PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between William Calais (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Popo Cigano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Calais
vs
Cigano

200 cm
19
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight 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, William Calais!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Popo Cigano!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Paulo Santos and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Calais fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Cigano checks it well.

Cigano shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Calais has decided that throwing punches whilst being mounted is the best he can manage just now.
Calais tries to reverse the position but Cigano maintains control.
Calais wants to control but Cigano is having none of it.
Calais is looking to get to half guard.
Cigano controlling from the full mount.
Cigano landing shots from mount.

Cigano looking for a guillotine from mount but Calais is having none of it.
Cigano looking to control and managing it successfully.
Cigano really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Calais. 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 one minute gone in the round.
Calais wants to control but Cigano is having none of it.
Calais wants to try and get back to his feet.

Cigano looking for a guillotine from mount but Calais is having none of it.
Cigano tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cigano is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Calais has managed to escape the submission attempt.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Cigano cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Cigano is landing with some decent strikes but Calais is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Calais is wriggling around trying to escape.
Cigano content just to control the position here.
Calais is breathing heavily.
Calais taking shots to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cigano controlling the pace for now.
Calais is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Cigano controlling from mount.

Cigano working for a guillotine from mount but Calais is in no mood to give up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cigano tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Cigano landing strikes, looking to finish!
Cigano controlling the pace for now.

Cigano jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Calais manages to avoid the submission attempt.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Cigano tries for a kimura but Calais is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Popo Cigano dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Cigano has taken the fight to the clinch.

Cigano manages to pull guard.

Cigano is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Calais is aware though and is defending well.
Cigano looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Cigano is controlling Calais's posture.
Calais tries to free his leg and advance position but Cigano is retaining full guard.
Cigano tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Calais stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cigano swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Cigano seems keen to control Calais's posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Popo Cigano.
Cigano needs to keep his hands up - Calais had a free shot at his head there.
Calais throws a chopping leg kick but Cigano manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Calais throws a head kick that misses.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Calais throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A head kick misses from Calais.
Cigano misses with a two punch combination.
Cigano connects with a body shot.

Cigano shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Cigano showed some decent athleticism there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Cigano decides to return to a standing position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cigano bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Calais prevents Cigano from moving into mount.

Cigano has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Cigano.

Cigano stands up.

Cigano moves into the clinch successfully.
Calais's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cigano has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Calais regains guard immediately.

Cigano gets to his feet - Calais follows without any prompting.

Cigano has closed the distance and engaged Calais in a clinch.

Cigano gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Cigano forces his way into half guard.
Cigano not doing much here.
Cigano wants to free his trapped foot but Calais is holding on for dear life with his legs.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Cigano stands up and beckons Calais to join him on the feet.

Cigano has managed to clinch.
Calais is trying to push Cigano away but Cigano has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Cigano successfully pulls guard.
Cigano looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Cigano is looking for a triangle but Calais pushes his legs off easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Cigano is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Calais is aware though and is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Popo Cigano showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Cigano bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Calais tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Calais trying to remain calm as Cigano controls from the top position.
Calais tries to improve position but can't.
Cigano content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.

Cigano is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Calais is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Cigano has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cigano darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Cigano is nestled in close to Calais, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Popo Cigano has got the better of the ground game so far.
Cigano is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Calais has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Cigano is working away from the top position though.
Cigano content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Cigano's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cigano stands up and beckons Calais to join him on the feet.

Cigano clinches up against the cage.

Cigano gets control of Calais's arms and successfully pulls guard. Cigano will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Cigano is adopting a defensive guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Cigano has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cigano scrambles and gets back to his feet.

Cigano shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Cigano seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Cigano passes to full mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Calais in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.

Cigano is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Calais to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Calais shrugs it off.

Cigano is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Calais has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Cigano controlling his opponent.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

And that's the end of the fight!
Popo Cigano comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Cigano has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Luis Engracia scores the fight 26:30
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 27:30
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Popo Cigano!