PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ryoma Echizen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paulo Moreno (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Echizen
vs
Moreno

210 cm
18
134 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

173 cm
18
144 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

5th Round Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ryoma Echizen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Paulo Moreno!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Mauricio Rocha and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Echizen shoots in looking for a takedown but Moreno manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Echizen's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
No luck for Echizen with that takedown attempt.

Moreno rushes Echizen and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.
Moreno trying to land knees to the body.
Echizen blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Echizen managing to block the knees to the body from Moreno.
Moreno tries a knee to the head but Echizen blocks it.
Moreno throws a head punch that misses.
Echizen tries to score a body lock takedown but Moreno shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ryoma Echizen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Echizen tries for a takedown but Moreno manages to get underhooks.
Moreno putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Echizen in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Moreno connects with a knee to the head.
Moreno misses with a knee strike.
Moreno looking to throw knees to the head but Echizen is blocking nicely.
Moreno stops a takedown attempt from Echizen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Moreno stops a takedown attempt from Echizen.
Echizen is breathing heavily.
Moreno looking to throw knees to the head but Echizen is blocking nicely.
Moreno missing with knees to the body.
Moreno missing with knees to the body.
Moreno tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Echizen avoids it.
Moreno connects with a nasty looking knee right to Echizen's face.

It looks like Ryoma Echizen has been cut.
Echizen tries for a takedown but Moreno manages to get underhooks.
Echizen is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Moreno is defending well.
Moreno is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Moreno tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Echizen avoids it.
Moreno tries a knee to the head but Echizen blocks it.
Echizen managing to block the knees to the body from Moreno.
Echizen really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Moreno misses with a knee strike.
Echizen is looking for a takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Moreno scores a nice knee to the body.
Moreno lands a nice knee to the body.
Moreno with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Moreno missing with knees to the body.
A knee to the head by Moreno.
Moreno putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Echizen in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Moreno misses with a knee to the head.
Moreno tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Echizen avoids it.
Moreno lands a good knee to the midsection. Echizen won't want to take too many of those.
Echizen blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Moreno putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Echizen in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Echizen managing to block the knees to the body from Moreno.
Moreno with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Moreno with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Moreno tries to land a knee to the head but Echizen blocks with his arms.
Echizen takes a knee right on the jaw!
Moreno with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Echizen tries for a takedown. No joy.
Moreno using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Echizen has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Moreno tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Echizen avoids it.
Moreno tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Echizen goes for a takedown in the clinch but Moreno prevents it.
Echizen managing to block the knees to the body from Moreno.
Moreno prevents a takedown attempt there.
Moreno landing some nice looking knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Moreno landing knees to the head.
Moreno landing knees to the head.
Moreno unloads a knee to the mid-section. Echizen lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Moreno with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Echizen can't get the takedown.
Moreno with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Echizen has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Moreno after a bit of a struggle.
Moreno connects with a knee to the head.
Moreno tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Moreno scores a nice knee to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Echizen has Moreno pressed up against the ropes and is working for takedown. Moreno manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Moreno putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Echizen in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Moreno with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Echizen goes for a takedown in the clinch but Moreno prevents it.
Moreno misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Echizen.
Moreno lands a knee to the body.
Moreno misses with a knee to the head.
Moreno landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Moreno looking to throw knees to the head but Echizen is blocking nicely.
Echizen drops down looking for an ankle pick but Moreno pulls his leg out and moves away.

Moreno moves into range and clinches up with Echizen.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Moreno trying to land knees to the body.
Moreno putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Echizen in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Moreno is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Echizen is defending well for now.
Echizen goes for a takedown in the clinch but Moreno prevents it.
Echizen is trying to drag Moreno to the mat but Moreno just about manages to keep his footing. He used the ropes to his advantage there.
Moreno misses with a knee strike.
Moreno using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Echizen has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Moreno trying to land knees to the body.
Moreno throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Echizen blocks it with crossed arms.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Moreno tries a knee to the head but Echizen blocks it.
Moreno misses with a knee to the head.
Moreno is pressed up against the ropes. Echizen has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Moreno down to the mat. Moreno avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Moreno closes the distance and clinches.
Echizen is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Moreno tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Moreno using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Echizen has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Moreno prevents a takedown attempt there.
Moreno tries to land knees in the clinch but Echizen avoids the damage to the body.
Moreno tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Echizen tries for a takedown. No joy.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Moreno tries to land knees in the clinch but Echizen avoids the damage to the body.
Echizen is trying to drag Moreno to the mat but Moreno just about manages to keep his footing. He used the ropes to his advantage there.
Echizen goes for a takedown attempt but Moreno pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Moreno rushes Echizen and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.
Moreno misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Echizen.
Moreno misses with a knee strike.
Moreno using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Echizen has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Moreno throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Echizen blocks it with crossed arms.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Echizen drops down looking for an ankle pick but Moreno pulls his leg out and moves away.
Echizen fails with a takedown attempt.

