PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Djulio Cortez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Huo Samja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Cortez might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Knock him out. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Cortez
vs
Samja

180 cm
24
181 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

180 cm
24
186 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Granite 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 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Djulio Cortez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Huo Samja!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Felipe Paraventi and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cortez shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Samja napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Cortez wants to stand but Samja has him controlled and pulls him back into his guard.
Cortez prevents Samja from getting back to his feet.
Cortez preventing the sweep.
Cortez is looking to stand up but Samja won't let him.
Cortez stopping the sweep attempt from Samja.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cortez keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Samja's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cortez wants to stand and escape but instead Samja has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Samja stands up from Cortez's guard - Samja perhaps looking for a knockout.
Cortez takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Cortez misses with a looping left.
Samja uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Cortez.
Cortez tries a low kick but Samja avoids it.

Samja darts in and clinches Cortez up against the cage.
Samja working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Samja.
Samja softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Cortez has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Samja makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Samja scores with a shot to the side of Cortez's head.
Still in the clinch, Samja scores with a nice short uppercut.
Samja working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Samja lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Cortez is trying to break free.
Samja trying to land knees to the body.
Cortez lands with a light punch inside.
Cortez pushes Samja back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Samja using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Cortez has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Samja misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Cortez.
A right hook to the body lands for Samja.
Samja misses with the head strike.
Samja throws a head punch that misses.
Samja tries to work over Cortez's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Good body shot from Samja.
Samja digs a right hand into Cortez's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Cortez's gas tank.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cortez tries to break free but Samja pushes him back against the cage.
Cortez blocking some punches.
Samja lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Samja lands a good knee to the midsection. Cortez won't want to take too many of those.
Cortez is breathing heavily.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Cortez.
Samja looking to throw knees to the head but Cortez is blocking nicely.
A left hand lands to the body for Samja.
A right hook to the body lands for Samja.
Samja lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Samja lands a nice shot to the body.
Samja with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Samja scores with a hook to the body.
Samja lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Cortez wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Samja utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Cortez takes an elbow to the temple.
Samja with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Samja lands an uppercut.
Samja lands a left hand.
Samja gets through Cortez's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Good body shot from Samja.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Samja scores with a hook to the body.
Samja lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Samja with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Samja misses with a knee to the head.
Samja lands an uppercut.
Cortez lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Cortez can't break the clinch.
Samja fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Samja misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Cortez.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Samja keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Cortez's efforts to push away.
A hook to the body from Samja.
Samja tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Cortez avoids it.
Samja lands with a light punch inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Huo Samja dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Samja moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Cortez misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Samja.
Cortez throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Cortez throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Samja slips a straight right by Cortez.
Samja lands a nice looking kick to the body. Cortez takes a step back to recover.
Samja misses with a two punch combination.
Samja throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Good exchange - Samja coming out on top.
Cortez loads up on a big right hand but Samja slips the punch.
Cortez jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Samja blocks a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Samja keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Samja avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Cortez walks into a stiff left hand from Samja.
Samja avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Samja cracks Cortez with a good jab.
Cortez blocks a head kick by Samja.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cortez looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Samja misses with a head kick.
Cortez throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Cortez thows a body shot but no joy.
Samja lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Cortez tries to bum rush Samja with a series of wild strikes but Samja uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Cortez lands a jab to Samja's midsection.
Jab, jab by Cortez - just one landing.
Samja avoids the body shot from Cortez.
Samja misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Cortez swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Samja counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Samja throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

Samja clinches up with Cortez and pushes him back against the cage.
Samja misses with a knee to the head.
Samja connects with a nasty looking knee right to Cortez's face.
Samja misses with a short punch on the inside.
A short body shot lands from Samja as the two fighters clinch.
Cortez takes an elbow to the forehead.
Samja misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Cortez.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Samja with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Cortez swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Cortez tries to break the clinch but Samja is controlling the position.
Samja gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Samja lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Cortez backwards.
Nice body punch from Samja.
Samja is leaning against Cortez and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Samja lands with a short shot to the head.
Samja unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Samja lands an elbow that stopped Cortez in his tracks for a moment.
A hook to the body from Samja.
Samja crunches a lovely knee into Cortez's ribcage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Samja scores a nice knee to the body.
Samja crunches a lovely knee into Cortez's ribcage.
Samja lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Samja misses with an elbow over the top.
Samja digs a right hand underneath Cortez's ribcage. Cortez let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Samja lands a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cortez takes an elbow to the forehead.
Samja lands a nice shot to the body.
Samja works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Samja missing with knees to the body.
Samja lands a nice knee to the body.
Cortez managing to block the knees to the body from Samja.
Cortez stalling.
Samja throws a knee to the head but misses.

