PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ariel Sabio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fabio Nascimento (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nascimento has chosen PROMENTORY as his entrance music. This should be a great matchup!

Sabio
vs
Nascimento

177 cm
23
177 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

178 cm
22
175 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

Punishment clothing
FIT FOR LIFE

Rocha Nutrition
Punishment clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ariel Sabio!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Fabio Nascimento!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Leandro Rodrigues and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sabio looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Nascimento blocks a jab.
Sabio throws out a loose jab but Nascimento uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nascimento keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Sabio.
Nascimento looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Nascimento slips under a jab.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Sabio.
Nascimento closes the distance and clinches up with Sabio, looking for a takedown. Nascimento pushes Sabio against the cage but Sabio circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Nascimento closes the distance and clinches up with Sabio, looking for a takedown. Nascimento pushes Sabio against the cage but Sabio circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Ariel Sabio has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fabio Nascimento.

Nascimento closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Sabio to the mat! Sabio manages to get full guard.

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

Nascimento 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.

Sabio working for a triangle but Nascimento defends it easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nascimento wants to pass the guard but Sabio is keeping the position.

Sabio looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nascimento wants to control from the top but Sabio keeps moving.

Sabio wriggles free and stands up.
Nascimento fails to land the takedown.
Ariel Sabio is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Nascimento.
Nascimento avoids a punch combination nicely.

Nascimento scores with a takedown into Sabio's guard.

Sabio is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Sabio looking for a sweep. Not yet Sabio, not yet.

Sabio is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sabio looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Nascimento avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Sabio is breathing heavily.

Nascimento thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Nascimento 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.

Nascimento 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.
Nascimento passes into half guard.
Sabio moves into full guard.

Sabio is looking for a triangle but Nascimento pushes his legs off easily.

Sabio looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Sabio has his foot on Nascimento's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Nascimento works his way back into a safe position though.

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

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

Sabio throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Sabio looking for a sweep. Not yet Sabio, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sabio working for a triangle but Nascimento defends it easily.

Sabio looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Sabio wants to get back to his feet but Nascimento is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Nascimento tries to free his leg and advance position but Sabio is retaining full guard.

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

Sabio working for a triangle but Nascimento defends it easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sabio throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ariel Sabio dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Nascimento shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Sabio as he jumps to the side.
Nascimento takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

It looks like Fabio Nascimento has been cut.
Sabio misses with a two punch combination.
Nice sprawl there from Sabio as Nascimento shoots in.
Horrible takedown by Nascimento or perhaps it was just good defense by Sabio which made him look bad.
Ariel Sabio has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fabio Nascimento.
Sabio lands with a nice body punch.
Ariel Sabio is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Nascimento shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Sabio's guard.
Ariel Sabio overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Sabio is looking for a triangle but Nascimento pushes his legs off easily.

Nascimento 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.

Sabio is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Sabio looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nascimento thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Sabio looking for a guillotine here but Nascimento defends easily.
Sabio is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Nascimento works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Nascimento is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Sabio doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Nascimento.

Sabio actively working from the bottom here.

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.

Sabio is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Nascimento pulls his head out easily.

Nascimento is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Sabio defends it well.

Nascimento seems to be working for a kimura but Sabio defends the submission attempt.

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

Sabio kicks Nascimento off and gets back to his feet.
Nascimento shoots for a double leg takedown but Sabio sprawls well. He's pushed Nascimento's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Nascimento shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Sabio pinned against the cage. Sabio gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Sabio tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice body kick there by Sabio.
Sabio looks to land a combination but Nascimento avoids it well.
Sabio throws a nice looking combination but Nascimento bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Sabio has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Sabio thows a body shot but no joy.
Nascimento dodges the punch combination from Sabio.
Nascimento fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Nascimento tries for a takedown but Sabio sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Sabio throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sabio throws a head kick but Nascimento moves out of range.
Nascimento shoots in but Sabio avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Nascimento shoots in for a takedown but Sabio shows good takedown defense.
Sabio throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nascimento blocks a jab.
Nascimento slips under a jab.
Nascimento slips under a jab from Sabio.
Nice sprawl there from Sabio as Nascimento shoots in.
Nice takedown defense from Sabio. No joy for Nascimento on that attempt.
Sabio sizes up Nascimento with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Sabio connects with a nice looking jab.
Sabio misses with a head kick.
Horrible takedown by Nascimento or perhaps it was just good defense by Sabio which made him look bad.
Nascimento shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Sabio as he jumps to the side.
Sabio tries a head kick but it misses.
Sabio throws a sloppy head kick and Nascimento moves out of range easily.
Nice sprawl there from Sabio as Nascimento shoots in.
Nascimento will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Sabio misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ariel Sabio dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Fabio Nascimento's cut.
That's time! Sabio's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Nascimento closes the distance and clinches up with Sabio, looking for a takedown. Nascimento pushes Sabio against the cage but Sabio circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Nascimento shoots in but no luck this time.
A leg kick checked by Nascimento.
Sabio tries a head kick but it misses.
Sabio misses with a head kick.
A big right from Sabio misses.
Nascimento tries for a takedown but Sabio sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ariel Sabio has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fabio Nascimento.
Nascimento avoids the head kick by Sabio.

Nascimento closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Sabio looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Nascimento is trying to control. Sabio wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Sabio wants to get back to full guard.

Sabio is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Nascimento pulls his head out easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nascimento seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Sabio does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nascimento stops Sabio from getting back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sabio tries to roll over but Nascimento keeps him under control.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Nascimento tries for a takedown but Sabio sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Nascimento looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sabio is fending him off so far but Nascimento persists. Nope, Sabio circles away and we're back to standing.
Nascimento fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
A swing and a miss from Sabio.
Sabio throws a series of punches but Nascimento avoids them all with ease.
Sabio throws a head kick that misses.

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

Sabio has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Nascimento can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Sabio wants to stand up but Nascimento is controlling him.

Sabio scrambles and gets back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nascimento looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Nascimento.
Sabio tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sabio loads up on a big right hand but Nascimento slips the punch.
No luck for Nascimento with that takedown attempt.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Sabio jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Sabio stuffs the takedown attempt from Nascimento. Nascimento gets slowly back to his feet.
Ariel Sabio is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Nascimento looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Nascimento avoids the head kick by Sabio.

Nascimento shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Sabio scrambles and gets back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for Sabio.
Sabio throws a sloppy head kick and Nascimento moves out of range easily.
Nascimento fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Sabio throws a nice head kick!
Sabio connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Nascimento takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Nascimento tries for a takedown but Sabio sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Nascimento blocks a head kick by Sabio.
Sabio throws a head kick but Nascimento moves out of range.
Nascimento looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Sabio paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Good leg kick by Sabio there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Fabio Nascimento has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nascimento ducks under a wild hook from Sabio.
Sabio throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Nascimento sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Sabio keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nascimento avoids the head kick by Sabio.
Nascimento moves out of range of the strikes.
Sabio throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sabio misses with a hook.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Sabio.
Sabio throws a sloppy head kick and Nascimento moves out of range easily.
Sabio lands a jab to the nose.
Sabio misses with an attempted mid kick.

Nascimento drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Sabio has his hands on Nascimento's head, controlling the position.
Sabio wants to sweep but no luck.

Nascimento thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Sabio controlling the position.

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 Ariel Sabio.
Well Sabio 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 Paulo Santos scores the fight 30:27
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ariel Sabio!
Ariel Sabio retains his welterweight title!