PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Angelo Durval (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Robert Couture (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Robert Couture will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Durval
vs
Couture

170 cm
22
150 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

181 cm
23
163 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Malicious Intent Fight Gear - The Pit Inc
Blitzkrieg Formula 5000

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight 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, Angelo Durval!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Robert Couture!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Daniel Cesar and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Durval lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Couture circles away quickly and effectively.
Couture lands with a cross.
Durval bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Durval tries to close the distance and clinch up but Couture swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Durval misses with a wild combination.
Durval swings for the body but Couture moves out of range.
Durval tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Couture was well out of range. Poor timing from Durval.
Couture fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Couture blocks a jab.
Couture keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Durval throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Couture counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Durval displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

It looks like Robert Couture has been cut.
Couture tests Durval's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Couture tries to work over Durval's front leg with a kick but Durval checks it.
Couture lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Couture throws a right and a left that both miss.
Couture will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Durval is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Couture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Couture misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Durval throws a nice looking combination but Couture bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Durval tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Couture was well out of range. Poor timing from Durval.
Durval defending well as Couture loads up on a big left hand.
Robert Couture seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Couture throws a hook but Durval blocks it.
Couture will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Couture throws a hook but Durval avoids it easily.
Couture thows a body shot but no joy.
Durval throws a jab but it's blocked by Couture.
Couture throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Couture scores with a takedown into Durval's guard.

Durval is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Couture is aware though and is defending well.
Couture trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Durval working a defensive guard here.
Couture pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Durval is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Durval thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Durval not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Durval keeping full guard, as Couture tries to pass.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
A punch combination from Couture misses.
Durval rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Couture moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A big right from Durval misses.
Couture connects with a jab.
Durval throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Durval lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Durval.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Couture looks to land a combination but Durval avoids it well.
Couture takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Durval tries to clinch up.
Couture ducks under a wild hook from Durval.
Couture misses with a looping left.
Durval is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Couture.
Durval is breathing heavily.
Durval swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Couture counters with a one-two to the body.
Couture throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Durval.
Couture ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Durval has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Durval there as he acknowledges the shot.
Couture shoots in for a double leg but Durval sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Durval darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Durval with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Couture to score with a decent uppercut.
Couture throws a combination. Durval tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Couture feints and then cracks Durval's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Durval down.

Couture feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Couture loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Couture trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Couture controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Durval avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Couture controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Couture postures up in Durval's guard and throws a big left but Durval blocks it.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Couture tries to free his leg and advance position but Durval is retaining full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Couture wants to control from the top but Durval keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Durval takes a jab right on the kisser.
Jab by Couture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Couture dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Robert Couture's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Durval throws a combination that misses

and Couture counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Durval is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Couture lands a couple of digs.
Couture in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Couture slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Durval wants to stand but Couture is controlling the position.
Couture wants to control from the top but Durval keeps moving.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Durval utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Couture must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Durval looking to control.
Couture distracts Durval with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Couture is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Couture throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Couture really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Durval. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Couture trying to move into half guard but instead Durval has managed to sweep!
Couture has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Couture throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Couture trying to control the position here.

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.
Couture trying to control the position.
Couture looking for a sweep. Not yet Couture, not yet.
Durval trying to control but Couture is working from the bottom.
Durval is stalling in the full guard.
Couture trying to control the position here.
Durval stopping the sweep attempt from Couture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Couture is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Durval trying to control but Couture is working from the bottom.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Couture lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Angelo Durval is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Durval is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Couture sizes up Durval with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Couture scores with a sloppy right hand. Durval should have avoided that one.
Durval misses with a two punch combination.
Couture scores with a jab.
Angelo Durval is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Couture lands a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Durval slips a jab and a cross from Couture.
Couture tries to clinch up but Durval circles away and keeps his distance.
Couture scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Couture.
A looping hook to the body misses from Couture. Durval does a little dance to reset his feet.
Couture has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Durval waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Couture.
Couture lands with a straight right. Durval didn't see that one coming.
Durval throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Durval needs to keep his hands up - Couture had a free shot at his head there.
Couture is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Couture ducks under a wild hook from Durval.
Couture scores with a jab to the body.
Couture scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Durval doesn't seem bothered though.
Couture tests Durval's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Couture swinging wildly here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Couture showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Robert Couture's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Couture is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Couture dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Durval. That did some damage!
Durval looks to land a left hand but Couture moved out of range nicely.
Couture swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Durval.
Couture scores with a three punch combo!
Durval tries to move into range but Couture moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Durval is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Couture's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Couture moves into range and connects with a jab.
Couture avoids the body shot from Durval.
Couture connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Couture dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Couture moves into range and connects with a jab.
Couture scores with a nice head shot.
Couture cracks the inside of Durval's front leg.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Couture will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Durval throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Durval takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Couture scores with a hook.
Durval walks into a straight right hand from Couture.
Durval walks into a left hand.
Danga de danga de dang - Couture scores with a four punch combination!
Couture scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Couture has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Couture's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Couture duly obliges.
Couture cracks Durval with a right hand to the side of the head.
Robert Couture seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Couture lands a really nice looking cross but Durval seems unphased.
Couture fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Durval on the side of the head.
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!
Couture lands a jab.
Durval takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Couture lands a head shot.
Couture lands with a right hand.
Durval takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Couture will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Couture is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Durval's half guard.
Durval has hold of Couture's hands but Couture slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Couture working Durval over with strikes.
Couture trying to control the action but Durval is working from the bottom.
Couture not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Couture is looking to take a break and control but Durval is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Couture missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ground and pound from Couture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Couture.
Couture is taking a breather. Durval says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Couture wants to stand but Durval has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Durval keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Robert Couture is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Durval wants to get back to full guard.
Still in half guard, Couture seems content to control.
Couture trying to control the action but Durval is working from the bottom.

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.
Durval is looking to improve his position.
Angelo Durval has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Durval is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Durval has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Couture throws a right hand that Durval ducks under and follows up with a left that Durval also avoids with ease.
Durval ducks right into an uppercut from Couture.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Durval drops his hands momentarily and Couture takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Jab by Couture.
Nice defenses there by Couture.
Couture cracks Durval with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Robert Couture comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Couture 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 Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 26:30
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 26:30
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Robert Couture!