PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mauricio Rend (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Poio MT (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). MT has chosen Pendulum - The Island (Tiesto remix) as his entrance music. Poio MT has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Rend
vs
MT

182 cm
18
199 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

195 cm
18
185 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Great low kicks
Cardio machine

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mauricio Rend!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Poio MT!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Mauricio Rocha and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rend misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
MT lands with a nice combination. Rend backs away looking to recover.

It looks like Mauricio Rend has been cut.
MT paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
MT dives in and grabs Rend's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rend pushes down on MT's head and hops out.

Rend gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
MT on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
MT manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

Rend breaks from the clinch.
Rend tries to score a power double leg takedown but MT sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rend somewhat.
MT swats away the attempt to clinch by Rend.

MT rushes Rend and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Rend managing to block the knees to the body from MT.
MT is trying to break the clinch but Rend is controlling him.
MT with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MT tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rend avoids it.
MT is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Nice body punch from Rend - that landed with a thud.
Rend being controlled against the cage.
MT blocking some punches.
Rend has MT pressed against the cage, preventing MT from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Rend escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
MT misses with a double jab.

Rend gets tackled into the cage by MT. MT maintains the clinch.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
MT looking to slow down the pace here.
Rend goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
MT being controlled against the cage.

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.
MT is trying to force a seperation but Rend has the dominant position.
Rend tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Rend keeps the fight in the clinch, despite MT's efforts to push away.
MT wants to break free but Rend has control.
A frustrated look appears on MT's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Rend controlling the action here for a moment.
MT throws an elbow that misses.
MT wants to get back to striking at distance but Rend won't allow it.
Rend avoiding damage.
MT swings wildly with an uppercut but Rend uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MT creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Rend's defenses.
Rend misses with a shot to the kidneys.
MT is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Rend is keeping busy.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Rend takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
MT tries to land knees in the clinch but Rend avoids the damage to the body.
Rend with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A frustrated look appears on MT's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Rend as MT tries to tie him up.
Rend keeps control of MT as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Rend is struggling to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
MT trying to control the position but instead, Rend has worked for underhooks and has pushed MT into the cage.
A short right from Rend.

Rend ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Rend no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
MT wants to stand but Rend is controlling his posture from full guard.
MT won't allow Rend to sweep him here.
Rend is trying to control the position but MT postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Poio MT dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mauricio Rend's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Rend dives in and grabs MT's left leg, looking for a takedown. MT pushes down on Rend's head and hops out.

MT clinches up against the cage.
MT is looking to break free of the clinch but Rend has double underhooks.
MT tries to circle away but Rend has him pinned against the cage.
Rend's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Rend misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from MT.
Rend leaning against his opponent.
MT throws an elbow that misses.
MT wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rend lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Rend displaying some good clinch control by pressing MT up against the cage.
Rend has MT pressed against the cage, preventing MT from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rend manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
MT tries to land knees in the clinch but Rend avoids the damage to the body.
Rend displaying some good clinch control by pressing MT up against the cage.
Rend pushes MT back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
MT throws an elbow that misses.
MT misses with an elbow over the top.
Rend fails to pull guard.
Rend stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
MT wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

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.
Rend prevents MT from breaking the clinch.
Rend taking a breather.
Rend has MT pressed against the cage, preventing MT from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Rend has MT pressed against the cage.
MT blocks the elbow strike.

Rend breaks the clinch.

MT gets tackled into the cage by Rend. Rend maintains the clinch.

Rend breaks the clinch.
Rend tries to close the distance and clinch up but MT swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Rend darts in and clinches MT up against the cage.
Rend goes for a takedown in the clinch but MT prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mauricio Rend. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rend content to slow the pace in the clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rend escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rend fails in his attempt to clinch.

MT closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
MT wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Rend doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
MT misses with a hook to the ribs.
Rend tries to work over MT's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
MT trying to land knees to the body.
MT gets underhooks to prevent Rend's takedown attempt.
MT misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rend.
MT wants to stall.

That's four 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.
MT misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rend.
Rend tries a knee to the head but MT blocks it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by MT.
MT working hard to break the clinch.
MT wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Rend has him pressed against the cage.
MT stalling in the clinch but Rend improves position.
MT avoiding damage as Rend throws knees to the body.
MT gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Rend.
MT is trying to break the clinch but Rend has him pressed against the cage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
A battle for position here, against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mauricio Rend dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Mauricio Rend's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Rend changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. MT tries to avoid it but Rend manages to keep hold of a leg and drag MT to the ground. MT escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Rend tries to clinch up.
MT throws a nice head kick!
Rend tries to clinch up.
Rend plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

It looks like Poio MT has been cut.

Rend fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with MT, pushing him back against the cage.
MT tries to circle away but Rend has him pinned against the cage.
Rend effectively controlling the action here.
Rend has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. MT is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
MT throws an elbow but it misses.

Rend breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

MT has Rend up against the cage in a clinch.
Rend avoids the elbow strike from MT, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MT working hard to break the clinch.
Rend effectively controlling the action here.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Rend stalls.
Rend using the Thai plumb to throw knees but MT has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
MT wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
MT tries to break the clinch but Rend is controlling the position.
MT is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rend is defending well for now.
MT misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rend.
MT missing with knees to the body.
Rend is pushing MT up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
MT wants to break free but Rend has control.
MT avoids a wild elbow strike from Rend.
MT wants to break the clinch but can't.
MT is looking to control Rend's arms but Rend gets an underhook and turns him. Now MT has his back to the cage.
MT has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Rend has MT pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. MT manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mauricio Rend. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Rend manages to break the clinch.
A nice combination there by MT.
Rend shoots in but no luck this time.
Rend closes the distance looking to clinch
and MT counters with a one-two to the body.
MT throws a combination. Rend tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rend misses with a body kick.

MT clinches up against the cage.

Rend pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Mauricio Rend is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

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

MT escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rend throws a sloppy head kick
and Rend takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Rend tries to clinch up but MT circles away and keeps his distance.
MT connects with a right hand. Rend shakes it off.
MT lands with a slapping head kick.
Rend tries to close the distance and clinch up but MT swats him away and circles back towards the center.
MT misses with a wild combination.
MT shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rend pinned against the cage. Rend gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
MT takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rend throws a lazy head kick
and MT counters with a flying knee. Nice.

Rend moves into range and clinches up with MT.
MT is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rend lands a body punch.
MT looking to stall.

Rend escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Rend clinches with his opponent.

Rend manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Rend controls MT momentarily but MT frees himself.
MT stopping the sweep attempt from Rend.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rend controlling MT's posture.

And that's the end of the fight!
Poio MT comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think MT has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Thiago Cunha scores the fight 28:29
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 28:29
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Poio MT!