PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gustavo Artur (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mick Maurizio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Maurizio's choice of entrance music: I'm Not the One (IWNBTS). Gustavo Artur has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Artur
vs
Maurizio

200 cm
24
215 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

172 cm
23
210 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Good elbows
Granite chin

Win Nutritional - proof of quality

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Gustavo Artur!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mick Maurizio!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Alexandre Firmino and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maurizio fails with an attempt to clinch.

Artur gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Artur lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Artur lands a damaging elbow.

It looks like Mick Maurizio has been cut.
Artur misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Maurizio.
Artur lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Maurizio throws a knee to the head but misses.
Maurizio misses with a body punch.
Maurizio trying to stall but Artur improves his position.
Artur with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Artur misses with an elbow strike.
Artur connects with a knee to the head.
Artur lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Artur lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Artur obliges.
Maurizio looks gassed!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Artur scores a nice knee to the body.
Artur lands a knee to the head.
Artur lands an elbow that stopped Maurizio in his tracks for a moment.
Artur scores with a knee to the head.
Artur throws a knee to the head but misses.
Artur lands a good knee to the midsection. Maurizio won't want to take too many of those.
Artur landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Artur unloads a knee to the mid-section. Maurizio lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Artur with a knee to the head.
Artur with a knee to the head.
Maurizio swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Artur connects with a nasty looking knee right to Maurizio's face.
Artur throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Maurizio lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Artur gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Maurizio struggles to land a body shot inside as Artur controls his hands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maurizio is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Artur is defending well for now.
Artur crunches a lovely knee into Maurizio's ribcage.
Artur landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Artur connects with a nasty looking knee right to Maurizio's face.
Artur prevents the takedown attempt.
Nice elbow from Artur.
Maurizio is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Artur creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Maurizio's defenses.
Artur unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Maurizio lands a right hand.
Artur throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Maurizio blocks it with crossed arms.
Maurizio is looking to control Artur's arms but Artur gets an underhook and turns him. Now Maurizio has his back to the cage.
Maurizio has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Artur is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Gustavo Artur has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mick Maurizio.
Artur lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Maurizio misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Artur using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Maurizio has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Artur misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Maurizio.
Artur misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Maurizio.
Artur with a knee to the head.
Maurizio goes for a takedown attempt but Artur pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Gustavo Artur is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Artur dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Artur fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Maurizio.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Artur darts in and clinches Maurizio up against the cage.
Artur with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Artur landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Artur missing with knees to the body.
Artur landing knees to the head.
Maurizio wants a takedown.
Artur tries to land a knee to the head but Maurizio blocks with his arms.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Maurizio. Artur does a little dance to reset his feet.
Artur avoids the head kick by Maurizio.
Maurizio takes a kick to the side of the head.

Artur has taken the fight to the clinch.
Maurizio looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Maurizio takes a knee right on the jaw!
Maurizio drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Artur lands a knee to the head.
Artur connects with a knee to the head.
Maurizio lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Artur or not.
Maurizio tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Artur tries to land a knee to the head but Maurizio blocks with his arms.
Maurizio misses with a short punch on the inside.
Artur with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Maurizio gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Artur trying to hold on to Maurizio's head to control him but Maurizio postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maurizio is keen to just control but Artur is a slippery customer.

Artur has one foot on Maurizio's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Maurizio swinging wilding here.
Maurizio stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Artur.

Artur fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Maurizio, pushing him back against the cage.
Artur with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Artur gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Artur landing knees to the head.
Artur throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Maurizio blocks it with crossed arms.
Artur gets underhooks to prevent Maurizio's takedown attempt.
Maurizio drops down looking for an ankle pick but Artur pulls his leg out and moves away.
Artur explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Artur throws a head kick that Maurizio semi-blocks.
An inside leg kick lands from Artur.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Artur lands a high kick!
A combination from Maurizio does no damage.
Artur throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Maurizio's head.

