PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Shogun Gonzolaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Raphael Luiz (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.

Gonzolaz
vs
Luiz

165 cm
21
135 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

156 cm
18
135 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight 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, Shogun Gonzolaz!
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, Raphael Luiz!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Felipe Paraventi and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gonzolaz has taken the fight to the clinch.
Luiz is trying to push Gonzolaz away but Gonzolaz has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Luiz fails to pull guard.
Gonzolaz with a knee to the head.

It looks like Raphael Luiz has been cut.
Gonzolaz tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Luiz should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Luiz looking for a takedown.
Luiz dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Gonzolaz with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Gonzolaz looking to throw knees to the head but Luiz is blocking nicely.
Gonzolaz misses with a knee to the head.
Luiz wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Gonzolaz misses with a knee to the head.
Gonzolaz using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Luiz has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Luiz is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Gonzolaz pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Shogun Gonzolaz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Raphael Luiz.
Luiz is trying to stall.
Gonzolaz throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Luiz blocks it with crossed arms.

Luiz breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Luiz shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Gonzolaz pinned against the cage. Gonzolaz gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gonzolaz throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Gonzolaz throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Luiz's head.
Gonzolaz tries a head kick but it misses.
Gonzolaz is breathing heavily.
Luiz shoots for a takedown but Gonzolaz saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Gonzolaz clinches with his opponent.
Luiz tries to pull guard but Gonzolaz forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Luiz wants to break free but Gonzolaz has control.
Luiz is trying to force a seperation but Gonzolaz has the dominant position.
Luiz is trying to break free.
Gonzolaz tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Gonzolaz with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Luiz looking to slow down the pace here.
Gonzolaz with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gonzolaz with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Gonzolaz misses with a knee to the head.

Luiz pulls guard effortlessly.
Luiz looking for a sweep. Not yet Luiz, not yet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gonzolaz stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Luiz swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Gonzolaz got a little sloppy there for a moment and Luiz has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Gonzolaz has managed to get both his arms back between Luiz's legs - danger averted.
Gonzolaz trying to stand up but can't free himself from Luiz's guard.
Luiz is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Gonzolaz is controlling him.
Gonzolaz trying to control the position from guard on top but Luiz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Luiz working a defensive guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gonzolaz won't allow Luiz to get back to his feet.

Gonzolaz stands up from Luiz's guard - Gonzolaz perhaps looking for a knockout.
Gonzolaz tries a head kick but it misses.
Gonzolaz tries a head kick but it misses.
Gonzolaz stuffs the takedown attempt from Luiz. Luiz gets slowly back to his feet.
Shogun Gonzolaz is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gonzolaz misses with a head kick.
Shogun Gonzolaz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Luiz tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gonzolaz swats him away and circles back towards the center.
No luck for Luiz with that takedown attempt.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Luiz takes a head kick and keeps coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gonzolaz throws a head kick but Luiz moves out of range.
Luiz shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Gonzolaz pushes Luiz up against the cage in a clinch.
Gonzolaz throws a knee to the head but misses.
Gonzolaz using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Luiz has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Luiz tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Gonzolaz with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Luiz tries to land a knee to the head but Gonzolaz blocks with his arms.
Gonzolaz with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Luiz is trying to break free.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gonzolaz with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
The referee calls for Luiz to work.
Gonzolaz scores with a knee to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shogun Gonzolaz dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Raphael Luiz's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Luiz fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Gonzolaz avoids it really well and circles away.
Gonzolaz tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Luiz blocks a head kick by Gonzolaz.
Luiz fails with the takedown.
Gonzolaz throws a head kick that misses.

Luiz has Gonzolaz up against the cage in a clinch.
Gonzolaz with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Gonzolaz tries to land a knee to the head but Luiz blocks with his arms.
Gonzolaz with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Luiz decides to pull guard.
Luiz controls Gonzolaz momentarily but Gonzolaz frees himself.

Gonzolaz drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Luiz manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Gonzolaz has Luiz in his guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Luiz stays in close to Gonzolaz's body and controls the position.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Raphael Luiz wasn't active enough on the ground.
Luiz will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Gonzolaz has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Gonzolaz throws a head kick but Luiz moves out of range.
Luiz staying out of range there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Gonzolaz tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Luiz paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Luiz blocks a head kick by Gonzolaz.

