PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tweedle Dee (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pluto Palhares (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dee comes to the cage accompanied by Chumbawamba - Tubthumping. Palhares has chosen TOQUINHO as his entrance music. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Dee
vs
Palhares

180 cm
33
195 lbs
41 - 8 - 1

181 cm
33
171 lbs
36 - 6 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 41 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Tweedle Dee!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 36 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Pluto Palhares!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Andrew Berry and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Palhares throws a body punch but Dee moves out of range.
Dee buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Dee tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Palhares is able to avoid easily.
Dee stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Dee wants it to stay on the feet.
Palhares misses with a body shot.
Palhares shoots in for a double leg but Dee sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Palhares ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Dee moves away.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Palhares crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Dee - the referee stops the clock and Palhares gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Dee. Palhares manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Palhares misses with a wild combination.
Palhares blocks the body kick.
Palhares scores with a nice head shot.

Palhares closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Dee's guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Dee controls Palhares momentarily but Palhares frees himself.
Dee keeping full guard, as Palhares tries to pass.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dee pulls Palhares in close to prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dee striking off his back but it's not causing Palhares any problems.
Dee looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

Dee is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Palhares wants to control from the top but Dee keeps moving.
Palhares trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Dee thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Palhares forces his way into half guard.
Palhares trying to control the action but Dee is working from the bottom.
Dee is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Palhares's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Palhares's back!
Dee missing with strikes from the back.
Dee throwing strikes from the back - he gets a warning from the referee for striking the back of the head but all these shots are hurting Palhares!
Dee tries to keep control of the position but Palhares is staying busy.
Dee cracks Palhares with a big shot to body and one to the head - really punishing Palhares from the back mount here, looking to soften him up.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dee lands with a hammerfist to the side of Palhares's head.
Dee missing with punches from the back.
Palhares is really stuck here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dee scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
Palhares felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dee lands shots from the back.
Dee misses with punches from the back.
Palhares is really stuck here.
Dee is working the ground and pound. Can Palhares escape?
Dee throws strikes from the back but Palhares rolls nicely and manages to end up in full guard. Nice work by Palhares.

Palhares escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Dee gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Palhares working a defensive guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dee looking to pass the guard.
Palhares pulls Dee in close to his closed guard and prevents Dee from doing any damage or advancing position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Dee wants to control from the top but Palhares keeps moving.
Dee trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Dee throwing strikes but missing.
Palhares wants to sweep but no luck.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Palhares stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Dee.
Palhares throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Dee throws a jab when Palhares was well out of range.
Palhares ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Dee drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

Palhares scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Dee wants to get back to full guard.
Palhares is keen to just control but Dee is a slippery customer.
Palhares tries to pass the half guard into mount. Dee knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Palhares is trying to control. Dee wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Palhares slows the pace down in half guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Pluto Palhares.

Palhares shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Palhares showed some decent athleticism there.
Palhares not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Dee is refusing to be controlled, as Palhares sits in half guard.
Dee is trying to get back to full guard.
Dee is working hard here to advance position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dee gets full guard.
Dee will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Palhares wants to control from the top but Dee keeps moving.
Dee keeping full guard, as Palhares tries to pass.
Palhares with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Dee keeping moving, preventing Palhares from controlling successfully.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dee looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Palhares tries to free his leg and advance position but Dee is retaining full guard.
Palhares wants to control from the top but Dee keeps moving.

Pluto Palhares has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Dee digs a good body shot into Palhares's ribs.
Palhares bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Palhares uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Dee.
Palhares moves out of range of the body kick from Dee.
Pluto Palhares seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dee takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Dee blocks the body kick.
Dee throws the kick towards the body but Palhares avoids it.
Decent striking displayed by Palhares there.
Dee throws a quick inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palhares displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Dee throws out the jab.
Palhares works over Dee's head and body with a nice combination.
Palhares chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Dee can pounce on him.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Palhares shoots in for a takedown but Dee shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Jab, jab by Palhares - just one landing.
Dee throws a wild body kick that Palhares sees coming a mile off.

Dee clinches with his opponent.
Palhares lands with a light punch inside.
Palhares tries a body shot but Dee blocks it.
Palhares working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Palhares pushes Dee back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Dee throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Palharess head.
Palhares blocks a punch to the side of the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Dee tries a body shot but Palhares blocks it.
Dee swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Palhares fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Palhares tries a body shot but Dee blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pluto Palhares showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Dee 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.
A big left from Palhares misses.
Both fighters circling a little - Dee finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Palhares uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Dee.
Palhares throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Palhares.
Dee throws the kick towards the body but Palhares avoids it.
Dee looks to land a body kick but Palhares moved away.
Dee throws a body punch but Palhares moves out of range.
Dee throws a lazy right hand but Palhares sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Palhares takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Dee misses with a body kick.

Palhares shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Dee napping and manages to drive through into side control!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Palhares working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Dee is trying to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dee struggling a bit here.
Dee is trying to get back to half guard.
Palhares tries to advance to mount but can't.
Dee struggling a bit here.
Palhares wants to control but Dee is keeping him busy.
Dee is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dee has his hands clasped together around Palhares's back. He's all about the action.

