PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Paulo Neumann (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nathan Angelico (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Paulo Neumann could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Nathan Angelico's chin.

Neumann
vs
Angelico

185 cm
20
180 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

180 cm
20
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Paulo Neumann!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Nathan Angelico!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Luis Engracia and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed right hand from Angelico misses the target.

Neumann gets a double leg takedown into Angelico's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Neumann lands a couple of digs.
Angelico tries to strike from the bottom.
Angelico looking for a sweep. Not yet Angelico, not yet.
Neumann wants to control from the top but Angelico keeps moving.
Neumann 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.
Neumann postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Neumann accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Neumann seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Neumann's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Angelico tries to close the distance and clinch up but Neumann swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Angelico tries to clinch but Neumann moves out of range.
Neumann keeps the fight on the outside.

Angelico looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Neumann trying to control from the bottom.
Angelico wants to pass to mount but Neumann is defending the position.
Angelico seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Neumann does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Neumann tries to get to full guard but Angelico has control of the leg.
Angelico trying to control from half guard but Neumann is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Angelico trying to mount his opponent but Neumann defends it.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Angelico is defended easily by Neumann.
Neumann throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Neumann shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Angelico is pressing down on Neumann's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Neumann is breathing heavily.
Angelico controls Neumann momentarily but Neumann frees himself.

Angelico escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Neumann gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Neumann cracks Angelico with a solid left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Angelico had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Neumann defends it easily.
Angelico is looking to stand back up but Neumann counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Angelico.
Angelico wants to get back to full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Neumann trying to pass the guard but Angelico defending well.
Angelico wants to stand back up but Neumann manages to pass into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paulo Neumann dominated that round.
That's time! Neumann's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Neumann decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Angelico has his hands clasped together around Neumann's back. He's all about the action.

Angelico looking for submissions off his back.
Paulo Neumann overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Angelico is trying to maintain the position but Neumann is very close to passing his half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Neumann wants to lay and pray for a moment but Angelico keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Neumann throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Neumann slows the pace down in half guard.
Neumann is thwarting Angelico's attempts to control the position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Neumann is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Angelico can do to turn this around?
Neumann trying to control from Angelico's half guard. Angelico has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

Angelico is looking for a triangle but Neumann pushes his legs off easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Angelico is trying to control the position but Neumann postures up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Neumann shoots in but no luck this time.
Angelico stuffs the takedown.
Angelico throws a counter combo.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Angelico fails with an attempt to clinch.
An attempted straight right counter from Neumann misses the target.
Neumann misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Neumann fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Angelico avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Paulo Neumann. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Angelico shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Neumann is trying to defend but Angelico finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Angelico slows the pace down in half guard.

Angelico escapes and gets back to his feet.
Angelico scores with a nice body kick.
Angelico shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Neumann sprawls well. Neumann wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Angelico gets slowly back to his feet.

That's four 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.

Angelico closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Angelico lands in his opponent's guard.
Angelico postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Angelico must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Neumann can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Angelico controls the pace.
Angelico is looking to stand up but Neumann won't let him.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Neumann throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nathan Angelico showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Angelico has a takedown stuffed.
Angelico dives in for a single leg takedown but Neumann sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Angelico is looking to clinch.

Angelico moves into the clinch successfully.

Neumann has clasped his hands together around Angelico's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Angelico pushes Neumann away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Neumann gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Angelico is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Neumann's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Angelico regains full guard. Nicely done.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Neumann trying to control the position from guard on top but Angelico is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Neumann working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Angelico's head.
Angelico is controlling Neumann's posture.
Angelico is striking but Neumann is not phased and passes to half guard.
Angelico wants to improve his position but Neumann is controlling well.
Neumann lands with a punch from half guard.
Angelico is controlling Neumann's position as best he can from this difficult position.

That's two 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.
Angelico tries to roll over but Neumann keeps him under control.
Neumann lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Neumann thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Angelico tries to push off, looking to stand up, but Neumann manages to move to mount!
Angelico is hanging on here. He's in a desperate position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Neumann lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Angelico hang on?
Neumann scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Angelico is looking to improve his position but Neumann isn't that keen on the idea.

Neumann looking to secure an arm triangle but Angelico defends it well.
Angelico is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neumann lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Angelico can't escape the position.
Angelico is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Angelico is still trying to improve position.
Angelico bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Angelico advances position into side control!

And that's the end of the fight!
Paulo Neumann showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Neumann has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Matheus Silva scores the fight 29:28
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 29:28
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paulo Neumann!