PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Joaquim Mourao (ranked 1787 p4p, 2042 weight class) and Santiago Ponziabo (ranked 231 p4p, 261 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Mourao
vs
Ponziabo

173 cm
26
155
5 - 3 - 1

170 cm
26
164
3 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Very quick

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 1, fighting out of The Island, Joaquim Mourao!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Santiago Ponziabo!
The judges for this bout are David Hoff, Peter Branson and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ponziabo stuffs the takedown.

Ponziabo gets the takedown into side control.
Ponziabo wants to control but Mourao is keeping him busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mourao manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Mourao is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ponziabo pulls his head out easily.
Mourao has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Mourao is trying to maintain the position but Ponziabo is very close to passing his half guard.

Mourao looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Ponziabo is working for a submission of some sort.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ponziabo is looking for a kimura but Mourao is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Ponziabo to get the leverage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ponziabo is trying to control the action in half guard but Mourao is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Mourao actively working from the bottom here.
Ponziabo seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Mourao is looking to improve his position.

Ponziabo is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Mourao doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Ponziabo.
Ponziabo is looking to advance position but Mourao won't allow it.
Ponziabo is taking a breather. Mourao says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Ponziabo passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Mourao!
Mourao sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Mourao tries to roll over but Ponziabo keeps him under control.
Ponziabo is trying to control. Mourao wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Mourao is looking for a sweep. Ponziabo is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Ponziabo is working for a submission of some sort.
Mourao is trying to control but can't.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mourao looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Mourao is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

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

Ponziabo is working for a kimura but Mourao is defending it quite comfortably.

That's four 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.

Mourao looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Ponziabo 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.
Mourao is looking to improve his position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Mourao looking for submissions off his back.
Ponziabo is thwarting Mourao's attempts to control the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Horrible takedown attempt by Mourao or perhaps it was just good defense by Ponziabo, which made it look bad.
Ponziabo leaves Mourao with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Mourao shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Ponziabo sprawls well. Ponziabo wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Mourao gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joaquim Mourao. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Ponziabo closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Ponziabo wants to take a breather but Mourao is having none of it.
Santiago Ponziabo has got the better of the ground game so far.

Mourao actively working from the bottom here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mourao is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ponziabo is keen to just control but Mourao is a slippery customer.
Ponziabo tries to pass to full mount but Mourao defends it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ponziabo is working for a submission of some sort.
Mourao is looking for a sweep. Ponziabo is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Mourao looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Mourao is pressing down on Ponziabo's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Ponziabo controlling from the top position.

Ponziabo got a little sloppy there for a moment and Mourao has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Ponziabo has managed to get both his arms back between Mourao's legs - danger averted.
Mourao keeping full guard, as Ponziabo tries to pass.

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.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Mourao is on top in guard.

Mourao avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Ponziabo keeping moving, preventing Mourao from controlling successfully.
Ponziabo trying to control the position.

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

Ponziabo is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Mourao avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mourao trying to control the position from guard on top but Ponziabo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mourao is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Ponziabo is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Mourao content to stall in guard here.
Ponziabo keeping moving, preventing Mourao from controlling successfully.

Ponziabo working for a triangle but Mourao defends it easily.

Ponziabo working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Mourao doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Mourao manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Mourao sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Ponziabo's guard.
Mourao is trying to control the action in half guard but Ponziabo is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Ponziabo is trying to get back to full guard.
Mourao seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ponziabo does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Mourao scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Mourao drops an elbow to the side of Ponziabo's head.
Ponziabo has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ponziabo tries to get to full guard but Mourao has control of the leg.

Mourao wants to work for an arm triangle but Ponziabo is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Ponziabo has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Ponziabo trying to control here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Santiago Ponziabo will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Mourao misses with a takedown attempt - Ponziabo sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Mourao shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ponziabo as he jumps to the side.

Ponziabo shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Mourao looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Ponziabo passes Mourao's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Ponziabo is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Mourao looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mourao won't allow Ponziabo to pass to mount.
Mourao is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ponziabo is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Mourao is just riding it out for now. Ponziabo eventually gives up the hold.

Mourao looking for submissions off his back.

Ponziabo seems to be working for a kimura but Mourao defends the submission attempt.
Mourao tries to get to full guard but Ponziabo has control of the leg.
Mourao is working hard here to advance position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Ponziabo is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Mourao has managed to free his arm - good work.
Mourao is trying to get back to full guard.

Ponziabo is working for a submission of some sort.
Ponziabo performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Mourao is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mourao actively working from the bottom here.

Mourao actively working from the bottom here.
Mourao is doing well to control the position and prevent Ponziabo from advancing to side control.
Ponziabo is thwarting Mourao's attempts to control the position.
Ponziabo stalling away here and it's allowed Mourao to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Ponziabo pushing down on Mourao's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Ponziabo is trying to work for a kimura but Mourao is defending well.
Mourao wants to improve his position but Ponziabo is controlling well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mourao trying to control but Ponziabo postures up.
Mourao is looking for a sweep. Ponziabo is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Mourao manages to get to full guard.

Mourao looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ponziabo trying to control but Mourao is working from the bottom.
Joaquim Mourao has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Santiago Ponziabo is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

And that's the end of the fight!
Santiago Ponziabo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Ponziabo has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 David Hoff scores the fight 27:30
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Santiago Ponziabo!
An out of breath Santiago Ponziabo thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.