Artur gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Artur misses with a knee to the head.
Artur scores with a knee to the head.
Maurizio drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Artur connects with a nasty looking knee right to Maurizio's face.
Maurizio tries a knee to the head but Artur blocks it.
Artur gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
A looping hook to the body misses from Maurizio. Artur does a little dance to reset his feet.

Artur clinches up against the cage.
Artur landing knees to the head.
A short uppercut from Maurizio.
Artur tries a knee to the head but Maurizio blocks it.
Maurizio lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Maurizio takes an elbow to the forehead.
Maurizio presses Artur against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Artur blocks an uppercut.
Maurizio wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Artur has him pressed against the cage.
Artur throws an elbow that misses.

Maurizio breaks from the clinch.
Artur throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gustavo Artur dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mick Maurizio's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Maurizio fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Artur avoids it really well and circles away.

Artur has managed to clinch.
Artur tries a knee to the head but Maurizio blocks it.
Artur prevents a body shot from Maurizio.
Artur tries to land a knee to the head but Maurizio blocks with his arms.
Artur stops a takedown attempt from Maurizio.
Maurizio misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Artur.
Artur tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Maurizio avoids it.
Maurizio stalling in the clinch but Artur improves position.
Artur with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Artur tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Artur is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Maurizio is defending well for now.
A knee to the head by Artur.
Maurizio is trying to drag Artur to the mat but Artur just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Gustavo Artur has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mick Maurizio.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maurizio tries to stall but Artur uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Maurizio trying to land knees to the body.
Artur lands a knee to the head.
Artur is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Maurizio misses with a hook to the ribs.
Artur utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Maurizio is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Artur tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Artur misses with a knee to the head.
Artur missing with knees to the body.
Maurizio stalling in the clinch but Artur improves position.
Artur throws a knee to the head but misses.
Maurizio is working for takedown but Artur is calmly controlling the position for now.
Artur landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Artur using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Maurizio has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Maurizio throws a head punch that misses.
Maurizio has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Artur is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Artur using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Artur tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Artur prevents a takedown attempt there.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Artur as Maurizio tries to tie him up.
Gustavo Artur has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Artur crunches a lovely knee into Maurizio's ribcage.
Artur stops a takedown attempt from Maurizio.
Artur managing to block the knees to the body from Maurizio.
A knee to the head by Artur.
Artur connects with a knee to the head.
Maurizio misses with a short punch on the inside.
Artur tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Artur stops a takedown attempt from Maurizio.
A short body shot lands from Maurizio as the two fighters clinch.
Nice elbow from Artur.

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.
Artur tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Maurizio tries a knee to the head but Artur blocks it.
Maurizio misses with the head strike.
Artur crunches a lovely knee into Maurizio's ribcage.
Maurizio doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Artur landing knees to the body.
Artur keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Maurizio's efforts to push away.
Artur lands an elbow just above Maurizio 's eye.
Artur missing with knees to the body.
Maurizio lands an uppercut.
Maurizio drops down looking for an ankle pick but Artur pulls his leg out and moves away.
Mick Maurizio is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Maurizio takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Artur throws a head kick that Maurizio semi-blocks.

Maurizio instigates a clinch.
Maurizio wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Artur with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Artur tries to land knees in the clinch but Maurizio avoids the damage to the body.
Artur throws a knee to the head but misses.
Maurizio tries to break the clinch but Artur is controlling the position.
Artur throws a knee to the head but misses.
Maurizio scores with a shot to the side of Artur's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maurizio misses with some punches.
Artur blocks an elbow strike.
Artur tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Maurizio is trying to stall.
Maurizio tries for a takedown but Artur manages to get underhooks.
Artur lands an elbow just above Maurizio 's eye.
Artur lands a knee to the head.
Artur throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Artur trying to land knees to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Artur.
Maurizio tries a knee to the head but Artur blocks it.
Artur connects with a nasty looking knee right to Maurizio's face.
Artur throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Artur tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Maurizio is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Artur pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Maurizio wants a takedown.
Artur lands a nice knee to the body.
Artur scores with a knee to the head.
Maurizio taking a breather.
Maurizio working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Artur lands a knee to the head.
Artur gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Artur misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Maurizio.
Artur creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Maurizio avoids a wild elbow strike from Artur.
Maurizio working aggressively here.

