PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Deano Clavet (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Julio Sobral (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Clavet might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Y Mouillera Pu Pantoute . Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Clavet
vs
Sobral

167 cm
33
170 lbs
20 - 18 - 1

181 cm
31
168 lbs
26 - 15 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Great elbows
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 18 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Deano Clavet!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 15 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Julio Sobral!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Phil Schofield and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Clavet ducks under a wild hook from Sobral.
Sobral looks to score with a jab to the body but Clavet is just out of range.
The fighters circling - Clavet throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Sobral looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Clavet trying to control from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sobral keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Clavet trying to hold on to Sobral's head to control him but Sobral postures up.
Sobral scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Clavet is defending against the submission attempts here by Sobral.
Clavet gets back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sobral controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Clavet has his foot on Sobral's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sobral works his way back into a safe position though.
Sobral trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sobral is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Sobral throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Clavet works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Clavet looking to control.
Clavet controlling the position.
Sobral working some strikes from top position.
Clavet is trying to control the position but Sobral postures up.
Sobral trying to control the position from guard on top but Clavet is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Sobral keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Clavet's head.
Clavet is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Clavet keeping full guard, as Sobral tries to pass.

Clavet is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Sobral controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Sobral trying to control the position from guard on top but Clavet is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Deano Clavet seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Clavet moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Sobral displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Clavet throws out the jab.
Clavet looks to land a combination but Sobral avoids it well.
Clavet ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sobral moves away.
Sobral circles away from the clinch attempt.
A combination from Clavet does no damage.
The fight stays on the outside here - Clavet looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Sobral bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Clavet's head backwards.
Clavet tries to clinch but Sobral moves out of range.
Clavet falls off balance throwing a combination

and Sobral counters with a single leg into guard. Clavet didn't expect that.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Clavet holds on and takes a little breather.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sobral wants to control from the top but Clavet keeps moving.

Clavet has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sobral can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Sobral must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Sobral is looking to work some ground and pound but Clavet has wrist control.
Clavet is trying to control the position but Sobral postures up.
Sobral trying to control but Clavet is working from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sobral pushes down on Clavet's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Clavet wants to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Julio Sobral dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Clavet misses with a hook. Sobral ducked under it nicely.
A left lands for Clavet.
A decent looking cross lands there for Clavet.
Clavet misses with a lunging right hand

and Sobral counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Clavet!
Clavet struggling a bit here.

Sobral goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Clavet has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Sobral but great work by Clavet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Clavet cracks Sobral with a big right hand but Sobral just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Sobral wants to control but Clavet postures up.

Clavet thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
You can see the frustration on Sobral's face as Clavet controls the position.
Clavet wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sobral keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sobral manages to get back to half guard.
Sobral is trying to control but can't.

Clavet is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Sobral has managed to free his arm - good work.
Clavet prevents Sobral from improving his position.
Sobral keeps trying to improve his position.
Sobral wants to control but Clavet is keeping busy.
Clavet is looking to take a break and control but Sobral is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Sobral is positioning himself well to prevent Clavet advancing to mount.
Clavet is trying to control. Sobral wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Clavet lands strikes from half guard.
Clavet is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Sobral!
Sobral sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Sobral slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Clavet wants to control from the top but Sobral keeps moving.
Julio Sobral has got the better of the ground game so far.
Clavet lands a couple of digs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sobral not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Sobral looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Clavet has picked Sobral up and slammed him! Sobral can't keep hold of the triangle and Clavet manages to pass to side control!
Clavet tries to stand but Sobral is controlling his head.
Clavet trying to control the position but Sobral is working away.
You can see the frustration on Sobral's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Clavet looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Sobral is trying to get back to half guard.
Sobral is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Sobral manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Clavet sitting in guard here, content to control.
Sobral utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Clavet looking to sit in guard and control but Sobral gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Sobral missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Clavet not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Sobral advances to half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Clavet is trying to stand back up but Sobral is controlling him

Clavet looking for submissions off his back.
Clavet moves into full guard.
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 Deano Clavet will probably get the nod.
That's time! Clavet's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Clavet throws the left hand but Sobral avoids the punch easily.

Sobral closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Sloppy strikes there by Sobral.
Sobral wants to control for a moment but Clavet uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Clavet manages to get to full guard.
Clavet is trying to control the position but Sobral postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sobral trying to control but Clavet is working from the bottom.
Sobral lands a couple of digs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sobral wants to control from the top but Clavet keeps moving.
Clavet can't keep his opponent in guard - Sobral advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Sobral is keen to just control but Clavet is a slippery customer.

