PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Leandro Ferreira (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Teddy Rachid (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Leandro Ferreira has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Ferreira
vs
Rachid

188 cm
25
182 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

175 cm
25
180 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent knees
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Leandro Ferreira!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Teddy Rachid!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ferreira leaves Rachid with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Rachid throws a head kick but Ferreira moves out of range.
Rachid throws a head kick that misses.
We've been hearing reports that Ferreira has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Rachid fails to land the takedown.

Ferreira shoots in and bounces Rachid off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Rachid wants to stand and escape but Ferreira is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rachid striking off his back but it's not causing Ferreira any problems.
Ferreira scoring with punches to the head and body.
Ferreira loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rachid has Ferreira pulled in close to control his posture.
Rachid has a closed guard, preventing Ferreira from standing up.
Ferreira trying to control the position from guard on top but Rachid is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ferreira is looking to work some ground and pound but Rachid has wrist control.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Rachid is looking to clinch but Ferreira is avoiding it.
Ferreira shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rachid pinned against the cage. Rachid gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Ferreira swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ferreira darts in looking for a takedown but Rachid gets double underhooks and turns Ferreira into the cage.
Rachid was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ferreira is trying hard to land a takedown here. Rachid sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Leandro Ferreira. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rachid throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Ferreira went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Leandro Ferreira seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ferreira shoots in looking for a takedown but Rachid manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ferreira's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Rachid shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ferreira pinned against the cage. Ferreira gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Rachid clinches up against the cage.
Ferreira is trying to pull guard but Rachid turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Rachid looking to slow down the pace here.

Rachid pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Rachid scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rachid wants to control but Ferreira is keeping him busy.
Rachid takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Rachid wants to pass the guard but Ferreira is defending well.
Ferreira looks like he's trying to stand up.
Rachid prevents Ferreira from improving his position.
Ferreira gets full guard.

Ferreira kicks Rachid off and gets to his feet.
Ferreira tries to clinch up.
And Rachid tries to counter it with a takedown but Ferreira pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Ferreira tries for a takedown but Rachid sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Rachid feints the counter takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ferreira throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rachid's waist but Rachid gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Ferreira off to one side.
Ferreira is breathing heavily.
Rachid throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ferreira's waist but Ferreira gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rachid off to one side.
Rachid tries to clinch up.
Rachid throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ferreira's waist but Ferreira gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rachid off to one side.
Rachid shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ferreira pinned against the cage. Ferreira gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Ferreira shoots in but Rachid avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Rachid fails to land the takedown.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ferreira misses with the combination.
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 Leandro Ferreira will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Rachid lands a jab.

Ferreira scores with a takedown into Rachid's guard.

Rachid looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Ferreira has picked Rachid up and slammed him! Rachid can't keep hold of the triangle and Ferreira manages to pass to side control!
Rachid tries to buck Ferreira off but Ferreira is having none of it.
Leandro Ferreira overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ferreira has knee on belly and moves into mount.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ferreira landing strikes from the mount and Rachid is in trouble!
Rachid really wants to buck Ferreira off and get back to his feet.
Ferreira lands a couple of good shots and Rachid has given up his back, trying to escape the position!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferreira not allowing Rachid to control his hands.
Rachid can't escape the position.
Ferreira 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.
Rachid is keeping busy.
Rachid covering up well under a barage of strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Rachid's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
What can Rachid do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!

Rachid fending off the submission attempt from Ferreira.
Rachid is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.

Ferreira is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Will Ferreira go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferreira somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.

Ferreira working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Rachid really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Ferreira. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Rachid covering up well under a barage of strikes.
Ferreira is controlling the position but Rachid somehow manages to roll and ends up with half guard.
Rachid tries to kick Ferreira off but Ferreira keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ferreira throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Ferreira prevents Rachid from improving his position.
Ferreira thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rachid won't allow Ferreira to pass to mount.
Ferreira is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rachid can do to turn this around?
Rachid is holding on to half guard well.
Ferreira working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rachid is looking for a sweep. Ferreira is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leandro Ferreira dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Rachid comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Horrible takedown attempt by Ferreira or perhaps it was just good defense by Rachid, which made it look bad.
Rachid with a lazy takedown attempt
and Ferreira counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Nice sprawl there from Rachid as Ferreira shoots in.
Rachid tries a quick counter leg kick but Ferreira is wise to it.
Rachid tries to clinch up but Ferreira circles away and keeps his distance.
Horrible takedown attempt by Rachid or perhaps it was just good defense by Ferreira, which made it look bad.
Ferreira shoots for a takedown but Rachid saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Leandro Ferreira. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ferreira drives through with a takedown into guard.
Ferreira tries to free his leg and advance position but Rachid is retaining full guard.

Rachid is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Ferreira presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rachid leaning against his opponent.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rachid prevents the takedown attempt.

Rachid's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rachid throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Rachid closes this distance looking for a takedown but Ferreira circles away.

Rachid moves into range and clinches up with Ferreira.
Rachid tries to pull guard but Ferreira won't allow it.
Ferreira tries to pull guard but Rachid won't allow it.
Rachid is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Ferreira is defending well.
Ferreira wants to get back to striking at distance but Rachid won't allow it.
A head punch on the inside from Ferreira fails to land.

Ferreira decides to pull guard.
Rachid wants to control from the top but Ferreira keeps moving.
Rachid throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rachid engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Rachid would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Rachid trying to control but Ferreira is working from the bottom.

Ferreira has his foot on Rachid's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rachid works his way back into a safe position though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rachid trying to control but Ferreira is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sloppy strikes from Rachid. Those never looked like landing.
Rachid fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Ferreira throws a right hand that Rachid ducks under and follows up with a left that Rachid also avoids with ease.
Ferreira tries to clinch there but Rachid circles away.
Ferreira shoots in for a takedown but Rachid shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Leandro Ferreira is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rachid is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rachid changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ferreira tries to avoid it but Rachid manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ferreira to the ground. Ferreira escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Ferreira is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Rachid.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rachid is defended easily by Ferreira.
Ferreira fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Rachid fails to land the takedown.
Rachid looks to throw a body kick
and Ferreira counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Ferreira drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Ferreira prevents Rachid from getting back to his feet.
Ferreira sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Rachid's guard.
Teddy Rachid has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Leandro Ferreira is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ferreira is keen to just control but Rachid is a slippery customer.

And that's the end of the fight!
Leandro Ferreira showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ferreira, 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 30:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Leandro Ferreira!