't that keen on the idea.
Miguel Azevedo Souza is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Williams controlling from mount.
Azevedo Souza is wriggling around trying to escape.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Enzo Williams.
I think Azevedo Souza has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 29:28
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Miguel Azevedo Souza!
Miguel Azevedo Souza thanked the fans post fight for their support.