PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ba Lil III (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Renato Cardoso (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cardoso has chosen Samba de Janeiro as his entrance music. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Lil III
vs
Cardoso

180 cm
22
160 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

170 cm
23
172 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter striker
Insanely flexible

ADCC Champion
Good kicks
Good gas tank

[GTI] Divine Clothing
XTREME PWNAGE: Down Under!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ba Lil III!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Renato Cardoso!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, Steve Erwin and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lil III looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Cardoso is fending him off so far but Lil III persists. Nope, Cardoso circles away and we're back to standing.
Cardoso checks a low kick from Lil III.
Lil III tries a head kick but it misses.
Cardoso moves in looking to clinch but Lil III pushes him off.
Lil III misses with a kick to the body.
Cardoso tries a head kick but it misses.
Lil III fails with a takedown attempt.
Lil III tries a head kick but it misses.
Cardoso pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Lil III throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Lil III tries a head kick but it misses.
Cardoso throws a head kick that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cardoso scores a takedown into full mount!
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Lil III is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Lil III is wriggling around trying to escape.

Cardoso with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Lil III is looking to improve his position but Cardoso isn't that keen on the idea.
Lil III is working hard here to advance position.
Lil III sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Lil III is trying to maintain the position but Cardoso is very close to passing his half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lil III tries to get to full guard but Cardoso has control of the leg.
Lil III trying to control from the bottom.
Lil III gets back to full guard.
Cardoso tries to free his leg and advance position but Lil III is retaining full guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lil III trying to keep a closed guard but Cardoso is proving a slippery customer.
Lil III looking for a sweep. Not yet Lil III, not yet.

Lil III has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Cardoso can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Lil III throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lil III looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Cardoso tries to free his leg and advance position but Lil III is retaining full guard.

Lil III has his foot on Cardoso's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Cardoso works his way back into a safe position though.

Cardoso decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Lil III, up you get!
A big right from Cardoso misses.
Lil III throws the left hand but Cardoso avoids the punch easily.
Lil III misses with a kick to the body.
No luck for Lil III with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ba Lil III. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lil III is trying hard to land a takedown here. Cardoso sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Lil III.
Cardoso moves out of range of the leg kick from Lil III.
Lil III fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cardoso manages to avoid it.
Cardoso tries to close the distance and clinch but Lil III swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Lil III swings for the body but Cardoso moves out of range.
Lil III throws a sloppy head kick and Cardoso moves out of range easily.
Cardoso tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Lil III closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lil III trying to control the position but Cardoso is working away.
Lil III working the strikes but Cardoso uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ba Lil III dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Cardoso connects with a high kick.
Cardoso defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Lil III.
Cardoso tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Lil III manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Lil III looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Cardoso trying to control from the bottom.

Lil III is looking for a kimura here.

Lil III is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Cardoso sees it coming and defends easily.
Cardoso regains full guard. Nicely done.
Lil III makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lil III throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Lil III with a flurry of punches that miss.
Lil III throws a big elbow that misses.
Lil III trying to control but Cardoso is working from the bottom.

Cardoso is looking for a triangle but Lil III pushes his legs off easily.
Lil III wants to pass the guard but Cardoso is keeping the position.
Cardoso is trying to keep Lil III in close.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lil III trying to control the position from guard on top but Cardoso is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lil III postures up.

Cardoso is looking for a triangle but Lil III pushes his legs off easily.
Cardoso working a defensive guard here.
Lil III pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cardoso is keeping the position for now.
Lil III postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Lil III passes into half guard.
Ba Lil III overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Lil III winds up and cracks Cardoso with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lil III working Cardoso over with strikes.
Lil III is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Cardoso reverses the position - he's now on top in Lil III's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lil III is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Lil III looking to control.
Cardoso trying to control but Lil III is working from the bottom.

Lil III looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Lil III looking for a sweep. Not yet Lil III, not yet.
Lil III keeping full guard, as Cardoso tries to pass.

Cardoso stands up from Lil III's guard - Cardoso perhaps looking for a knockout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lil III connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Lil III misses with a leg kick.
Lil III misses with a wild body shot.
A big right from Lil III misses.
Lil III misses with a kick to the body.
Lil III throws a low kick but it's checked well by Cardoso.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lil III shoots in but no luck this time.
Cardoso avoids the head kick by Lil III.
Lil III shoots in looking for a takedown. Cardoso tries to sprawl out of it but Lil III keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Cardoso 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.

Ba Lil III dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Cardoso enables Lil III to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Cardoso manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Lil III pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cardoso is keeping the position for now.
Lil III trying to control but Cardoso is working from the bottom.
Lil III missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Cardoso working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Lil III.
Lil III passes Cardoso's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Lil III is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Cardoso!

