PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between James Ardonito (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and David Souza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Ardonito
vs
Souza

188 cm
21
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

215 cm
18
225 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, James Ardonito!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, David Souza!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Anni Minnemäki and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck for Souza with that takedown attempt.
Souza shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ardonito as he jumps to the side.

Ardonito scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Ardonito performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Ardonito's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

Souza looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ardonito content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Ardonito wants to pass the guard but Souza is defending well.
Ardonito is thwarting Souza's attempts to control the position.
Ardonito wants to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Souza is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ardonito wants to stand up but Souza has a hold of him and won't allow it.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Ardonito shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Souza as he avoids it easily.
Ardonito misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Ardonito misses with a body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ardonito shoots in looking for a takedown. Souza tries to sprawl out of it but Ardonito keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Souza manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Ardonito. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Souza with a poor takedown
and Ardonito counters with a nice low kick that buckles Souza's knee momentarily.
James Ardonito seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ardonito throws a low kick but it's checked well by Souza.
Ardonito throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

Ardonito clinches.

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

Souza thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Souza looks gassed!
Souza wants to pass the guard but Ardonito is keeping the position.
Ardonito is pulling down on Souza's head. It's preventing any offense from Souza, at least for the moment.
Ardonito knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Souza on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ardonito keeping moving, preventing Souza from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Ardonito is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Souza wants to control from the top but Ardonito keeps moving.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Ardonito throws a series of punches but Souza avoids them all with ease.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ardonito changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Souza tries to avoid it but Ardonito manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Souza to the ground. Souza escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Ardonito closes the distance and clinches.
Souza has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Ardonito avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Souza can't get the takedown.

Ardonito pulls guard successfully.
Souza stopping the sweep attempt from Ardonito.
Souza looking to pass the guard.
Ardonito is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Souza is fighting to break Ardonito's control of his arms but Ardonito is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ardonito is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Souza moves into full guard.
Ardonito would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Souza looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ardonito is one step ahead there.
Ardonito controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Souza is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Souza keeping moving, preventing Ardonito from controlling successfully.
Ardonito wants to pass the guard but Souza is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ardonito is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Souza is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Souza has escaped and now he's on top!
Ardonito might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Souza wants to control from the top but Ardonito keeps moving.
Ardonito controls Souza momentarily but Souza frees himself.
Souza wants to stand but Ardonito is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Ardonito is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Ardonito looking to hit a scissor sweep but Souza is one step ahead there.
Souza advances position into side control!

Souza wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Ardonito, who protects the arm well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
You can see the frustration on Ardonito's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but David Souza will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Souza with a poor takedown

and Ardonito holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Ardonito breaks the clinch.
Souza tries for a takedown but Ardonito sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ardonito scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Ardonito scores with a leg kick.
Ardonito fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Souza on the wrong end of a kick to the body.

Ardonito has taken the fight to the clinch.

Ardonito has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Souza uses from the top position.
Souza trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Souza preventing the sweep.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ardonito is working hard here to advance position.
Ardonito pulls Souza in to control the position.

Souza 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.
Ardonito 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.
Ardonito wants to stand up but Souza is controlling him.

Souza 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.

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

Ardonito gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

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.
Souza tries to score a body lock takedown but Ardonito shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
James Ardonito has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of David Souza.
The referee calls for Ardonito to work.

Ardonito escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ardonito closes this distance looking for a takedown but Souza circles away.
James Ardonito is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ardonito swings for the body but Souza moves out of range.
Souza shoots and misses

and Ardonito counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Souza is working for takedown but Ardonito is calmly controlling the position for now.

Ardonito breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ardonito.
Ardonito with a poor takedown

and Souza counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Ardonito!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Souza wants to get back to his feet but Ardonito is holding on tight.

Souza is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Ardonito is surviving well by controlling Souza's body position as best he can.
Ardonito is wriggling around trying to escape.

Souza gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Souza fails with a takedown attempt.
Ardonito misses with a series of wild punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Souza has his takedown stuffed

and Ardonito counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Ardonito.
Ardonito prevents the takedown attempt.
Souza prevents the takedown attempt.
Souza is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Ardonito pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Souza goes for a takedown attempt but Ardonito pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Ardonito tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Souza paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ardonito looks to score with a jab to the body but Souza is just out of range.

Ardonito gets in close and instigates a clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to James Ardonito.
I think Ardonito has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:28
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Ardonito!