PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Aaxell Corzo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Canaan Brooks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Canaan Brooks struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 172.9lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Canaan Brooks told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Corzo
vs
Brooks

180 cm
22
170 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

192 cm
23
185 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

GREEN!

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Aaxell Corzo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Canaan Brooks!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Daniel Cesar and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Brooks swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Corzo forces Brooks back against the cage and clinches.

Corzo manages to pull guard.
Corzo keeping moving, preventing Brooks from controlling successfully.

Corzo is looking for a triangle but Brooks pushes his legs off easily.
Brooks looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Corzo escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Brooks gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Corzo working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Brooks doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Brooks manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Corzo throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Corzo trying to control the position.
Corzo knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Brooks on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Corzo throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Brooks trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Corzo looking to hit a scissor sweep but Brooks is one step ahead there.
Brooks engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Brooks stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Corzo swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Brooks stays in close to Corzo's body and controls the position.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Canaan Brooks hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Corzo chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Brooks can pounce on him.
Brooks doesn't manage to clinch there - Corzo circles away.
Brooks tries to clinch but Corzo moves out of range.
Corzo throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Corzo takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Brooks, right into the meat.
Brooks shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Corzo defends it nicely.
Brooks tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Corzo paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Corzo gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Brooks misses with an elbow over the top.

Corzo successfully pulls guard.
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!
Brooks wants to get up but he can't break Corzo's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Corzo trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Corzo keeping moving, preventing Brooks from controlling successfully.
Corzo trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Brooks slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Canaan Brooks.
Corzo slaps away a takedown attempt from Brooks, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Corzo shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Brooks defends it nicely.
Corzo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Corzo shoots in but no luck this time.
Corzo is breathing heavily.
Corzo shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Brooks as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aaxell Corzo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Brooks throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Brooks avoids the head kick by Corzo.
Brooks tries to clinch up.
Brooks lands a head kick!
Corzo stuffs the takedown attempt from Brooks. Brooks gets slowly back to his feet.

Brooks shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Brooks was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Corzo being controlled for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Brooks tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Brooks has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Brooks working away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Canaan Brooks dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Brooks cracks the inside of Corzo's front leg.
Corzo shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Brooks counters with a left and a right that stings Corzo.
Corzo throws a sloppy head kick and Brooks moves out of range easily.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Corzo forces Brooks back against the cage and clinches.
Corzo tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Corzo pulls guard.

Brooks gets to his feet - Corzo follows without any prompting.
Brooks turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Brooks connects with an inside leg kick.
Corzo fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Brooks avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aaxell Corzo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Brooks scores with a spinning back kick!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Brooks tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Corzo paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Corzo takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Corzo misses with a takedown
and Brooks counters with a solid body kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Brooks. Those never looked like landing.

Corzo pushes Brooks up against the cage in a clinch.
Corzo is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Brooks to keep the fight standing.
Corzo has Brooks pressed against the cage, preventing Brooks from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Brooks taking a breather.
Brooks fails to pull guard.
Brooks is trying to force a seperation but Corzo has the dominant position.
Corzo blocks an elbow strike from Brooks.
Corzo fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Brooks is looking for a takedown.
Corzo tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Brooks smiles and moves away.
Brooks wants to clinch.
Brooks shoots in looking for a takedown. Corzo tries to sprawl out of it but Brooks keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Corzo manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brooks lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
An inside leg kick lands from Brooks.

Brooks moves into the clinch successfully.
Brooks lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Corzo fails to pull guard.
Corzo jumps guard but Brooks turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Corzo is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Brooks to keep the fight standing.
Brooks working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Brooks fails to land.
Brooks jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Corzo walks away with a smile on his face. Brooks gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Brooks goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Brooks is trying hard to land a takedown here. Corzo sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Brooks lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Aaxell Corzo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Left hook, right uppercut from Brooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Corzo keeps the fight on the outside.
Corzo tries to score a power double leg takedown but Brooks sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Corzo somewhat.
Brooks rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Corzo moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Corzo on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.

Corzo rushes Brooks and presses him up against the cage.
Brooks tries a body shot but Corzo blocks it.
Corzo is trying to pull guard but Brooks has him pressed against the cage.
Corzo is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Corzo tries to pull guard but Brooks won't allow it.

Brooks breaks from the clinch.
Brooks lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Corzo backs up against the cage.

Brooks clinches up with Corzo and pushes him back against the cage.
Corzo tries to pull guard but Brooks won't allow it.
Brooks misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Corzo.

Brooks breaks the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brooks throws a right and a left that both miss.
Corzo shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Brooks as he jumps to the side.
Brooks dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Corzo. That did some damage!
Brooks lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Brooks connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Brooks lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Brooks shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Corzo sprawls well. Corzo wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Brooks gets slowly back to his feet.
Brooks tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Corzo paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Corzo shoots in but Brooks avoids the takedown attempt easily.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Brooks misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Corzo has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Canaan Brooks showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Brooks.
Corzo slips a jab and a cross from Brooks.
Corzo throws a sloppy head kick and Brooks moves out of range easily.
Corzo shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Brooks pinned against the cage. Brooks gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Brooks tries to close the distance and clinch but Corzo swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Corzo fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Brooks, pushing him back against the cage.
Corzo is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Brooks to keep the fight standing.
Brooks stalling in the clinch but Corzo improves position.

Corzo manages to break the clinch.
Brooks closes the distance and clinches up with Corzo, looking for a takedown. Brooks pushes Corzo against the cage but Corzo circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Corzo fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aaxell Corzo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Brooks fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Corzo sprawls well initially but Brooks persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Corzo is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Brooks is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Corzo has managed to free his arm - good work.

Brooks stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Brooks lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Corzo backs up against the cage.
Nice takedown defense from Corzo. No joy for Brooks on that attempt.
Brooks is looking to clinch.
Corzo throws a sloppy head kick
and Brooks counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Brooks lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Corzo circles away quickly and effectively.

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

Corzo manages to break the clinch.
Brooks scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Brooks closes the distance and clinches up with Corzo, looking for a takedown. Brooks pushes Corzo against the cage but Corzo circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Corzo shoots for a takedown but Brooks saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Aaxell Corzo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brooks lands a high kick!
Brooks throws out a leg kick but Corzo moves out of range and Brooks only half commits.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Corzo.
Corzo fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A left and a right from Brooks both land. Nice combination.
Brooks tries to bum rush Corzo with a series of wild strikes but Corzo uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Corzo shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Brooks as he avoids it easily.
Corzo tries for a takedown but Brooks sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Brooks tries to clinch but Corzo is having none of it.
Canaan Brooks is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Brooks shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Corzo as he avoids it easily.
Corzo throws a head kick but Brooks moves out of range.

Corzo instigates a clinch.
Aaxell Corzo has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Corzo is trying to pull guard but Brooks turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Brooks misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brooks working hard to break the clinch.
Corzo is trying to pull guard but Brooks has him pressed against the cage.
Corzo doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Corzo prevents a takedown attempt there.

Corzo pulls guard effortlessly.
Brooks showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Let's hope that Brooks has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

Corzo throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Corzo wants to get back to his feet but Brooks is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Corzo is working an open guard so Brooks takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Brooks closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Corzo's guard.
Corzo being controlled here, momentarily.
Brooks passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Canaan Brooks is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Corzo is trying to improve his position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Brooks tries for a kimura but Corzo is defending well.
Brooks is staying tight to Corzo's torso, preventing him from escaping.

And that's the end of the fight!
Canaan Brooks comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Brooks winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Paulo Santos scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Canaan Brooks!