PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Renato Sobral (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cadu Brandao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Sobral
vs
Brandao

186 cm
20
188 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

186 cm
24
200 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Hell's Kitchen Clothing
Hell's Kitchen Lab Corp

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Renato Sobral!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Cadu Brandao!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Seu Braga and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck for Brandao with that takedown attempt.
Sobral misses the shot to the body.
Sobral scores with a jab to the body.
Sobral takes a swing at Brandao's ribcage but misses.

Brandao shoots in and bounces Sobral off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Brandao has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Sobral is proving hard to escape from.
Sobral throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Brandao trying to control but Sobral is working from the bottom.
Sobral is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Brandao controls from within his opponent's guard.
Sobral wants to sweep here but Brandao controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sobral tries to strike from the bottom.
Sobral manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Brandao manages to get himself to full guard.
Sobral wants to control from the top but Brandao keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Brandao has control of Sobral's left arm, preventing Sobral from doing any damage.
Sobral postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Sobral throwing strikes from guard but Brandao blocks nicely.
Brandao wants to stand up but Sobral is controlling him.

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.
Sobral content to stall in guard here.
Sobral trying to control the position from guard on top but Brandao is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Brandao manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Sobral manages to get himself to full guard.
Sobral looking to hit a scissor sweep but Brandao is one step ahead there.
Sobral keeping moving, preventing Brandao from controlling successfully.
Sobral is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brandao advances to half guard.
Sobral punching from the bottom.
Brandao is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Sobral punching from the bottom.
Sobral wants to get back to full guard.
Brandao controlling the pace.
Sobral is trying to get back to full guard.
Brandao not doing much here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
I looks like Brandao might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Sobral gets back to full guard.
Brandao slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Sobral had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Brandao defends it easily.
Sobral looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Sobral has his foot on Brandao's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Brandao works his way back into a safe position though.
Sobral is breathing heavily.
Brandao is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cadu Brandao 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.

Sobral pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Sobral throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Brandao.
Sobral jabs Brandao right on the nose. Brandao blinks but takes it well.
Sobral just misses with a punch to the body.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Brandao.
Sobral throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sobral looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Brandao is fending him off so far but Sobral persists. Nope, Brandao circles away and we're back to standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Brandao is looking to clinch but Sobral is avoiding it.
The fighters circle momentarily. Sobral darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Brandao closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Brandao walks into a left hand.
Sobral is looking to wear down Brandao with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Sobral misses with a wild body shot.
Brandao on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Brandao clinches up against the cage.
Brandao jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Sobral walks away with a smile on his face. Brandao gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Renato Sobral has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cadu Brandao.
Brandao shoots for a double leg takedown but Sobral sprawls well. He's pushed Brandao's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Brandao on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Brandao slips under a jab.
Brandao wants to clinch up but Sobral keeps it at a distance.
Brandao gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Sobral connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Brandao is breathing heavily.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Brandao.
A punch lands to the side of Brandao 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Renato Sobral seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sobral lands with a nice body punch.
Sobral tries to clinch up but Brandao circles away and keeps his distance.
Cadu Brandao is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sobral tries to close the distance and clinch but Brandao swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Brandao uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sobral.
Brandao shoots in but no luck this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sobral tries to clinch up but Brandao circles away and keeps his distance.
Jab by Sobral.
Sobral misses with an uppercut.
Sobral uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Brandao has time to react.
Sobral misses with a wild body shot.
Brandao shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Sobral but Sobral pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Sobral doesn't manage to clinch there - Brandao circles away.
Brandao walks into a left hand.
Renato Sobral is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sobral stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
A shot to de liver by Sobral. Beautiful body shot.
Brandao shoots and misses

