PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Anderson Cardoso (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chris Acosta (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Cardoso
vs
Acosta

180 cm
22
181 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

184 cm
22
184 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Anderson Cardoso!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Chris Acosta!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Ivan Kurochkin and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Acosta moves away from the strike by Cardoso.
Cardoso wants to clinch up but Acosta keeps it at a distance.
Acosta lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Acosta circles away from the clinch attempt.
Cardoso tries to clinch but Acosta moves out of range.
Cardoso fails with an attempt to clinch.
Cardoso is looking to clinch but Acosta is avoiding it.
Cardoso is looking to clinch.
Cardoso tries to close the distance and clinch but Acosta swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Acosta shoots in and bounces Cardoso off the ropes to secure the takedown into guard.

Cardoso looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Acosta postures up and lands a big shot to Cardoso's brow.

Cardoso is rocked!

Acosta drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Acosta jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Oh Cardoso is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Acosta looking to pass the guard.
Cardoso seems to have got his legs back now.
Cardoso manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Acosta is working to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cardoso is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Acosta is surviving well by controlling Cardoso's body position as best he can.
Acosta manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Cardoso trying to mount his opponent but Acosta defends it.

Acosta looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Acosta is trying to get back to full guard.
Cardoso tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Acosta.

Cardoso seems to be working for a kimura but Acosta defends the submission attempt.
Acosta trying to control but Cardoso postures up.
Acosta is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Acosta gets full guard.
Cardoso with a flurry of punches that miss.
Cardoso is breathing heavily.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Cardoso tries to clinch up but Acosta circles away and keeps his distance.
Acosta avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Cardoso tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Acosta avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Cardoso takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Acosta's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Acosta duly obliges.
Acosta fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Cardoso.
Cardoso is looking to clinch but Acosta is avoiding it.
Cardoso tries to clinch up.
Acosta misses with a wild combination.

Acosta rushes Cardoso and presses him up against the ropes.
Cardoso tries a knee to the head but Acosta blocks it.
Cardoso tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Cardoso tries to land a knee to the head but Acosta blocks with his arms.

Acosta jumps into guard, dragging Cardoso to the mat.

Acosta had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Cardoso is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Acosta Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Cardoso's back instead.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Acosta's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cardoso is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Acosta gets his way!
Cardoso can't escape the position.
Acosta scores with strikes from the back.
Acosta doesn't have the hooks in and Cardoso manages to turn into his guard.
Cardoso trying to control but Acosta is working from the bottom.

Cardoso is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Cardoso trying to control the position from guard on top but Acosta is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Cardoso passes into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cardoso is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Acosta has managed to free his arm - good work.
Cardoso wants to free his trapped foot but Acosta is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Cardoso tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Acosta.

Acosta is defending against the submission attempts here by Cardoso.
Cardoso thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Acosta's head.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Acosta pushes Cardoso off and gets back to his feet.

Acosta gets a takedown into half guard.

Cardoso looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Acosta dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Cardoso misses with a takedown attempt
and Acosta counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Acosta is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Cardoso.
Acosta connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Cardoso's hands.
A left and a right from Acosta both land. Nice combination.
Cardoso tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Acosta counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Cardoso takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Some bone on bone action there as Cardoso checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Anderson Cardoso seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Acosta moves in looking to clinch but Cardoso pushes him off.
Cardoso tries to clinch up

and Acosta counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Acosta thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Acosta preventing the sweep.
Acosta forces his way into half guard.
Cardoso moves into full guard.
Acosta wants to control from the top but Cardoso keeps moving.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Acosta thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Acosta trying to control the position from guard on top but Cardoso is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Chris Acosta has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cardoso looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

Acosta is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Cardoso looking for a sweep. Not yet Cardoso, not yet.
Acosta pushes down on Cardoso's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Cardoso wants to control but Acosta is keeping busy.
Cardoso wants to get back to full guard.
Cardoso is working hard here to advance position.

