PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Darrin Engstrom (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Horacio Araujo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Engstrom
vs
Araujo

178 cm
22
220 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

190 cm
22
200 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Intelligent

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Darrin Engstrom!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Horacio Araujo!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Luis Engracia and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Araujo stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Engstrom.
Araujo works over Engstrom's head and body with a nice combination.

It looks like Darrin Engstrom has been cut.

Engstrom gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Engstrom effectively controlling the action here.

Engstrom manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Araujo postures up in Engstrom's guard and throws a big left but Engstrom blocks it.
Engstrom looking to control.
Engstrom preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Engstrom is adopting a defensive guard.
Engstrom avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Engstrom seems keen to control Araujo's posture.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Araujo postures up in Engstrom's guard and throws a big left but Engstrom blocks it.
Engstrom controls Araujo momentarily but Araujo frees himself.
Engstrom might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Engstrom takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Engstrom uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Araujo.
Araujo swings for the body but Engstrom moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Araujo stalks Engstrom and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Engstrom's face. Engstrom staggers backwards, shaken.
Nice shot by Araujo.
Engstrom showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Araujo.
Araujo misses with a jab, cross combination.
Horacio Araujo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Engstrom.
Engstrom swings for the body but Araujo moves out of range.
Araujo jabs at Engstrom's body.
Engstrom is breathing heavily.
Araujo throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Araujo misses with a wild combination.
Araujo fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Engstrom manages to avoid it.
Araujo dips to his left and cracks Engstrom with an uppercut!
Araujo throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Engstrom.
Araujo thuds a left hand into Engstrom's body.
Araujo swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Engstrom with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Araujo to score with a decent uppercut.
Engstrom is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Araujo will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Araujo will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Engstrom tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Araujo misses with a series of wild punches.
Horacio Araujo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Araujo gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Engstrom prevents Araujo from getting back to his feet.
Engstrom throws a big right hand that misses.
Engstrom won't allow Araujo to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Engstrom sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Araujo's guard.
Engstrom passes to full mount!
Araujo really wants to buck Engstrom off and get back to his feet.

Engstrom is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Araujo scores with a jab to the body.
Araujo with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Engstrom drops his hands momentarily and Araujo takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Araujo throws a series of punches but Engstrom moves out of range.
Engstrom shoots in for a double leg but Araujo sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Araujo misses with the combination.
Engstrom shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Darrin Engstrom. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Engstrom closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Araujo tries to escape but Engstrom is in control.
Engstrom trying to control the action but Araujo is working from the bottom.
Araujo pushes Engstrom away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Engstrom gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Engstrom wants to control but Araujo is keeping him busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Araujo bucks up and tries to throw Engstrom off but instead Engstrom has got his back!
Araujo wants to get back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Engstrom missing with punches from the back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Horacio Araujo dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Darrin Engstrom's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Araujo stuffs the takedown.
Engstrom uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Araujo.
Engstrom throws a sloppy head kick and Araujo moves out of range easily.
Araujo rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Engstrom moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Araujo looks to land a combination but Engstrom avoids it well.

Engstrom closes the distance and clinches.
Araujo gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Engstrom.
Araujo wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Engstrom escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A decent looking cross lands there for Araujo.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Engstrom closes this distance looking for a takedown but Araujo circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Darrin Engstrom. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A right-left combo lands from Araujo.
Araujo works over Engstrom's head and body with a nice combination.
Araujo leaves Engstrom with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Araujo rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Engstrom moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Engstrom pushes Araujo up against the cage in a clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Araujo's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Araujo is trying to break the clinch but Engstrom has him pressed against the cage.
Araujo wants to break free but Engstrom has control.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Engstrom takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Araujo looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Araujo gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Engstrom.
Engstrom utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Engstrom taking a breather.
Araujo is trying to break the clinch but Engstrom is controlling him.
Engstrom has Araujo pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Araujo manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Engstrom pulls guard effortlessly.
Engstrom working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Araujo.
Araujo postures up in Engstrom's guard and throws a big left but Engstrom blocks it.
Engstrom wants to sweep but no luck.

