PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ruben Nevez (ranked 677 p4p, 89 weight class) and Gabriel Azevedo Souza (ranked 1223 p4p, 149 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Nevez
vs
Azevedo Souza

175 cm
26
155 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

174 cm
26
149 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

ZZ POPS

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ruben Nevez!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Gabriel Azevedo Souza!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Daniel Franklin and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Azevedo Souza swings widly with a right hand
and Nevez counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Azevedo Souza thinking.
Nevez throws a jab when Azevedo Souza was well out of range.
Azevedo Souza swings widly with a right hand
and Nevez counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

It looks like Gabriel Azevedo Souza has been cut.
Azevedo Souza loads up on a big right hand but Nevez slips the punch.
Nevez bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nevez takes one to the side of the head.
Azevedo Souza avoids the body shot from Nevez.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Azevedo Souza tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Nevez manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Nevez moves away from the strike by Azevedo Souza.
Azevedo Souza misses with a right hand
and Nevez counters with a left to the body.
Nevez seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azevedo Souza will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Nevez scores with the left hand. Azevedo Souza knows he should have avoided that one.
Azevedo Souza has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Azevedo Souza throws the left hand but Nevez avoids the punch easily.

Azevedo Souza moves into the clinch.
Azevedo Souza can't find room to land a body shot as Nevez controls the action.

Azevedo Souza drags the fight down to the ground.
Nevez would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Nevez looking to pass the guard.
Nevez controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Azevedo Souza has his foot on Nevez's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Nevez works his way back into a safe position though.
Azevedo Souza looking for a sweep. Not yet Azevedo Souza, not yet.

Azevedo Souza looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nevez looking to sit in guard and control but Azevedo Souza gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Azevedo Souza passes Nevez's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Azevedo Souza is looking to advance position but Nevez won't allow it.
Nevez trying to hold on to Azevedo Souza's head to control him but Azevedo Souza postures up.
Azevedo Souza tries to pass the half guard into mount. Nevez knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Azevedo Souza is working for a kimura but Nevez is defending it quite comfortably.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nevez won't allow Azevedo Souza to pass to mount.
Nevez has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Azevedo Souza is working away from the top position though.

Azevedo Souza in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Nevez tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Azevedo Souza!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Gabriel Azevedo Souza!
Gabriel Azevedo Souza is the new lightweight champion!
A relieved looking Gabriel Azevedo Souza thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.