PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ricardo Aronna (ranked 2880 p4p, 359 weight class) and Alberto Moreno (ranked 2437 p4p, 314 weight class). Alberto Moreno has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Aronna
vs
Moreno

180 cm
25
179 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

172 cm
25
157 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ricardo Aronna!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Alberto Moreno!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Wagner Zegers and Radbod Blank.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Moreno pushes Aronna up against the cage in a clinch.

Aronna has hold of one of Moreno's legs. Moreno is fighting the takedown attempt but Aronna gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Aronna postures up and lands a big shot to Moreno's brow.

Aronna thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Aronna is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Aronna scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Aronna thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Moreno is looking to stand up but Aronna isn't so interested in that idea.

Aronna is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Moreno is looking to stand up but Aronna isn't so interested in that idea.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Aronna drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Aronna jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Aronna lands a couple of elbows.
Moreno wants to stand and escape but Aronna is having none of it.
Aronna advances position into side control!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Aronna is chipping away with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Moreno is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Aronna asserts his dominance and retains side control.

Aronna is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Moreno knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Aronna tries for a kimura but Moreno is defending well.

Aronna tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Moreno is pushing Aronna's head away, looking to escape. Aronna manages to hold on to the position though.

Aronna is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Moreno knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Moreno is pushing Aronna's head away, looking to escape. Aronna manages to hold on to the position though.

That's two 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.

Aronna tries for a kimura but Moreno is defending well.
Moreno is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

Aronna is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Moreno is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Aronna is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Moreno has escaped the position, nice work there.

Aronna is trying to get an arm triangle but Moreno is defending well.
Moreno is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Aronna has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Aronna tries for a kimura but Moreno is defending well.

Aronna is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Moreno knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Moreno is trying to buck Aronna off.

Aronna tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Moreno is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

Aronna wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Moreno, who protects the arm well.
Moreno wants to get back to his feet.

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.

Aronna tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Aronna has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Moreno is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Aronna is controlling him well.

Aronna thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Aronna tries for a kimura but Moreno is defending well.
Moreno wants to get back to his feet but Aronna drags him back down.

Aronna tries for a kimura but Moreno is defending well.
Aronna prevents Moreno from escaping the position.

Aronna is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Moreno has escaped the position, nice work there.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Aronna is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Moreno is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Aronna is breathing heavily.
Moreno is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Aronna is controlling him well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricardo Aronna dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Moreno misses with a two punch combination.
Moreno misses with a few strikes there.
Aronna is looking to counter with a shot to the body.

Moreno clinches.
Moreno wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Aronna has him pressed against the cage.

Moreno is fighting off a takedown attempt but Aronna is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Moreno to the mat. Moreno regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.

Aronna drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Aronna jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Aronna scoring with some ground and pound.
Moreno is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Aronna is controlling him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Aronna drops back looking for a leg! Moreno is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Moreno manages to kick Aronna off! Aronna jumps back into Moreno's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Aronna is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Ricardo Aronna overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Aronna throws a big elbow that misses.
Moreno is looking to stand up but Aronna isn't so interested in that idea.
Aronna advances to half guard.
Moreno looks like he's trying to stand up.

Aronna is working for a submission of some sort.
Aronna prevents Moreno from standing back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Aronna is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Moreno has managed to free his arm - good work.
Moreno is looking to escape.

Aronna is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Moreno is defending against the submission attempts here by Aronna.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Aronna is looking for a kimura here.
Aronna stops Moreno from getting back to his feet.

Aronna is trying to work for a kimura but Moreno is defending well.

Aronna wants to work for an arm triangle but Moreno is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Moreno is trying to stand.

Aronna looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Aronna looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Moreno blocking the ground and pound attempt from Aronna.
Moreno is trying to stand up here but Aronna is controlling him well.

Aronna is working for a kimura but Moreno is defending it quite comfortably.
Moreno tries to kick Aronna off but Aronna keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Aronna connects with a nice short shot to Moreno's temple.
Moreno tries to kick Aronna off but Aronna keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Aronna is working for a submission of some sort.

Aronna is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Moreno doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Aronna.

Aronna is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Moreno sees it coming and defends easily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Aronna is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Moreno doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Aronna.
Aronna is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Moreno can do to turn this around?

Aronna wants to work for an arm triangle but Moreno is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricardo Aronna dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Moreno's jab looks to have found its range, popping Aronna under the eye.

It looks like Ricardo Aronna has been cut.

