PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Aleksander Putin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Antony Rodrigues Nogueiro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rodrigues Nogueiro is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Stemm - Face the Pain. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Putin
vs
Rodrigues Nogueiro

185 cm
22
230 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

180 cm
19
240 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Very confident

Blueprint Clothing

Team S.W.A.T.
Mundo Green - World Verde

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Aleksander Putin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Antony Rodrigues Nogueiro!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Edson Gomes and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Putin gets the takedown into side control.
Rodrigues Nogueiro can't do much from the bottom here.
Rodrigues Nogueiro should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

Putin tries for a kimura but Rodrigues Nogueiro is defending well.

Putin decides to stand back up.

Putin drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Rodrigues Nogueiro has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Putin can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Putin has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Rodrigues Nogueiro is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Rodrigues Nogueiro had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Putin is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Rodrigues Nogueiro Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Putin's back instead.
Rodrigues Nogueiro struggling to land strikes to the head as Putin covers up.
Putin turns into Rodrigues Nogueiro and is now in his guard.
Rodrigues Nogueiro looking to control.

Rodrigues Nogueiro throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Rodrigues Nogueiro throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Rodrigues Nogueiro looks gassed!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Putin scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Putin distracts Rodrigues Nogueiro with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Rodrigues Nogueiro is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Putin trying to control but Rodrigues Nogueiro is working from the bottom.
Putin stands up over Rodrigues Nogueiro, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Rodrigues Nogueiro keeping moving, preventing Putin from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Putin scoring with punches to the head and body.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Putin trying to control but Rodrigues Nogueiro is working from the bottom.
Putin slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Rodrigues Nogueiro trying his best to control but Putin has mounted him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Putin postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Rodrigues Nogueiro looks a forlorn figure.

Putin is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Rodrigues Nogueiro is surviving well by controlling Putin's body position as best he can.
Rodrigues Nogueiro is trying desperately to improve position.

Putin gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Putin lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rodrigues Nogueiro circles away quickly and effectively.
Rodrigues Nogueiro misses with a takedown attempt

and Putin counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Putin works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Putin trying to control the action but Rodrigues Nogueiro is working from the bottom.

Putin is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Putin looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Rodrigues Nogueiro with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rodrigues Nogueiro is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Putin pulls his head out easily.
Rodrigues Nogueiro tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

Putin wants to work for an arm triangle but Rodrigues Nogueiro is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Rodrigues Nogueiro wants to improve his position but Putin is controlling well.
Rodrigues Nogueiro is trying to control but can't.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Putin working over Rodrigues Nogueiro with some ground and pound. Rodrigues Nogueiro looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Putin is looking for a kimura here.

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.

Putin is looking for a kimura but Rodrigues Nogueiro is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Putin to get the leverage.

Putin is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Rodrigues Nogueiro defends it well.
Rodrigues Nogueiro works his way to full guard. Good work.
Rodrigues Nogueiro striking off his back but it's not causing Putin any problems.
Rodrigues Nogueiro controls Putin momentarily but Putin frees himself.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Putin advances to half guard.
Rodrigues Nogueiro is looking to improve his position.
Putin working over Rodrigues Nogueiro with some ground and pound. Rodrigues Nogueiro looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ouch! a nice leg kick from Putin, right into the meat.

Putin rushes Rodrigues Nogueiro and presses him up against the cage.

Putin wants the takedown. Rodrigues Nogueiro is fighting it off but Putin persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Rodrigues Nogueiro's guard against the cage.

Rodrigues Nogueiro is looking for a triangle but Putin pushes his legs off easily.
Rodrigues Nogueiro throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.

Rodrigues Nogueiro throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Putin wants to control from the top but Rodrigues Nogueiro keeps moving.
Putin works over Rodrigues Nogueiro with some ground and pound from guard.

Putin is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Aleksander Putin overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Putin trying to control the position from guard on top but Rodrigues Nogueiro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Putin has closed the distance and engaged Rodrigues Nogueiro in a clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Putin.

