PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Raul Esteves (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rafael Cordeiro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cordeiro has chosen Perry Mason as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Esteves has a slight injury, which hopefully won't affect the fight too much. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Esteves
vs
Cordeiro

175 cm
22
175 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

170 cm
19
168 lbs
1 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

Win Nutritional

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Raul Esteves!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rafael Cordeiro!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Mauricio Rocha and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Esteves scores with a hook to the body. Cordeiro takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Cordeiro shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Esteves sprawls well. Esteves wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Cordeiro gets slowly back to his feet.
Esteves swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Esteves throws a one two combo.
Esteves is breathing heavily.
Esteves keeps the fight on the outside.
Esteves lands a really nice looking cross but Cordeiro seems unphased.
Cordeiro closes the distance and clinches up with Esteves, looking for a takedown. Cordeiro pushes Esteves against the cage but Esteves circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Esteves throws a right hand that Cordeiro ducks under and follows up with a left that Cordeiro also avoids with ease.
Cordeiro fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Raul Esteves has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rafael Cordeiro.
Esteves throws a right and a left that both miss.
Esteves throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Cordeiro moves in looking to clinch but Esteves pushes him off.
Cordeiro takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Cordeiro tries to clinch but Esteves moves out of range.
Cordeiro fails to land the takedown.
Esteves lands a right hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esteves jabs at Cordeiro's body.
A right-left combo lands from Esteves.
Esteves throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Cordeiro stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Cordeiro fails with an attempt to clinch.
Cordeiro doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Esteves ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Esteves cracks a nice hook into Cordeiro's ribs.
Cordeiro takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
A cross from Esteves lands.
Cordeiro tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Esteves paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Esteves thuds a left hand into Cordeiro's body.
Esteves keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Cordeiro shoots for a takedown but Esteves saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A cross from Esteves lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cordeiro shoots in but no luck this time.
Cordeiro throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Esteves's waist but Esteves gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Cordeiro off to one side.
Cordeiro shoots for a takedown but Esteves saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Cordeiro shoots in for a takedown but Esteves shows good takedown defense.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cordeiro looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Cordeiro shoots in for a takedown but Esteves shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Cordeiro is trying hard to land a takedown here. Esteves sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Cordeiro shoots for a takedown but Esteves saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Esteves thuds a left hand into Cordeiro's body.
Esteves throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
No luck for Cordeiro with that takedown attempt.
Cordeiro takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Cordeiro fails with the takedown.
Cordeiro moves in looking to clinch but Esteves pushes him off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esteves scores with a three punch combo!
Esteves swats away the attempt to clinch by Cordeiro.
Cordeiro looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Esteves connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Esteves misses with a series of wild punches.
Cordeiro misses with a straight left.
Esteves lands with a shot to the body.
Cordeiro shoots in for a takedown but Esteves shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Esteves swats away the attempt to clinch by Cordeiro.
Esteves digs a good body shot into Cordeiro's ribs.
Cordeiro takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

