PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Antonio Semedo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rocky Joaquin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rocky Joaquin is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Semedo
vs
Joaquin

195 cm
18
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
28
185 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

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, Antonio Semedo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rocky Joaquin!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Luis Engracia and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Joaquin wants to clinch.
Semedo pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Joaquin back to the cage. Semedo follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Semedo looks to land a combination. Joaquin sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Joaquin throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
letting Semedo counter with a right hand.
Joaquin tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Semedo manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Semedo misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Joaquin dives in and grabs Semedo's left leg, looking for a takedown. Semedo pushes down on Joaquin's head and hops out.
Semedo tries to close the distance and clinch up but Joaquin swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Joaquin is looking to clinch.
Semedo swats away the attempt to clinch by Joaquin.

Semedo moves into the clinch successfully.
Joaquin is trying to pull guard but Semedo turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Joaquin looking to throw knees to the head but Semedo is blocking nicely.
Joaquin tries to break the clinch but Semedo is controlling the position.
Joaquin is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Semedo stalling in the clinch.

Semedo's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Joaquin fails to land with a series of punches.
Semedo will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Semedo shoots in for a double leg but Joaquin sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Antonio Semedo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Joaquin tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A chopping leg kick lands by Semedo.
Semedo tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Joaquin swivels and escapes.
Semedo buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Joaquin misses with a few strikes there.
Semedo thumps Joaquin with a low kick.
Joaquin stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Semedo.
Joaquin misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Semedo connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Semedo lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Joaquin drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Semedo really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Joaquin keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Semedo lands with a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Semedo fails with a takedown attempt.
Semedo scores with a leg kick.
Semedo scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Joaquin changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Semedo tries to avoid it but Joaquin manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Semedo to the ground. Semedo escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Semedo tries to keep at a distance but Joaquin has taken the fight into the clinch.
Joaquin is looking for a takedown.

Joaquin pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Semedo lands a jab-cross combination.
Semedo lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Joaquin tries to clinch but Semedo moves away
and Semedo counters with a nice uppercut.
A shot to the liver by Semedo. Beautiful body shot.
Joaquin throws a series of punches but Semedo avoids them all with ease.
Joaquin chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Semedo can pounce on him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Semedo steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Joaquin.
Joaquin tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Joaquin is looking to clinch.
Semedo dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Joaquin. That did some damage!

Semedo takes the fight into the clinch.
Joaquin throws a punch but it's blocked by Semedo.

Semedo breaks from the clinch.
Semedo swats away the attempt to clinch by Joaquin.
Semedo scores with a three punch combo!
Joaquin tries to clinch there but Semedo circles away.
Joaquin tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Semedo manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A thudding body kick lands there by Semedo!
Semedo lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Joaquin backs up against the cage.
Joaquin tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Semedo takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

Joaquin has managed to clinch.
Semedo blocks an elbow strike from Joaquin.
Joaquin looking for a takedown.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Joaquin avoids a wild elbow strike from Semedo.

Semedo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Semedo turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Joaquin tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Semedo defends well and Joaquin ends up having to push Semedo into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Joaquin's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Joaquin is trying to break the clinch but Semedo has him pressed against the cage.
Semedo landing knees to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Semedo breaks from the clinch.
Joaquin is trying desperately to land a takedown but Semedo is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Joaquin.
Semedo changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Joaquin tries to avoid it but Semedo manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Joaquin to the ground. Joaquin escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
No joy there for Joaquin, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Semedo with a hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antonio Semedo dominated that round.
That's time! Semedo's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Joaquin rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Semedo moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A good leg kick by Semedo.
Semedo scores with a three punch combo!

Semedo moves into the clinch.

Semedo pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Joaquin 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.
Joaquin's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Joaquin tries to bum rush Semedo with a series of wild strikes but Semedo uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Semedo changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Joaquin tries to avoid it but Semedo manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Joaquin to the ground. Joaquin escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Antonio Semedo is winning the standup battle so far.
Semedo pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Joaquin back to the cage. Semedo follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Semedo, right into the meat.
Semedo tries to clinch up.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Semedo.
Joaquin shoots in looking for a takedown. Semedo tries to sprawl out of it but Joaquin keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Semedo manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Joaquin takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joaquin tries to clinch but Semedo is having none of it.
Semedo tries to score a power double leg takedown but Joaquin sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Semedo somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Antonio Semedo. That's going to take a lot out of him.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Semedo manages to break the clinch.
Semedo doesn't manage to clinch there - Joaquin circles away.
Joaquin lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Semedo circles away quickly and effectively.
A thudding body kick lands there by Semedo!

