PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Murilo Figueiredo (ranked 3714 p4p, 5950 weight class) and Soons Sam (ranked 489 p4p, 660 weight class). Soons Sam has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Figueiredo
vs
Sam

183 cm
22
207
3 - 3 - 0

180 cm
30
220
3 - 6 - 1

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Big right hand

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

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 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Murilo Figueiredo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Soons Sam!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Daniel Cesar and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sam shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Figueiredo is trying to defend but Sam finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Figueiredo manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Sam keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Sam tries to circle away but Figueiredo has him pinned against the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

Sam breaks the clinch.
Murilo Figueiredo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Figueiredo cracks Sam with a good jab.

It looks like Soons Sam has been cut.
Sam avoids the body shot from Figueiredo.
Sam dives in for a single leg takedown but Figueiredo sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
We've been told by Figueiredo's head coaches at Alpha Brasil that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Figueiredo misses the shot to the body.
Figueiredo pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Figueiredo swats away the attempt to clinch by Sam.
Sam looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Figueiredo keeps the fight on the outside.
Figueiredo scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Sam takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Sam tries to land a front kick but Figueiredo steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Nice defenses there by Sam.
Sam with a lazy takedown attempt

and Figueiredo counters with a nice right hand that sends Sam toppling to the canvas! Sam scrambles and gets back to his feet - can Figueiredo finish him?!

Sam is rocked!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sam shoots in looking for a takedown but Figueiredo manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Sam's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Sam is still on wobbly legs! Can Figueiredo finish him?
Murilo Figueiredo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Soons Sam.
Figueiredo swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sam now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Figueiredo is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Sam.
Sam shoots in looking for a takedown. Figueiredo tries to sprawl out of it but Sam keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Figueiredo manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Sam seems to have recovered his senses.
Sam fails with a takedown attempt.
Sam steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Figueiredo.
Figueiredo waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sam.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sam closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Figueiredo breaks the clinch.
Figueiredo throws a body shot but no joy.

Figueiredo drops Sam with a hook right on the temple. He thinks about going to the ground but Sam looks back up at him and smiles so Figueiredo waves him back to his feet - he obviously thinks he can knock him out after that shot landed.
Figueiredo slaps away a takedown attempt from Sam, before circling back to the center of the mat.
A jab from Figueiredo misses.
Sam ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Figueiredo lands a nice shot to the body.
Figueiredo misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sam.
Murilo Figueiredo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Figueiredo takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Figueiredo misses with a hook.
Figueiredo throws a body punch but Sam moves out of range.
Sam takes a swing at Figueiredo's ribcage but misses.
Figueiredo misses with a hook.
Sam swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sam uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Figueiredo.
Sam changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Figueiredo throws out a loose jab but Sam uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nice body punch from Figueiredo.
Figueiredo keeps the fight on the outside.
Figueiredo works Sam's body with a nice hook.
Sam closes this distance looking for a takedown but Figueiredo circles away.
Sam looks winded!
Nice defenses there by Sam.
No joy there for Sam, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Sam bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sam closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

That has opened up Soons Sam's cut even more.
Sam keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Figueiredo ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sam moves away.
Figueiredo takes a swing at Sam's ribcage but misses.
Figueiredo lands a slapping body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Figueiredo cracks Sam with a big right hand that sees him stumbling back against the cage! Sam falls to his knees and Figueiredo doesn't need a second invitatation - he rushes in and fires off several unanswered shots that force the referee to stop the fight! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:06 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Murilo Figueiredo!
Murilo Figueiredo seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.