That's four 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.
Maurizio softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Artur tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Artur gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Maurizio.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Artur.
Artur throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Maurizio blocks it with crossed arms.
Maurizio gets through Artur's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Artur tries a knee to the head but Maurizio blocks it.
Artur using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Maurizio has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Maurizio avoiding damage as Artur throws knees to the body.
Maurizio goes for a takedown in the clinch but Artur prevents it.
A head punch on the inside from Maurizio fails to land.
Artur lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Maurizio changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Artur fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Artur plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Artur lands with a shot to the body.
Maurizio takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Artur lands with a slapping head kick.
Artur scores with a leg kick.
Artur closes the distance but Maurizio moves to the side

and Maurizio counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gustavo Artur dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Mick Maurizio's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Maurizio wants to clinch.
Artur throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Artur scoring well with a low kick there.

Artur has managed to clinch.
Maurizio drops down looking for an ankle pick but Artur pulls his leg out and moves away.
Artur stuffs the takedown attempt from Maurizio. Maurizio gets slowly back to his feet.
Artur throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Maurizio.
Artur lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Maurizio takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Maurizio tries to clinch up but Artur circles away and keeps his distance.
Jab, jab by Artur - just one landing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Artur throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Maurizio.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Artur throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Maurizio.

Artur forces Maurizio back against the cage and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Artur landing knees to the head.
Maurizio takes a knee right on the jaw!
Artur using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Maurizio throws a punch but it's blocked by Artur.
Artur using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Artur connects with a knee to the head.
Artur gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Maurizio.
Gustavo Artur has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mick Maurizio.
Artur lands a damaging elbow.
Artur with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Maurizio tries for a takedown. No joy.
Artur using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Artur connects with a nasty looking knee right to Maurizio's face.
Artur tries a knee to the head but Maurizio blocks it.

Maurizio breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Maurizio shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Artur pinned against the cage. Artur gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Artur lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Maurizio backs up against the cage.

Artur closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Artur gets underhooks to prevent Maurizio's takedown attempt.
Artur gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Artur crunches a lovely knee into Maurizio's ribcage.
Maurizio misses with a body punch.
Artur is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Maurizio can do to turn this around?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Artur lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Artur unloads a knee to the mid-section. Maurizio lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Artur unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Artur throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Maurizio blocks it with crossed arms.
Maurizio digs a right hand into Artur's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Artur's gas tank.
Artur lands an elbow inside.
Artur tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Maurizio is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Maurizio misses with a body punch.
Maurizio tries for a takedown. No joy.
Artur gets underhooks to prevent Maurizio's takedown attempt.
Maurizio is trying to maintain a safe position but Artur gets an underhook and turns Maurizio into the cage.
Artur putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Maurizio in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Artur lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Artur tries to land a knee to the head but Maurizio blocks with his arms.
Artur lands a nice elbow.
Artur on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Artur landing some nice looking knees to the body.

Maurizio has hold of one of Artur's legs. Artur is fighting the takedown attempt but Maurizio gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Artur is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Maurizio trying to control here.
Artur not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maurizio tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Artur not doing much here.
Maurizio trying to hold on to Artur's head to control him but Artur postures up.
Mick Maurizio has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Maurizio misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Maurizio is looking to get back to full guard here but Artur has managed to pass to side control instead.
Artur controlling the position easily from mount.
Maurizio gets back to half guard.

That's four 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.
Maurizio tries to roll over but Artur keeps him under control.

Artur stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Maurizio to get to his feet.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Artur.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Maurizio is defended easily by Artur.
Artur connects with a high kick.
Maurizio fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Artur has Maurizio up against the cage in a clinch.
Artur lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Gustavo Artur is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Artur landing knees to the head.
Maurizio tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Nice elbow from Artur.
A knee to the head by Artur.
Maurizio takes an elbow to the temple.
Artur lands a knee to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gustavo Artur showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Artur, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Luis Engracia scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gustavo Artur!