PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Antonio Margarito (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joao Goulart (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Goulart has chosen Dancing with Myself by Billy Idol as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Joao Goulart has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Margarito
vs
Goulart

179 cm
23
160 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

168 cm
22
165 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Team S.W.A.T.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Antonio Margarito!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Joao Goulart!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Roosa Järviläinen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Margarito tries to clinch there but Goulart circles away.
Margarito wants to clinch.
Margarito misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Goulart pushes Margarito up against the ropes in a clinch.
Margarito tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Goulart just stands there and leans against the ropes.
Margarito is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Goulart manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Margarito will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Margarito trying to control but Goulart is working from the bottom.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Goulart working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Margarito.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Goulart keeping moving, preventing Margarito from controlling successfully.
Goulart is trying to keep Margarito in close.
Margarito stopping the sweep attempt from Goulart.
Margarito missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Margarito throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Margarito looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Goulart takes the fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Margarito goes for a takedown attempt but Goulart pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Antonio Margarito. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Goulart shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Margarito taking some punishment here, with Goulart in his half guard.
Goulart missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Goulart throwing shots but Margarito is blocking nicely.
Goulart not doing much here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Margarito blocking the ground and pound attempt from Goulart.
Goulart is looking to take a break and control but Margarito is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Goulart wants to work for an arm triangle but Margarito is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Goulart has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Goulart wants to finish this one by submission but Margarito is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Goulart.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Margarito tries to lock up and control but Goulart gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Goulart looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Goulart works his way to his opponent's back.

Goulart has got his arm under Margarito's chin working for the choke… has he got it? It looks pretty tight! Oh! Margarito has spun round into Goulart's guard beautifully! Well done that man!
Goulart looks gassed!
Goulart wants to sweep here but Margarito controlling him for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joao Goulart dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Margarito closes the distance looking to clinch

and Goulart counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Goulart.

Goulart has clasped his hands together around Margarito's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Goulart wants to control but Margarito is keeping him busy.

Goulart swings around for an armbar but Margarito sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Goulart's guard.
Margarito wants to control from the top but Goulart keeps moving.

Goulart working for a triangle but Margarito defends it easily.
Goulart is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Goulart looking for a guillotine here but Margarito defends easily.
Margarito trying to control the position from guard on top but Goulart is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Margarito drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Margarito jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Goulart trying to keep a closed guard but Margarito is proving a slippery customer.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Goulart feints and as Margarito raises his hands in defense, Goulart changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Goulart trying to control the position from guard on top but Margarito is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Goulart working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Margarito looking for a guillotine here but Goulart defends easily.

Margarito escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Goulart gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Goulart thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Goulart wants to get up but he can't break Margarito's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Goulart drops back looking for a leg! Margarito is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Margarito manages to kick Goulart off! Goulart jumps back into Margarito's guard.

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.
Goulart postures up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Goulart stands and throws Margarito's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Goulart has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joao Goulart showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Goulart moves into the clinch.

Goulart manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Goulart looking for subs off his back but Margarito has passed one foot through into half guard.
Margarito throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Goulart looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Margarito pushes past his half guard into mount!
Goulart tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Margarito misses with a head shot.
Goulart is looking to get to half guard.
Goulart is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Goulart regains half guard.
Margarito not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Goulart is pressing down on Margarito's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Goulart manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Margarito tries to lock up and control but Goulart gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Goulart get's back to his feet.

Goulart bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Margarito tries to bench press Goulart off him but Goulart keeps the position.
Margarito is not content to let Goulart control the position.
You can see the frustration on Margarito's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Goulart thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Antonio Margarito has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Margarito is trying to control Goulart's posture but Goulart avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Goulart takes a little break here. Margarito wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Margarito darts in trying to clinch

and Goulart holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Goulart pulls Margarito into guard.
Goulart is trying to keep Margarito in close.
Joao Goulart is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joao Goulart comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Goulart has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joao Goulart!