PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ronaldo Couza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and CAIN VALASQUEZ (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Couza
vs
VALASQUEZ

195 cm
27
278 lbs
7 - 7 - 0

195 cm
22
250 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

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 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ronaldo Couza!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, CAIN VALASQUEZ!
The judges for this bout are , Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

VALASQUEZ drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
VALASQUEZ tries to free his leg and advance position but Couza is retaining full guard.
Couza on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Couza tries to get out of the position.

VALASQUEZ gets to his feet - Couza follows without any prompting.

Couza moves into the clinch successfully.

Couza breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
VALASQUEZ throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
VALASQUEZ clinches but Couza breaks the clinch

and Couza counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
VALASQUEZ wants to stand but Couza is controlling the position.
Couza content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

VALASQUEZ looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Couza is working VALASQUEZ over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Couza with a flurry of punches that miss.
Couza working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Couza works over VALASQUEZ with some ground and pound from guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Couza loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Couza with a flurry of punches that miss.
Couza is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Couza landing some decent shots from guard.
VALASQUEZ looks gassed!
VALASQUEZ is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Couza landing some decent shots from guard.

VALASQUEZ is rocked!
Couza working some strikes from top position.
VALASQUEZ is still in real trouble! Can Couza finish him?
Couza tries to free his leg and advance position but VALASQUEZ is retaining full guard.
VALASQUEZ seems to have recovered his senses.
Couza loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Couza lands a couple of digs.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Couza accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

VALASQUEZ throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Couza missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
VALASQUEZ has momentary wrist control but Couza slips an elbow through the middle.
Couza content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Couza landing some decent shots from guard.
Couza works over VALASQUEZ with some ground and pound from guard.
VALASQUEZ looking for a sweep. Not yet VALASQUEZ, not yet.
Couza works over VALASQUEZ with some ground and pound from guard.
Couza working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of VALASQUEZ's head.
Couza is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
VALASQUEZ wants to stand up but Couza is controlling him.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Couza keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of VALASQUEZ's head.
Couza postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Couza working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Couza drops back looking for a leg! VALASQUEZ is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and VALASQUEZ manages to kick Couza off! Couza jumps back into VALASQUEZ's guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Couza accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
VALASQUEZ working a defensive guard here.
VALASQUEZ has momentary wrist control but Couza slips an elbow through the middle.
Couza with a nice head shot there.
Couza keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of VALASQUEZ's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Couza postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! VALASQUEZ is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Couza, into his guard.
VALASQUEZ wants to pass the guard but Couza is keeping the position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as VALASQUEZ accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Couza has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Couza wants to sweep but no luck.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ronaldo Couza 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.

Couza clinches with his opponent.
Couza drops down looking for an ankle pick but VALASQUEZ pulls his leg out and moves away.

Couza closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Couza has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed VALASQUEZ clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
VALASQUEZ is trying to stand back up.
Couza is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at VALASQUEZ. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Couza has the hooks in. VALASQUEZ is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Couza scores with strikes from the back.
Couza lands an elbow to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Couza lands a couple of good shots to his opponent's body and a final shot to the head. Good little attack there by Couza.
VALASQUEZ tries to escape the position.
Couza has his opponent trapped and is landing shots. Not a good position for VALASQUEZ.
VALASQUEZ is covering up but some of the strikes from Couza are getting through and doing damage.

Couza patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
VALASQUEZ trying to control the action but Couza just sinks the hooks in.
VALASQUEZ rolls, trying to escape but Couza keeps control of the position.
Watch the back of the head! Comes the shout from the referee towards Couza.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Couza looking to soften up his opponent with punches.
Couza connects with a big shot to the side of VALASQUEZ's head.
VALASQUEZ is trapped and Couza is scoring with shots to the head and body.
VALASQUEZ is really stuck here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Couza is looking for the choke from the back position but VALASQUEZ is controlling his hands well.
Couza not allowing VALASQUEZ to control his hands.
Couza is hanging on to VALASQUEZ's back as he tries to escape.
Couza is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at VALASQUEZ. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.
Couza softening up his opponent with strikes here.

