PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Miguel Azevedo Souza (ranked 584 p4p, 653 weight class) and Smashy Cartwright (ranked 65 p4p, 72 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Cartwright's choice of entrance music: The Hammer. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Azevedo Souza
vs
Cartwright

176 cm
30
150
18 - 8 - 0

174 cm
29
157
8 - 4 - 1

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

KOMBAT KLOTHING

Brooklyn Apothecary
Brooklyn Threads

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Miguel Azevedo Souza!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Smashy Cartwright!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Ren Mimura and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cartwright steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Azevedo Souza.
Cartwright misses the jab.
Azevedo Souza closes the distance and clinches up with Cartwright, looking for a takedown. Azevedo Souza pushes Cartwright against the cage but Cartwright circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
We've been hearing reports that Azevedo Souza has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Cartwright with a jab.
Cartwright stuffs the takedown attempt from Azevedo Souza. Azevedo Souza gets slowly back to his feet.
Cartwright connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Cartwright looks to land a right hand but Azevedo Souza moved out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cartwright lands with an overhand left.
Good shot there by Azevedo Souza.
Cartwright cracks Azevedo Souza with a right hand to the side of the head.
Azevedo Souza throws the left hand but Cartwright avoids the punch easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azevedo Souza connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Cartwright throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Cartwright lands a nice hook to Azevedo Souza's body. Azevedo Souza takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Cartwright moves away from the strike by Azevedo Souza.
Azevedo Souza cracks Cartwright with an open hand slap.
Cartwright uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Azevedo Souza.

Cartwright shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Azevedo Souza manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Azevedo Souza is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Cartwright defends well.
Azevedo Souza is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Azevedo Souza is working hard here to advance position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Azevedo Souza can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Cartwright controls the pace.
Cartwright must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Cartwright preventing the sweep.
Cartwright is working Azevedo Souza over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Cartwright is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Azevedo Souza escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Cartwright gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Azevedo Souza looking for a sweep. Not yet Azevedo Souza, not yet.
Azevedo Souza keeping moving, preventing Cartwright from controlling successfully.
Cartwright scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Cartwright trying to control the position from guard on top but Azevedo Souza is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Azevedo Souza bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Cartwright's guard.

Azevedo Souza is looking to advance position but Cartwright has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Azevedo Souza can't escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cartwright looking to finish Azevedo Souza with some ground and pound. This is bad for Azevedo Souza!
Azevedo Souza is wriggling around trying to escape.
Cartwright working the ground and pound effectively.
Azevedo Souza is looking to get to half guard.
Cartwright landing strikes, looking to finish!
Cartwright looking to control but Azevedo Souza is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Cartwright landing strikes from the mount.
Cartwright lands a big elbow.
Azevedo Souza is wriggling around trying to escape.
Azevedo Souza regains half guard.
Azevedo Souza is staying active underneath Cartwright, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Ground and pound from Cartwright.
Cartwright trying to control from half guard but Azevedo Souza is working away.
The fighters are battling for position here. Azevedo Souza manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cartwright controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Cartwright trying to control the position from guard on top but Azevedo Souza is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Cartwright slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Azevedo Souza has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Cartwright is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Azevedo Souza.
Cartwright is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Azevedo Souza's shoulder. That is not cool.
Cartwright working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cartwright wants to lay and pray for a moment but Azevedo Souza keeps working.
Cartwright controls the position.
Azevedo Souza is looking to reverse the position.
Azevedo Souza regains half guard.
Azevedo Souza tries to get to full guard but Cartwright has control of the leg.
Cartwright wants to pass the guard but Azevedo Souza is defending well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Azevedo Souza catches Cartwright with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Cartwright scores with a shot to the body.
Cartwright keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Azevedo Souza.
Cartwright works Azevedo Souza's body with a nice hook.
Cartwright uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Azevedo Souza.
Cartwright swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Cartwright scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Azevedo Souza swings widly with a right hand
and Cartwright counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Cartwright ducks under a wild hook from Azevedo Souza.
Cartwright throws a hook but Azevedo Souza blocks it.
Azevedo Souza misses the jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azevedo Souza gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Azevedo Souza misses with a body shot.
Cartwright on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Cartwright uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Azevedo Souza.
Nice uppercut lands for Azevedo Souza. That snapped Cartwright's head back.
Azevedo Souza takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Azevedo Souza dips to his left and cracks Cartwright with an uppercut!
A slow jab from Cartwright misses its intended target.
Cartwright throws the left hand but Azevedo Souza avoids the punch easily.
An attempted straight right counter from Azevedo Souza misses the target.
Smashy Cartwright seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Cartwright looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
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!
Cartwright content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Azevedo Souza keeping moving, preventing Cartwright from controlling successfully.
Azevedo Souza is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Cartwright won't allow Azevedo Souza to pass to mount.