That's four 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.
Esteves misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cordeiro.
Esteves tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cordeiro was well out of range. Poor timing from Esteves.
Raul Esteves is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Cordeiro tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Cordeiro showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Esteves.
Raul Esteves seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cordeiro tries to clinch but Esteves is having none of it.
Cordeiro showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Esteves.
Esteves cracks Cordeiro with a good jab.
Cordeiro tries for a takedown but Esteves sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Esteves scores with a sloppy right hand. Cordeiro should have avoided that one.
Esteves is working the combinations to good effect here.
Esteves will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Esteves fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cordeiro manages to avoid it.
Cordeiro closes this distance looking for a takedown but Esteves circles away.
Esteves scores with a three punch combo!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raul Esteves dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Cordeiro doesn't manage to clinch there - Esteves circles away.
Esteves is looking to wear down Cordeiro with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Esteves stuffs the takedown attempt from Cordeiro. Cordeiro gets slowly back to his feet.
Esteves throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Esteves lands a body shot.
Esteves slaps away a takedown attempt from Cordeiro, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Esteves scores with a body shot.
Esteves displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Cordeiro.
Raul Esteves has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rafael Cordeiro.
Cordeiro looks for a takedown but Esteves sprawls well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Esteves lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Cordeiro is trying desperately to land a takedown but Esteves is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Cordeiro.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Cordeiro.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Esteves displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Cordeiro.
Esteves defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Cordeiro.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esteves lands with a cross.
Cordeiro fails with an attempt to clinch.
Cordeiro shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Esteves fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Cordeiro looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Esteves scores with a jab.
No luck for Cordeiro with that takedown attempt.
Esteves lands a right hook to the body.
Esteves thuds a left hand into Cordeiro's body.
Cordeiro fails with a takedown attempt.
Esteves lands a two punch combo.
Esteves thuds a left hand into Cordeiro's body.
Esteves misses with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Cordeiro is looking to clinch.
Esteves lands a nice shot to the body.
Cordeiro takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Esteves lands a nice shot to the body.
Esteves looks to score with a jab to the body but Cordeiro is just out of range.
Cordeiro shoots in for a takedown but Esteves shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Cordeiro takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Esteves ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Cordeiro shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Esteves sprawls well. Esteves wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Cordeiro gets slowly back to his feet.
Cordeiro fails with a takedown attempt.
Cordeiro fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Esteves avoids it really well and circles away.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Cordeiro shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Esteves sprawls well. Esteves wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Cordeiro gets slowly back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esteves rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Cordeiro moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Esteves fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cordeiro manages to avoid it.
Cordeiro doesn't manage to clinch there - Esteves circles away.
Cordeiro shoots in and drives through. Esteves sprawls well.
Esteves connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Cordeiro fails with an attempt to clinch.
Cordeiro doesn't manage to clinch there - Esteves circles away.
Esteves throws a right hand that Cordeiro ducks under and follows up with a left that Cordeiro also avoids with ease.
Cordeiro looks for a takedown but Esteves sprawls well.
Donk. Esteves catches Cordeiro right on the button with a cross.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Cordeiro.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Cordeiro shoots for a double leg takedown but Esteves sprawls well. He's pushed Cordeiro's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Cordeiro wants to clinch.
Cordeiro tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Esteves paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Esteves scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Cordeiro takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Cordeiro shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Esteves defends it nicely.
Esteves with a hook.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Esteves lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Cordeiro has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Esteves lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Cordeiro circles away quickly and effectively.
Esteves cracks Cordeiro with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Cordeiro tries to close the distance and clinch up but Esteves swats him away and circles back towards the center.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raul Esteves dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Cordeiro avoids a punch combination nicely.
Raul Esteves is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cordeiro tries to clinch but Esteves moves out of range.
Esteves leaves Cordeiro with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Esteves's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Esteves duly obliges.
Esteves slaps away a takedown attempt from Cordeiro, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Cordeiro misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Raul Esteves has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rafael Cordeiro.
Esteves scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cordeiro closes this distance looking for a takedown but Esteves circles away.
Esteves lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Esteves paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Esteves lands a slapping body shot.
Cordeiro fails with a takedown attempt.
Cordeiro takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esteves fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Cordeiro dodges the punch combination from Esteves.
Esteves swings for the body but Cordeiro moves out of range.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Cordeiro.
Esteves throws a shot to the body.
Cordeiro shoots in for a takedown but Esteves shows good takedown defense.
Esteves thuds a left hand into Cordeiro's body.
Cordeiro looks for a takedown but Esteves sprawls well.
Cordeiro closes this distance looking for a takedown but Esteves circles away.
Raul Esteves is winning the standup battle so far.
Esteves misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Cordeiro shoots in but Esteves avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Esteves fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Cordeiro on the side of the head.
Cordeiro looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Esteves is fending him off so far but Cordeiro persists. Nope, Esteves circles away and we're back to standing.
Cordeiro fails to land the takedown.
The crowd cheers as Esteves lands an impressive looking overhand right. Cordeiro doesn't seem phased though.
Cordeiro shoots in for a takedown but Esteves shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Esteves scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Cordeiro doesn't seem bothered though.
Cordeiro shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Esteves as he avoids it easily.
Esteves throws a shot to the body.
Esteves scores with a crisp jab that stopped Cordeiro in his tracks.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Esteves.
Esteves throws a shot to the body.
Esteves leaves Cordeiro with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Esteves's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Esteves duly obliges.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Esteves connects with a single shot there.
Cordeiro shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Esteves pinned against the cage. Esteves gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Cordeiro looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Esteves keeps the fight on the outside.
Esteves dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Esteves will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Cordeiro has a takedown stuffed.
Cordeiro shoots for a takedown but Esteves saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Esteves slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Cordeiro uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Esteves.
Cordeiro wants to clinch up but Esteves keeps it at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Cordeiro misses with a head kick.
Cordeiro moves in looking to clinch but Esteves pushes him off.
Cordeiro shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Esteves pinned against the cage. Esteves gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Cordeiro tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Esteves paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Cordeiro fails in his attempt to clinch.
Esteves wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Raul Esteves is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Cordeiro looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Esteves misses with a jab, cross combination.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with eachother but Cordeiro might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Esteves has got the better of the exchanges.
Cordeiro is looking to clinch but Esteves is avoiding it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Esteves throws a shot to the body.
Esteves cracks Cordeiro with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Esteves throws a right hand that Cordeiro ducks under and follows up with a left that Cordeiro also avoids with ease.
Rafael Cordeiro has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Esteves works Cordeiro's body with a nice hook.

And that's the end of the fight!
Raul Esteves showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Esteves has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Daniel Cesar scores the fight 30:27
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 30:27
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Raul Esteves!