PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Luis Carlos Linhares (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Reiska Pekka Retale (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Retale has chosen The Prodigy - Smack My Bitch Up as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Carlos Linhares
vs
Pekka Retale

171 cm
30
147 lbs
21 - 7 - 1

169 cm
31
154 lbs
30 - 11 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Perkele!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Luis Carlos Linhares!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Reiska Pekka Retale!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, James Ackerman and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Linhares fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Retale manages to avoid it.
Linhares feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Retale's calf.
We've been informed that Retale has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Retale tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Linhares paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Linhares walks into a stiff left hand from Retale.
Retale has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Linhares.
Retale on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Retale tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Linhares manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Retale slips under a jab from Linhares.
Linhares lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

It looks like Reiska Pekka Retale has been cut.
Retale misses with a body kick.
Retale connects with a body shot.
Linhares swings for the body but Retale moves out of range.

Retale has taken the fight to the clinch.
Linhares struggles to land a body shot inside as Retale controls his hands.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Linhares misses with the head strike.
Retale tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Retale misses with the head strike.
Linhares tries a body shot but Retale blocks it.
Retale misses with a hook from the clinch.
Linhares misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Linhares lands with a short shot to the head.
Retale has a couple of punches blocked by Linhares.
Linhares digs a right hand underneath Retale's ribcage. Retale let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Linhares misses with a body punch.
Retale with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Retale swings wildly with an uppercut but Linhares uses good head movement to avoid it.
Linhares tries to work over Retale's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Still in the clinch, Retale scores with a nice short uppercut.
Retale doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Linhares throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Retales head.
Retale can't find room to land a body shot as Linhares controls the action.
Retale prevents a body shot from Linhares.
Retale blocks a body shot from Linhares.
Linhares lands a right hand.
Linhares tries a body shot but Retale blocks it.
Linhares pushes Retale back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Linhares creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Linhares lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Retale backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Linhares lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Retale or not.
Retale lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Retale tries a body shot but Linhares blocks it.
Retale missing with knees to the body.
Retale is struggling to control the position.
Retale lands a nice knee to the body.
Retale throws a knee to the head but misses.
Linhares is looking to control Retale's arms but Retale gets an underhook and turns him. Now Linhares has his back to the cage.
Retale tries a knee to the head but Linhares blocks it.
Retale lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Linhares backwards.
Retale tries to land knees in the clinch but Linhares avoids the damage to the body.
Retale has a couple of punches blocked by Linhares.
Linhares lands with a light punch inside.
Retale pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Retale.
Linhares scores with a hook to the body.
Retale comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Retale takes an elbow to the temple.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Linhares lands with a short shot to the head.
Linhares makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Linhares lands a nice shot to the body.
Retale missing with knees to the body.
Linhares has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Retale pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Retale lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Linhares misses with a punch to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Retale fails to land.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Linhares.
Retale throws a head punch that misses.
Retale misses with a knee to the head.
Retale creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Linhares takes a knee to the side of the body.
Linhares fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Linhares prevents a body shot from Retale.
Retale swings away with an uppercut that misses.
I was talking to Linhares's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Linhares can't find room to land a body shot as Retale controls the action.
Retale lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Retale is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Linhares tries a body shot but Retale blocks it.
Linhares's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Retale blocking some punches.
Linhares has had enough of the clinch but Retale keeps him there for the moment.
Linhares makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Linhares lands an uppercut.
Linhares goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Retale lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Retale misses with a punch to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Linhares.
Retale presses Linhares against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A nice right hand lands inside from Linhares.
Retale's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Retale lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Linhares backwards.
Linhares misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Retale misses with some punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Luis Carlos Linhares will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Reiska Pekka Retale's cut.
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.

Linhares lands a leg kick that knocks Retale off balance momentarily.
Nice shot lands for Linhares.
Linhares throws a body shot but no joy.
The crowd cheers as Linhares lands an impressive looking overhand right. Retale doesn't seem phased though.

