PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Matt Curtis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Animal del Mexico (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Animal del Mexico has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Curtis
vs
del Mexico

175 cm
22
170 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

180 cm
22
178 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Prefers ground

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Matt Curtis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Animal del Mexico!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Paulo Santos and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Curtis fails with a takedown attempt.
del Mexico fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

del Mexico closes the distance and clinches.
del Mexico scores a nice knee to the body.
del Mexico taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
del Mexico landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Curtis is breathing heavily.
Curtis is trying to work for a single leg takedown but del Mexico pulls him back up using the underhooks.
del Mexico slows down the pace here.
del Mexico lands a nice knee to the body.
del Mexico landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
del Mexico stalling in the clinch.
del Mexico lands a knee to the body.
The is referee keeping an eye on del Mexico - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
del Mexico lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
del Mexico will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Curtis up against the cage.
del Mexico connects with a nasty looking knee right to Curtis's face.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Knees to the body from del Mexico.
del Mexico content to slow the pace in the clinch.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Animal del Mexico.

del Mexico has Curtis up against the cage in a clinch.
del Mexico unloads a knee to the mid-section. Curtis lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
del Mexico using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
del Mexico stalls.
del Mexico scores with a hook to the body.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
del Mexico is leaning against Curtis and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
del Mexico displaying some good clinch control by pressing Curtis up against the cage.
del Mexico gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
del Mexico scores a nice knee to the body.
del Mexico stalling against the cage.
del Mexico landing knees to the head.
del Mexico effectively controlling the action here.
del Mexico unloads a knee to the mid-section. Curtis lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
del Mexico is stalling here.
del Mexico unloads a knee to the mid-section. Curtis lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
del Mexico trying to stall but Curtis improves his position.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Animal del Mexico.
Curtis looks for a takedown but del Mexico sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matt Curtis. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Curtis shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with del Mexico but del Mexico pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

del Mexico closes the distance and clinches.
Curtis tries for a takedown but del Mexico manages to get underhooks.
del Mexico connects with a knee to the head.
del Mexico is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
del Mexico is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
del Mexico lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
With the fighters up against the cage, del Mexico throws an elbow but misses.
Curtis managing to block the knees to the body from del Mexico.
Curtis avoiding damage as del Mexico throws knees to the body.
del Mexico unloads a knee to the mid-section. Curtis lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

Curtis is trying to trip del Mexico. He has hold of a leg but del Mexico is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Curtis persists though and gets the takedown into guard.

del Mexico pushes Curtis off and gets back to his feet.

Curtis takes the fight into the clinch.

Curtis is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. del Mexico can't fight it off and eventually Curtis manages to take the fight to the floor. del Mexico looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

del Mexico wriggles free and stands up.
del Mexico tries to bum rush Curtis with a series of wild strikes but Curtis uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
del Mexico throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Curtis shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Curtis not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Curtis not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Curtis has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Curtis missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
del Mexico wants to get back to his feet.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if del Mexico can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Curtis moves nicely into side control.
del Mexico is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

del Mexico gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Curtis changes levels and goes for a takedown here. del Mexico fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Curtis closes this distance looking for a takedown but del Mexico circles away.
Good leg kick by del Mexico there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Curtis shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has del Mexico pinned against the cage. del Mexico gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
del Mexico throws a quick inside leg kick.

Curtis scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Animal del Mexico dominated that round.
That's time! Curtis's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

del Mexico has managed to clinch.
del Mexico looking to slow down the pace here.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
del Mexico lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Curtis wants to get back to striking at distance but del Mexico won't allow it.
del Mexico is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Curtis has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. del Mexico avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Knees to the body from del Mexico.
del Mexico slowing the pace effectively.
del Mexico cracks Curtis with a nice body shot.
del Mexico stops a takedown attempt from Curtis.
Curtis takes an elbow to the temple.
del Mexico landing knees to the head.
Curtis goes for a takedown in the clinch but del Mexico prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matt Curtis. That's going to take a lot out of him.
del Mexico has Curtis pressed against the cage.
del Mexico looking to throw knees to the head but Curtis is blocking nicely.
del Mexico is stalling here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
del Mexico crunches a lovely knee into Curtis's ribcage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Curtis jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as del Mexico walks away with a smile on his face. Curtis gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Nice sprawl there from del Mexico as Curtis shoots in.
Curtis looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

del Mexico has closed the distance and engaged Curtis in a clinch.
del Mexico leaning his opponent against the cage.
del Mexico landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Curtis tries to score a body lock takedown but del Mexico shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
del Mexico unloads a knee to the mid-section. Curtis lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Curtis drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Curtis on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
del Mexico looking to slow down the pace here.
Curtis wants to break the clinch but can't.
del Mexico is looking to control Curtis's arms but Curtis gets an underhook and turns him. Now del Mexico has his back to the cage.
del Mexico slows down the pace here.
del Mexico fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
del Mexico trying to control the position but instead, Curtis has worked for underhooks and has pushed del Mexico into the cage.
Curtis tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. del Mexico just stands there and leans against the cage.
Curtis takes an elbow to the forehead.
del Mexico lands on the inside with an uppercut.
del Mexico is looking to control Curtis's arms but Curtis gets an underhook and turns him. Now del Mexico has his back to the cage.
del Mexico is trying to slow the pace down but that's a couple of times in a row that he's tried to get underhooks and Curtis has denied him.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Animal del Mexico.
del Mexico tries to clinch up but Curtis circles away and keeps his distance.