and Sobral counters by clinching up.
Brandao blocks an uppercut.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Sobral.
Sobral misses with the head strike.
Brandao wants a takedown but no success here.
Sobral prevents Brandao from breaking the clinch.
Brandao blocks a body shot from Sobral.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sobral misses with the head strike.
Sobral tries to work over Brandao's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Sobral stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Sobral goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Sobral lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Brandao is looking to break free of the clinch but Sobral has double underhooks.
Sobral lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Brandao as Sobral tries to tie him up.
Sobral scores with a shot to the side of Brandao's head.
Sobral struggles to land a body shot inside as Brandao controls his hands.
Sobral is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Sobral lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Brandao or not.
Brandao fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Sobral lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Brandao.
Sobral tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Sobral lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Nice body punch from Sobral.
Sobral trying to stall but Brandao improves his position.
Sobral doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Brandao blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Brandao manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sobral stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Brandao swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Sobral loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Brandao trying to keep a closed guard but Sobral is proving a slippery customer.
Sobral looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Brandao looking for a sweep. Not yet Brandao, not yet.
Sobral missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sobral is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Renato Sobral dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Sobral moves into the clinch.
Brandao content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Sobral misses with a body punch.
Sobral prevents Brandao from breaking the clinch.
Sobral misses with some punches.
Sobral tries a body shot but Brandao blocks it.
Sobral fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Brandao blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Sobral is looking to control Brandao's arms but Brandao gets an underhook and turns him. Now Sobral has his back to the cage.
Brandao tries to circle away but Sobral has him pinned against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sobral.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Brandao breaks from the clinch.
Sobral leaves Brandao with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Brandao displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sobral throws out the jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sobral. Brandao does a little dance to reset his feet.
Brandao takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Sobral misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Brandao.
A jab from Sobral misses.
Brandao tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sobral swivels and escapes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sobral looks to score with a jab to the body but Brandao is just out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Sobral misses the target.
Sobral tries to close the distance and clinch up but Brandao swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Sobral just misses with a punch to the body.
Sobral jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Sobral stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Sobral wants it to stay on the feet.
Renato Sobral has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cadu Brandao.
Sobral digs a good body shot into Brandao's ribs.
Sobral swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Brandao has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Sobral finds it's way round the side to connect with Brandao's head.
Brandao drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Sobral scoring well with a low kick there.
Brandao fails to land with a series of punches.
Brandao walks into a left hand.
Brandao takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Brandao changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Sobral tries to avoid it but Brandao manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Sobral to the ground. Sobral escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sobral ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Sobral bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Brandao's head backwards.
Sobral lands a jab to the head.
Sobral swings for the body but Brandao moves out of range.
Sobral misses the shot to the body.
Brandao swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sobral lands a nice shot to the body.
Brandao fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Sobral throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Brandao fails in his attempt to clinch.
Brandao tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sobral paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Sobral tries to clinch up but Brandao circles away and keeps his distance.
Brandao bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sobral lands with an overhand left.
Sobral scores with a jab.
Brandao has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Brandao there as he acknowledges the shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sobral tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Brandao was well out of range. Poor timing from Sobral.
Brandao takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Sobral misses with a looping left.
Sobral ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Brandao moves away.
Sobral throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Brandao sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Sobral gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Sobral looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Brandao wants to control from the top but Sobral keeps moving.
Sobral trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

Sobral looking for a guillotine here but Brandao defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Brandao decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Sobral, up you get!
Sobral lands with a nice body punch.
Brandao will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Sobral tries to clinch but fails miserably

