PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Thiago Azevedo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rukah Padero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Azevedo's entrance music is Puddle Of Mudd - Psycho . A fine choice. Padero has chosen Midnight Conspiracy - Discord (At Dawn We Rage Remix) as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Azevedo
vs
Padero

179 cm
23
151 lbs
6 - 4 - 1

176 cm
24
152 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

Conviction
Conquer

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Thiago Azevedo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rukah Padero !
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A bone on bone clash there as Padero blocks the leg kick.
Azevedo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Azevedo moves away from the strike by Padero .
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Nice straight punches there by Padero . You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Padero .
Padero checks a leg kick.
Azevedo scores with a jab to the jaw.
Azevedo misses with a straight left.
Azevedo misses with a two punch combination.
Azevedo lands a head kick!
Padero lands with a shot to the body.
Padero dives in and grabs Azevedo's left leg, looking for a takedown. Azevedo pushes down on Padero 's head and hops out.
Azevedo has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Thiago Azevedo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Azevedo missing with a left hand there. Padero was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Jab from Padero .
This has been an exciting period of action!
Padero throws a sloppy head kick and Azevedo moves out of range easily.
Azevedo uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Padero has time to react.
Azevedo swats away the attempt to clinch by Padero .
Azevedo misses with a head kick.
Padero throws an overhand right that lands on Azevedo's shoulder, as Azevedo tries to avoid the shot.
Padero uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Azevedo lands a front kick.
Thiago Azevedo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azevedo takes a swing at Padero 's ribcage but misses.
Azevedo misses with a straight left.
Azevedo swats away the attempt to clinch by Padero .
A head kick from Azevedo lands but Padero takes it in his stride.
Padero lands a lovely overhand right.
Azevedo throws a push kick but Padero slaps the foot to one side.
A leg kick checked by Padero .
Padero throws a body kick that misses.
Azevedo wants to land a leg kick but Padero is out of range.
Azevedo ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A head kick misses from Azevedo.
Padero is looking to slow Azevedo down with leg kicks.
Azevedo punishes Padero 's body with a nice straight punch.
Azevedo lands a two punch combo.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A jab from Padero finds it's way through Azevedo's defenses.

Padero forces Azevedo back against the cage and clinches.
Padero is trying to pull guard but Azevedo has him pressed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Padero tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Azevedo smiles and moves away.
Thiago Azevedo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rukah Padero .
Azevedo throws out a leg kick but Padero moves out of range and Azevedo only half commits.
Azevedo throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Azevedo throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Nice uppercut there from Azevedo.
Padero tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Azevedo tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Padero was well out of range. Poor timing from Azevedo.
And Padero tries to counter it with a takedown but Azevedo pushes his down on his head and steps out.

Padero has taken the fight to the clinch.
Padero is trying to pull guard but Azevedo has him pressed against the cage.
Padero tries to pull guard but Azevedo won't allow it.
Padero tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Azevedo just stands there and leans against the cage.

Padero manages to pull guard.
Azevedo has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Azevedo looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azevedo has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

Padero is looking for a triangle but Azevedo pushes his legs off easily.
Padero controls Azevedo momentarily but Azevedo frees himself.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Padero holds on and takes a little breather.
Padero can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Azevedo controls the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Padero is looking for a triangle but Azevedo pushes his legs off easily.
Azevedo's corner is telling him to maintain position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Azevedo scores with a punch to the head.
Azevedo pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Padero misses with a head kick.
Azevedo appears to be looking for a big counter.
Azevedo throws a head kick but Padero moves out of range.
Azevedo will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Padero tries to clinch up but Azevedo circles away and keeps his distance.
Azevedo sizes up Padero with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Azevedo connects with a looping right hand.
Azevedo fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Padero on the side of the head.
Azevedo lands with a nice body punch.
Azevedo blocks the body kick.

Padero has closed the distance and engaged Azevedo in a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

The fighters circling - Padero throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Azevedo throws a head kick that misses.
Padero throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Azevedo looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Padero tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Padero fails with the takedown.
Padero tries to land a front kick but Azevedo steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Thiago Azevedo is winning the standup battle so far.
A nice leg kick lands there from Azevedo.
Azevedo throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Padero .
Azevedo connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Azevedo is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Padero can do to turn this around?
Padero blocks a jab.
Padero blocks a head kick by Azevedo.
Azevedo takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Padero blocks a head kick by Azevedo.
Padero fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Azevedo has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Padero takes a kick to the side of the head.
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!
Azevedo lands a head kick. Padero smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Good leg kick by Azevedo there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
A jab from Padero finds it's way through Azevedo's defenses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azevedo misses with an uppercut. Padero saw that one coming.
Padero defending well as Azevedo loads up on a big left hand.
And Padero tries to counter it with a takedown but Azevedo pushes his down on his head and steps out.

