PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Raimundao Capetao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thigor Martial (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Capetao
vs
Martial

189 cm
18
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
18
205 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Raimundao Capetao!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Thigor Martial!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Wesley Smith and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Martial closes the distance and clinches.
Capetao connects with a knee to the head.
Capetao with a knee to the head.
Capetao misses with a knee strike.
Martial softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Martial gets underhooks to prevent Capetao's takedown attempt.
Capetao wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

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

Martial clinches up against the cage.
Capetao is trying to force a seperation but Martial has the dominant position.
Capetao is trying to break the clinch but Martial is controlling him.
Martial lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Capetao backwards.

Martial jumps into guard, dragging Capetao to the mat.
Capetao stops Martial from standing up.
Capetao throws a big right hand that misses.
Martial wants to stand up but Capetao is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Capetao trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Horrible takedown by Capetao or perhaps it was just good defense by Martial which made him look bad.
Martial tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Capetao paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Martial instigates a clinch.
Capetao can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Raimundao Capetao. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Martial gets through Capetao's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Capetao stalling in the clinch but Martial improves position.
Capetao lands a knee to the head.

Martial breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Thigor Martial is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Capetao throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Martial's waist but Martial gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Capetao off to one side.
Capetao is breathing heavily.

That's two 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.
Capetao looks to clinch
and Martial counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Martial forces Capetao back against the cage and clinches.
Martial lands with a light punch inside.
Capetao's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Martial lands with a short shot to the head.
Capetao drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Martial.

Martial gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Martial wants to stand up but Capetao is controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Capetao is looking to control Martial's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Capetao avoid being mounted?

Martial decides to stand and escape the position.
Nice cross by Martial.
Martial wants to clinch.

Martial moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Martial will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Capetao up against the cage.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Capetao with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Capetao misses with a knee to the head.

Martial pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Capetao misses with a takedown attempt

and Martial holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Martial lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Martial scores with a shot to the side of Capetao's head.
Martial scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Martial scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Martial makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Martial pushes Capetao back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Good body shot from Martial.

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

Martial takes the fight into the clinch.
A short uppercut from Martial.
A short uppercut from Martial.
Capetao is looking to break free of the clinch but Martial has double underhooks.

Martial tightens his grip and picks Capetao up, before dumping him to the ground. Capetao manages to land in guard.
Capetao looking to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Capetao is working an open guard so Martial takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Martial lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Martial drives through and clinches with Capetao against the cage.
Martial scores with a shot to the side of Capetao's head.
Martial lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Martial lands a right hand.

Martial pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Martial gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Martial lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Capetao throws a knee to the head but misses.
Capetao takes an elbow to the forehead.
A short uppercut from Martial.
Capetao's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Capetao with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Capetao is fighting off a takedown attempt but Martial is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Capetao to the mat. Capetao regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.

Capetao had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Martial is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Capetao Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Martial's back instead.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Capetao has his opponent's back but Martial is looking to stand. He manages to get to his feet and shakes off Capetao.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thigor Martial dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Martial throws a one two combo.

Martial closes the distance and clinches.

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

Martial clinches up against the cage.
Capetao connects with a nasty looking knee right to Martial's face.

Martial pulls guard effortlessly.
Martial wants to stand but Capetao is controlling the position.
Capetao trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Martial wants to stand and escape but Capetao is having none of it.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Martial can do anything to dispel that myth.
Capetao thows a big elbow that misses.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Capetao wants to pass the guard but Martial is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Capetao drops back looking for a leg! Martial is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Martial manages to kick Capetao off! Capetao jumps back into Martial's guard.
Capetao prevents Martial from getting back to his feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Martial has taken the fight to the clinch.
Martial is trying to break free.

Martial breaks the clinch.
Capetao circles away from the clinch attempt.
Capetao shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
enabling Martial to counter with a crisp jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Capetao tries to keep at a distance but Martial has taken the fight into the clinch.
A short uppercut from Martial.

Martial breaks the clinch.

Martial drives through and clinches with Capetao against the cage.
Martial lands an uppercut.
Capetao takes a shot to the head.
Capetao trying to stall but Martial improves his position.
Capetao drops down looking for an ankle pick but Martial pulls his leg out and moves away.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Capetao circles away from the clinch attempt.
Martial wants to clinch.

