PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Serafin Cuevas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Richie Strath (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Strath comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Parallel Universe kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Richie Strath has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Cuevas
vs
Strath

180 cm
25
180 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

195 cm
21
180 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Serafin Cuevas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Richie Strath!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Skip Squint and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cuevas throws a nice looking combination but Strath bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Cuevas swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Strath tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Strath is looking to clinch but Cuevas is avoiding it.
Cuevas lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Strath circles away quickly and effectively.
Cuevas throws a right and a left that Strath avoids nicely.
Cuevas looks to land a left hand but Strath moved out of range nicely.
Strath blocks a jab.
Cuevas throws a looping overhand right but Strath ducks down to avoid it.
Strath tries to score a power double leg takedown but Cuevas sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Strath somewhat.
Strath shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Cuevas pinned against the ropes. Cuevas gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Strath will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Serafin Cuevas has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Richie Strath.
Strath throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Cuevas's waist but Cuevas gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Strath off to one side.
Cuevas tries to bum rush Strath with a series of wild strikes but Strath uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strath takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Strath takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Cuevas lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Cuevas takes a swing at Strath's ribcage but misses.
Strath showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Cuevas.
Cuevas throws a series of punches but Strath avoids them all with ease.
Cuevas lands a two punch combo.
Strath missing with a left hand there. Cuevas was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Strath closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Cuevas to the mat! Cuevas manages to get full guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Cuevas wants to stand and escape but Strath is having none of it.
Strath throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Strath trying to control the position from guard on top but Cuevas is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Strath throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strath throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Cuevas wants to get back to his feet but Strath is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Cuevas keeping moving, preventing Strath from controlling successfully.
Strath won't allow Cuevas to get back to his feet.
Strath is standing up over Cuevas. Cuevas looks to escape but Strath dives into side control.
Cuevas is looking to get back to his feet here but Strath is keeping cool and he's managed to take Cuevas's back.
Cuevas has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strath missing with punches from the back.

Strath is persistently looking for the submission but Cuevas is defending it well.
Cuevas is trying to get back to his feet but Strath has full control of the position and if anything, Cuevas has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Strath has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Cuevas controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Strath has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Strath is looking for the choke from the back position but Cuevas is controlling his hands well.
Cuevas holding both Strath 's hands and preventing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Strath is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Cuevas knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Cuevas for a finish.
Cuevas trying to get back to his feet but Strath is in full control for now.
Strath is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Strath is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
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 Serafin Cuevas will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Cuevas connects with a good right hand that stumbles Strath. Strath circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Cuevas avoids a punch combination nicely.
Cuevas looks to land a combination but Strath avoids it well.

Strath rushes Cuevas and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.
Cuevas is trying to force a seperation but Strath has the dominant position.
Strath jumps guard but Cuevas turns him against the ropes and keeps the fight standing.
Cuevas wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Cuevas breaks the clinch.
Strath tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Cuevas swivels and escapes.
Sloppy strikes from Cuevas. Those never looked like landing.
Cuevas fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Cuevas throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Cuevas lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strath shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Serafin Cuevas has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Richie Strath.
Strath uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Cuevas.
Cuevas throws a right hand that Strath ducks under and follows up with a left that Strath also avoids with ease.
Cuevas displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Strath.
No joy there for Cuevas, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Strath shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Strath fails with the takedown.
Strath is breathing heavily.
A left lands for Cuevas.
Strath shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Cuevas sprawls well. Cuevas wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Strath gets slowly back to his feet.
Strath wants to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cuevas throws a series of strikes that have Strath backpedaling.
Richie Strath seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Strath shoots for a double leg takedown but Cuevas sprawls well. He's pushed Strath's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Strath fails with a takedown attempt.
Strath fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Jab, jab by Cuevas - just one landing.
Cuevas throws out a powerful jab.
Cuevas throws a series of strikes that have Strath backpedaling.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Decent striking displayed by Cuevas there.
Cuevas scores with a three punch combo!
Cuevas scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cuevas connects with a right hand. Strath shakes it off.
Serafin Cuevas is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Strath fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Serafin Cuevas is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Strath shoots in but no luck this time.
Cuevas throws a one two combo.
Cuevas throws a series of punches but Strath moves out of range.
Strath keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Cuevas lands a right hook to the body.
Cuevas throws a right hand that Strath ducks under and follows up with a left that Strath also avoids with ease.
Cuevas misses with the combination.
Cuevas stuffs the takedown.
Strath shoots in for a takedown but Cuevas shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A left and a right from Cuevas both land. Nice combination.
Cuevas catches Strath with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Cuevas goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Cuevas throws out a powerful jab.
Strath fails with the takedown.
Cuevas's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Cuevas duly obliges.
Serafin Cuevas is winning the standup battle so far.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Strath fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Cuevas misses with the combination.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Strath shoots in and drives through. Cuevas sprawls well.
Cuevas lands a jab-cross combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Serafin Cuevas dominated that second round.
That's time! Cuevas's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Strath fails to land the takedown.
Cuevas cracks a nice hook into Strath's ribs.
Cuevas goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Cuevas misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Strath has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Strath misses with a double jab.
Cuevas swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Strath.
Strath throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Cuevas's waist but Cuevas gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Strath off to one side.
Cuevas misses with a double jab.
Cuevas goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Cuevas looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Cuevas is working the combinations to good effect here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Strath is looking to clinch but Cuevas is avoiding it.
Cuevas moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Cuevas misses with a few strikes there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cuevas stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Cuevas wants it to stay on the feet.
Serafin Cuevas has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Richie Strath.
Cuevas swings for the body but Strath moves out of range.
Strath takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Nice takedown defense from Cuevas. No joy for Strath on that attempt.
Strath walks into a left hand.
Cuevas looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Cuevas throws a nice looking combination but Strath bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Cuevas goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Strath shoots in but Cuevas avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Cuevas looks to land a combination but Strath avoids it well.

Strath shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Strath showed some decent athleticism there.
Cuevas is trying to stand back up but Strath is controlling him

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cuevas might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Cuevas trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
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!
Strath throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Strath seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Cuevas does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Cuevas is trying to stand up here but Strath is controlling him well.
Strath wants to take a breather but Cuevas is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Cuevas wants to get back to his feet.

Strath is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Strath is looking for a kimura but Cuevas is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Strath to get the leverage.
Cuevas is looking to get back to is feet but Strath passes into side control.
Cuevas managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Strath.
Cuevas tries to escape but Strath is in control.
Strath wants to control but Cuevas is keeping him busy.
Cuevas is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Strath is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Cuevas is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Cuevas is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the ropes but Strath has just dragged him back down to the mat.

Cuevas explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Cuevas stuffs the takedown.
Cuevas fails to land with a series of punches.
Cuevas throws a series of punches but Strath moves out of range.
Cuevas stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Cuevas wants it to stay on the feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Strath walks into a stiff left hand from Cuevas.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cuevas throws a combination. Strath tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Richie Strath has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Serafin Cuevas is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Strath.

And that's the end of the fight!
Serafin Cuevas showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Cuevas, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Donatello Bradman scores the fight 30:27
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 30:27
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Serafin Cuevas!