Putin gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

Rodrigues Nogueiro working for a triangle but Putin defends it easily.
Putin is in close to Rodrigues Nogueiro's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Putin lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Putin slips nicely into half guard.

Putin is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Rodrigues Nogueiro defends it well.
Putin wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rodrigues Nogueiro keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rodrigues Nogueiro is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Putin pulls his head out easily.
Rodrigues Nogueiro trying to control but Putin postures up.

Putin is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Putin is looking for a kimura but Rodrigues Nogueiro is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Putin to get the leverage.
Putin is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

Rodrigues Nogueiro is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Putin pulls his head out easily.

Putin is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Putin is working for a kimura but Rodrigues Nogueiro is defending it quite comfortably.

Putin is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Putin seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Rodrigues Nogueiro does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Rodrigues Nogueiro has eaten all the pies!
Rodrigues Nogueiro trying to control but Putin postures up.
Rodrigues Nogueiro misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Rodrigues Nogueiro wants to get back to his feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Putin throws a right and a left that Rodrigues Nogueiro avoids nicely.

That's four 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.

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

Rodrigues Nogueiro looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Rodrigues Nogueiro actively working from the bottom here.

Putin seems to be looking for submissions.
Rodrigues Nogueiro is pressing down on Putin's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Rodrigues Nogueiro is looking for a triangle but Putin pushes his legs off easily.
Rodrigues Nogueiro trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Putin sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Rodrigues Nogueiro's guard.

Rodrigues Nogueiro looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Rodrigues Nogueiro trying to control from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksander Putin dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Rodrigues Nogueiro takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Putin fails to land with a series of punches.

Putin looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Rodrigues Nogueiro looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Putin passes into side control.
Putin trying to control the position but Rodrigues Nogueiro is working away.
Rodrigues Nogueiro tries to strike from the bottom but misses.
Putin lands a decent elbow from side control.
Rodrigues Nogueiro prevents Putin from moving into mount.
Rodrigues Nogueiro is looking for a sweep.
Putin scores with punches from side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Putin scoring with punches from side control.

Putin tries for a kimura but Rodrigues Nogueiro is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodrigues Nogueiro wants to control but Putin postures up.
Putin landing strikes.
Rodrigues Nogueiro is trying to improve his position.

Putin is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Rodrigues Nogueiro is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Rodrigues Nogueiro wings away with a couple of strikes but they don't land.

Putin tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Putin is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rodrigues Nogueiro can do to turn this around?
Rodrigues Nogueiro tries to strike but it doesn't land.

Putin wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Rodrigues Nogueiro, who protects the arm well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Putin is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Rodrigues Nogueiro has escaped the position, nice work there.
Rodrigues Nogueiro is looking to reverse the position.
Rodrigues Nogueiro is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Putin scoring with punches from side control.

Putin tries for a kimura but Rodrigues Nogueiro is defending well.

Putin wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Rodrigues Nogueiro, who protects the arm well.
Rodrigues Nogueiro can't do much from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Putin is trying to get an arm triangle but Rodrigues Nogueiro is defending well.
Putin throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Rodrigues Nogueiro wings away with a couple of strikes but they don't land.
Rodrigues Nogueiro is not in a great position here, taking some shots.

Putin tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Putin has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Rodrigues Nogueiro tries to strike but it doesn't land.
Rodrigues Nogueiro pushes Putin away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Putin gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Putin trying to control the position but Rodrigues Nogueiro is working away.

Putin tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigues Nogueiro pushes Putin away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Putin gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Putin has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Putin lands with a nice combination. Rodrigues Nogueiro backs away looking to recover.

Putin has closed the distance and engaged Rodrigues Nogueiro in a clinch.

Putin decides to pull guard.

Putin looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Rodrigues Nogueiro wants to get up but he can't break Putin's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Rodrigues Nogueiro postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Putin punching from the bottom.
Antony Rodrigues Nogueiro has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Aleksander Putin is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rodrigues Nogueiro throwing strikes but missing.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aleksander Putin showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Putin has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Emerson Jorge scores the fight 30:26
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 30:26
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aleksander Putin!