PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Marcelinho Lima (ranked 4030 p4p, 4432 weight class) and Michael MP (ranked 396 p4p, 421 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying MP's choice of entrance music: Whitesnake - Is This Love?. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Lima
vs
MP

202 cm
29
270
11 - 15 - 0

205 cm
30
274
15 - 21 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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 11 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Marcelinho Lima!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 21 - 0, fighting out of London, Michael MP!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Lima bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lima creates some space and throws a big elbow, but MP sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
MP controls the position for a moment.
Lima working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
MP is trying to get back to half guard.

Lima has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Lima drives through and clinches with MP against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lima is trying to maintain a safe position but MP gets an underhook and turns Lima into the cage.

Lima gets control of MP's arms and successfully pulls guard. Lima will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
MP lands a couple of elbows.
MP wants to control from the top but Lima keeps moving.
Lima utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lima utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Lima is trying to control the position from the bottom.
MP lands a couple of decent looking shots.
MP working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
MP tries to free his leg and advance position but Lima is retaining full guard.
MP pushes down on Lima's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Lima is staying active underneath MP, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Lima moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
MP throws a big right hand that misses.
Lima 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.
Lima can't keep his opponent in guard - MP advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
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. MP connects with a nice short shot to Lima's temple.
MP controlling the action here.
MP working Lima over with strikes.
Lima is refusing to be controlled, as MP sits in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lima slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Lima has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.

Lima has his foot on MP's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. MP works his way back into a safe position though.
Lima keeping moving, preventing MP from controlling successfully.
Lima wants to stand and escape but MP is having none of it.
MP looking to pass the guard.

Lima looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
MP wants to control from the top but Lima keeps moving.
MP postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Lima is trying to keep MP in close.
MP stopping the sweep attempt from Lima.

Lima is looking for a triangle but MP pushes his legs off easily.

MP got a little sloppy there for a moment and Lima has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, MP has managed to get both his arms back between Lima's legs - danger averted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as MP accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Lima keeping moving, preventing MP from controlling successfully.
MP looking to pass the guard.
MP postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
MP trying to control but Lima is working from the bottom.
MP is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
MP is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Lima trying to control the position.
Lima tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
MP's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Lima controls MP momentarily but MP frees himself.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Lima utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
MP content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
MP trying to move into half guard but instead Lima has managed to sweep!

A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Lima accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Lima slips nicely into half guard.
MP is looking to control Lima's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can MP avoid being mounted?
Lima trying to mount his opponent but MP defends it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Lima is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, MP has managed to free his arm - good work.
Lima prevents MP from standing back up.
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 Marcelinho Lima will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

MP drives through with a takedown into guard.
MP postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Lima lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

MP has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Lima scoring with punches to the head and body.

Lima is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! MP is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! MP has escaped and now he's on top!

Lima keeping moving, preventing MP from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lima not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
MP stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Lima swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MP postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Lima working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. MP doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. MP manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
MP trying to control the position from guard on top but Lima is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
MP with a nice head shot there.
Lima wants to get back to his feet but MP is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
MP content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Lima is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

MP is defending against the submission attempts here by Lima.

Lima is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and MP defends it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MP has his hands clasped together around Lima's back. He's all about the action.
Lima sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. MP defending well though.
Lima wants to pass to mount but MP is defending the position.
MP is trying is best to control the position here.
Lima thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed MP's head.
MP gets back to full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Lima accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lima looking to sit in guard and control but MP gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Lima is trying to control the position but MP postures up.
MP trying to control the position from guard on top but Lima is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
MP cracks Lima with a solid left hand.
Lima has momentary wrist control but MP slips an elbow through the middle.
MP working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
MP looking to pass the guard.
MP wants to control from the top but Lima keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lima is looking for a triangle but MP pushes his legs off easily.

Lima looking for a guillotine here but MP defends easily.
MP working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Michael MP has got the better of the ground game so far.
Lima tries to land a sweep but no joy.
MP working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
MP looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
MP wants to control from the top but Lima keeps moving.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
MP in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

MP got a little sloppy there for a moment and Lima has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, MP has managed to get both his arms back between Lima's legs - danger averted.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael MP showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Lima lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Lima throws a low kick but MP moves out of range easily.
MP changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

Lima closes the distance and clinches.

Lima turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

MP sneaks out the side door and pushes Lima away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Marcelinho Lima is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
MP throws a nice looking combination but Lima bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
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!
MP misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Michael MP seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Lima feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
MP looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

Lima postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! MP is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Lima, into his guard.

MP lands a couple of elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MP is in close to Lima's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Lima working for a triangle but MP defends it easily.
MP landing with the ground and pound.
MP pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Lima is keeping the position for now.

MP avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
MP scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

MP postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Lima is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of MP, into his guard.

Lima throws a big elbow that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lima throws a big right hand that misses.
Lima is looking to pass into half guard but MP pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now MP is in guard.

Lima controlling MP's posture.
MP is working Lima over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Lima has momentary wrist control but MP slips an elbow through the middle.
MP engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
MP wants to control from the top but Lima keeps moving.
MP makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MP scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Lima pulls MP in to control the position.
MP pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Lima is keeping the position for now.
Lima is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Lima continues to stall.
MP working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Lima's head.

Lima escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. MP gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Lima looking for a guillotine here but MP defends easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
MP passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Lima is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
MP working the ground and pound from side control.
MP scoring with punches and elbows.
MP scoring with punches and elbows.
Lima is looking for a sweep.
MP working away.

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

MP looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
What's Lima going to do here then? He's in a bit of a pickle.
The referee asks MP politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. MP prefers to stall for the moment though.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michael MP comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think MP has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michael MP!
A less than humble Michael MP misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.