PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Papa John (ranked 4057 p4p, 188 weight class) and Marilson Coutinho (ranked 4444 p4p, 206 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

John
vs
Coutinho

170 cm
24
140 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

165 cm
23
138 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Papa John!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Marilson Coutinho!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Coutinho just misses with a punch to the body.
Coutinho misses with a shot to the body
enabling John to counter with a crisp jab.
Coutinho throws a body punch but John moves out of range.
John feinted there with a counter leg kick.

Coutinho shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Coutinho showed some decent athleticism there.
John wants to get back to his feet.
My spies in Soul Supremacy Rio inform me that Coutinho has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
John is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at 3Band MMA ($700/week), so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Coutinho is keen to just control but John is a slippery customer.
Coutinho is looking to advance position but John won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Coutinho works his way into side control.
John takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
John is trying to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Coutinho scores with punches from side control.
John is looking for a sweep.
John wants to control but Coutinho postures up.

Coutinho tries for a kimura but John is defending well.

Coutinho swings around for an armbar but John sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Coutinho's guard.

Coutinho has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. John is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Coutinho.
Coutinho is trying to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Coutinho's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Coutinho is looking to reverse the position.
Coutinho manages to work his way to half guard, despite John's best efforts.

Coutinho is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but John pulls his head out easily.

Coutinho is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but John pulls his head out easily.
Coutinho is trying to get back to full guard.

Coutinho looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
John passes to side control.
John staying calm.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Coutinho struggling a bit here.
Coutinho is looking to regain half guard here but John keeps moving and retains side control.
John tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Coutinho is trying to get back to half guard.
Coutinho is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but John is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Coutinho working to try and regain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Coutinho wants to control but John is having none of it.
John prevents Coutinho from getting the reversal.
Coutinho is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Coutinho tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Coutinho tries to hold on but John pushes him away.
Coutinho is wriggling around trying to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Papa John will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Coutinho takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
A punch combination from John misses.
Coutinho feints the counter takedown.
Coutinho scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
John takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
John misses with a wild body shot.
Papa John is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
John lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Coutinho dips to his left and cracks John with an uppercut!

Coutinho looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Coutinho stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. John swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Coutinho is in close to John's body, working some short punches and elbows.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Coutinho works a leg free and moves into half guard.
John has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Coutinho is working away from the top position though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Coutinho trying to mount his opponent but John defends it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Coutinho working John over with strikes.

Coutinho is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so John is just riding it out for now. Coutinho eventually gives up the hold.

Coutinho seems to be looking for submissions.
Coutinho thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Coutinho has hold of the far side arm. He's working for the Kimura, can John defend it? Coutinho steps over the head and cranks it - John is tapping out! That was textbook stuff right there - nice submission victory for Coutinho!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:53 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Marilson Coutinho!