PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Blaff Biggins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mauricio Thiago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Biggins
vs
Thiago

174 cm
20
166 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

178 cm
22
168 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
KO power

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Solid 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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Blaff Biggins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mauricio Thiago!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Seu Braga and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Biggins misses with a takedown attempt - Thiago sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Biggins fails with a takedown attempt.
Biggins closes the distance and clinches up with Thiago, looking for a takedown. Biggins pushes Thiago against the cage but Thiago circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Blaff Biggins. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Biggins fails with a takedown attempt.
Thiago fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Biggins manages to avoid it.
Thiago throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Biggins drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Thiago not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Thiago escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Biggins gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Biggins got a little sloppy there for a moment and Thiago has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Biggins has managed to get both his arms back between Thiago's legs - danger averted.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thiago wants to control the position but Biggins says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.

Biggins is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Thiago defends it well.
Thiago has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Biggins is working away from the top position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Biggins is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Thiago is just riding it out for now. Biggins eventually gives up the hold.
Thiago is staying active underneath Biggins, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thiago has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Biggins is working away from the top position though.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Biggins.

Biggins looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Thiago trying to hold on to Biggins's head to control him but Biggins postures up.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thiago is looking to improve his position.
Thiago wants to control but Biggins is keeping busy.
Biggins wants to control but Thiago is keeping him busy.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Biggins 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.

Blaff Biggins dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Biggins shoots for a takedown but Thiago saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Thiago throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Biggins was covering up waiting for the punch and Thiago finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Thiago controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Thiago accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Biggins looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Thiago with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thiago trying to control but Biggins is working from the bottom.

Thiago got a little sloppy there for a moment and Biggins has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Thiago has managed to get both his arms back between Biggins's legs - danger averted.
Thiago throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Biggins keeping moving, preventing Thiago from controlling successfully.

Thiago drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Biggins dives on top into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Biggins trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Thiago working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Biggins doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Biggins manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Biggins controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Biggins wants to control from the top but Thiago keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Biggins is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Biggins wants to control from the top but Thiago keeps moving.
Thiago is trying to keep Biggins in close.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Thiago is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Thiago escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Biggins gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Thiago is breathing heavily.
Biggins trying to control but Thiago is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mauricio Thiago will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Biggins fails with the takedown

and Thiago counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Biggins keeping moving, preventing Thiago from controlling successfully.

Biggins throws his legs up looking for a submission but Thiago uses it to pass to side control.
Biggins tries to improve position but can't.
Thiago taking a break here but Biggins is having none of it and regains half guard.

Biggins actively working from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thiago wants to take a breather but Biggins is having none of it.
Thiago is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Biggins reverses the position - he's now on top in Thiago's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Thiago working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Biggins doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Biggins manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Thiago looking to control but Biggins passes into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Biggins seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Thiago does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thiago wants to control but Biggins is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Biggins stalling.
Thiago wants to sweep but Biggins has passed to side control!
Thiago is trying to escape the position but Biggins is controlling the position.
Biggins trying to control the position but Thiago is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Thiago struggling a bit here.
Biggins happy to just control the position for now.

Biggins looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Biggins is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Thiago has escaped the position, nice work there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mauricio Thiago comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Thiago 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 Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 29:28
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Mauricio Thiago!