Dee actively working from the bottom here.
Palhares prevents Dee from improving his position.
Dee works his way to full guard. Good work.
Tweedle Dee overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Dee is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Palhares passes Dee's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Dee wants to get back to full guard but Palhares has passed into side control.
Palhares wants to control but Dee is keeping him busy.
Palhares is staying tight to Dee's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Palhares wants to control for a moment but Dee uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dee is looking for a sweep. Palhares is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Palhares wants to pass the guard but Dee is defending well.
Dee tries to get to full guard but Palhares has control of the leg.
Palhares is trying to control. Dee wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Dee trying to control here.
Dee tries to roll over but Palhares keeps him under control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tweedle Dee clearly takes that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Palhares 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.
Palhares throws a chopping leg kick but Dee manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
A nice leg kick lands there from Palhares.
Palhares comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Dee tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Palhares swivels and escapes.
Palhares loads up on a big right hand but Dee slips the punch.
Palhares throws a head kick but Dee moves out of range.
Palhares goes for a double leg but Dee avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Dee continues to drive forward.
Dee tries to work over Palhares's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Dee misses with a punch on the inside.
Dee prevents a body shot from Palhares.
A short left from Palhares.
Palhares goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Dee lands a hook to the side of the head.
Dee blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Palhares misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Palhares stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Palhares working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A short right from Palhares.
Palhares tries to throw a body punch but Dee avoids it by throwing Palhares back against the cage.
Dee blocking some punches.
Dee lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Dee prevents a body shot from Palhares.
A head punch on the inside from Palhares fails to land.
Palhares gets through Dee's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Palhares misses with some punches.
Dee lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Palhares or not.
Palhares lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A shot in the inside from Dee.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dee swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Dee lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Dee misses with the head strike.
Palhares tries to throw a body punch but Dee avoids it by throwing Palhares back against the cage.
Dee is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Dee pushes Palhares back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Palhares is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dee softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Dee prevents a body shot from Palhares.
Dee lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Dee looking for a takedown.
A body shot lands from Palhares.
Dee blocks a body shot from Palhares.
Dee lands a right hand.
Palhares blocking some punches.
Dee blocks an uppercut.
Dee fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Palhares is fighting off a takedown attempt but Dee is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Palhares to the mat. Palhares regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Dee wants to control from the top but Palhares keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Palhares working a defensive guard here.
Dee lands a couple of elbows.
Dee connects with a couple of short punches.
We've been hearing that Dee has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Dee is looking to work some ground and pound but Palhares has wrist control.
Palhares trying to control the position here.
Dee is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dee is fighting to break Palhares's control of his arms but Palhares is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Dee moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Palhares throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Dee's waist but Dee gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Palhares off to one side.
Tweedle Dee has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pluto Palhares.
Dee wants to slow Palhares down by chopping away at his legs.
Dee tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Palhares was well out of range. Poor timing from Dee.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Palhares, right into the meat.
Dee tries to clinch but Palhares moves out of range.
Good leg kick by Palhares there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Palhares throws a leg kick which misses Dee's front leg but catches the back leg as Dee tries to avoid it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Dee fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Palhares misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Palhares lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Dee circles away quickly and effectively.

Palhares closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Tweedle Dee will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Palhares connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Palhares looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Palhares connects with a good right hand that stumbles Dee. Dee circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Dee wants to clinch.
Dee slips a jab from Palhares.
Palhares takes a jab right on the kisser.
Dee cracks Palhares with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Dee scores with a nice right hand.
Dee checks a leg kick.
Dee misses with a body shot.
Palhares lands a lovely overhand right.
Palhares swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Dee.
Dee throws a half hearted mid kick.
Palhares cracks Dee with an open hand slap.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Dee pushes Palhares away with a front kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dee swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Dee throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Palhares throws a front kick that sends Dee stumbling back into the cage.
Tweedle Dee is winning the standup battle so far.
Palhares lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Dee backs up against the cage.
Palhares lands with a nice body kick.
Dee fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Palhares manages to avoid it.
Dee looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Dee walks into a stiff left hand from Palhares.
Dee connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

Palhares gets caught flat footed, as Dee shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Palhares utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Dee postures up in Palhares's guard and throws a big left but Palhares blocks it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Palhares is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Palhares escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Dee gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Pluto Palhares has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dee is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Dee wants to control from the top but Palhares keeps moving.
Dee throwing strikes but missing.
Palhares avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dee wants to control from the top but Palhares keeps moving.
Palhares controls Dee momentarily but Dee frees himself.
Palhares looking to control but Dee passes into half guard.
Dee scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Palhares wants to improve his position but Dee is controlling well.
Palhares trying to control here.
Dee trying to control the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palhares wants to improve his position but Dee is controlling well.
Palhares works his way to full guard. Good work.
Dee in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Palhares keeping full guard, as Dee tries to pass.
Dee throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tweedle Dee showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Dee has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 48:47
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 49:46
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tweedle Dee!
Tweedle Dee retains his middleweight title!
Tweedle Dee managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Australian Xtreme Elite Supplements 160Q, into his post fight interview.