PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Joao Sousa (ranked 3308 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sergei Ulatov (ranked 3383 p4p, 0 weight class). Sousa's entrance music is Beat It. A fine choice. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Sousa
vs
Ulatov

180 cm
29
157 lbs
12 - 6 - 0

173 cm
25
155 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Joao Sousa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Sergei Ulatov!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sousa fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Ulatov sprawls well initially but Sousa persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Sousa not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Sousa has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Sousa takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Sousa tries to pass to full mount but Ulatov defends it.

Ulatov actively working from the bottom here.

Ulatov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ulatov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ulatov has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Sousa is working away from the top position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Sousa seems content to control.

Ulatov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Sousa pulls his head out easily.
Sousa tries to pass to full mount but Ulatov defends it.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Sousa lands a nice short elbow.
Sousa seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Ulatov flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Nice strikes from Sousa there.
Ulatov wants to control but Sousa is keeping busy.
Sousa thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ulatov is pressing down on Sousa's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Sousa sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Sousa postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Ulatov throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Sousa sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Sousa wants to control from the top but Ulatov keeps moving.
Sousa has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Ulatov is on top in guard.

Sousa trying to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ulatov tries to free his leg and advance position but Sousa is retaining full guard.
Ulatov stopping the sweep attempt from Sousa.

Sousa is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ulatov defends well.
Sousa utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Ulatov drops back, looking for a kneebar! Sousa looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Sousa looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Sousa!

Ulatov is not content to let Sousa control the position.
Ulatov is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ulatov stops Sousa from passing to mount.
Sousa tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Ulatov on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Sousa working away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sousa trying to control the action but Ulatov is working from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sousa remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joao Sousa dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Sousa ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Ulatov misses with an uppercut
and Sousa counters with a nice uppercut.

Sousa gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Ulatov to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Sousa is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Sousa keeping moving, preventing Ulatov from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Sousa is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ulatov trying to control the position from guard on top but Sousa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sousa utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Sousa is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Ulatov stopping the sweep attempt from Sousa.
Sousa keeping moving, preventing Ulatov from controlling successfully.
Ulatov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Sousa's head.
Sousa is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Ulatov with a nice head shot there.
Sousa is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ulatov can do to turn this around?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Ulatov trying to control the position from guard on top but Sousa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ulatov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Ulatov wants to pass the guard but Sousa is keeping the position.

Sousa escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ulatov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Sousa controls Ulatov momentarily but Ulatov frees himself.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Ulatov wants to control from the top but Sousa keeps moving.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sousa moves into the clinch successfully.
Ulatov wants a takedown but no success here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ulatov.
Ulatov jumps guard but Sousa turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Ulatov looking for a takedown.
Joao Sousa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sergei Ulatov.
Sousa lands a body punch in the clinch.
Sousa misses with some punches.
Sousa is working Ulatov over against the cage.
Sousa scores with a nice hook to the head.
Ulatov jumps guard but Sousa turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Ulatov gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Sousa regains guard.
Ulatov trying to control but Sousa is working from the bottom.
Ulatov is pushing down on Sousa's leg trying to pass to half guard. Sousa is fighting to maintain full guard but Ulatov has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sousa trying to get back to full guard but Ulatov takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Sousa is looking to improve his position but Ulatov isn't that keen on the idea.
Ulatov trying to control but Sousa is having none of it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Ulatov is working for a guillotine from mount but Sousa frees his head quite easily.

Ulatov looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sousa tries to hold on but Ulatov postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sergei Ulatov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Sousa misses with an uppercut.
Sousa throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ulatov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sousa as he avoids it easily.
Ulatov darts in looking for a takedown but Sousa gets double underhooks and turns Ulatov into the cage.
Ulatov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sousa swivels and escapes.
Joao Sousa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sergei Ulatov.
Ulatov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Sousa scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Ulatov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Sousa avoids it really well and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sousa getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ulatov throws a lazy right hand but Sousa sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Sousa lands a jab to the nose.
Ulatov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Sousa.
Sousa is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Ulatov stuffs the takedown attempt from Sousa. Sousa gets slowly back to his feet.
Sousa scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Sousa leaves Ulatov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Sousa appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Ulatov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Sousa pinned against the cage. Sousa gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Ulatov connects with a right hand. Sousa shakes it off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ulatov gets a clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Sousa fails to land.
Sousa lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Sousa scores with a shot to the side of Ulatov's head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ulatov.
A shot in the inside from Sousa.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sousa gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Ulatov.
Sousa lands with a right to the head.
A short body shot lands from Sousa as the two fighters clinch.
Sousa lands with a light punch inside.
Ulatov blocks an uppercut.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Sousa.
A short left from Sousa.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sousa lands with a short shot to the head.

Ulatov is rocked!
Joao Sousa has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Sousa pushes Ulatov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ulatov is still on wobbly legs! Can Sousa finish him?
Sousa fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ulatov seems to have recovered his senses.
Sousa lands a left hand that snaps the head of Ulatov backwards.

Sousa has clasped his hands together around Ulatov's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Ulatov struggling a bit here.
Ulatov is looking to regain half guard here but Sousa keeps moving and retains side control.

Sousa wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Ulatov, who protects the arm well.
Joao Sousa overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sousa is working Ulatov over with some ground and pound from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ulatov is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Sousa off and has taken his back!
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!

Ulatov looking to break Sousa's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Sousa remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Ulatov will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Sousa tries to escape the position.
Ulatov gets his hands free as Sousa looks to control.
Well, with Ulatov on his back, surely it's only a matter of time before Sousa is tapping out... Can he escape the position?

Sousa is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

Sousa is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Ulatov gets his way!

And that's the end of the fight!
Joao Sousa showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Sousa has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joao Sousa!
A very excited looking Joao Sousa rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.