Cardoso is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Acosta pulls his head out easily.
Cardoso tries to roll over but Acosta keeps him under control.

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

and Acosta counters with a nice double leg into side control. Cardoso won't be happy with that.

Acosta tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Acosta tries for a kimura but Cardoso is defending well.

Acosta tries for a kimura but Cardoso is defending well.
Cardoso is trying to get back to half guard.
Cardoso sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Acosta decides to stand and escape the position.
Cardoso fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Cardoso misses with a double jab

and Acosta counters with a shoot takedown. Cardoso fights it but they end up in guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Acosta trying to control but Cardoso is working from the bottom.

Cardoso looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Cardoso not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Acosta thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Cardoso is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Cardoso seems to be working for a kimura but Acosta defends the submission attempt.
Cardoso throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Cardoso prevents Acosta from improving his position.

Cardoso is working for an americana but Acosta has been sneaky and has managed to get back to half guard, whilst Cardoso was thinking about the submission.
Cardoso trying to control the position from guard on top but Acosta is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cardoso stands and throws Acosta's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Cardoso advances nicely into full mount.
Acosta is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cardoso looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Acosta working to try and regain half guard.
Acosta avoids a series of strikes thrown by Cardoso.
Acosta is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Cardoso working for a submission but Acosta is keeping him at bay.

Cardoso goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Acosta turns into him and now he's in Cardoso's guard.
Cardoso is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Acosta is trying to get back to full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Cardoso is working for a kimura but Acosta is defending it quite comfortably.
Cardoso works his foot free and advances to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Acosta showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Cardoso tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Cardoso with a poor takedown

and Acosta counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Cardoso manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Cardoso is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Cardoso has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Acosta can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Acosta forces his way into half guard.
Cardoso is refusing to be controlled, as Acosta sits in half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Acosta is working for a kimura but Cardoso is defending it quite comfortably.
Acosta trying to pass the guard but Cardoso defending well.

Cardoso looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Acosta passes to full mount!
Acosta prevents Cardoso from getting the reversal.
Acosta trying to control but Cardoso is having none of it.
Cardoso is working to get back to half guard.

Acosta has hold of Cardoso's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Cardoso manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Cardoso is working to get back to half guard.
Acosta looking to control but Cardoso is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Cardoso tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Acosta wants to finish this one by submission but Cardoso is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Acosta.

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.
Acosta pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Cardoso is trying to reverse the position but instead Acosta has taken his back - oops!
Cardoso takes a big shot to the side of the head.

Acosta is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Cardoso knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Cardoso for a finish.
Cardoso breaks Acosta's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Cardoso wants to control from the top but Acosta keeps moving.
Cardoso won't allow Acosta to sweep him here.
Acosta manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Cardoso manages to get himself to full guard.
Cardoso avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Acosta sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Cardoso's guard.
Cardoso is trying to get back to full guard.

Acosta stands up from half guard.
A head kick misses from Acosta.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cardoso tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Cardoso tries for a takedown but Acosta circles away easily

and Acosta counters with a shoot takedown. Cardoso fights it but they end up in guard.
Cardoso looking for a sweep. Not yet Cardoso, not yet.
Cardoso manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Cardoso goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Acosta turns into him and now he's in Cardoso's guard.
Acosta advances to half guard.

Cardoso looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Acosta tries to pass the half guard into mount. Cardoso knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Acosta passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Cardoso!

Acosta working for a guillotine from mount but Cardoso is in no mood to give up.
Acosta has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cardoso tries to reverse the position but Acosta maintains control.

Acosta get's back to his feet.
Cardoso tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Acosta counters with a nice double leg into side control. Cardoso won't be happy with that.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cardoso gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Cardoso regains full guard. Nicely done.
Cardoso working a defensive guard here.
Acosta trying to control the position from guard on top but Cardoso is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Acosta thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Acosta avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Cardoso wants to sweep here but Acosta controlling him for the moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chris Acosta comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Acosta 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 Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chris Acosta!