VALASQUEZ defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Couza's arms.
VALASQUEZ trying to control the hands but Couza breaks the grip.
Couza lands punches and elbows.
VALASQUEZ just trying to survive but Couza is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
VALASQUEZ wants to escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Couza cracks VALASQUEZ with a big shot to body and one to the head - really punishing VALASQUEZ from the back mount here, looking to soften him up.
VALASQUEZ tries to escape but Couza has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
VALASQUEZ is covering up but some of the strikes from Couza are getting through and doing damage.
Couza connects with a big shot to the side of VALASQUEZ's head.
Couza has the hooks in. VALASQUEZ is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
VALASQUEZ turns into Couza and is now in his guard.
VALASQUEZ wants to control from the top but Couza keeps moving.
Couza lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for VALASQUEZ!
Couza lands with some strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee warns VALASQUEZ that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Couza is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that VALASQUEZ can do to turn this around?
Couza landing strikes from the mount.
Couza avoids the attempt from VALASQUEZ to control.
Couza working away from the top, dropping strikes.
VALASQUEZ is in all sorts of trouble here.
Couza connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Couza pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
VALASQUEZ wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Couza scoring with strikes but VALASQUEZ is staying in there.
VALASQUEZ is looking to improve his position but Couza isn't that keen on the idea.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ronaldo Couza dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Couza bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
VALASQUEZ tries to clinch but Couza moves away

and Couza counters with a single leg into guard. VALASQUEZ didn't expect that.
Couza thows a big elbow that misses.
Couza postures up.
Ronaldo Couza overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Couza lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Couza lands a couple of digs.
VALASQUEZ trying to control the position.
VALASQUEZ throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Couza chips away with some ground and pound.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Couza cracks VALASQUEZ with a solid left hand.
Couza content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Couza's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Couza postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Couza thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
VALASQUEZ wants to stand and escape but Couza is having none of it.
Couza missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Couza missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Couza stands up over VALASQUEZ, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Couza is working VALASQUEZ over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
VALASQUEZ not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
VALASQUEZ misses with a straight right.
VALASQUEZ tries to clinch but Couza moves away

and Couza counters with a single leg into guard. VALASQUEZ didn't expect that.
VALASQUEZ has momentary wrist control but Couza slips an elbow through the middle.
VALASQUEZ looking to hit a scissor sweep but Couza is one step ahead there.
Couza works over VALASQUEZ with some ground and pound from guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Couza stops VALASQUEZ from standing up.
Couza postures up and lands a big shot to VALASQUEZ's brow.
VALASQUEZ is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Couza cracks VALASQUEZ with a solid left hand.
Couza is looking to work some ground and pound but VALASQUEZ has wrist control.
Couza postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
VALASQUEZ closes the distance but Couza moves to the side

and Couza counters with a takedown into side control.
Couza throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
VALASQUEZ is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Couza lands a few punches from side control.
VALASQUEZ is trying to control Couza's posture but Couza avoids it.
Couza connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused VALASQUEZ some visible discomfort.
Couza working the head and body with strikes.
VALASQUEZ tries to bench press Couza off him but Couza keeps the position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
VALASQUEZ tries for a takedown but Couza circles away easily

and Couza counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in VALASQUEZ's guard now.
VALASQUEZ preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
VALASQUEZ utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Couza postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Couza postures up.
Couza with a nice head shot there.
Couza content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Couza cracks VALASQUEZ with a solid left hand.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Couza's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

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

and Couza counters by clinching up.
VALASQUEZ working hard to break the clinch.

Couza escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
VALASQUEZ throws a sloppy head kick

and Couza counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in VALASQUEZ's guard now.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
VALASQUEZ wants to sweep but no luck.
VALASQUEZ controls Couza momentarily but Couza frees himself.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

VALASQUEZ has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Couza off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
CAIN VALASQUEZ has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ronaldo Couza is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
VALASQUEZ shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Couza decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in VALASQUEZ's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ronaldo Couza showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Couza 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Suge Night scores the fight 30:25
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:25
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ronaldo Couza!