Cortez breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Samja thows a body kick. Cortez tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Samja jabs Cortez right on the nose. Cortez blinks but takes it well.
Samja cracks Cortez with a good jab.
A good leg kick by Samja.
Samja thuds his shin into the meat of Cortez's side.
Cortez loads up on a big right hand but Samja slips the punch.
Cortez feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Samja's calf.
Cortez throws a looping overhand right but Samja ducks down to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Samja misses with a jab, cross combination.
Cortez looks to clinch
and Samja counters with a stiff right hand.
Cortez scores with a punch to the head.
A shot to de liver by Samja. Beautiful body shot.
Samja lands a slapping body shot.
Huo Samja is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Samja slips under a jab from Cortez.
Jab by Samja.
Nice shot by Samja.
Cortez throws a looping overhand right but Samja ducks down to avoid it.
Samja lunges at Cortez with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Cortez's hand.
Cortez misses the jab.
Cortez takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Samja thumps Cortez with a low kick.
Samja paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Both fighters circling a little - Samja finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Samja ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Samja misses with a head kick.
Samja lands a nice leg kick that just misses Cortez's sensitive parts.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Huo Samja showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Samja scores with a jab.
Samja lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Cortez throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Samja lands with a hook. Cortez tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Cortez misses the jab.

Cortez has Samja up against the cage in a clinch.
Samja trying to land knees to the body.
Cortez wants to break the clinch but can't.
Samja tries to land a knee to the head but Cortez blocks with his arms.
Huo Samja seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Cortez blocks an elbow strike from Samja.
A right hook to the body lands for Samja.
Samja misses with a punch on the inside.
Cortez tries to circle away but Samja has him pinned against the cage.
Samja lands with a right to the head.
Samja working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Samja gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Cortez wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cortez blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
With the fighters up against the cage, Samja throws an elbow but misses.
Samja gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

Cortez breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A good leg kick by Samja.
Cortez takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

Cortez tries to keep at a distance but Samja has taken the fight into the clinch.
Samja presses Cortez against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Samja tries to land knees in the clinch but Cortez avoids the damage to the body.
Samja scores with a hook to the body.
Cortez tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Samja presses Cortez against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Samja lands a damaging elbow.
Samja throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Cortezs head.
A short right from Samja on the inside.
Cortez blocks the elbow strike.
Samja lands a nice shot to the body.
Samja softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Samja lands with a light punch inside.
Samja lands a right hand that snaps the head of Cortez backwards.
Samja stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Samja working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Samja scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Samja lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Cortez backwards.
Samja lands a right hand.
Samja lands a nice knee to the body.
Good body shot from Samja.
Samja tries to land knees in the clinch but Cortez avoids the damage to the body.
Samja lands a body punch in the clinch.
Samja tries to land knees in the clinch but Cortez avoids the damage to the body.
Samja lands a hook that snaps the head of Cortez backwards.
Samja working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Samja throws an elbow that misses.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Samja creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Samja lands an elbow that stopped Cortez in his tracks for a moment.
Samja tries to land knees in the clinch but Cortez avoids the damage to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Samja misses with a knee strike.
Samja looking to throw knees to the head but Cortez is blocking nicely.
Cortez wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Samja has him pressed against the cage.
Samja tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Samja has Cortez pressed against the cage, preventing Cortez from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Well,Cortez is on his way to losing a decision here. Can he use his experience to pull something off in the closing minutes?
Samja misses with an elbow strike.
With the fighters up against the cage, Samja throws an elbow but misses.
Cortez wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Cortez avoiding damage as Samja throws knees to the body.
Cortez blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Cortez breaks from the clinch.
A low kick from Cortez misses
and Samja counters with a low kick, right behind Cortez 's knee.
Cortez just misses with a punch to the body.
Cortez swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Samja cracks Cortez with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Samja throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Samja lands a nice looking body kick.

That's four 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.
Samja scores with a jab to the head.
Cortez throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Donk. Samja catches Cortez right on the button with a cross.
Samja keeps the fight on the outside.
Cortez tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Samja was well out of range. Poor timing from Cortez.
Samja defending well as Cortez loads up on a big left hand.
Cortez takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Cortez swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Samja moves out of range of the strikes.
Djulio Cortez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Samja throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Cortez.
Cortez throws a looping overhand right but Samja ducks down to avoid it.
Samja cracks a nice hook into Cortez's ribs.
Cortez is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Cortez misses with a looping left.
Cortez misses with a shot to the body
and Samja counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Samja lands with a right hand.
Samja lunges at Cortez with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Cortez's hand.
Samja scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Cortez on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Huo Samja comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Samja winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Edson Gomes scores the fight for Huo Samja!
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight for Huo Samja!
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight for Huo Samja!

Huo Samja wins by unanimous decision!