PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rafael Soares (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dan Rueda (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Soares
vs
Rueda

188 cm
23
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
18
177 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite 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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rafael Soares!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Dan Rueda!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Leandro Rodrigues and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rueda tries to close the distance and clinch up but Soares swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Dan Rueda seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Soares tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rueda swivels and escapes.
Rueda throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Soares counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Rueda preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Soares works his foot free and advances to mount.
Soares trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Soares avoids the attempt from Rueda to control.

Soares stands up from mount. Strange move.
A combination from Rueda does no damage.
Rueda tries to clinch
and Soares counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rueda scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Soares gets a clinch.

Soares jumps into guard, dragging Rueda to the mat.
Soares wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Rueda really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Soares. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Soares working for a triangle but Rueda defends it easily.

Soares is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Soares keeping moving, preventing Rueda from controlling successfully.

Soares is looking for a triangle but Rueda pushes his legs off easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!

Soares is looking for a triangle here but Rueda uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Soares tries to strike from the bottom but misses.
Soares sneaks back into half guard.
Soares makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Soares.

Soares looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Rueda must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rueda working away.
Soares tries to improve position but can't.
Soares wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Soares can't do much from the bottom here.
Rueda trying to control the position but Soares is working away.
Rueda works to advance to full mount. Soares defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Soares wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Rueda.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Soares tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rueda throws some wild stikes that Soares manages to avoid easily.
Soares sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Soares works his way to full guard. Good work.

Soares throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Rueda escapes and throws Soares's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Soares is breathing heavily.
Soares being controlled for a moment.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rueda avoids the strikes from the bottom by Soares.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Soares is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Rueda throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Rueda closes the distance and clinches.
Soares tries to pull guard but Rueda won't allow it.
Rueda is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Soares is defending well for now.

Rueda pulls guard effortlessly.
Soares pushes down on Rueda's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Soares seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Rueda does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Rueda has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Soares is working away from the top position though.
Soares is nestled in close to Rueda, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Soares is figuring out what he wants to do next.

Soares is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Rueda doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Soares.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soares looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Soares wants to pass to mount but Rueda is defending the position.
Soares wants to take a breather but Rueda is having none of it.

Soares looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Soares controlling the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Soares passes the guard and advances to mount!
Soares trying to control but he's not successful this time.

Soares with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

Soares goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Rueda is on top in guard.
Soares keeping moving, preventing Rueda from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rueda is trying to tuck his arms in to keep them safe but Soares has managed to isolate one of them and has got a loose triangle. Rueda is looking to defend but Soares has done well to lock his legs together - this could be big trouble for Rueda! Soares pulls down on the head and a little smile comes across his face - he knows he's got it. Yep, Rueda taps out and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:28 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Rafael Soares!