Lil III jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Cardoso is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Cardoso and Lil III has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Lil III wants to control but Cardoso is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lil III tries for a kimura but Cardoso is defending well.
Lil III working the ground and pound but Cardoso is defending the strikes.
Lil III trying to control the position but Cardoso is working away.
Cardoso tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Lil III wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Lil III goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Cardoso rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Lil III's guard! Nice work there by Cardoso!
Lil III working a defensive guard but Cardoso passes into half guard.
Cardoso is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cardoso has hold of Lil III's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Lil III manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lil III tries to hold on but Cardoso pushes him away.

Cardoso gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Lil III shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Cardoso as he jumps to the side.
Cardoso throws a looping overhand right but Lil III ducks down to avoid it.
Lil III tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Cardoso is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lil III misses with a low kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cardoso looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Lil III is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Cardoso's half guard.
Lil III is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Cardoso!
Cardoso blocking the ground and pound.
Cardoso is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Cardoso holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Lil III tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cardoso wants to hold on but Lil III pushes him away.
Lil III throwing strikes but Cardoso bucks up and reverses the position. He's now in guard on top.
Cardoso stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Lil III swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Lil III working a defensive guard but Cardoso passes into half guard.
Cardoso passes into side control, despite Lil III's attempt to control the position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lil III manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cardoso is not content to let Lil III control the position.

Lil III is working for a submission of some sort.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ba Lil III clearly takes that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Lil III ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cardoso moves away.
Lil III steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Cardoso. That one must have hurt.
Lil III misses the jab.
Lil III misses with a head kick.
Lil III is looking to wear down Cardoso with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Good standup being displayed there by Cardoso as he connects with a hook.
Cardoso throws a head kick that misses.
Lil III misses with a body shot.
Lil III chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Cardoso can pounce on him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Cardoso.
Lil III throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Lil III swings for the body but Cardoso moves out of range.

Cardoso has taken the fight to the clinch.
Cardoso doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Lil III stalling in the clinch but Cardoso improves position.
Cardoso is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Cardoso working aggressively here.
Cardoso throws a head punch that misses.
Cardoso is stalling here.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lil III throws a sloppy head kick and Cardoso moves out of range easily.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Lil III.
Cardoso defending well as Lil III loads up on a big left hand.
Lil III fails with a takedown attempt.
Lil III takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Cardoso tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Lil III throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Lil III wants to slow Cardoso down by chopping away at his legs.
Lil III throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ba Lil III is winning the standup battle so far.
Lil III fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Cardoso avoids it really well and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Lil III is defended easily by Cardoso.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ba Lil III. That's going to take a lot out of him.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Cardoso displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Lil III.
Lil III misses the jab.
Cardoso throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Ba Lil III seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cardoso misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good shot there by Cardoso.
Cardoso lunges at Lil III with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Lil III's hand.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cardoso looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Lil III misses with a head kick.
Cardoso tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lil III was well out of range. Poor timing from Cardoso.
Lil III moves away from the strike by Cardoso.
Cardoso tries a head kick but it misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lil III shoots in and drives through. Cardoso sprawls well.
Lil III throws a big shot that misses.
Lil III shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Cardoso sprawls well. Cardoso wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Lil III gets slowly back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Renato Cardoso dominated that fourth round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Lil III shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Cardoso but Cardoso pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Cardoso tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Cardoso throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Lil III moves away from the strike by Cardoso.
Lil III pivots, looking for a leg kick but Cardoso is out of range and Lil III settles back down.
Cardoso scores with a jab to the jaw.
Lil III looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
A left lands for Cardoso.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lil III misses with a head kick.
Lil III looks for a takedown but Cardoso sprawls well.
Lil III misses with a head kick.
Cardoso uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Lil III.
Lil III misses with an uppercut. Cardoso saw that one coming.
Cardoso blocks the body kick.
Lil III misses with a head kick.
Cardoso keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Cardoso tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Lil III shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Cardoso's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lil III stopping the sweep attempt from Cardoso.
Lil III trying to control the position from guard on top but Cardoso is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lil III won't allow Cardoso to get back to his feet.

Cardoso working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Lil III doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Lil III manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Cardoso is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Lil III is in close to Cardoso's body, working some short punches and elbows.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cardoso can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Lil III controls the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cardoso keeping moving, preventing Lil III from controlling successfully.
Lil III throws a big elbow that misses.
Lil III trying to control but Cardoso is working from the bottom.
Cardoso looking for a sweep. Not yet Cardoso, not yet.

We're going to have a standup here because Ba Lil III wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Cardoso shoots in and gets a takedown into Lil III's guard.
Cardoso postures up.

Cardoso drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Lil III manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Cardoso has Lil III in his guard.
Cardoso keeping moving, preventing Lil III from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lil III lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Cardoso looking for a guillotine here but Lil III defends easily.
Ba Lil III is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Cardoso has Lil III pulled in close to control his posture.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lil III trying to control but Cardoso is working from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Renato Cardoso.
I think Lil III has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 48:47
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 48:47
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ba Lil III!
Ba Lil III retains his lightweight title!