PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rafael Loureiro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vincent Castillo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Loureiro's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Angra - Acid Rain. Castillo has chosen Chop Chop Master Onion as his entrance music. 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?

Loureiro
vs
Castillo

183 cm
21
190 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

160 cm
25
187 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Good low kicks
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rafael Loureiro!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Vincent Castillo!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Daniel Cesar and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Castillo motions for Loureiro to come forward. Castillo throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Loureiro.
Loureiro shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Castillo as he avoids it easily.

Castillo closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Castillo lands an elbow just above Loureiro 's eye.

It looks like Rafael Loureiro has been cut.
Castillo using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Loureiro has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Castillo effectively controlling the action here.
Castillo scores a nice knee to the body.
Castillo looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Castillo misses with an elbow over the top.
Loureiro has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Castillo is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rafael Loureiro. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Castillo lands an elbow inside that Loureiro shrugs off.
Castillo trying to control the position but instead, Loureiro has worked for underhooks and has pushed Castillo into the cage.
Loureiro tries to pull guard but Castillo holds him up against the cage and eventually Loureiro drops back down to his feet.
Castillo gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

Loureiro has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Castillo uses from the top position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Loureiro is on top in guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Castillo looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

Loureiro thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castillo trying to keep a closed guard but Loureiro is proving a slippery customer.
Loureiro thows a big elbow that misses.
Castillo pulls Loureiro in to control the position.
Loureiro stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Castillo swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Castillo wants to stand up but Loureiro is controlling him.
Loureiro looking to pass the guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Loureiro keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Castillo misses with a kick to the body.
Castillo throws a head kick that misses.
Castillo is looking to slow Loureiro down with leg kicks.
Loureiro shoots in for a double leg but Castillo sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Castillo moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Loureiro fails to pull guard.
Castillo effectively controlling the action here.
Castillo throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Loureiro blocks it with crossed arms.
Castillo comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Loureiro dodges an elbow strike from Castillo.

Loureiro has Castillo pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Loureiro pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Castillo tumbling to the mat - Loureiro dives into Castillo's guard.
Loureiro preventing the sweep.
Loureiro wants to pass the guard but Castillo is keeping the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Castillo looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Loureiro is pushing down on Castillo's leg trying to pass to half guard. Castillo is fighting to maintain full guard but Loureiro has managed to sneak the leg through.

Loureiro is looking for a kimura but Castillo is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Loureiro to get the leverage.

Loureiro is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Loureiro is breathing heavily.
Castillo wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Loureiro trying to mount his opponent but Castillo defends it.

Loureiro is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Castillo doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Loureiro.
Loureiro is looking to advance position but Castillo won't allow it.
Castillo is looking to control Loureiro's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Castillo avoid being mounted?

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

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Castillo throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Loureiro blocks a head kick by Castillo.
Loureiro avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Castillo throws a leg kick which misses Loureiro's front leg but catches the back leg as Loureiro tries to avoid it.

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.
Castillo throws a sloppy head kick and Loureiro moves out of range easily.
A jab from Castillo finds it's way through Loureiro's defenses.

Loureiro looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Castillo has his hands on Loureiro's head, controlling the position.
Castillo is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Castillo controlling Loureiro's posture.
Loureiro slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Loureiro tries to move into full mount but can't pass Castillo's legs.
Loureiro throws an elbow but Castillo slips to the side and avoids it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vincent Castillo dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rafael Loureiro's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Castillo is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Loureiro feints and as Castillo raises his hands in defense, Loureiro changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Castillo not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Loureiro throws a big right hand that misses.

Loureiro drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Loureiro jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Castillo is on top in guard.

Loureiro looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Loureiro throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Loureiro is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Castillo defends well.
Castillo wants to control from the top but Loureiro keeps moving.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Loureiro keeping full guard, as Castillo tries to pass.

Loureiro looking for subs off his back but Castillo has passed one foot through into half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Loureiro manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Castillo wants to control from the top but Loureiro keeps moving.

Loureiro looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Loureiro wants to sweep here but Castillo controlling him for the moment.

Loureiro looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Castillo passes into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Loureiro tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Castillo wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Castillo works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Castillo working the head and body with strikes.
An elbow from Castillo crashes against the mat.
Loureiro is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Castillo seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Loureiro does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Loureiro looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Castillo works his way into side control.
Loureiro is not content to let Castillo control the position.
Loureiro gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Loureiro in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Loureiro really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Loureiro is squirming around, avoiding Castillo's attempts to control the action.
Loureiro tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Castillo trying to control but Loureiro is having none of it.
Castillo lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Loureiro tries to reverse the position but Castillo maintains control.
Loureiro gets back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Castillo is looking to take a break and control but Loureiro is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Loureiro makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Loureiro.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Loureiro lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Castillo!
Castillo tries to lock up and control but Loureiro gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Loureiro is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Castillo has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Castillo tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Loureiro landing punches.

Loureiro is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Castillo can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Castillo tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Loureiro wants to take Castillo's back here but Castillo is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.
Castillo is working to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rafael Loureiro dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Rafael Loureiro's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Loureiro throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Castillo's waist but Castillo gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Loureiro off to one side.
Castillo misses with a head kick.
Loureiro shoots in looking for a takedown. Castillo tries to sprawl out of it but Loureiro keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Castillo manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Loureiro clinches but Castillo breaks the clinch
and Castillo counters with a slapping leg kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Castillo. That's going to slow Loureiro down.
Loureiro shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Castillo pinned against the cage. Castillo gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rafael Loureiro. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Castillo throws a nice outside leg kick.
Loureiro chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Castillo can pounce on him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Castillo, right into the meat.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Loureiro tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Castillo lands with a thumping leg kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for Castillo.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Castillo closes the distance and pushes Loureiro back into the cage.
Loureiro avoiding damage as Castillo throws knees to the body.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Loureiro as Castillo tries to tie him up.
Castillo avoiding damage as Loureiro throws knees to the body.
Loureiro takes an elbow to the forehead.
Castillo looking to stall.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Loureiro obliges.
Castillo manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Loureiro is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Castillo is defending well for now.
Castillo stalling in the clinch but Loureiro improves position.
Castillo lands a nice elbow.
Castillo managing to block the knees to the body from Loureiro.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Castillo avoiding damage as Loureiro throws knees to the body.
Loureiro tries for a takedown but Castillo manages to get underhooks.
Castillo is stalling here.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Vincent Castillo.
Loureiro scores with a nice strike.
No joy there for Castillo, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Castillo darts in and clinches Loureiro up against the cage.
Castillo is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Loureiro jumps guard but Castillo stands there with Loureiro around his waist. Loureiro gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Loureiro tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Castillo using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Loureiro has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Castillo taking a breather.

Loureiro has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Castillo uses from the top position.

Loureiro is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Castillo sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Loureiro's guard.

Castillo is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Loureiro is not content to let Castillo control the position.

Castillo is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Loureiro defends it well.
Castillo is looking to take a break and control but Loureiro is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Loureiro slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Loureiro working for a triangle but Castillo defends it easily.

Castillo drops back looking for a leg! Loureiro is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Loureiro manages to kick Castillo off! Castillo jumps back into Loureiro's guard.
Castillo trying to control the position from guard on top but Loureiro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Castillo is sitting in close to Loureiro's body. Loureiro has gone for a guillotine from the bottom. Oh damn, that looks pretty tight! Castillo is panicking - it looks like this one could be all over! Yes, Castillo is tapping! That was a very nice submission by Loureiro.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:01 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Rafael Loureiro!