Semedo closes the distance and pushes Joaquin back into the cage.
Semedo is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

Semedo breaks from the clinch.
Semedo fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Joaquin.
Joaquin takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Joaquin misses with a two punch combination.
Semedo is trying hard to land a takedown here. Joaquin sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Semedo connects with an inside leg kick.
Joaquin is looking to clinch.
Semedo throws a one two combo.
Rocky Joaquin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Semedo slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Joaquin fails with an attempt to clinch.
Joaquin tries to clinch there but Semedo circles away.

Joaquin gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Semedo is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Joaquin is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Semedo is defending well.
Semedo scores with a knee to the head.
Semedo wants to break free but Joaquin has control.
Semedo wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Joaquin wants to break the clinch but can't.
Semedo wants to break free but Joaquin has control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joaquin swings wildly with an uppercut but Semedo uses good head movement to avoid it.
Joaquin misses with an elbow over the top.
Semedo is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

Semedo manages to break the clinch.
A nice leg kick lands there from Semedo.
A telegraphed right hand from Joaquin misses the target.
Semedo lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Joaquin is looking to clinch but Semedo is avoiding it.
Joaquin fails with the takedown.
Semedo stuffs the takedown.
Semedo lands with a nice combination. Joaquin backs away looking to recover.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Joaquin looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Semedo shoots in but Joaquin avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Antonio Semedo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Joaquin takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Semedo lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Semedo wants to clinch up but Joaquin keeps it at a distance.
Semedo lands a jab-cross combination.
Semedo connects with an inside leg kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Semedo lands a nice hook to Joaquin's body. Joaquin takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Semedo stuns Joaquin with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

Joaquin shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Joaquin showed some decent athleticism there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Joaquin seems to be working for a kimura but Semedo defends the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antonio Semedo dominated that second round.
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!

Semedo looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Joaquin is fending him off so far but Semedo persists. Nope, Joaquin circles away and we're back to standing.
Sloppy strikes from Joaquin. Those never looked like landing.
Joaquin throws a series of punches but Semedo avoids them all with ease.
Semedo cracks the inside of Joaquin's front leg.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Joaquin is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Semedo pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Semedo's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Semedo ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Joaquin throws a series of punches but Semedo moves out of range.
Joaquin fails to land the takedown.
Joaquin looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Semedo is fending him off so far but Joaquin persists. Nope, Semedo circles away and we're back to standing.
Antonio Semedo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rocky Joaquin.
Semedo stuns Joaquin with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Semedo has Joaquin up against the cage in a clinch.

Semedo's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Joaquin takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Semedo lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Joaquin throws a combination that misses
and Semedo connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Semedo stuns Joaquin with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

Semedo clinches up against the cage.

Semedo escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Semedo throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Joaquin's waist but Joaquin gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Semedo off to one side.
Semedo shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Joaquin as he avoids it easily.
Semedo goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Joaquin tries a head kick but it misses.
Semedo connects with a leg kick. Joaquin looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Joaquin is looking to clinch.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Semedo.
Joaquin tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Semedo manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Semedo fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Semedo connects with a high kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A nice inside leg kick there by Semedo. That's going to slow Joaquin down.
Joaquin throws a nice looking combination but Semedo bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Semedo has Joaquin up against the cage in a clinch.
Antonio Semedo has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Joaquin tries to work over Semedo's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Joaquin jumps guard but Semedo stands there with Joaquin around his waist. Joaquin gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Joaquin avoiding damage as Semedo throws knees to the body.
Semedo is trying to pull guard but Joaquin has him pressed against the cage.
Semedo blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Semedo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Joaquin takes a kick to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joaquin tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Semedo paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A solid body kick from Semedo.
Semedo throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Joaquin takes a kick to the side of the head.
Joaquin has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Joaquin takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Antonio Semedo is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Semedo scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Semedo throws a leg kick which misses Joaquin's front leg but catches the back leg as Joaquin tries to avoid it.
Joaquin takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Joaquin shoots for a takedown but Semedo saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Semedo throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Joaquin has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Semedo.

Semedo closes the distance and clinches.
Joaquin tries to work over Semedo's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Joaquin working hard to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Joaquin's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Joaquin wants to break free but Semedo has control.
Joaquin tries to circle away but Semedo has him pinned against the cage.

Semedo manages to break the clinch.
Joaquin chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Semedo can pounce on him.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Semedo throws a quick inside leg kick.
Joaquin closes the distance looking to clinch
and Semedo counters with a slapping leg kick.

Semedo gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Semedo cracks Joaquin with a nice body shot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Semedo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Joaquin has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Semedo.
Semedo throws out a powerful jab.
Rocky Joaquin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Semedo feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Joaquin's calf.

And that's the end of the fight!
Antonio Semedo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Semedo, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 30:27
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 30:27
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Antonio Semedo!