Moreno gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Moreno has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Moreno wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Aronna has clasped his hands together around Moreno's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

Aronna tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Aronna working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Moreno is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Aronna is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Moreno knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Moreno sneaks out the side door and pushes Aronna away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Moreno misses with a wild combination.
Aronna is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Alberto Moreno seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Moreno moves into range and throws a big uppercut. OH! Aronna goes down! Can Moreno finish him!?

Aronna is rocked!
Moreno wants to stand and escape but instead Aronna has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Oh Aronna is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Aronna with a nice head shot there.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Aronna drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Aronna jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Aronna seems to have got his legs back now.
Moreno wants to stand but Aronna is controlling the position.

Moreno scrambles and gets back to his feet.

Aronna closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Moreno quickly recovers to half guard.
Aronna thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Moreno looks like he's trying to stand up.

Aronna is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Moreno tries to kick Aronna off but Aronna keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Aronna is looking for a kimura here.

Aronna is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Moreno sees it coming and defends easily.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Moreno is looking to escape.

Aronna seems to be working for a kimura but Moreno defends the submission attempt.
Aronna prevents Moreno from standing back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Aronna is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Moreno has managed to free his arm - good work.

Aronna looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Aronna is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Moreno doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Aronna.
Moreno looks like he's trying to stand up.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

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.
Aronna has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Moreno finds it's way round the side to connect with Aronna's head.

Moreno closes the distance and clinches.
Moreno wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Aronna has him pressed against the cage.
Aronna prevents Moreno from breaking the clinch.
Moreno wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A frustrated look appears on Moreno's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Moreno tries to circle away but Aronna has him pinned against the cage.
Aronna keeps control of Moreno as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Moreno wants to break the clinch but can't.

Aronna tightens his grip and picks Moreno up, before dumping him to the ground. Moreno manages to land in guard.

Moreno is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Aronna goes for a takedown attempt but Moreno pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Moreno drives through and clinches with Aronna against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alberto Moreno really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ricardo Aronna's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Moreno moves into the clinch.

Aronna turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Aronna manages to end up in side control.
Moreno is trying to buck Aronna off.

Aronna tries for a kimura but Moreno is defending well.
Moreno wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

Aronna tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Moreno is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Aronna is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Moreno knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Moreno is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Aronna is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Moreno knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Moreno is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Aronna has just dragged him back down to the mat.

Aronna thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Aronna working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Aronna tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Aronna looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Moreno is trying to buck Aronna off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Aronna is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Moreno has escaped the position, nice work there.

Aronna looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Aronna working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Moreno is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Aronna is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Moreno has escaped the position, nice work there.
Moreno is trying to get back to his feet.

Aronna thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Moreno is trying to get back to his feet.

Aronna tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Moreno wants to get back to his feet but Aronna drags him back down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Aronna is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Moreno has escaped the position, nice work there.
Moreno is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Aronna has just dragged him back down to the mat.

Aronna is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Moreno is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Moreno managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Aronna.

Aronna is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Moreno knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Moreno wants to get back to his feet but Aronna drags him back down.

Aronna tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricardo Aronna had his way with Alberto Moreno in that round.
The cut man is working on Ricardo Aronna's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Moreno!

Moreno closes the distance and clinches.
Aronna using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

Aronna turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Aronna manages to end up in side control.

Aronna tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Aronna thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Aronna tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Moreno pushes Aronna away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Aronna gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Aronna working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Moreno is pushing Aronna's head away, looking to escape. Aronna manages to hold on to the position though.

Aronna is trying to get an arm triangle but Moreno is defending well.

Aronna tries for a kimura but Moreno is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Moreno tries to escape but Aronna is in control.

Aronna working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Aronna looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Moreno is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

Aronna working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Moreno wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Aronna tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Moreno tries to escape but Aronna is in control.

Aronna is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Moreno knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Aronna working the head with strikes.

Aronna tries for a kimura but Moreno is defending well.

Aronna is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Moreno is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Moreno tries to escape but Aronna is in control.

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.
Moreno taking punishment in the form of punches.

Aronna thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Aronna tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Moreno bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Moreno connects with a jab.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Moreno misses with a double jab.
Alberto Moreno has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Moreno throws a big shot that misses.
Aronna appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Ricardo Aronna.
I think Aronna 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 49:46
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 49:46
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ricardo Aronna!
Ricardo Aronna retains his welterweight title!
Ricardo Aronna decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.