PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Blair Sykes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gustavo Miranda Souza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Blair Sykes has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Sykes
vs
Miranda Souza

182 cm
18
346 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

180 cm
18
300 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Blair Sykes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Gustavo Miranda Souza!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Seu Braga and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sykes instigates a clinch.
Miranda Souza is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

Miranda Souza tightens his grip and picks Sykes up, before dumping him to the ground. Sykes manages to land in guard.
Sykes not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Miranda Souza gets to his feet - Sykes follows without any prompting.

Miranda Souza rushes Sykes and presses him up against the cage.
Sykes could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Miranda Souza wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Miranda Souza is trying to push Sykes away but Sykes has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Miranda Souza tries to circle away but Sykes has him pinned against the cage.
Sykes is stalling here.

Miranda Souza has picked Sykes up - he's going for a ride! Miranda Souza dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sykes tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Miranda Souza throwing shots but Sykes is blocking nicely.
Sykes avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Miranda Souza.
Miranda Souza has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Sykes is trying to maintain the position but Miranda Souza is very close to passing his half guard.
Sykes won't allow Miranda Souza to pass to mount.
Miranda Souza works his way into full mount!
Sykes is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Miranda Souza get's back to his feet.
Gustavo Miranda Souza seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Miranda Souza shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Sykes napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Sykes is looking to regain half guard here but Miranda Souza keeps moving and retains side control.
Miranda Souza trying to control the position but Sykes is working away.
Sykes misses with an elbow from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miranda Souza working the ground and pound.
Miranda Souza trying to control the position but Sykes is working away.

Miranda Souza has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Miranda Souza looks winded!

Miranda Souza scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Sykes misses with an elbow from the bottom.
Sykes is looking for a sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Miranda Souza throws an elbow but Sykes slips to the side and avoids it well.
Miranda Souza working away.

Miranda Souza goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Sykes rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Miranda Souza's guard! Nice work there by Sykes!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sykes lands a couple of decent looking shots.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sykes preventing the sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gustavo Miranda Souza dominated 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.

Sykes dives in and scores a takedown into Miranda Souza's guard.

Miranda Souza is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Miranda Souza has an active guard here but Sykes has managed to pass into half guard.
Miranda Souza tries to roll over but Sykes keeps him under control.
Miranda Souza is breathing heavily.
Miranda Souza wants to sweep but Sykes has passed to side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sykes working away.
Sykes scoring with punches from side control.
Miranda Souza defending against the ground and pound.
Sykes lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Miranda Souza down.
Sykes creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Miranda Souza tries to improve position but can't.
Sykes connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Miranda Souza some visible discomfort.
Miranda Souza takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Sykes is putting a hurting on Miranda Souza here, landing some big shots from side control.

Sykes has worked his way into a potential kimura here. Miranda Souza is trying to get out of the position but his squirming has just got him deeper into trouble. Sykes yanks on the arm and Miranda Souza is forced to tap due to a very painful looking submission! Nice work by Sykes.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:56 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Blair Sykes!