PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vatu Madraiwiwi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lucas Araujo (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.

Madraiwiwi
vs
Araujo

178 cm
24
216 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

205 cm
22
215 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

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, Vatu Madraiwiwi!
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, Lucas Araujo!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Daniel Cesar and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Madraiwiwi throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Araujo tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Madraiwiwi is in Araujo's guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Madraiwiwi slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Madraiwiwi throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Araujo is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Madraiwiwi is controlling him.
Madraiwiwi not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Vatu Madraiwiwi.
Araujo moves away from the strike by Madraiwiwi.
The fight stays on the outside here - Araujo looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Araujo lands a jab to Madraiwiwi's midsection.
Madraiwiwi lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Araujo circles away quickly and effectively.
Madraiwiwi swinging wildly here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Madraiwiwi throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Araujo stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

Madraiwiwi bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Madraiwiwi in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Madraiwiwi prevents Araujo from escaping the position.
Madraiwiwi is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Araujo wants to get back to his feet.
Madraiwiwi is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Araujo's shoulder. That is not cool.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Araujo is trying to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Araujo is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Madraiwiwi remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Madraiwiwi seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Araujo for as long as he can get away with.

Vatu Madraiwiwi has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Madraiwiwi closes this distance looking for a takedown but Araujo circles away.
Araujo is looking to clinch but Madraiwiwi is avoiding it.
A punch combination from Madraiwiwi misses.
Madraiwiwi will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Madraiwiwi could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Araujo tries to clinch there but Madraiwiwi circles away.
Some wild striking there from Madraiwiwi.
Araujo tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Araujo closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Madraiwiwi is trying to drag Araujo to the mat but Araujo just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Araujo scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Madraiwiwi has Araujo pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Araujo manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vatu Madraiwiwi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Araujo tries to break the clinch but Madraiwiwi is controlling the position.
Madraiwiwi wants to take the fight to the mat but Araujo manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Madraiwiwi's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Madraiwiwi tries for a takedown. No joy.
Araujo wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Madraiwiwi manages to break the clinch.
Good standup being displayed there by Araujo as he connects with a hook.

It looks like Vatu Madraiwiwi has been cut.
Araujo misses with a wild combination.
Araujo tries to clinch but Madraiwiwi is having none of it.

Araujo moves into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Araujo stalling in the clinch.
Madraiwiwi has Araujo pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Araujo manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Araujo stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Madraiwiwi is breathing heavily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Araujo pushes Madraiwiwi back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Madraiwiwi is looking for a takedown.
Araujo misses with a hook to the ribs.
Madraiwiwi has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Araujo after a bit of a struggle.
Araujo misses with a punch to the body.
Araujo lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Araujo stops a takedown attempt from Madraiwiwi.
Araujo lands a nice uppercut.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Madraiwiwi tries for a takedown but Araujo manages to get underhooks.
Araujo wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Araujo is trying to break free.
Araujo tries to circle away but Madraiwiwi has him pinned against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Lucas Araujo will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Vatu Madraiwiwi's cut.
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.

Araujo tries to close the distance and clinch but Madraiwiwi swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Araujo fails in his attempt to clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Araujo looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Lucas Araujo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Araujo tries to bum rush Madraiwiwi with a series of wild strikes but Madraiwiwi uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Araujo connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Madraiwiwi's hands.
Araujo doesn't manage to clinch there - Madraiwiwi circles away.
Madraiwiwi fails with a takedown attempt.
Madraiwiwi misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Araujo fails with an attempt to clinch.

Madraiwiwi closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Araujo to the mat! Araujo manages to get full guard.
Madraiwiwi is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Araujo is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Madraiwiwi is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Madraiwiwi content to stall in guard here.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Vatu Madraiwiwi wasn't doing enough on the ground.
A combination from Madraiwiwi does no damage.
No luck for Madraiwiwi with that takedown attempt.
Madraiwiwi takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Madraiwiwi misses with a few strikes there.
Lucas Araujo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Madraiwiwi walks into a stiff left hand from Araujo.
Madraiwiwi avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Madraiwiwi circles away from the clinch attempt.
Madraiwiwi swats away the attempt to clinch by Araujo.
Madraiwiwi looks to land a left hand but Araujo moved out of range nicely.
Araujo is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Madraiwiwi feints and as Araujo raises his hands in defense, Madraiwiwi changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Araujo wants to stand and escape but Madraiwiwi is having none of it.
Madraiwiwi seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Madraiwiwi's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Vatu Madraiwiwi wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Madraiwiwi pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Araujo back to the cage. Madraiwiwi follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Madraiwiwi misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Araujo doesn't manage to clinch there - Madraiwiwi circles away.

Araujo clinches with his opponent.
Araujo wants to stall.
Araujo lands a body punch in the clinch.
Araujo makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Madraiwiwi is looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vatu Madraiwiwi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Araujo wants to break free but Madraiwiwi has control.
Madraiwiwi wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Araujo has him pressed against the cage.
Madraiwiwi prevents Araujo from breaking the clinch.
Madraiwiwi changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Araujo fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Madraiwiwi gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Araujo.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Madraiwiwi shoots in but no luck this time.
Madraiwiwi walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

Araujo has managed to clinch.
Araujo tries to work over Madraiwiwi's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Madraiwiwi wants a takedown but no success here.
Madraiwiwi changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Araujo fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Araujo wants to clinch up but Madraiwiwi keeps it at a distance.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Araujo tries to clinch up but Madraiwiwi circles away and keeps his distance.
Lucas Araujo seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Madraiwiwi closes the distance and clinches up with Araujo, looking for a takedown. Madraiwiwi pushes Araujo against the cage but Araujo circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Araujo doesn't manage to clinch there - Madraiwiwi circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lucas Araujo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Vatu Madraiwiwi's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Araujo tries to close the distance and clinch up but Madraiwiwi swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Vatu Madraiwiwi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Madraiwiwi has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Araujo finds it's way round the side to connect with Madraiwiwi's head.
Madraiwiwi misses with a two punch combination.
Madraiwiwi is trying hard to land a takedown here. Araujo sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Araujo wants to clinch.

Araujo closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Araujo pushes Madraiwiwi back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Madraiwiwi misses with a punch to the body.
Madraiwiwi blocks a body shot from Araujo.
Araujo has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Madraiwiwi is trying to drag Araujo to the mat but Araujo just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Araujo gets underhooks to prevent Madraiwiwi's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vatu Madraiwiwi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Araujo.
Araujo prevents Madraiwiwi from breaking the clinch.
Araujo makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Madraiwiwi has Araujo pressed against the cage, preventing Araujo from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Madraiwiwi has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Araujo clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Araujo trying to get back to his feet but Madraiwiwi is in full control for now.
Madraiwiwi biding his time, looking for the opening.
Araujo controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Madraiwiwi trying to control momentarily.
Vatu Madraiwiwi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Madraiwiwi controls the position.
Araujo is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Madraiwiwi is riding his opponent, not letting Araujo buck him off.
Araujo looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Madraiwiwi just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Araujo is trying to stand back up.
Oooh a big shot gets through from Madraiwiwi. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!
Madraiwiwi lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.
What can Araujo do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!

Araujo fending off the submission attempt from Madraiwiwi.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Madraiwiwi is riding his opponent, not letting Araujo buck him off.
Araujo wants to get back to his feet.
Madraiwiwi has good solid back control here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Araujo controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Vatu Madraiwiwi.
I think Araujo 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 Emerson Jorge scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 28:29
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lucas Araujo!