Sobral is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Clavet defends it well.
Sobral wants to lay and pray for a moment but Clavet keeps working.

Sobral is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Sobral trying to pass the guard but Clavet defending well.
Clavet is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Clavet avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Sobral.

Clavet looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Sobral is trying to control the action in half guard but Clavet is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Deano Clavet is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Clavet throws an off balance right hand

and Sobral counters with a takedown into side control.

Sobral wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Clavet, who protects the arm well.
Sobral throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Clavet works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sobral wants to pass the guard but Clavet is defending well.
Sobral takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Sobral is working for a kimura but Clavet is defending it quite comfortably.
The fighters are battling for position here. Clavet manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Clavet controls Sobral momentarily but Sobral frees himself.
Clavet wants to sweep here but Sobral controlling him for the moment.
Sobral stands up over Clavet, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Sobral postures up.
Sobral wants to control from the top but Clavet keeps moving.
Sobral throwing strikes but missing.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sobral throws an elbow that misses. Clavet uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Sobral's guard. Nice move by Clavet!

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Sobral shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Clavet pinned against the cage. Clavet gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Sobral dips to his left and cracks Clavet with an uppercut!

Sobral shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Sobral was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Clavet can't do much from the bottom here.
Clavet tries to bench press Sobral off him but Sobral keeps the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Clavet is working hard here to advance position.
Clavet gets back to half guard.
Sobral tries to pass the half guard into mount. Clavet knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sobral moves nicely into side control.
Sobral wants to lay and pray for a moment but Clavet keeps working.
Sobral looks up at the clock and then as Clavet takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Sobral smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Sobral working the ground and pound.
Clavet tries to bench press Sobral off him but Sobral keeps the position.
Sobral lands an elbow.
Sobral wants to lay and pray for a moment but Clavet keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Clavet wants to control but Sobral postures up.
Clavet manages to get back to half guard.

Sobral is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Clavet defends it well.
Clavet tries to get to full guard but Sobral has control of the leg.

Sobral is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Sobral tries to pass the half guard into mount. Clavet knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sobral missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Sobral not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Sobral trying to control the action but Clavet is working from the bottom.
Sobral is pressing down on Clavet's thigh, looking to free his foot. Clavet is holding on for now.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
A looping hook to the body misses from Clavet. Sobral does a little dance to reset his feet.
A jab from Clavet misses.
Clavet walks into a straight right hand from Sobral.

Sobral drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Sobral has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Clavet's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Clavet is trying to buck Sobral off.
Sobral tries to move to mount but Clavet blocks the move with his legs.
Sobral has knee on belly and moves into mount.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sobral can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Clavet is looking to escape.
Sobral putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Julio Sobral dominated that fourth round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Clavet walks into a jab.
Clavet fails to land with a series of punches.
Deano Clavet is winning the standup battle so far.
Clavet wants to clinch but Sobral slips to the side

and Sobral decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Clavet's guard.
Sobral stands and throws Clavet's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Sobral fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Sobral misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Sobral grinds an elbow into Clavet's temple.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Sobral tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Sobral remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sobral with the ground and pound but Clavet regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Clavet is trying to stand up here but Sobral is controlling him well.
Sobral with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Sobral looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Sobral is working for a kimura but Clavet is defending it quite comfortably.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Sobral throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Sobral is keen to just control but Clavet is a slippery customer.
Sobral keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Clavet wants to control but Sobral is keeping busy and won't allow it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sobral throws out a loose jab but Clavet uses good head movement to avoid it.
Clavet lands a lovely overhand right.
Clavet fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Sobral has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Clavet throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Sobral counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Sobral got a little sloppy there for a moment and Clavet has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Sobral has managed to get both his arms back between Clavet's legs - danger averted.
Julio Sobral is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Clavet keeping full guard, as Sobral tries to pass.
Clavet is pulling down on Sobral's head. It's preventing any offense from Sobral, at least for the moment.

Clavet looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Clavet has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Sobral is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Clavet.
You can see the frustration on Clavet's face as Sobral controls the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Clavet struggling a bit here.
Clavet is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sobral slows the pace down.

And that's the end of the fight!
Julio Sobral comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Sobral has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 James Atkins scores the fight 46:49
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 46:49
Judge James Glass scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Julio Sobral!
Julio Sobral is the new lightweight champion!
During a confident post fight interview, Julio Sobral thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.