del Mexico gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
del Mexico wants to stand but Curtis is controlling the position.
Curtis working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

del Mexico has his feet on Curtis's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Curtis fails to land with a series of punches.
del Mexico doesn't manage to clinch there - Curtis circles away.
Curtis will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
del Mexico stuffs the takedown.
Animal del Mexico is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

del Mexico pushes Curtis up against the cage in a clinch.
del Mexico tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Curtis drops to a knee looking for a takedown but del Mexico gets the underhooks and prevents it.
del Mexico lands an elbow inside.
del Mexico prevents the takedown attempt.
del Mexico has Curtis pushed against the cage.
Curtis managing to block the knees to the body from del Mexico.
del Mexico misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Curtis.
del Mexico lands an elbow inside.
del Mexico prevents the takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
del Mexico lands a body shot.
del Mexico tries to stall but Curtis uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Curtis takes a knee right on the jaw!
Curtis managing to block the knees to the body from del Mexico.
del Mexico with an attempt at a knee that misses.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Curtis looking for a takedown.
Knees to the body from del Mexico.
Curtis blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
del Mexico stalling the fight.
Curtis tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
del Mexico trying to control the position but instead, Curtis has worked for underhooks and has pushed del Mexico into the cage.
del Mexico gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Curtis.
del Mexico effectively controlling the action here.
Curtis scores with a hook to the body.

Curtis pulls guard.

del Mexico gets to his feet. Curtis looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Animal del Mexico showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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!

Curtis shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says del Mexico as he avoids it easily.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Curtis crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from del Mexico - the referee stops the clock and Curtis gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says del Mexico. Curtis manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.

del Mexico closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
del Mexico landing knees to the body.
del Mexico is looking to control Curtis's arms but Curtis gets an underhook and turns him. Now del Mexico has his back to the cage.
del Mexico holding his opponent close, against the cage.
del Mexico is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Curtis looking for a takedown.
del Mexico dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Animal del Mexico.
Curtis scores with a hook to the body. del Mexico takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
del Mexico misses with a double jab.
del Mexico avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

del Mexico has taken the fight to the clinch.
del Mexico lands an elbow just above Curtis 's eye.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Curtis wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but del Mexico has him pressed against the cage.
del Mexico misses with a knee strike.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
A body shot lands from del Mexico.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Curtis is working for takedown but del Mexico is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matt Curtis. That's going to take a lot out of him.
del Mexico tries to stall but Curtis uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
del Mexico landing some nice looking knees to the body.
del Mexico lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Curtis misses with the head strike.
Curtis tries to break the clinch but del Mexico is controlling the position.
A knee to the head by del Mexico.
del Mexico leaning against his opponent.
Curtis has del Mexico pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. del Mexico manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
del Mexico throws a knee to the head but misses.
Knees in the clinch landing for del Mexico.
del Mexico unloads a knee to the mid-section. Curtis lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
del Mexico looking to slow down the pace here.
del Mexico comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Animal del Mexico seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Curtis wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
del Mexico taking a breather.
del Mexico trying to control the position but instead, Curtis has worked for underhooks and has pushed del Mexico into the cage.
del Mexico lands an elbow inside.

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.
Curtis has del Mexico pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. del Mexico manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
del Mexico is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Animal del Mexico.
del Mexico ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Curtis moves away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Curtis.
Curtis keeps the fight on the outside.
Matt Curtis is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Curtis shoots in for a takedown but del Mexico shows good takedown defense.
del Mexico goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Curtis chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before del Mexico can pounce on him.
Horrible takedown by Curtis or perhaps it was just good defense by del Mexico which made him look bad.
Curtis avoids a punch combination nicely.
Curtis has a takedown stuffed.
del Mexico pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Curtis moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
del Mexico stuffs the takedown.
Curtis tries to clinch but del Mexico is having none of it.
Curtis shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
del Mexico misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Curtis shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in del Mexico's guard.
Curtis postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
del Mexico is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

del Mexico uses the cage to get back to his feet.

Curtis scores with a takedown into del Mexico's guard.
Curtis connects with a couple of short punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Curtis working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Curtis thows a big elbow that misses.
del Mexico avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

del Mexico uses the cage to get back to his feet.
del Mexico throws a left and a right that both miss

and Curtis counters with a single leg into guard. del Mexico didn't expect that.
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!
Curtis throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Curtis prevents del Mexico from getting back to his feet.
Curtis wants to control from the top but del Mexico keeps moving.
Animal del Mexico is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Matt Curtis has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Curtis working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

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 Matt Curtis.
I think del Mexico 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 Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 28:29
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Animal del Mexico!