Azevedo Souza is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Miguel Azevedo Souza has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Azevedo Souza is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Cartwright has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Cartwright can't escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azevedo Souza sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Cartwright is desperately trying to improve his position but Azevedo Souza has a good base and remains in mount.

Azevedo Souza swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Cartwright is now in Azevedo Souza's guard. A big mistake from Azevedo Souza there, giving up the dominant position!
Azevedo Souza looking to hit a scissor sweep but Cartwright is one step ahead there.
Cartwright lands a couple of digs.

Cartwright got a little sloppy there for a moment and Azevedo Souza has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Cartwright has managed to get both his arms back between Azevedo Souza's legs - danger averted.
Cartwright chips away with some ground and pound.
Cartwright content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Azevedo Souza is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Cartwright with a nice head shot there.
Azevedo Souza is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Azevedo Souza wants to improve his position but instead Cartwright has moved into half guard.
Azevedo Souza gets full guard.
Azevedo Souza has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Cartwright has passed into side control.
Cartwright wants to control but Azevedo Souza is keeping him busy.
Azevedo Souza on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Azevedo Souza is trying to escape the position but Cartwright is controlling the position.
Azevedo Souza manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Azevedo Souza passes to full mount!
Azevedo Souza is trying to take his opponent's back.
Cartwright wants to hold on but Azevedo Souza pushes him away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Smashy Cartwright will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Azevedo Souza swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Cartwright looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Azevedo Souza just misses with a punch to the body.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Cartwright.
Cartwright connects with a body shot that sends Azevedo Souza's belly button to the back.
No joy there for Cartwright, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Azevedo Souza was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Azevedo Souza looks to throw the jab but Cartwright is out of range.
Cartwright throws a jab when Azevedo Souza was well out of range.
Cartwright cracks Azevedo Souza with a good jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Azevedo Souza misses with a left hand

and Cartwright decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Azevedo Souza's guard.
Smashy Cartwright has got the better of the ground game so far.
Azevedo Souza throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Cartwright won't allow Azevedo Souza to sweep him here.
Cartwright is working Azevedo Souza over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Azevedo Souza looking for subs off his back but Cartwright has passed one foot through into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azevedo Souza is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Cartwright content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Cartwright lands with a punch from half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Cartwright is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Azevedo Souza is looking for a sweep. Cartwright is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Azevedo Souza on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Cartwright seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

Cartwright is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Azevedo Souza has managed to free his arm - good work.
Azevedo Souza is refusing to be controlled, as Cartwright sits in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Azevedo Souza is looking to improve his position.
Cartwright slips a nice elbow through Azevedo Souza's hands, connecting with Azevedo Souza's forehead.
Azevedo Souza is refusing to be controlled, as Cartwright sits in half guard.
Cartwright working the head and body with strikes.
Cartwright is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Azevedo Souza wants to get back to full guard.
Cartwright is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Azevedo Souza tries to get to full guard but Cartwright has control of the leg.
Cartwright trying to control the action but Azevedo Souza is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Azevedo Souza looking for submissions off his back.
Cartwright is nestled in close to Azevedo Souza, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Cartwright scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Cartwright is looking for a kimura but Azevedo Souza is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Cartwright to get the leverage.
Ground and pound from Cartwright.
Cartwright working the head and body with strikes.

Azevedo Souza is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Cartwright pulls his head out easily.
Azevedo Souza tries to roll over but Cartwright keeps him under control.
Smashy Cartwright is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Azevedo Souza works his way to full guard. Good work.
Cartwright makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Cartwright showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Cartwright got a little sloppy there for a moment and Azevedo Souza has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Cartwright has managed to get both his arms back between Azevedo Souza's legs - danger averted.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cartwright showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Azevedo Souza throws his legs up looking for a submission but Cartwright uses it to pass to side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cartwright is looking to take a break and control but Azevedo Souza is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Azevedo Souza tries to improve position but can't.

And that's the end of the fight!
Smashy Cartwright comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Cartwright 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 28:30

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