so Brandao counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Brandao stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sobral swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Sobral will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Sobral thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Brandao wants to control from the top but Sobral keeps moving.
Sobral throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Cadu Brandao just about did enough to take it.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Brandao gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Sobral misses with a looping left.
Brandao avoids the body shot from Sobral.
Brandao throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Sobral's waist but Sobral gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Brandao off to one side.
Sobral defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Brandao.
Brandao avoids the body shot from Sobral.
Nice uppercut lands for Sobral. That snapped Brandao's head back.
Sobral missing with a left hand there. Brandao was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Brandao takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Sobral cracks Brandao with an open hand slap.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Brandao wants to clinch.
Brandao is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Brandao shoots for a double leg takedown but Sobral sprawls well. He's pushed Brandao's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Renato Sobral has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cadu Brandao.
Sobral buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sobral stuns Brandao with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Sobral cracks the inside of Brandao's front leg.
Brandao tries to clinch there but Sobral circles away.
Brandao tries to land a body kick
and Sobral counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Sobral wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Brandao uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sobral.
The fighters circle momentarily. Sobral darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Sobral scores with a hook.
Brandao shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Sobral counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Brandao has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Sobral fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Brandao manages to avoid it.
Brandao gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
A lazy left from Sobral finds it's target.
Brandao misses with a body shot
and Brandao takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sobral punishes Brandao's body with a nice straight punch.
Sobral moves into range and connects with a jab.
Sobral swats away the attempt to clinch by Brandao.
Good exchange - Sobral coming out on top.
Brandao closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Sobral looks to score with a jab to the body but Brandao is just out of range.

Sobral moves into the clinch successfully.
Sobral stalls.
Brandao blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Sobral is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Sobral lands a shoulder strike.
Brandao changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Sobral fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Sobral throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brandao tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sobral swivels and escapes.
Sobral stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Sobral wants it to stay on the feet.
Sobral looks to score with a jab to the body but Brandao is just out of range.
Nice cross by Sobral.
Sobral throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sobral throws a body punch but Brandao moves out of range.
Sobral with a jab.

Brandao fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Sobral, pushing him back against the cage.

Brandao drags the fight down to the ground.
Brandao looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Brandao keeping full guard, as Sobral tries to pass.
Sobral trying to control but Brandao is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brandao looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Sobral's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Sobral missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Sobral missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Sobral wants to control from the top but Brandao keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sobral throws a lazy right hand but Brandao sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Sobral fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Brandao manages to avoid it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A big right from Sobral misses.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Brandao.
Sobral listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Renato Sobral had his way with Cadu Brandao in that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Sobral connects with the punch.
Brandao attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
The fight stays on the outside here - Brandao looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Brandao doesn't succeed with the takedown
letting Sobral counter with a right hand.
Sobral avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Brandao ducks under a wild hook from Sobral.
Renato Sobral is winning the standup battle so far.
Brandao slips under a jab.
Sobral connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Sobral tries to clinch but Brandao moves out of range.
Sobral misses with a wild body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Brandao misses with a wild body shot.
Brandao has his takedown stuffed
and Brandao takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Brandao misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Renato Sobral has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cadu Brandao.
Sobral fails with an attempt to clinch.
Brandao is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sobral tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Brandao was well out of range. Poor timing from Sobral.
Sobral tests Brandao's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Sobral fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Brandao keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Sobral.
Brandao slips under a jab.
Brandao is trying hard to land a takedown here. Sobral sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Brandao bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sobral cracks Brandao with a good jab.
Sobral fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

Sobral clinches.
Sobral tries to work over Brandao's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Sobral swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Sobral lands an uppercut.
Sobral throws a punch but it's blocked by Brandao.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sobral swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Sobral slows down the pace here.
A hook to the body from Sobral.
Sobral scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Sobral goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Sobral lands a nice shot to the body.
Nice body punch from Brandao - that landed with a thud.
Brandao tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Sobral smiles and moves away.
Sobral tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Brandao paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Brandao doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Sobral takes a swing at Brandao's ribcage but misses.
Sobral looks to clinch

and Brandao decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Sobral's guard.
Sobral wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brandao slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Sobral throws his legs up looking for a submission but Brandao uses it to pass to side control.
Brandao landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
A lull in the action here.
Sobral tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Brandao presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!

Brandao is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Sobral is surviving well by controlling Brandao's body position as best he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brandao unloads with some shots from mount but Sobral bucks and avoids them well.
Brandao sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Sobral is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Brandao trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Sobral is looking to get to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cadu Brandao comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Brandao 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 47:48
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 47:48
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cadu Brandao!
Cadu Brandao is the new middleweight champion!