PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Iggor Souza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kuku Xumusu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kuku Xumusu is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Souza
vs
Xumusu

191 cm
26
215 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

191 cm
28
215 lbs
10 - 11 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Iggor Souza!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kuku Xumusu!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Arvi Lind and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Souza has Xumusu up against the cage in a clinch.
Xumusu tries to pull guard but Souza forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Souza jumps guard but Xumusu turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Souza lands a hook to the side of the head.
Xumusu throws an elbow that misses.

Souza breaks the clinch.
Souza gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Xumusu counters with a nice double leg into side control. Souza won't be happy with that.
Souza is looking for a sweep.
Souza pushes Xumusu away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Xumusu gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Souza seems a little lost for a moment, as Xumusu dominates the positioning.

Xumusu decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Xumusu shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Souza pinned against the cage. Souza gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick from Souza lands but Xumusu takes it in his stride.
Xumusu keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

Xumusu manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Souza on his heels. He'll look to pass Souza's guard now, I'm sure.
Souza wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Xumusu manages to pass to side control.
Xumusu blocks the strikes from Souza.
Souza is trying to stand up here but Xumusu is controlling him well.
Xumusu is thwarting Souza's attempts to control the position.
Souza is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xumusu wants to take a breather but Souza is having none of it.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Xumusu in particular looking to stall.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
It looks like Xumusu might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Kuku Xumusu hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Souza moves in looking to clinch but Xumusu pushes him off.
Souza rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Xumusu moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Souza shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Xumusu as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Iggor Souza. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Souza throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Xumusu moves in looking to clinch but Souza pushes him off.
Xumusu tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Souza defends well and Xumusu ends up having to push Souza into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Xumusu tries to pull guard but Souza forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Still in the clinch, Souza scores with a nice short uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Souza is trying to pull guard but Xumusu turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Xumusu jumps guard but Souza stands there with Xumusu around his waist. Xumusu gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Souza's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Souza misses with a jab, cross combination.
A head kick misses from Souza.
Souza stuffs the takedown attempt from Xumusu. Xumusu gets slowly back to his feet.
Souza lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

Xumusu decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Xumusu is looking for a kimura but Souza is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Xumusu to get the leverage.
Xumusu is pressing down on Souza's thigh, looking to free his foot. Souza is holding on for now.
Souza trying to hold on to Xumusu's head to control him but Xumusu postures up.
Souza knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Xumusu on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Souza scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Xumusu manages to mount him!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Xumusu is controlling this nicely and is looking to make no mistakes. Souza is trying to wiggle out of this horrible position. Souza flips to his side and attempts to get a leg in for half guard. Xumusu anticipates the leg and manages to get behind Souza and secures both hooks! This could be bad! Xumusu slips an arm under Souza chin and tries to position for a rear naked choke. Xumusu has worked the choke in now and it looks tight. Xumusu is squeezing on Souza like an anaconda would it's prey. Souza fails to tap and has fallen unconscious! We've got ourselves a winner by way of a rear naked choke!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:34 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Kuku Xumusu!