PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Helton Falusi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Leozinho Cunha (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Leozinho Cunha has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Falusi
vs
Cunha

202 cm
20
260 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

180 cm
21
230 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Helton Falusi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Leozinho Cunha!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Daniel Cesar and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cunha moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Cunha tries a head kick but it misses.
Cunha lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

Cunha lands a big head kick that sends Falusi tumbling to the mat! Cunha takes a step backwards and waves Falusi back to his feet - he wants the finish!

It looks like Helton Falusi has been cut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cunha is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Cunha fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Falusi, pushing him back against the cage.
Falusi is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Cunha wants to get back to striking at distance but Falusi won't allow it.
Cunha tries to break the clinch but Falusi is controlling the position.
Cunha is trying to break free.
Cunha lands a good knee to the midsection. Falusi won't want to take too many of those.
Falusi is breathing heavily.
Cunha is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Cunha is trying to break the clinch but Falusi is controlling him.
Falusi keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Cunha's efforts to push away.
Cunha has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Cunha tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Cunha comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Falusi blocks the elbow strike.
Falusi has Cunha pressed against the cage, preventing Cunha from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Cunha should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cunha tries to break the clinch but Falusi is controlling the position.

Cunha breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Cunha tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Falusi shoots in but Cunha avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Falusi shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Helton Falusi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cunha throws a head kick that misses.
Cunha misses with a two punch combination.

Falusi shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Cunha is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Cunha is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

Cunha escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Cunha stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Cunha wants it to stay on the feet.
Falusi avoids a punch combination nicely.
Falusi blocks a head kick by Cunha.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Falusi changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Cunha looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Falusi decides to stand back up. Falusi steps back and let's Cunha get back to his feet.
Cunha tries to clinch there but Falusi circles away.
Cunha leaves Falusi with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Falusi fails with the takedown.
Cunha tries to close the distance and clinch up but Falusi swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Cunha gets caught flat footed, as Falusi shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cunha is looking to stand up but Falusi isn't so interested in that idea.
Falusi would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Falusi stands up from Cunha's guard - Falusi perhaps looking for a knockout.

Falusi shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Falusi prevents Cunha from standing back up.

Falusi stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Falusi is trying hard to land a takedown here. Cunha sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Leozinho Cunha is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Cunha moves into the clinch successfully.
Falusi blocks an elbow strike from Cunha.
Cunha creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Falusi has Cunha pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Falusi pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Cunha tumbling to the mat - Falusi dives into Cunha's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Falusi wants to stand but Cunha is controlling his posture from full guard.

Falusi decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Cunha, up you get!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cunha is looking to clinch.

Falusi shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Cunha is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.

Falusi is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Nice sprawl there from Cunha as Falusi shoots in.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Cunha tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Falusi paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Cunha fails with an attempt to clinch.
Falusi closes the distance and clinches up with Cunha, looking for a takedown. Falusi pushes Cunha against the cage but Cunha circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Falusi tries to keep at a distance but Cunha has taken the fight into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Leozinho Cunha will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Helton Falusi's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Cunha misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Cunha lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Falusi bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Falusi has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Falusi changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Cunha tries to avoid it but Falusi manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Cunha to the ground. Cunha escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Falusi shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Cunha as he avoids it easily.
Falusi fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Cunha avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Helton Falusi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Falusi takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Falusi will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Cunha lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Falusi darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Falusi postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Cunha to stand up.
Helton Falusi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cunha throws a sloppy head kick and Falusi moves out of range easily.
Falusi closes the distance and clinches up with Cunha, looking for a takedown. Falusi pushes Cunha against the cage but Cunha circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Cunha is looking to clinch but Falusi is avoiding it.
Falusi shoots in looking for a takedown. Cunha tries to sprawl out of it but Falusi keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Cunha manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Falusi throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Cunha's waist but Cunha gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Falusi off to one side.
Falusi tries for a takedown but Cunha sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Cunha tries to close the distance and clinch but Falusi swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Cunha has Falusi up against the cage in a clinch.
Falusi is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
A frustrated look appears on Cunha's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Cunha is looking to break free of the clinch but Falusi has double underhooks.
A frustrated look appears on Cunha's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Cunha misses with an elbow strike.
Cunha is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Cunha is trying to break free.

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.

Falusi lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Falusi knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Cunha on the ground.

Falusi escapes and gets back to his feet.
Cunha throws a sloppy head kick and Falusi moves out of range easily.
Falusi fails to land the takedown.
Falusi will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Cunha moves in looking to clinch but Falusi pushes him off.

Falusi scores with a takedown into Cunha's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Cunha scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Falusi misses with a takedown attempt - Cunha sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Cunha fails with an attempt to clinch.
Cunha throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.

Falusi drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Cunha is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Falusi decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Cunha lands a head kick!
Falusi misses with a takedown attempt - Cunha sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Falusi scores a takedown into full mount!
Falusi won't let Cunha get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Falusi is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Cunha throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Falusi shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Cunha is trying to defend but Falusi finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Falusi will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Cunha is trying to stand back up but Falusi is controlling him

Falusi gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Leozinho Cunha seems to be getting the better of the standup.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cunha wants to clinch.
Cunha moves in looking to clinch but Falusi pushes him off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Helton Falusi dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Helton Falusi's cut.
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. This is the final round!

Falusi drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Helton Falusi overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Falusi has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Cunha throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Falusi clinches up against the cage.
Nice elbow from Cunha.
With the fighters up against the cage, Cunha throws an elbow but misses.
Cunha misses with a knee to the head.
Cunha misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Falusi.
Falusi keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Cunha's efforts to push away.

Falusi lands a takedown into guard.
Falusi tries to stand but Cunha is controlling from the bottom.

Cunha uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cunha tries to clinch

and Falusi counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Falusi.

Falusi decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Cunha tries to clinch up but Falusi circles away and keeps his distance.
Falusi fails with the takedown.
Cunha fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Falusi shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Cunha but Cunha pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Cunha wants to clinch.
Falusi shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Helton Falusi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cunha pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Falusi is trying hard to land a takedown here. Cunha sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Falusi blocks a head kick by Cunha.
Falusi shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Cunha pinned against the cage. Cunha gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Falusi fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cunha tries to clinch but Falusi moves out of range.

Falusi scores with a takedown into Cunha's guard.
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!
Cunha wants to stand and escape but Falusi is having none of it.
Falusi tries to stand but Cunha is controlling from the bottom.

Cunha has his feet on Falusi's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Falusi shoots in for a takedown but Cunha shows good takedown defense.
Cunha tries to clinch there but Falusi circles away.
Falusi looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Cunha is fending him off so far but Falusi persists. Nope, Cunha circles away and we're back to standing.
Cunha wants to clinch up but Falusi keeps it at a distance.
Cunha lands a nice looking body kick.
Falusi circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Falusi clinches.
Cunha looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Cunha is trying to break the clinch but Falusi is controlling him.
Cunha misses with a knee strike.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Cunha.
Cunha has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Falusi tries for a takedown. No joy.
Cunha tries to break free but Falusi pushes him back against the cage.
Cunha wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Falusi has him pressed against the cage.

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

Falusi scores a takedown into full mount!
Cunha is trying to stand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Falusi tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

Falusi is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Falusi shoots in for a takedown but Cunha shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Cunha tries to clinch but Falusi moves away

and Falusi decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Cunha's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Falusi stands up and waves to Cunha to follow him.
Cunha pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Falusi shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Cunha manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Cunha is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cunha looks to throw an elbow but misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Helton Falusi showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Falusi 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 Seu Braga scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 29:28
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Helton Falusi!