PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Brendon Rocha Freire Junior (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Henrique Cardoso (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 Henrique Cardoso was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Rocha Freire Junior
vs
Cardoso

182 cm
24
175 lbs
4 - 7 - 0

172 cm
22
170 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 4 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brendon Rocha Freire Junior!
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, Henrique Cardoso!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Paulo Santos and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rocha Freire Junior throws a head kick that half lands.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Cardoso.

Cardoso has closed the distance and engaged Rocha Freire Junior in a clinch.

Rocha Freire Junior escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rocha Freire Junior throws a series of punches but Cardoso avoids them all with ease.
Cardoso shoots in but Rocha Freire Junior avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Rocha Freire Junior lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Cardoso shoots for a double leg takedown but Rocha Freire Junior sprawls well. He's pushed Cardoso's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Brendon Rocha Freire Junior has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Henrique Cardoso.
Cardoso tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rocha Freire Junior sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Cardoso somewhat.
A thudding body kick lands there by Rocha Freire Junior!
Henrique Cardoso seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cardoso looks gassed!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rocha Freire Junior connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Cardoso takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Rocha Freire Junior lands a jab.
Cardoso walks into a stiff left hand from Rocha Freire Junior.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rocha Freire Junior buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Cardoso takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Rocha Freire Junior lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Rocha Freire Junior.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Rocha Freire Junior shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Cardoso is defending against the submission attempts here by Rocha Freire Junior.
Rocha Freire Junior seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rocha Freire Junior trying to control from half guard but Cardoso is working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rocha Freire Junior throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Rocha Freire Junior sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Cardoso defending well though.
Rocha Freire Junior drops an elbow to the side of Cardoso's head.
Rocha Freire Junior working Cardoso over with strikes.

Rocha Freire Junior is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rocha Freire Junior thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Cardoso is looking to control Rocha Freire Junior's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Cardoso avoid being mounted?
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
It looks like Rocha Freire Junior is going to stand back up.
Rocha Freire Junior lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's four 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.
Rocha Freire Junior thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Cardoso's head.
Rocha Freire Junior throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Rocha Freire Junior wants to clinch

and Cardoso counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Rocha Freire Junior's guard now.
Cardoso trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rocha Freire Junior is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Rocha Freire Junior manages to escape and get back to his feet.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Cardoso falls off balance throwing a combination
and Rocha Freire Junior counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brendon Rocha Freire Junior dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Cardoso rushes Rocha Freire Junior and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Rocha Freire Junior pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rocha Freire Junior shoots in for a double leg but Cardoso sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Cardoso closes the distance but Rocha Freire Junior moves to the side
and Rocha Freire Junior counters with a body kick that stops Cardoso in his tracks momentarily.
Cardoso tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Rocha Freire Junior counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Rocha Freire Junior is trying to control. Cardoso wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Rocha Freire Junior takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Rocha Freire Junior wants to stand up but Cardoso has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Cardoso is looking for a sweep. Rocha Freire Junior is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cardoso has one foot on Rocha Freire Junior's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

Rocha Freire Junior closes the distance and pushes Cardoso back into the cage.

Rocha Freire Junior jumps guard.
Rocha Freire Junior throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Cardoso wants to control from the top but Rocha Freire Junior keeps moving.
Rocha Freire Junior working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cardoso.

Cardoso gets to his feet. Rocha Freire Junior looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Rocha Freire Junior lands with a nice combination. Cardoso backs away looking to recover.
Rocha Freire Junior throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Cardoso takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Rocha Freire Junior circles away from the clinch attempt

and Rocha Freire Junior decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Cardoso's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rocha Freire Junior sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Cardoso's guard.

Rocha Freire Junior seems to be looking for submissions.
Rocha Freire Junior thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Cardoso is looking to improve his position.
Cardoso is trying to control but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cardoso keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Cardoso trying to control here.
Rocha Freire Junior wants to take a breather but Cardoso is having none of it.

Rocha Freire Junior stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Brendon Rocha Freire Junior is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rocha Freire Junior lands the left hand.
Rocha Freire Junior tries to bum rush Cardoso with a series of wild strikes but Cardoso uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Rocha Freire Junior connects with the punch.
Rocha Freire Junior dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's four 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.
Rocha Freire Junior falls off balance throwing a combination

and Cardoso counters with a shoot takedown. Rocha Freire Junior fights it but they end up in guard.
Rocha Freire Junior is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Cardoso working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Rocha Freire Junior's head.

Rocha Freire Junior scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Cardoso has his takedown stuffed
and Rocha Freire Junior counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Cardoso tries to clinch up but Rocha Freire Junior circles away and keeps his distance.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rocha Freire Junior throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Cardoso.
Cardoso wants to clinch
enabling Rocha Freire Junior to counter with a crisp jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brendon Rocha Freire Junior dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Rocha Freire Junior will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Rocha Freire Junior gets a clinch.
Cardoso drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Rocha Freire Junior breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rocha Freire Junior lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Cardoso misses with a takedown attempt
and Rocha Freire Junior counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Rocha Freire Junior shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Rocha Freire Junior was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Rocha Freire Junior working for a guillotine from mount but Cardoso is in no mood to give up.
Cardoso is working to get back to half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rocha Freire Junior can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Cardoso is looking to escape.
Rocha Freire Junior scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Cardoso?
Rocha Freire Junior is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Cardoso is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Cardoso is in a horrible position here. Rocha Freire Junior smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.

Rocha Freire Junior get's back to his feet.

Rocha Freire Junior closes the distance and clinches.
Cardoso has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Rocha Freire Junior is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Brendon Rocha Freire Junior has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Henrique Cardoso.
Rocha Freire Junior landing knees to the head.
Cardoso fails to pull guard.
Rocha Freire Junior is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Cardoso is pressed up against the cage. Rocha Freire Junior has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Cardoso down to the mat. Cardoso avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Rocha Freire Junior stuns Cardoso with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Rocha Freire Junior has a takedown stuffed.
Rocha Freire Junior's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Rocha Freire Junior duly obliges.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cardoso scores a takedown into full mount!
Cardoso trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Rocha Freire Junior keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Cardoso lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Rocha Freire Junior is trying desperately to improve position.
Cardoso fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Rocha Freire Junior keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rocha Freire Junior throwing hammer fists to the chest of Cardoso. What's that going to do exactly?
Cardoso wants to control the pace but Rocha Freire Junior is squirming around nicely.
Brendon Rocha Freire Junior is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rocha Freire Junior holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Cardoso tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Rocha Freire Junior is bucking up trying to escape but Cardoso cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Henrique Cardoso has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rocha Freire Junior tries to lock up and control but Cardoso gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Rocha Freire Junior can't escape the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brendon Rocha Freire Junior showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Rocha Freire Junior 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 Matheus Silva scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brendon Rocha Freire Junior!