Padero looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Azevedo trying to control the position.
Padero wants to control from the top but Azevedo keeps moving.
Azevedo working a defensive guard here.
Padero wants to pass the guard but Azevedo is keeping the position.
Azevedo being controlled here, momentarily.
Padero advances position into side control!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Padero trying to control the position but Azevedo is working away.

Padero looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Padero wants to lay and pray for a moment but Azevedo keeps working.
Azevedo manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Azevedo wants to pass to mount but Padero is defending the position.
Azevedo is working hard here to advance position.
Azevedo wants to control but Padero is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azevedo is looking to advance position but Padero won't allow it.
Azevedo with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Azevedo wants to get back to his feet.
Padero has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Azevedo is working away from the top position though.
Padero wants to control but Azevedo passes into side.
Padero can't do much from the bottom here.
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 crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Padero controls the position for a moment.
Azevedo controls the position.
Padero is trying to control Azevedo's posture but Azevedo avoids it.
Padero stuck in half guard on the bottom here.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Padero shoots in and drives through. Azevedo sprawls well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thiago Azevedo dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Padero throws a sloppy head kick and Azevedo moves out of range easily.
Azevedo throws a sloppy head kick and Padero moves out of range easily.
Thiago Azevedo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Padero pivots, looking for a leg kick but Azevedo is out of range and Padero settles back down.
Azevedo fails to land with a series of punches.
Padero blocks a head kick by Azevedo.
Azevedo throws a hook but Padero avoids it easily.
Padero tries to clinch but Azevedo is having none of it.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Padero .
Azevedo thumps Padero with a low kick.
Padero throws a body punch but Azevedo moves out of range.
Padero is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A nice leg kick lands there from Padero .
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Padero scores with a head kick. Azevedo tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Padero moves in looking to clinch but Azevedo pushes him off.
Padero avoids the head kick by Azevedo.
Azevedo tried to score with a low kick but Padero checks it.
Padero tries to counter with a clinch but Azevedo shakes him off and moves away.
Azevedo misses with a low kick.
Padero looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Padero lands an overhand right.
Padero scoring well with a low kick there.
Azevedo pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Padero drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Azevedo defends it well.
Nice takedown defense from Azevedo. No joy for Padero on that attempt.
Azevedo tried to counter with a leg kick but Padero avoided it.
Padero looks to throw the jab but Azevedo is out of range.
Azevedo throwing a counter right hand but Padero manages to avoid it.
Azevedo throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Azevedo throws a head kick but Padero moves out of range.
Padero changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Azevedo tries to avoid it but Padero manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Azevedo to the ground. Azevedo escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Thiago Azevedo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rukah Padero .
Azevedo circles away from the clinch attempt.
Azevedo moves out of range of the leg kick from Padero .
Azevedo fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Padero manages to avoid it.
Padero with the counter takedown but Azevedo avoids it easily.
Azevedo throws a head kick that misses.
Padero throws a head kick but Azevedo moves out of range.
A slapping body kick lands there for Azevedo.
Padero takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Padero is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Padero misses with a right hand
and Azevedo counters with a left and a right that stings Padero .
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Padero blocks a low kick nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Padero tries a head kick but it misses.
Azevedo keeps the fight on the outside.
Azevedo throws a sloppy head kick and Padero moves out of range easily.
Azevedo lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Padero circles away quickly and effectively.
Azevedo will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Azevedo displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Padero throws out the jab.
Azevedo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Azevedo ducks under a wild hook from Padero .
Azevedo attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Padero with the counter takedown but Azevedo avoids it easily.
Azevedo moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Padero tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Padero pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Padero takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
A big right from Padero misses.
Padero stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Azevedo.

Azevedo tries to keep at a distance but Padero has taken the fight into the clinch.
Padero tries to pull guard but Azevedo won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Padero jumps guard but Azevedo stands there with Padero around his waist. Padero gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Azevedo is trying to break free.

Padero successfully pulls guard.

Padero escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Azevedo gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Padero not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

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.
Azevedo sitting in guard here, content to control.
Padero trying to keep a closed guard but Azevedo is proving a slippery customer.
Azevedo showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Rukah Padero has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Azevedo trying to control but Padero is working from the bottom.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Azevedo is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thiago Azevedo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Azevedo, 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thiago Azevedo!
A victorious Thiago Azevedo thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.