Martial gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Martial lands with a right to the head.
Capetao wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Martial makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

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

Martial moves into the clinch successfully.
Capetao wants to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Martial breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Martial wants to clinch.

Martial closes the distance and clinches.

Martial breaks the clinch.
Martial tries to clinch there but Capetao circles away.
Capetao tries a head kick but it misses.

Martial gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A frustrated look appears on Martial's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Martial prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Raimundao Capetao. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Martial lands a left hand.
Martial lands a nice uppercut.
Martial has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

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

Martial rushes Capetao and presses him up against the cage.
Martial pushes Capetao back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Martial lands a right hand that snaps the head of Capetao backwards.

Martial breaks the clinch.
Martial fails in his attempt to clinch.

Martial takes the fight into the clinch.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Capetao misses with a takedown attempt
and Martial counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Martial clinches.
Thigor Martial seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A short right from Martial on the inside.
Martial lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Martial lands on the inside with an uppercut.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Capetao. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.

Martial manages to break the clinch.
Thigor Martial seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Martial tries to clinch up.
Martial tries to clinch there but Capetao circles away.

Martial has closed the distance and engaged Capetao in a clinch.

Martial breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Martial lands with a cross.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Capetao looks to clinch

and Martial moves into the clinch.

Martial gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Martial trying to stand up but can't free himself from Capetao's guard.

Capetao has an active guard here but Martial has managed to pass into half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Capetao trying to hold on to Martial's head to control him but Martial postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thigor Martial showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Martial works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Martial is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Martial has Capetao up against the cage in a clinch.
Capetao is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Martial tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Martial wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Capetao has him pressed against the cage.
Capetao looking to throw knees to the head but Martial is blocking nicely.
Martial keeps control of Capetao as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
A nice right hand lands inside from Martial.
A nice left hand lands by Martial.

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

Martial clinches up against the cage.
Martial prevents Capetao from breaking the clinch.
Capetao takes a shot to the head.
Martial scores with a shot to the side of Capetao's head.

Martial pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Capetao throws a head kick but Martial moves out of range.

Martial clinches up with Capetao and pushes him back against the cage.
Capetao wants to break the clinch but can't.

Martial gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Capetao not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Martial wants to stand but Capetao has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

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

Martial stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Martial connects with a good right hand that stumbles Capetao. Capetao circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

Martial takes the fight into the clinch.

Martial breaks the clinch.
Capetao with a lazy takedown attempt

and Martial moves into the clinch.
Martial scores with an uppercut up the middle.

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

Martial gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Capetao drops down looking for an ankle pick but Martial pulls his leg out and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Martial takes the fight into the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Martial.
Martial gets through Capetao's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Martial stops a takedown attempt from Capetao.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Raimundao Capetao. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Martial.

Martial escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Martial moves into the clinch.
Thigor Martial is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Martial lands a nice uppercut.
Martial lands with a right to the head.

Martial's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Thigor Martial seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Martial has taken the fight to the clinch.
Capetao changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Martial fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Martial has Capetao up against the cage in a clinch.
Still in the clinch, Martial scores with a nice short uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Capetao wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Capetao tries a knee to the head but Martial blocks it.

Martial's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Martial lands a lovely overhand right.
Capetao shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Martial counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Martial!
Martial digs a good hook to Capetao's body.

Martial moves into the clinch successfully.

Martial has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Capetao is trying to keep an underhook but Martial manages to get the takedown into half guard.

Martial decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.

Martial clinches with his opponent.
Capetao tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

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

Martial moves into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Martial manages to break the clinch.
Capetao shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Martial moves into the clinch.
Capetao looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Martial has hold of one of Capetao's legs. Capetao is fighting the takedown attempt but Martial gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Martial postures up.

Martial decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Martial clinches.
Capetao tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Martial pushes Capetao back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Capetao tries to land knees in the clinch but Martial avoids the damage to the body.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Martial creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Raimundao Capetao has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Martial gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Capetao misses with a knee strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thigor Martial comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Martial has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 24:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 24:30
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 24:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thigor Martial!