Retale rushes Linhares and presses him up against the cage.
Linhares can't find room to land a body shot as Retale controls the action.
Retale prevents a body shot from Linhares.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Linhares.
Linhares blocks an uppercut.
Linhares swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Retale throws an elbow but it's blocked.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Retale.
Retale wants to stall.
Linhares lands a nice shot to the body.
Linhares throws a punch but it's blocked by Retale.
Retale lands with a short shot to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Retale throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Linharess head.
Linhares lands with a right to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Retale landing knees to the body.
Linhares can't find room to land a body shot as Retale controls the action.
Linhares misses with a hook to the ribs.
Retale prevents a body shot from Linhares.
Linhares works on Retale's body with a couple of short punches.
Linhares misses with the head strike.
Retale tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Retale misses with a punch on the inside.
Reiska Pekka Retale seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Linhares gets through Retale's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Linhares blocks an uppercut.
Retale misses with a punch on the inside.
Retale misses with a punch on the inside.
Retale lands with a right to the head.
Linhares lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Retale fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Linhares avoiding damage as Retale throws knees to the body.
Linhares misses with a body punch.
Linhares presses Retale against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Retale lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Linhares or not.
Retale blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Linhares tries to throw a body punch but Retale avoids it by throwing Linhares back against the cage.
Retale swings away with an uppercut that misses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Retale lands a damaging elbow.
Linhares creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Linhares managing to block the knees to the body from Retale.
Retale misses with the head strike.
Linhares can't find room to land a body shot as Retale controls the action.
Linhares managing to block the knees to the body from Retale.
Linhares digs a right hand into Retale's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Retale's gas tank.
Retale struggles to land a body shot inside as Linhares controls his hands.
Retale makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Linhares lands a hook that snaps the head of Retale backwards.
Linhares blocks a body shot from Retale.
Linhares blocks an uppercut.
Linhares works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Linhares swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Linhares misses with a body punch.
Linhares tries to throw a body punch but Retale avoids it by throwing Linhares back against the cage.
Linhares tries to pull guard but Retale forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Linhares throws a punch but it's blocked by Retale.
Linhares lands a nice shot to the body.
Linhares blocking some punches.
Linhares tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Retale's elbow.
Nice elbow from Linhares.
Linhares avoiding damage as Retale throws knees to the body.
Nice body punch from Linhares - that landed with a thud.
Linhares tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Retale's elbow.
Linhares tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Retale's elbow.
Linhares struggles to land a body shot inside as Retale controls his hands.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Retale.
Linhares misses with a punch to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Linhares.
Linhares blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Retale looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Retale swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Retale dodges an elbow strike from Linhares.
Linhares doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Linhares has a couple of punches blocked by Retale.
Retale goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Linhares avoiding damage as Retale throws knees to the body.
Linhares struggles to land a body shot inside as Retale controls his hands.
Retale lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Linhares cracks Retale with a nice body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Linhares misses with the head strike.
Linhares misses with a hook from the clinch.
Linhares misses with a body punch.
Retale misses with a punch on the inside.
Linhares lands an elbow inside that Retale shrugs off.
Linhares throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Retales head.
Retale lands an elbow inside.
Retale blocks an elbow strike from Linhares.
Retale comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Retale lands with a right to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Luis Carlos Linhares will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Reiska Pekka Retale's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Retale misses with a hook
and Linhares counters with a head kick. That will keep Retale thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Linhares thuds a left hand into Retale's body.
Retale lands a body shot.
Retale blocks the body kick.
Linhares slips under a jab.
Linhares lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Linhares lands with a slapping head kick.
Retale tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Linhares is able to avoid easily.
Linhares misses with a wild combination.
Retale misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Linhares scores with a jab. Retale acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Linhares misses with a body kick.
Linhares uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Retale.
Linhares scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Retale scores with a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Linhares jabs Retale right on the nose. Retale blinks but takes it well.
Retale looks to throw the jab but Linhares is out of range.
Linhares avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Linhares throws a leg kick which misses Retale's front leg but catches the back leg as Retale tries to avoid it.
Donk. Linhares catches Retale right on the button with a cross.
Luis Carlos Linhares seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Linhares connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Retale's hands.
Linhares takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Linhares throws a push kick but Retale slaps the foot to one side.
Linhares wants to slow Retale down by chopping away at his legs.
Linhares digs a good body shot into Retale's ribs.
Linhares throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Retale takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
A nice leg kick lands there from Linhares.
Retale checks a leg kick.
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!
Retale cracks Linhares with a good jab.
Nice shot lands for Retale.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Retale throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Good exchange - Linhares coming out on top.

