PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rafael Souza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Murdoc Royas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Souza
vs
Royas

190 cm
19
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
205 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rafael Souza!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Murdoc Royas!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Matheus Silva and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Royas thows a body kick. Souza tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Royas looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Souza is fending him off so far but Royas persists. Nope, Souza circles away and we're back to standing.

Royas looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Souza has one foot on Royas's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

Royas clinches up with Souza and pushes him back against the cage.
Souza tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Royas smiles and moves away.
Souza avoids the body shot from Royas.
Souza misses with a takedown

and Royas decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Souza's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Souza is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Souza is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Royas stopping the sweep attempt from Souza.
Souza thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Royas trying to control the position from guard on top but Souza is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Royas's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Royas wants to control from the top but Souza keeps moving.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Royas closes the distance and clinches up with Souza, looking for a takedown. Royas pushes Souza against the cage but Souza circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Royas tries for a takedown but Souza sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Rafael Souza has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Murdoc Royas.

Souza looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Royas!
Royas is trying to escape the mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Souza is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Royas has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Souza is breathing heavily.
Royas is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Royas is wriggling around trying to escape.
Souza can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Royas is looking to escape.
Royas tries to lock up and control but Souza gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Royas really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Royas reaches up to try and control the position but Souza seems to have an arm triangle now! Uh oh! Royas rolls and tries to escape and now Souza has his back!

Royas tries to get to his feet, scrambling wildly. Souza sees the opportunity and transitions to an armbar that forces Royas to tap. Impressive finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:43 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Rafael Souza!