PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ryan Noel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brenton Modano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ryan Noel has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Noel
vs
Modano

176 cm
24
183 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

170 cm
23
175 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ryan Noel!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brenton Modano!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Emerson Jorge and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Modano scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Modano wants to lay and pray for a moment but Noel keeps working.
Modano throws an elbow but Noel slips to the side and avoids it well.
Noel prevents Modano from improving position.
Modano working away.
Noel tries to improve position but can't.
Modano working away.
Noel tries to buck Modano off but Modano is having none of it.
Noel wants to control but Modano postures up.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Modano closes this distance looking for a takedown but Noel circles away.
Noel keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Noel gets a takedown into half guard.
Modano is looking to improve his position.
Modano is not content to let Noel control the position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Modano can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Noel looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Noel trying to control from half guard but Modano is working away.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Noel in particular looking to stall.

Noel is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Modano defends it well.
Modano is looking to improve his position.
Noel is trying to control the action in half guard but Modano is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

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.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Modano doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Noel counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Ryan Noel has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Brenton Modano.
Modano keeping moving, preventing Noel from controlling successfully.

Noel drops back looking for a leg! Modano is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Modano manages to kick Noel off! Noel jumps back into Modano's guard.
Noel passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Noel tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Noel wants to lay and pray for a moment but Modano keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Noel is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Modano knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Noel wants to control but Modano is keeping him busy.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

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.
Modano is trying to escape the position but Noel is controlling the position.
Noel trying to control the action but Modano is working from the bottom.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Modano misses with a takedown attempt
and Noel counters with a left to the body.
Modano tries for a takedown but Noel circles away easily

so Noel counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Modano keeping moving, preventing Noel from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Noel dominated that round.
That's time! Noel's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Modano fails with the takedown

and Noel counters with a single leg into guard. Modano didn't expect that.
Noel trying to control but Modano is working from the bottom.
Modano is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Noel wants to control from the top but Modano keeps moving.
Modano pulls Noel in close to prevent any damage.
Modano keeping moving, preventing Noel from controlling successfully.
Modano controlling Noel's posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Noel looking to pass the guard.
Noel throws and elbow that misses. Modano uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Noel's guard. Nice move by Modano!
Noel is pulling down on Modano's head to control his posture.
Noel preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Modano working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Noel is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Modano is not content to let Noel control the position.
Noel moves nicely into side control.
Modano really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Noel. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Modano is trying to improve his position.
Noel wants to control but Modano is keeping him busy.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Ryan Noel.

Noel shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Modano is trying to get back to full guard.
Noel is thwarting Modano's attempts to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Modano is refusing to be controlled, as Noel sits in half guard.
Noel is pressing down on Modano's thigh, looking to free his foot. Modano is holding on for now.
Modano is staying active underneath Noel, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Modano is trying to maintain the position but Noel is very close to passing his half guard.
Noel moves into full mount! Modano won't be happy about that!
Modano is looking to improve his position but Noel isn't that keen on the idea.
Modano is breathing heavily.

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.

Noel has control of Modano's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Modano regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Noel fails to move to back control.
Noel trying to control but Modano is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Noel dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Modano with a lazy takedown attempt

and Noel counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Modano is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. Noel gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Modano misses with a hook to the ribs.
Modano can't find room to land a body shot as Noel controls the action.
Noel drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Modano throws a head punch that misses.
Modano misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Noel blocks an uppercut.

Noel lands a takedown into guard.

Noel drops back looking for a leg! Modano is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Modano manages to kick Noel off! Noel jumps back into Modano's guard.