Retale moves into the clinch.
Linhares tries to throw a body punch but Retale avoids it by throwing Linhares back against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Retale.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Retale.
Linhares blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Retale lands with a left to the head.
Retale misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Linhares.
Retale fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Linhares doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Retale is trying to maintain a safe position but Linhares gets an underhook and turns Retale into the cage.
Retale lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Retale fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Linhares is trying to maintain a safe position but Retale gets an underhook and turns Linhares into the cage.
Linhares misses with a hook from the clinch.
Retale lands with a short shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Retale lands a hook to the side of the head.
Retale misses with a knee to the head.
Linhares misses with a short punch on the inside.
A right hook to the body lands for Retale.
Retale blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Linhares tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Linhares throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Retale tries to work over Linhares's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A head punch on the inside from Retale fails to land.
Retale lands a knee to the body.
Linhares lands a body shot in the clinch.
Linhares tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Linhares misses with a punch on the inside.
The referee calls for Retale to work.
Retale tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Linhares's elbow.
Linhares misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good body shot from Retale.
Retale throws a head punch that misses.
Retale misses with a punch on the inside.
Linhares tries a body shot but Retale blocks it.
Retale blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Linhares misses with some punches.
Linhares blocks a body shot from Retale.
Linhares tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A shot in the inside from Retale.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Linhares throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Retales head.
Linhares misses with the head strike.
Linhares is trying to force a seperation but Retale has the dominant position.
Linhares tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Retale's elbow.
Linhares lands a body punch in the clinch.
Linhares misses with some punches.
Linhares working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Retale lands an uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Luis Carlos Linhares did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Reiska Pekka Retale's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Linhares misses with an attempted mid kick.
Linhares misses with a hook. Retale ducked under it nicely.
Retale tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Retale tries to close the distance and clinch up but Linhares swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Retale throws a series of punches but Linhares moves out of range.
Retale misses with a wild body shot.
Linhares throws an off balance right hand

and Retale counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
With the fighters up against the cage, Linhares throws an elbow but misses.
Linhares blocks an uppercut.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Linhares creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Linhares misses with a shot to the kidneys.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Linhares doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Retale presses Linhares against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Linhares misses with a punch on the inside.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Linhares.
Retale blocking some punches.
Retale working aggressively here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Linhares is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Linhares lands with a right to the head.
Linhares is working Retale over against the cage.
Linhares wants to break free but Retale has control.
A head punch on the inside from Linhares fails to land.
Linhares lands a right hand.
Retale trying to land knees to the body.
Retale tries to land a knee to the head but Linhares blocks with his arms.
Retale lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Linhares throws a punch but it's blocked by Retale.
Linhares misses with a body punch.
Retale taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Linhares pushes Retale back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Retale blocks a body shot from Linhares.
Retale tries to throw a body punch but Linhares avoids it by throwing Retale back against the cage.
Retale with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Retale holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Linhares scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Linhares throws a head punch that misses.
Linhares lands a right hand.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Linhares.
Retale is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Linhares lands a right hand.
Retale blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Linhares misses with an elbow over the top.
Retale misses with a body punch.
Retale trying to control the position but instead, Linhares has worked for underhooks and has pushed Retale into the cage.
Linhares lands a left hand.
Retale missing with knees to the body.
Retale stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Retale scores with a shot to the side of Linhares's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Retale stalling in the clinch but Linhares improves position.
Good body shot from Retale.
Linhares misses with a hook to the ribs.
Linhares avoids a wild elbow strike from Retale.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Linhares.
Retale doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Retale tries a knee to the head but Linhares blocks it.
Linhares creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Retale's defenses.
Retale lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Linhares can't find room to land a body shot as Retale controls the action.
Nice elbow from Linhares.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Linhares.

