PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Thaddeus Anthony (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mario Oliveira (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Anthony
vs
Oliveira

179 cm
18
140 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
135 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Thaddeus Anthony!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mario Oliveira!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Stewart Dunkirk and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Anthony throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Anthony looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Oliveira tries to close the distance and clinch up but Anthony swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Anthony closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Anthony wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Anthony.

Oliveira pulls guard effortlessly.
Oliveira looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Oliveira keeps trying to improve his position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Anthony gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Anthony misses with a low kick as Oliveira jumps back.

Anthony moves into the clinch successfully.
Anthony throws an elbow but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anthony tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Oliveira avoids it.
Oliveira is pressed up against the cage. Anthony has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Oliveira down to the mat. Oliveira avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Oliveira keeps the fight on the outside.

Oliveira shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Anthony's guard.
Anthony wants to sweep but no luck.
Anthony utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Oliveira must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Anthony doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Oliveira landing with the ground and pound.
Anthony keeping moving, preventing Oliveira from controlling successfully.
Anthony trying to strike off his back.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oliveira pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Anthony is keeping the position for now.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
A looping hook to the body misses from Anthony. Oliveira does a little dance to reset his feet.

Anthony tries to sprawl but Oliveira drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Oliveira stalling away here and it's allowed Anthony to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Oliveira trying to control but Anthony is working from the bottom.
Anthony will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oliveira pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Anthony is keeping the position for now.
Anthony punching to the body, from the bottom.
Anthony is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Oliveira lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

It looks like Thaddeus Anthony has been cut.

Anthony scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Anthony wants to stand but Oliveira is controlling his arm.
Oliveira can't do much from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Anthony is working for what looks like an arm triangle here. Oliveira is trying to escape and Anthony transitions quickly into an armbar! He's slapped it on tight and Oliveira is forced to tap! Nice work there by Anthony! Very nice indeed!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:23 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Thaddeus Anthony!