PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Thiago Alves (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Renan Barao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Alves
vs
Barao

169 cm
18
144 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

168 cm
25
143 lbs
5 - 6 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Thiago Alves!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Renan Barao!
The judges for this bout are , Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Alves gets a takedown into half guard.
Alves is trying to control the action in half guard but Barao is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Barao actively working from the bottom here.
Alves wants to pass the guard but Barao is defending well.

Barao looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Barao tries to roll over but Alves keeps him under control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alves wants to pass to mount but Barao is defending the position.
Barao is in trouble now - Alves has advanced to mount!
Barao is trying to escape the mount but Alves keeps good control and instead manages to take Barao's back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barao is in bad spot here.

Barao fending off the submission attempt from Alves.
Barao can't escape the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Alves tries to get the hooks in deep but Barao pushed the leg off.
Barao is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Alves struggling to keep hold of the position.
Barao rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Barao is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Alves's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Alves's back!

Barao is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Alves has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Alves rolls, trying to escape but Barao keeps control of the position.

Alves defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Barao's arms.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Barao is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Alves defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Alves tries to escape the position.

Barao has both hooks in and is working for a choke. Alves is in real trouble here. Barao gets an arm under the chin and tightens the submission attempt... is this the end? Yes, Alves is tapping out! Barao wins by rear naked choke!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:42 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Renan Barao!