That has opened up Reiska Pekka Retale's cut even more.
Retale has a couple of punches blocked by Linhares.
Linhares scores with a shoulder strike.
Linhares misses with some punches.
Linhares goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Linhares has a couple of punches blocked by Retale.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Retale lands an uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Linhares scores with a shoulder strike.
Linhares pushes Retale back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Linhares.
Linhares makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Linhares managing to block the knees to the body from Retale.
Linhares lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Retale.
Retale is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Linhares is defending well for now.
A short right from Linhares on the inside.
Retale misses with a short punch on the inside.
Linhares struggles to land a body shot inside as Retale controls his hands.
A short body shot lands from Linhares as the two fighters clinch.
Linhares misses with a hook to the ribs.
Linhares lands with a left to the head.
Retale misses with a punch on the inside.
Linhares lands a body shot.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luis Carlos Linhares had his way with Reiska Pekka Retale in that round.
The cut man is working on Reiska Pekka Retale's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Linhares misses the shot to the body.
Linhares jabs Retale to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Retale takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Linhares throws a body punch but Retale moves out of range.
Retale takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Linhares looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Linhares misses with a body kick.
Linhares uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Retale.
Linhares lands a leg kick that knocks Retale off balance momentarily.
Retale takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Linhares missing with a left hand there. Retale was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice body punch from Retale.
Linhares keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Retale.
Some wild striking there from Retale.
Linhares connects with an inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Retale fails to land with a series of punches.
Linhares throws out a loose jab but Retale uses good head movement to avoid it.
Luis Carlos Linhares is winning the standup battle so far.
Retale throws a nice inside leg kick.
Retale moves out of range of the body kick.
Retale tries to close the distance and clinch but Linhares swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Retale stuns Linhares with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Linhares lands a really nice looking cross but Retale seems unphased.
Retale clobbers Linhares with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Linhares scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Linhares is looking to land body kicks.
Linhares scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Retale is looking to clinch.
Linhares slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Linhares.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Linhares fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Retale.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Retale staying out of range there.
Retale digs a good hook to Linhares's body.
Retale throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Retale throws a body punch but Linhares moves out of range.
Retale closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Retale throws the left hand but Linhares avoids the punch easily.
Retale throws a hook to the side of Linhares's head but Linhares sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Linhares waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Retale.
Linhares throws a body punch but Retale moves out of range.
Linhares slips under a jab.
Reiska Pekka Retale has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A slapping body kick lands there for Linhares.
Retale on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Retale misses with a body kick.
Linhares takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Linhares lands a jab-cross combination.
Linhares throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Linhares stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Linhares bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Retale wants to slow Linhares down by chopping away at his legs.
Linhares turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Linhares misses with a body shot.
Retale doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Retale jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Retale throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Linhares fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Retale.
Linhares lands with a thumping leg kick.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Retale lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Linhares has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Linhares and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Retale misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Linhares.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Retale staying out of range there.
Retale wants to clinch up but Linhares keeps it at a distance.
Retale's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
A head kick misses from Retale.
Linhares keeps the fight on the outside.
Nice cross by Linhares.
Nice uppercut lands for Linhares. That snapped Retale's head back.
A punch lands to the side of Retale 's head but he takes it in his stride.
A punch combination from Linhares misses.
A shot to the liver by Linhares. Beautiful body shot.
Linhares scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Linhares avoids the head kick by Retale.
Linhares misses with a combination
and Retale cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Luis Carlos Linhares is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Retale lets loose with a powerful body kick. Linhares will feel that in the morning.
Retale looks to score with a jab to the body but Linhares is just out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Luis Carlos Linhares showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Linhares, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 49:47
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 50:45
Judge James Glass scores the fight 50:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Luis Carlos Linhares!
Luis Carlos Linhares is the new featherweight champion!
A very excited looking Luis Carlos Linhares made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.