PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rafael Cavalcante (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Raesa WR (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). WR is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Armin Van Buuren - Yet Another Day. The key to victory for Rafael Cavalcante has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Cavalcante
vs
WR

190 cm
25
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

195 cm
18
185 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Very quick

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Enjoys gardening

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, Rafael Cavalcante!
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, Raesa WR!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Seu Braga and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

WR changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Cavalcante looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Cavalcante is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cavalcante wants to control but WR postures up.
WR scoring with punches from side control.
WR in side control lands a decent elbow.
WR is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
WR moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Cavalcante struggling a bit here.
WR working the ground and pound.
WR wants to stand but Cavalcante has his arm trapped.
Cavalcante can't do much from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

WR swings around for an armbar but Cavalcante sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into WR's guard.
WR really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Cavalcante. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Cavalcante stopping the sweep attempt from WR.
WR keeping moving, preventing Cavalcante from controlling successfully.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as WR holds on and takes a little breather.

That's two 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.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
WR tries to clinch there but Cavalcante circles away.

WR changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Cavalcante looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
WR working away.
Cavalcante gets back to half guard.
Cavalcante is trying to stand.
WR is just content to waste time from the top position. Cavalcante takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
WR with a flurry of punches that miss.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Cavalcante is controlling WR's posture.
WR won't allow Cavalcante to sweep him here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
WR must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

WR stands up over his opponent, looking to dive in with a big punch. Here he comes, superman style! Oh, the punch misses and Cavalcante has got him in a triangle choke for good measure! Oh no! WR manages to get his head free but now Cavalcante has transitioned to an armbar! WR grimaces and is forced to tap! Beautiful Jiu Jitsu from Cavalcante! I'd be surprised if that didn't end up as submission of the night!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:33 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Rafael Cavalcante!