PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Sabin Figaro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Richter Alastrasz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Richter Alastrasz was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Figaro
vs
Alastrasz

180 cm
21
180 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

178 cm
19
180 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Good gas tank

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 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Sabin Figaro!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Richter Alastrasz!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Matheus Silva and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Figaro is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Alastrasz's half guard.

Figaro is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Alastrasz defends it well.
Alastrasz tries to get to full guard but Figaro has control of the leg.
Alastrasz has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Figaro is working away from the top position though.
Alastrasz blocking the ground and pound attempt from Figaro.
Figaro is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Figaro seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Alastrasz does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
It looks like Figaro is going to stand back up.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Figaro pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Figaro dives in and grabs Alastrasz's left leg, looking for a takedown. Alastrasz pushes down on Figaro's head and hops out.

Figaro scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Alastrasz regains half guard.
Alastrasz trying to hold on to Figaro's head to control him but Figaro postures up.
Alastrasz wants to get back to full guard.
Figaro trying to mount his opponent but Alastrasz defends it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Figaro wants to stand but his hand is trapped. Alastrasz uses the opportunity to regain full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Figaro stands up and waves to Alastrasz to follow him.
Figaro misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Alastrasz.
Alastrasz has his takedown stuffed
and Figaro makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Figaro throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Alastrasz looks to score with a jab to the body but Figaro is just out of range.
Nice takedown defense from Alastrasz. No joy for Figaro on that attempt.
Alastrasz tries to clinch up.
Figaro fails with the takedown
and Alastrasz connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sabin Figaro. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Figaro misses with a combination

and Alastrasz counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Figaro!
Alastrasz lands a big shot there that rocks Figaro but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Figaro in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Figaro wants to control but Alastrasz is having none of it.
Figaro manages to regain half guard whilst avoiding the strikes.
Alastrasz sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Figaro defending well though.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Alastrasz connects with a nice short shot to Figaro's temple.
Alastrasz is nestled in close to Figaro, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Figaro gets full guard.
Alastrasz preventing the sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alastrasz throws and elbow that misses. Figaro uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Alastrasz's guard. Nice move by Figaro!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Figaro postures up.
Figaro trying to stand up but can't free himself from Alastrasz's guard.
Alastrasz looking for a sweep. Not yet Alastrasz, not yet.
Figaro trying to control the position from guard on top but Alastrasz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Figaro postures up.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Figaro lands a jab to Alastrasz's midsection.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Richter Alastrasz will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Figaro throws a series of punches but Alastrasz avoids them all with ease.
Sabin Figaro seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Alastrasz showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Figaro.
Figaro tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Alastrasz was well out of range. Poor timing from Figaro.
Alastrasz tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A big left from Alastrasz misses.
Horrible takedown by Alastrasz or perhaps it was just good defense by Figaro which made him look bad.
Figaro shoots in for a takedown but Alastrasz shows good takedown defense.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Figaro with a jab.
Alastrasz wants to clinch up but Figaro keeps it at a distance.

Figaro gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Alastrasz to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Alastrasz postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Figaro is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Alastrasz, into his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Figaro seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Figaro stands up from Alastrasz's guard - Figaro perhaps looking for a knockout.
Figaro scores with a decent looking hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alastrasz tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Figaro moves into the clinch.
Alastrasz can't find room to land a body shot as Figaro controls the action.
Figaro lands a hook that snaps the head of Alastrasz backwards.
Alastrasz prevents the takedown attempt.
Figaro wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Alastrasz has him pressed against the cage.
Alastrasz throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Figaro blocks it with crossed arms.
Alastrasz scores with a hook to the body.
Figaro is working for takedown but Alastrasz is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sabin Figaro. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Alastrasz misses with a punch to the body.
Alastrasz working aggressively here.
Alastrasz misses with a knee to the head.
Alastrasz drops down looking for an ankle pick but Figaro pulls his leg out and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Figaro tries for a takedown but Alastrasz circles away easily

and Alastrasz counters with a single leg into guard. Figaro didn't expect that.
Alastrasz in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Alastrasz trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Alastrasz throws a big right hand that misses.
Alastrasz throwing strikes but missing.
Alastrasz wants to pass the guard but Figaro is keeping the position.
Alastrasz trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Figaro is adopting a defensive guard.
Richter Alastrasz has got the better of the ground game so far.
Alastrasz trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Figaro fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Alastrasz checks it well.
Figaro throws a nice looking combination but Alastrasz bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Figaro shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Figaro wants to stand up but Alastrasz is controlling the position.
Figaro trying to control the action but Alastrasz is working from the bottom.
Alastrasz trying to hold on to Figaro's head to control him but Figaro postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sabin Figaro dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Figaro has his takedown stuffed

and Alastrasz counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Figaro preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Alastrasz working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Figaro's head.
Figaro bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Alastrasz's guard.
Figaro controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Alastrasz is controlling Figaro's posture.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Figaro wants to control from the top but Alastrasz keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Figaro wants to get up but he can't break Alastrasz's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Figaro wants to control from the top but Alastrasz keeps moving.
Figaro has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Alastrasz is proving hard to escape from.
Alastrasz not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Figaro misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Alastrasz.

That's two 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.
Figaro does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Figaro takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Alastrasz avoids a punch combination nicely.

Alastrasz moves into range and clinches up with Figaro.
Alastrasz dodges an elbow strike from Figaro.
Alastrasz is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Figaro gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Alastrasz has Figaro pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Figaro manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Alastrasz prevents the takedown attempt.

Figaro breaks the clinch.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Alastrasz is defended easily by Figaro.
Sabin Figaro has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Richter Alastrasz.
Figaro staying out of range there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Figaro doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Alastrasz counters with a stiff right hand.
Figaro is looking to wear down Alastrasz with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Alastrasz throws a shot from downtown. Figaro moves away and avoids it.
Figaro shoots and misses

and Alastrasz counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Figaro's guard now.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Alastrasz trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alastrasz seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

Figaro decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Alastrasz, up you get!
Alastrasz shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Figaro shoots in but no luck this time.
Alastrasz tries to score a power double leg takedown but Figaro sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Alastrasz somewhat.
Figaro swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Alastrasz tries to clinch there but Figaro circles away.
Figaro shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Alastrasz counters with a nice double leg into side control. Figaro won't be happy with that.

And that's the end of the fight!
Richter Alastrasz comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Alastrasz has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Thiago Cunha scores the fight 28:29
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 28:29
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Richter Alastrasz!