PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Thiago Araujo (ranked 391 p4p, 50 weight class) and Rick Piano (ranked 461 p4p, 61 weight class). Piano has chosen Rick going ham on a bitch as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Araujo
vs
Piano

193 cm
25
285 lbs
14 - 9 - 0

190 cm
25
275 lbs
18 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
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 Rio de Janeiro, Thiago Araujo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rick Piano !
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Araujo shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Piano defends it nicely.

Araujo scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Piano gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Araujo goes for an armbar but Piano turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Piano .

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

Araujo working for a triangle but Piano defends it easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Araujo trying to control the position.
Piano really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Araujo. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Araujo looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Araujo looking for a sweep. Not yet Araujo, not yet.

Araujo throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Piano slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

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

Araujo has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Piano can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

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

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

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

Araujo is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Piano defends well.
Piano stays in close to Araujo's body and controls the position.

Piano avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Araujo looking to control.
Araujo trying to strike off his back.

Araujo looking for a guillotine here but Piano defends easily.

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

Araujo throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Piano works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Araujo actively working from the bottom here.
Araujo tries to roll over but Piano keeps him under control.

Araujo looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Piano wants to take a breather but Araujo is having none of it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Araujo looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Araujo is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Piano pulls his head out easily.
Araujo regains full guard. Nicely done.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thiago Araujo dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Araujo has his takedown stuffed
letting Piano counter with a right hand.

It looks like Thiago Araujo has been cut.
Araujo defending well as Piano loads up on a big left hand.

Piano takes the fight into the clinch.
Araujo takes an elbow to the temple.
Piano misses with an elbow strike.
Piano tries a body shot but Araujo blocks it.
Piano tries to work over Araujo's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Araujo manages to pull guard.

Araujo throws his legs up looking for a submission but Piano uses it to pass to side control.
Araujo sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Araujo tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Piano has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Araujo is desperately trying to improve his position but Piano has a good base and remains in mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Piano controlling the pace for now.
Piano wants to control the pace but Araujo is squirming around nicely.
Araujo tries to reverse the position but Piano maintains control.
Araujo sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Araujo is looking for a sweep. Piano is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Piano with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Araujo is looking to control Piano 's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Araujo avoid being mounted?
Piano prevents Araujo from improving his position.
Araujo trying to control here.
Araujo is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Araujo looking for submissions off his back.
Araujo tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Araujo actively working from the bottom here.
Piano stalling.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Piano clinches up with Araujo and pushes him back against the cage.
Araujo is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Piano to keep the fight standing.
Piano is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Araujo is keeping busy.
A nice right hand lands inside from Araujo.
Piano lands a shot to the body.
Araujo takes an elbow to the forehead.
Piano comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Araujo will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Piano up against the cage.
Nice elbow from Piano .

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice right hand lands inside from Piano .
Piano pushes Araujo back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A right hand to the body from Piano .
Nice elbow from Piano .
A short body shot lands from Piano as the two fighters clinch.
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!
Piano lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
A right hand to the body from Piano .
Piano pushes Araujo back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Piano .

Thiago Araujo's cut is getting worse.
A short left from Piano .
Nice elbow from Piano .

Araujo is rocked!
Piano lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Araujo.
Oh Araujo is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Piano lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Piano creates some distance and fires off a vicious elbow that drops Araujo! He pounces and finishes the fight with more strikes! Nice KO for Piano .

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:48 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Rick Piano !
Rick Piano was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.