Noel drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Modano manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Noel has Modano in his guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Noel is looking for a triangle but Modano pushes his legs off easily.
Modano is pushing down on Noel's leg trying to pass to half guard. Noel is fighting to maintain full guard but Modano has managed to sneak the leg through.
Modano looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Noel avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Modano.
Noel trying to hold on to Modano's head to control him but Modano postures up.
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.
Modano moves nicely into side control.
Noel prevents Modano from improving position.
Noel manages to work his way to half guard, despite Modano's best efforts.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Modano is pressing down on Noel's thigh, looking to free his foot. Noel is holding on for now.
Noel wants to control but Modano is keeping busy.
Modano prevents Noel from improving his position.
Noel won't allow Modano to pass to mount.
Modano passes the guard and advances to mount!
Modano landing punches.
Noel is trying desperately to improve position.
Modano avoids the attempt from Noel to control.
Noel working to try and regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Noel tries to hold on but Modano pushes him away.
Noel keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Modano connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Modano connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Noel wants to hold on but Modano pushes him away.
Modano prevents Noel from getting the reversal.
Modano lands with some strikes.
Modano prevents Noel from getting the reversal.
Modano lands a big shot there that rocks Noel but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Ryan Noel overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Noel is looking to improve his position but Modano isn't that keen on the idea.
Modano tries to control but Noel wriggling away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Noel tries to hold on but Modano pushes him away.
Noel can't escape the position.
Modano working Noel over with strikes here.
Modano tries to control but Noel wriggling away.
Noel is in a horrible position here. Modano smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Modano avoids the attempt from Noel to control.
Modano is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Noel can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
A nice elbow there by Modano.
Modano lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Noel is trying to escape the mount.
Modano is landing with some decent strikes but Noel is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brenton Modano really 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.

Noel throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Noel shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Modano sprawls well. Modano wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Noel gets slowly back to his feet.

Modano gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Noel to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Noel trying to control but Modano is working from the bottom.
Modano looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Modano keeping moving, preventing Noel from controlling successfully.
Modano keeping full guard, as Noel tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Noel wants to control from the top but Modano keeps moving.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Modano looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Noel tries to get to full guard but Modano has control of the leg.
Noel trying to control but Modano postures up.

That's two 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.
Noel tries to get to full guard but Modano has control of the leg.
Modano looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Noel tries to get to full guard but Modano has control of the leg.
Noel is trying to control but can't.
Noel tries to roll over but Modano keeps him under control.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Modano darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Modano thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Noel's head.
Modano uses his free foot to push down on Noel's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Noel.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Noel tries to lock up and control but Modano gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Modano scoring with strikes but Noel is staying in there.
Modano throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Noel is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Modano prevents Noel from getting the reversal.
Modano lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Noel hang on?
Noel manages to regain half guard. Good work.

Noel looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Modano is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Noel!
The referee warns Noel that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Noel is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Noel is in all sorts of trouble here.
Modano in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Noel tries to hold on but Modano pushes him away.
Modano working the ground and pound effectively.
Noel tries to lock up and control but Modano gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Noel really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Noel tries to hold on but Modano pushes him away.
Noel is working to get back to half guard.
Noel is bucking up trying to escape but Modano cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Modano with good strikes from the mount here!
Modano is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Noel can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Noel is squirming around, avoiding Modano's attempts to control the action.
Noel tries to hold on but Modano pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brenton Modano dominated that fourth round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Noel closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Noel trying to control the position but Modano is working away.

Noel is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Modano is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Noel tries to move into full mount but can't pass Modano's legs.
Noel trying to control the position but Modano is working away.

Noel is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Modano is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Noel tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Modano tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Noel wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Modano stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Modano wants it to stay on the feet.
Modano tries for a takedown but Noel circles away easily

and Noel counters with a shoot takedown. Modano fights it but they end up in guard.
Modano not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Noel controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Noel passes Modano's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Still in half guard, Noel seems content to control.

Noel is trying to work for a kimura but Modano is defending well.

Noel seems to be working for a kimura but Modano defends the submission attempt.
Modano is not content to let Noel control the position.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Modano manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Noel controlling from the top position.
Modano keeping full guard, as Noel tries to pass.
Noel wants to control from the top but Modano keeps moving.
Noel trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Modano manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

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.
Modano scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Modano looking to pass the guard.
Noel looking to control.
Noel pulls Modano in to control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Ryan Noel.

Noel fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Modano sprawls well initially but Noel persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Modano is staying active underneath Noel, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Noel trying to mount his opponent but Modano defends it.
Noel is stalling here. Modano is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Noel seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Modano has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Noel wants to control but Modano postures up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ryan Noel showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Noel 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 48:47
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 48:47
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ryan Noel!
Ryan Noel retains his welterweight title!