Moreno rushes Echizen and presses him up against the ropes.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Echizen drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Moreno gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Moreno missing with knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paulo Moreno dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ryoma Echizen's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Moreno closes the distance and pushes Echizen back into the ropes.
Moreno with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Paulo Moreno seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Moreno is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Echizen is defending well for now.
Echizen is trying to drag Moreno to the mat but Moreno just about manages to keep his footing. He used the ropes to his advantage there.
Echizen takes a knee to the side of the body.
Moreno misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Echizen.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Moreno obliges.
Moreno scores a nice knee to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Moreno landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Moreno tries to land knees in the clinch but Echizen avoids the damage to the body.
Moreno lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Moreno crunches a lovely knee into Echizen's ribcage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Moreno misses with a knee to the head.
Moreno tries a knee to the head but Echizen blocks it.
Moreno has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Moreno is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Echizen is defending well for now.
Moreno tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Moreno landing knees to the head.
Moreno lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Echizen is working for takedown but Moreno is calmly controlling the position for now.
Echizen tries to score a body lock takedown but Moreno shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ryoma Echizen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Moreno using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Moreno landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Moreno with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Moreno scores a nice knee to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Echizen changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Moreno fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Moreno fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Echizen, pushing him back against the ropes.
Moreno scores a nice knee to the body.
Moreno is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Echizen is defending well for now.
Echizen has Moreno pressed up against the ropes and is working for takedown. Moreno manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Echizen tries for a takedown. No joy.
Moreno throws a knee to the head but misses.
Moreno unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Knees in the clinch landing for Moreno.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Moreno with a knee to the head.
Moreno misses with a knee to the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Moreno.
Moreno trying to land knees to the body.
Echizen wants a takedown.
Moreno with a knee to the head.
Echizen has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Moreno avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Echizen takes a knee right on the jaw!
Echizen has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Moreno is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Moreno missing with knees to the body.
Echizen is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. Moreno gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Knees in the clinch landing for Moreno.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Moreno trying to land knees to the body.
Echizen takes a knee to the side of the body.
Moreno with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Echizen managing to block the knees to the body from Moreno.
Moreno gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Echizen.
Echizen changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Moreno fights it off and pushes away nicely.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Moreno with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Moreno with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Echizen is looking to take this one to the mat.
Moreno with a knee to the head.
Moreno is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Moreno utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Moreno tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Moreno trying to land knees to the body.
Echizen managing to block the knees to the body from Moreno.

Echizen has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Moreno regains guard immediately.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Echizen trying to control but Moreno is working from the bottom.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Moreno keeping full guard, as Echizen tries to pass.
Moreno really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Echizen. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Moreno wants to get back to his feet but Echizen is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Echizen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Moreno swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Moreno wants to stand up but Echizen is controlling him.
Moreno keeping moving, preventing Echizen from controlling successfully.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Echizen accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Moreno wants to stand and escape but Echizen is having none of it.
Echizen wants to pass the guard but Moreno is keeping the position.
Echizen will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Echizen fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Moreno darts in and clinches Echizen up against the ropes.
Moreno tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Echizen drops down looking for an ankle pick but Moreno pulls his leg out and moves away.

Moreno takes the fight into the clinch.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Moreno throws a knee to the head but misses.
Moreno unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Moreno throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Echizen blocks it with crossed arms.
Moreno misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Echizen.
Moreno throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Echizen blocks it with crossed arms.
Moreno trying to land knees to the body.
Moreno misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Echizen.
Moreno throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Echizen blocks it with crossed arms.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Echizen has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Moreno is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Moreno using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Echizen has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Moreno is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Paulo Moreno is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Moreno unloads a knee to the mid-section. Echizen lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Echizen goes for a takedown in the clinch but Moreno prevents it.
Moreno landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Moreno tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Moreno misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Echizen.
Ryoma Echizen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Moreno unloads a knee to the mid-section. Echizen lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paulo Moreno comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Moreno 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 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 18:20
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 18:20
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 18:20

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