PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Joaquim Antunes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dean Hall (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Antunes
vs
Hall

175 cm
20
155 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

150 cm
20
140 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Determined

Steel Penn - Battle Ready Nutrition
Merciless Gladiators

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 4 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Joaquim Antunes!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dean Hall!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, David Schapiro and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Antunes shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Hall as he jumps to the side.
Antunes shoots in looking for a takedown. Hall tries to sprawl out of it but Antunes keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hall manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Antunes goes for a double leg but Hall avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Hall continues to drive forward.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joaquim Antunes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hall misses with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Hall fails to land.
Hall stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Hall can't find room to land a body shot as Antunes controls the action.
Antunes is trying to drag Hall to the mat but Hall just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Hall tries to work over Antunes's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hall tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hall tries a body shot but Antunes blocks it.
Antunes prevents a body shot from Hall.
Hall has a couple of punches blocked by Antunes.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Antunes has Hall pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Antunes pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Hall tumbling to the mat - Antunes dives into Hall's guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Hall is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Antunes throws a big elbow that misses.
Antunes throwing strikes from guard but Hall blocks nicely.
Antunes working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Antunes throwing strikes but missing.
Hall utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hall wants to sweep but no luck.
Antunes is looking to pass into half guard but Hall pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Hall is in guard.
Antunes manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Hall manages to get himself to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Antunes stopping the sweep attempt from Hall.
Antunes stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hall swivels though and keeps the full guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Hall can do anything to dispel that myth.
Antunes slips nicely into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Antunes is trying to control. Hall wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Antunes missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Antunes takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Hall blocking the ground and pound attempt from Antunes.
Antunes lands strikes from half guard.
Hall wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Antunes throwing shots but Hall is blocking nicely.
Antunes looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Hall with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Hall taking some punishment here, with Antunes in his half guard.
Antunes prevents Hall from improving his position.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Antunes connects with a nice short shot to Hall's temple.
Antunes seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Antunes performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Antunes scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Antunes is nestled in close to Hall, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Hall trying to control but Antunes postures up.
Antunes will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Antunes wants to pass the guard but Hall is defending well.
Antunes winds up and cracks Hall with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Antunes is trying to control. Hall wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Antunes thows a huge punch but Hall dodges it nicely.
Antunes is figuring out what he wants to do next.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hall keeping control of the position.
Antunes is looking to advance position but Hall won't allow it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hall is not content to let Antunes control the position.
Antunes lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joaquim Antunes dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Antunes tries for a takedown but Hall circles away easily

and Hall counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Hall.
Antunes tries to score a body lock takedown but Hall shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Antunes is working for takedown but Hall is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joaquim Antunes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Antunes prevents a body shot from Hall.
Hall goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hall working aggressively here.
Antunes is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Hall pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Hall prevents a takedown attempt there.
Hall tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hall misses with a body punch.
Hall working aggressively here.
Hall misses with a body punch.
Hall misses with a body punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hall swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hall misses with a punch to the body.
Hall stops a takedown attempt from Antunes.

Antunes has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Hall clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Antunes gets his hooks in and is throwing strikes.
Hall wants to escape the position.

Antunes is cranking Hall's head sideways - that looks painful. He's managed to get his other arm under the chin and this looks bad for Hall! He's tightened the choke and Hall is tapping out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:51 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Joaquim Antunes!
Joaquim Antunes retains his featherweight title!
Our winner, Joaquim Antunes, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.