PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Mario Oliveira (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Pacquiao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Oliveira
vs
Pacquiao

180 cm
18
135 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

170 cm
20
144 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
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 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mario Oliveira!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Matt Pacquiao!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Frank Dennis and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pacquiao fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Pacquiao will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Pacquiao throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Oliveira showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Pacquiao.
Oliveira showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Pacquiao.
Oliveira tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Pacquiao manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Pacquiao swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Oliveira counters with a series of strikes. Pacquiao will be more careful next time no doubt.
Oliveira tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sloppy strikes from Pacquiao. Those never looked like landing.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pacquiao tries to bum rush Oliveira with a series of wild strikes but Oliveira uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Pacquiao tries to sprawl but Oliveira drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Oliveira seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

Oliveira is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Oliveira throwing shots but Pacquiao is blocking nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Oliveira stands up and beckons Pacquiao to join him on the feet.
Pacquiao throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Oliveira moves into range and clinches up with Pacquiao.
Pacquiao tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Oliveira's elbow.
Oliveira doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Oliveira jumps guard and drags Pacquiao to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Oliveira wants to stand and escape but Pacquiao is having none of it.
Oliveira trying to strike off his back.
Oliveira managing to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oliveira trying to control the position.
Oliveira trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Oliveira pulls Pacquiao in close to his closed guard and prevents Pacquiao from doing any damage or advancing position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Pacquiao connects with a looping right hand.
Left hook, right uppercut from Pacquiao.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pacquiao throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Pacquiao throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Oliveira counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Pacquiao!
Oliveira trying to control the position but Pacquiao is working away.

Oliveira tries for a kimura but Pacquiao is defending well.
Oliveira is breathing heavily.
The ground and pound from Oliveira seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Oliveira has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Pacquiao wants to control but Oliveira postures up.
Pacquiao is trying to buck Oliveira off.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Pacquiao throws a nice looking combination but Oliveira bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Matt Pacquiao is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Pacquiao swinging wildly here.
Pacquiao throws a nice looking combination but Oliveira bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Oliveira tries to clinch there but Pacquiao circles away.
Pacquiao fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Oliveira looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Pacquiao fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
No joy there for Pacquiao, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Oliveira walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Pacquiao checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Pacquiao misses with a double jab.
Pacquiao scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Oliveira changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Pacquiao tries to avoid it but Oliveira manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Pacquiao to the ground. Pacquiao escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Pacquiao dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Oliveira showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Pacquiao.
No luck for Oliveira with that takedown attempt.
Pacquiao's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Pacquiao duly obliges.
Pacquiao throws a right and a left that Oliveira avoids nicely.

Oliveira closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Pacquiao makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Oliveira breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Pacquiao enables Oliveira to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Pacquiao manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Pacquiao is looking to stand up but Oliveira isn't so interested in that idea.
Oliveira pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Pacquiao is keeping the position for now.
Pacquiao is looking to stand up but Oliveira isn't so interested in that idea.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pacquiao not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Oliveira trying to control the position from guard on top but Pacquiao is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Oliveira is really struggling to control Pacquiao but he's trying to hold on to the position.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Oliveira prevents Pacquiao from getting back to his feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Oliveira will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Mario Oliveira is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Oliveira swats away the attempt to clinch by Pacquiao.

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.
A punch combination from Pacquiao misses.
Oliveira takes a jab right on the kisser.
Oliveira slips a jab and a cross from Pacquiao.
Pacquiao looks to land a combination. Oliveira sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Pacquiao misses with a few strikes there.
Oliveira misses with a double jab.
Oliveira tries to clinch but Pacquiao is having none of it.
Pacquiao fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Pacquiao fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Oliveira throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Pacquiao sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Pacquiao throws a one two combo.
Oliveira lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Pacquiao circles away quickly and effectively.
Pacquiao tests Oliveira's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Pacquiao cracks Oliveira with an open hand slap.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pacquiao rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Oliveira moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Pacquiao stuffs the takedown attempt from Oliveira. Oliveira gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mario Oliveira. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Left hook, right uppercut from Pacquiao.
Pacquiao misses with a two punch combination.
Oliveira misses with a two punch combination.
Pacquiao misses with a jab, cross combination.
Pacquiao misses with a few strikes there.
Pacquiao wants to clinch up but Oliveira keeps it at a distance.
Pacquiao feints a jab promting Oliveira to slip. Pacquiao then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Oliveira slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
A combination from Pacquiao does no damage.
Oliveira fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Horrible takedown attempt by Oliveira or perhaps it was just good defense by Pacquiao, which made it look bad.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pacquiao tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Oliveira manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Pacquiao!
Matt Pacquiao seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Oliveira moves into the clinch.

Pacquiao manages to break the clinch.
Good exchange - Pacquiao coming out on top.
Pacquiao is working the combinations to good effect here.
Sloppy strikes from Pacquiao. Those never looked like landing.
Pacquiao throws a right and a left that both miss.
Pacquiao throws a series of punches but Oliveira moves out of range.
Oliveira really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Oliveira fails with a takedown attempt.
Pacquiao swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Pacquiao looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Pacquiao 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! This is the final round!

Oliveira drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Pacquiao can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Oliveira controls the pace.
Oliveira trying to control the position from guard on top but Pacquiao is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Pacquiao is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Oliveira presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Pacquiao looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Oliveira is trying to pull guard but Pacquiao has him pressed against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Oliveira just misses with a elbow thrown towards Pacquiao's brow.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Pacquiao breaks the clinch.
Pacquiao lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Pacquiao.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oliveira changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Pacquiao tries to avoid it but Oliveira manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Pacquiao to the ground. Pacquiao escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Pacquiao misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Matt Pacquiao seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pacquiao lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Pacquiao throws a right and a left that Oliveira avoids nicely.
Oliveira is looking to clinch.
Pacquiao throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Pacquiao listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Pacquiao scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Pacquiao throws a series of punches but Oliveira avoids them all with ease.
Oliveira misses with a takedown attempt - Pacquiao sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mario Oliveira. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pacquiao swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Oliveira counters by moving into the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Pacquiao stops a takedown attempt from Oliveira.
A short left from Pacquiao.
Pacquiao tries to break the clinch but Oliveira is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Come on Pacquiao - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Oliveira using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Pacquiao has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Pacquiao looking to slow down the pace here.
Oliveira keeps control of Pacquiao as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Pacquiao wants to break the clinch but can't.
Oliveira tries to pull guard but Pacquiao holds him up against the cage and eventually Oliveira drops back down to his feet.
Oliveira tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Pacquiao lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Pacquiao has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pacquiao is looking to control Oliveira's arms but Oliveira gets an underhook and turns him. Now Pacquiao has his back to the cage.
Pacquiao blocks a body shot from Oliveira.
A short left from Pacquiao.
Pacquiao stops a takedown attempt from Oliveira.
Pacquiao is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Oliveira jumps guard but Pacquiao stands there with Oliveira around his waist. Oliveira gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Oliveira tries to pull guard but Pacquiao holds him up against the cage and eventually Oliveira drops back down to his feet.
Pacquiao has had enough of the clinch but Oliveira keeps him there for the moment.
Pacquiao pressing his opponent against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Pacquiao has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Oliveira tries to pull guard but Pacquiao forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Pacquiao works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Pacquiao is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Oliveira tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Pacquiao smiles and moves away.
Pacquiao throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A combination from Pacquiao does no damage.
Mario Oliveira has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Matt Pacquiao is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Pacquiao misses with the combination.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matt Pacquiao comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Pacquiao winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matt Pacquiao!
Matt Pacquiao thanked the fans post fight for their support.