PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Renato DeSouza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kimbo Splice (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

DeSouza
vs
Splice

200 cm
18
275 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
250 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Likes ground

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Renato DeSouza!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kimbo Splice!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Russell Pearce and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
DeSouza shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Splice as he avoids it easily.

DeSouza fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Splice sprawls well initially but DeSouza persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Splice wants to control but DeSouza is keeping busy.

DeSouza stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
DeSouza looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Splice is fending him off so far but DeSouza persists. Nope, Splice circles away and we're back to standing.
DeSouza tries for a takedown but Splice sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Renato DeSouza. That's going to take a lot out of him.

DeSouza darts in and clinches Splice up against the cage.

Splice has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics DeSouza uses from the top position.
Splice pulls DeSouza in close to his closed guard and prevents DeSouza from doing any damage or advancing position.
DeSouza slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
DeSouza won't allow Splice to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Splice wants to get back to his feet but DeSouza is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
DeSouza trying to control the position from guard on top but Splice is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
DeSouza won't allow Splice to sweep him here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Splice is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Splice trying to control the position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

DeSouza gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Splice won't allow DeSouza to get back to his feet.
Splice wants to control from the top but DeSouza keeps moving.

DeSouza looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Splice passes into half guard.
DeSouza missing with punches from the bottom.
Splice thows a huge punch but DeSouza dodges it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
DeSouza trying to control here.
Splice tries to pass to full mount but DeSouza defends it.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
DeSouza is looking for a sweep. Splice is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Splice shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

so DeSouza counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Splice looking to control.
Splice looks gassed!
Splice can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as DeSouza controls the pace.
DeSouza loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
DeSouza looking to pass the guard.
Splice looking for a sweep. Not yet Splice, not yet.
DeSouza trying to control but Splice is working from the bottom.
DeSouza throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Splice works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Splice is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Splice drives through and clinches with DeSouza against the cage.
DeSouza is pushing Splice up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Splice.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

DeSouza tries for a takedown but Splice circles away easily

and Splice counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
DeSouza slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
DeSouza is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
DeSouza keeping moving, preventing Splice from controlling successfully.
DeSouza seems keen to control Splice's posture.

DeSouza working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Splice doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Splice manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Splice is fighting to break DeSouza's control of his arms but DeSouza is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Splice missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
DeSouza is trying to control the position but Splice postures up.
Splice wants to control from the top but DeSouza keeps moving.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Splice fails in his attempt to clinch.
DeSouza misses with a few strikes there.
DeSouza closes the distance looking to clinch

and Splice counters with a nice double leg into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
DeSouza wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Splice 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.
DeSouza wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
DeSouza trying to control the position here.
DeSouza is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
DeSouza throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
DeSouza looking to control but Splice passes into half guard.
DeSouza is trying to stand back up but Splice is controlling him
Splice tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Splice is breathing heavily.

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.
Splice stops DeSouza from getting back to his feet.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Splice shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
DeSouza is looking to stand up but Splice isn't so interested in that idea.

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

Splice drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and DeSouza dives on top into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kimbo Splice showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

DeSouza bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Splice's head backwards.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Splice. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Splice looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Splice throws a push kick but DeSouza slaps the foot to one side.
DeSouza tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
DeSouza wants to clinch

and Splice counters with a nice double leg into side control. DeSouza won't be happy with that.
DeSouza holds on to Splice's head and controls the position momentarily.
DeSouza is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Splice takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
DeSouza holds on to Splice's head and controls the position momentarily.
Splice 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
DeSouza is trying to control Splice's posture but Splice avoids it.
DeSouza tries to improve position but can't.
DeSouza manages to get back to half guard.
Splice prevents DeSouza from improving his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
DeSouza lands with a few short shots to the body.
DeSouza wants to get back to full guard.
DeSouza is positioning himself well to prevent Splice advancing to mount.
Splice is figuring out what he wants to do next.
DeSouza is looking to control Splice's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can DeSouza avoid being mounted?
DeSouza is staying active underneath Splice, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Splice is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
DeSouza wants to get back to his feet.
Splice tries to pass the half guard into mount. DeSouza knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
DeSouza is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Splice's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Splice's back!
Splice takes a big shot to the side of the head.
Splice looking very determined here, making life difficult for DeSouza.

Splice defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of DeSouza's arms.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Splice can't escape the position.
Splice controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
DeSouza is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Splice wants to control his opponent's hands but DeSouza gets his hands free.

DeSouza working for a choke but Splice is defending well.
Watch the back of the head! Comes the shout from the referee towards DeSouza.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Renato DeSouza.
I think DeSouza 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 Reed Andrews scores the fight 29:28
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Renato DeSouza!