PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ban Midou (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jeronimo Batista (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Batista is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Rapante. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Midou
vs
Batista

179 cm
18
154 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

178 cm
20
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight 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, Ban Midou!
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, Jeronimo Batista!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Luis Engracia and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Batista shoots in looking for a takedown but Midou manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Batista's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Jeronimo Batista seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Batista scores a takedown into full mount!
Batista trying to control but Midou is having none of it.
Midou is trying to escape the mount.
Batista looking to control and managing it successfully.
Midou is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Midou is squirming around, avoiding Batista's attempts to control the action.
Midou really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Batista thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Midou regains half guard.
Batista wants to pass the guard but Midou is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Batista is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Jeronimo Batista hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Batista misses with a takedown

and Midou counters with a single leg into guard. Batista didn't expect that.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Midou drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Batista dives on top into guard.

Midou working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Batista doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Batista manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Midou looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Midou keeping moving, preventing Batista from controlling successfully.
Batista must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Batista tries to free his leg and advance position but Midou is retaining full guard.

Midou throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Midou 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Jeronimo Batista has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Batista lands with a nice body punch.
Midou shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Batista as he jumps to the side.
Midou is breathing heavily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Midou.
Midou stuffs the takedown.
Ban Midou has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jeronimo Batista.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Midou shoots in looking for a takedown. Batista tries to sprawl out of it but Midou keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Batista manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ban Midou will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

The fighters circle momentarily. Batista darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

Batista gets a clinch.

Batista manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Midou advances position into side control!
Batista gets back to half guard.

Midou is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Batista looking for submissions off his back.

Midou is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Ban Midou overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Batista trying to control from the bottom.

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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Midou looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Batista has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Midou is working away from the top position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Midou wants to work for an arm triangle but Batista is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Batista tries to roll over but Midou keeps him under control.
Batista trying to hold on to Midou's head to control him but Midou postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Midou is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Batista is just riding it out for now. Midou eventually gives up the hold.
Batista is trying to maintain the position but Midou is very close to passing his half guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Jeronimo Batista.
Batista fails to land with a series of punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeronimo Batista 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. And we move into the final round!

Batista misses with a jab, cross combination.
Nice sprawl there from Midou as Batista shoots in.
Nice takedown defense from Midou. No joy for Batista on that attempt.

Batista moves into the clinch successfully.

Batista breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Midou shoots for a double leg takedown but Batista sprawls well. He's pushed Midou's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Midou throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Batista's waist but Batista gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Midou off to one side.

Midou forces Batista back against the cage and clinches.
A head punch on the inside from Midou fails to land.
Batista is looking to take this one to the mat.
Ban Midou has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jeronimo Batista.
Batista takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Batista putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Midou in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Batista goes for a takedown attempt but Midou pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Midou closes the distance and clinches up with Batista, looking for a takedown. Midou pushes Batista against the cage but Batista circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Batista leaves Midou with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Midou shoots in but no luck this time.
Jeronimo Batista is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Batista shoots in looking for a takedown but Midou manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Batista's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Midou has a takedown stuffed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Batista displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Midou.
Batista shoots in looking for a takedown but Midou manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Batista's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Midou has a takedown stuffed.
Midou slaps away a takedown attempt from Batista, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Batista darts in and clinches Midou up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Batista pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Batista moves into the clinch successfully.

Batista breaks from the clinch.
Batista is trying hard to land a takedown here. Midou sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Midou throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Batista's waist but Batista gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Midou off to one side.

Batista drives through and clinches with Midou against the cage.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Batista.
Midou tries to break free but Batista pushes him back against the cage.

Batista breaks from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Batista darts in and clinches Midou up against the cage.
Midou tries to score a body lock takedown but Batista shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Batista breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Batista shoots in for a takedown but Midou shows good takedown defense.
Batista doesn't manage to clinch there - Midou circles away.
Midou looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Midou has a takedown stuffed.
Batista goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jeronimo Batista comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Batista 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 Edson Gomes scores the fight 28:29
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 27:30
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jeronimo Batista!
Jeronimo Batista thanked the fans post fight for their support.