PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Japa Koniu (ranked 540 p4p, 76 weight class) and Thiago Araujo (ranked 746 p4p, 105 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Koniu
vs
Araujo

198 cm
32
235 lbs
14 - 9 - 0

193 cm
24
285 lbs
11 - 7 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 14 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Japa Koniu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thiago Araujo!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Donald Grub and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Koniu swinging wildly here.
Araujo tries to score a power double leg takedown but Koniu sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Araujo somewhat.
Koniu misses with a few strikes there.
We've been told by Koniu's head coaches at St Petersburg MMA Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Araujo misses with a takedown
and Koniu counters with a right hand to the body.
Koniu throws a nice outside leg kick.
Koniu motions for Araujo to come forward. Koniu throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Koniu thumps Araujo with a low kick.
Koniu misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Araujo.
Koniu slips under a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Araujo checks the leg kick.
Araujo throws a series of strikes that have Koniu backpedaling.
Koniu misses with a jab, cross combination.
Araujo dives in and grabs Koniu's left leg, looking for a takedown. Koniu pushes down on Araujo's head and hops out.
Japa Koniu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thiago Araujo.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Koniu throws the left hand but Araujo avoids the punch easily.
Araujo tries to clinch but Koniu moves away
and Koniu counters with a slapping leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koniu uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Araujo.
Araujo shoots for a double leg takedown but Koniu sprawls well. He's pushed Araujo's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Koniu lands a two punch combo.
Koniu delivers a nice body kick.
Araujo is trying hard to land a takedown here. Koniu sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Koniu swats away the attempt to clinch by Araujo.
Koniu thumps Araujo with a low kick.

Araujo shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Araujo showed some decent athleticism there.

Araujo is working for a submission of some sort.
Koniu is trying to stand up here but Araujo is controlling him well.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Koniu knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Araujo on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Araujo is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Araujo prevents Koniu from standing back up.

Araujo is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Koniu looks like he's trying to stand up.

Araujo seems like he's working for an arm triangle here. He's freed his trapped foot and he's rotating nicely. Koniu is in big trouble! He's tapping out! This one is aaaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:48 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Thiago Araujo!