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.
Araujo postures up.
Engstrom avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Engstrom looking to control.
Araujo throwing strikes but missing.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Araujo displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Engstrom.
Araujo misses with the combination.
Araujo misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Araujo jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Araujo stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Araujo wants it to stay on the feet.
Engstrom shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Araujo as he jumps to the side.
Nice body kick from Engstrom.
A punch combination from Araujo misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Araujo lands a really nice looking cross but Engstrom seems unphased.
Engstrom throws a shot from downtown. Araujo moves away and avoids it.
Araujo misses with the combination.

Engstrom decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Araujo is looking to escape.
Araujo is refusing to be controlled, as Engstrom sits in half guard.
Engstrom stops Araujo from getting back to his feet.
Engstrom is keen to just control but Araujo is a slippery customer.
Araujo is trying to stand up here but Engstrom is controlling him well.

Araujo is defending against the submission attempts here by Engstrom.
Araujo tries to kick Engstrom off but Engstrom keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Araujo throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Engstrom.
Nice takedown defense from Araujo. No joy for Engstrom on that attempt.
Araujo lands a jab-cross combination.
Araujo has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Araujo lands with a nice combination. Engstrom backs away looking to recover.
Araujo looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Araujo throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Engstrom stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Araujo tries to bum rush Engstrom with a series of wild strikes but Engstrom uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Araujo will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Araujo displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Engstrom.

Engstrom closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Darrin Engstrom will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Darrin Engstrom's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Jab from Araujo.
Araujo throws a nice looking combination but Engstrom bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Araujo misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Engstrom closes the distance and clinches up with Araujo, looking for a takedown. Engstrom pushes Araujo against the cage but Araujo circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Engstrom avoids a punch combination nicely.
Araujo throws a hook to the side of Engstrom's head but Engstrom sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Engstrom misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Araujo.

Engstrom scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Araujo tries to escape but Engstrom is in control.
Araujo is being controlled here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Araujo is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Engstrom asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Engstrom working the ground and pound but Araujo is defending the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Araujo is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Engstrom tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Araujo can do anything to dispel that myth.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Engstrom slips a jab and a cross from Araujo.
Engstrom drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Engstrom.
Araujo throws a right hand that Engstrom ducks under and follows up with a left that Engstrom also avoids with ease.
Araujo throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Engstrom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Araujo throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Engstrom.
Araujo lands a lovely overhand right.
Engstrom slips a jab and a cross from Araujo.
Engstrom has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Darrin Engstrom. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Some wild striking there from Araujo.

Engstrom has closed the distance and engaged Araujo in a clinch.
Araujo prevents a takedown attempt there.
Engstrom fails to pull guard.
Engstrom fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Araujo wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Engstrom has him pressed against the cage.
Araujo wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Engstrom is pushing Araujo up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Araujo can't break the clinch.

Engstrom jumps guard and drags Araujo to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Araujo landing some decent shots from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Engstrom is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Araujo wants to stand but Engstrom has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Araujo working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Engstrom working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Araujo.
Engstrom is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Araujo must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Araujo thows a big elbow that misses.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Araujo misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Darrin Engstrom is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

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.
Araujo takes a swing at Engstrom's ribcage but misses.
Araujo lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Engstrom circles away quickly and effectively.
Engstrom misses with a double jab.
Araujo misses with a double jab.
Araujo misses with a jab, cross combination.

Engstrom gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Araujo working hard to break the clinch.
Araujo tries to break free but Engstrom pushes him back against the cage.

Engstrom manages to pull guard.

Araujo stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Engstrom takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Araujo throws a nice looking combination but Engstrom bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Araujo moves out of range of the strikes.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Araujo throws a body punch but Engstrom moves out of range.

Engstrom is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Araujo's half guard.
Araujo pushes Engstrom off but Engstrom dives into side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Darrin Engstrom showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Engstrom 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 Daniel Cesar scores the fight 29:29
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Darrin Engstrom!