Luiz shoots in and bounces Gonzolaz off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Luiz stays in close to Gonzolaz's body and controls the position.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Raphael Luiz.

Luiz moves into the clinch successfully.
Gonzolaz prevents Luiz from breaking the clinch.
Gonzolaz misses with a knee strike.
Luiz tries for a takedown. No joy.
Shogun Gonzolaz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Raphael Luiz.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gonzolaz throws a knee to the head but misses.
Gonzolaz misses with a knee strike.
Luiz tries for a takedown but Gonzolaz manages to get underhooks.
Luiz jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Gonzolaz walks away with a smile on his face. Luiz gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Luiz shoots for a takedown but Gonzolaz saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Gonzolaz wants to clinch up but Luiz keeps it at a distance.
Gonzolaz goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Luiz closes the distance and clinches up with Gonzolaz, looking for a takedown. Luiz pushes Gonzolaz against the cage but Gonzolaz circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Luiz takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

Luiz clinches.
Gonzolaz tries a knee to the head but Luiz blocks it.
Gonzolaz misses with a knee to the head.
Luiz makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Gonzolaz misses with a knee to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gonzolaz using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Luiz has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Luiz has had enough of the clinch but Gonzolaz keeps him there for the moment.
Gonzolaz misses with a knee to the head.

Luiz pulls Gonzolaz into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Gonzolaz drops back, looking for a kneebar! Luiz looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Luiz looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Luiz!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Luiz wants to control but Gonzolaz is keeping him busy.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Luiz moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raphael Luiz showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Raphael Luiz'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. This is the final round!

Luiz fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Luiz moves into the clinch.
Gonzolaz throws a knee to the head but misses.
Gonzolaz misses with a knee to the head.
Luiz jumps guard but Gonzolaz turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Gonzolaz lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Gonzolaz throws a knee to the head but misses.
Gonzolaz looking to throw knees to the head but Luiz is blocking nicely.
Luiz wants to break the clinch but can't.
Gonzolaz with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Luiz tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Shogun Gonzolaz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Raphael Luiz.
Luiz gets through Gonzolaz's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Gonzolaz looking to throw knees to the head but Luiz is blocking nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Luiz is stalling here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Luiz is trying to break the clinch but Gonzolaz has him pressed against the cage.
Luiz is trying to break free.
Gonzolaz looking to throw knees to the head but Luiz is blocking nicely.
Luiz is looking to take this one to the mat.
Gonzolaz throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Luiz blocks it with crossed arms.

Luiz jumps into guard, dragging Gonzolaz to the mat.
Luiz is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Gonzolaz is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Luiz is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Luiz has escaped and now he's on top!
Gonzolaz keeping moving, preventing Luiz from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

Raphael Luiz has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Luiz fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Gonzolaz tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Raphael Luiz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A head kick misses from Luiz.
Luiz takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Luiz throws a head kick but Gonzolaz moves out of range.
Gonzolaz misses with a head kick.
Gonzolaz tries to clinch but Luiz is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gonzolaz rushes Luiz and presses him up against the cage.

Luiz ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Luiz no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Luiz is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Luiz keeping moving, preventing Gonzolaz from controlling successfully.
Raphael Luiz has got the better of the ground game so far.
Gonzolaz throws a big right hand that misses.
Luiz is trying to hold Gonzolaz in close to prevent damage but Gonzolaz has managed to pass into half guard.
Gonzolaz is thwarting Luiz's attempts to control the position.

Luiz looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Gonzolaz controlling the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gonzolaz stands up from half guard.
Gonzolaz throws a nice head kick!
Shogun Gonzolaz is winning the standup battle so far.
Gonzolaz keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Gonzolaz throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Luiz avoids the head kick by Gonzolaz.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Luiz tries to score a power double leg takedown but Gonzolaz sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Luiz somewhat.
Gonzolaz lands a high kick!

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 Shogun Gonzolaz.
I think Gonzolaz 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 29:28
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 29:28
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shogun Gonzolaz!
Shogun Gonzolaz decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.