PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Miguel Azevedo Souza (ranked 364 p4p, 470 weight class) and Catchy Cartwright (ranked 44 p4p, 55 weight class). Cartwright has chosen Spiders as his entrance music. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Azevedo Souza
vs
Cartwright

176 cm
32
150
23 - 11 - 0

171 cm
32
150
13 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Dangerous GnP
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Bondi MMA ðŸï¸

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 23 - 11 - 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 13 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Catchy Cartwright!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, James Atkins and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Azevedo Souza manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Cartwright on his heels. He'll look to pass Cartwright's guard now, I'm sure.
Azevedo Souza looking to pass the guard.
Azevedo Souza passes Cartwright's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Cartwright is trying to stand up here but Azevedo Souza is controlling him well.

Azevedo Souza is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Cartwright has managed to free his arm - good work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cartwright wants to get back to his feet.
Azevedo Souza works his way into full mount!
Azevedo Souza prevents Cartwright from getting the reversal.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cartwright keeps trying to improve his position.

Azevedo Souza has control of Cartwright's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Cartwright regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Cartwright wants to control but Azevedo Souza is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azevedo Souza is dominating on the ground here - he's now on his opponent's back, looking to sink in the hooks. Cartwright is in real trouble.

Cartwright preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Azevedo Souza.

Cartwright fending off the submission attempt from Azevedo Souza.
Cartwright is trying to stand back up.

Cartwright defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Azevedo Souza's arms.
Cartwright is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

Azevedo Souza working for a choke but Cartwright is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Azevedo Souza looking to break Cartwright's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Cartwright remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Azevedo Souza will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Cartwright defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

Cartwright preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Azevedo Souza.

Azevedo Souza is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Cartwright has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Azevedo Souza gets his hands free as Cartwright looks to control.
Azevedo Souza keeps control of the position as Cartwright tries to break free.

Azevedo Souza has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Cartwright has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Cartwright is trying to stand back up.

Azevedo Souza is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Cartwright is defending well though. Azevedo Souza let's go of the attempt for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Azevedo Souza looking for the RNC.

Azevedo Souza working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.

Azevedo Souza is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Cartwright knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Cartwright for a finish.

Cartwright showing good submission defense here.
Azevedo Souza doesn't have the hooks in and Cartwright manages to turn into his guard.
Cartwright lands a couple of elbows.
Azevedo Souza tries to land a sweep but no joy.

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

Azevedo Souza had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Cartwright defends it easily.
Azevedo Souza has momentary wrist control but Cartwright slips an elbow through the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cartwright stands and throws Azevedo Souza's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Cartwright advances nicely into full mount.
Azevedo Souza is trying desperately to improve position.
Azevedo Souza regains half guard.
Azevedo Souza wants to get back to full guard.
Cartwright working the head and body with strikes.
Azevedo Souza wants to improve his position but Cartwright is controlling well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Azevedo Souza looking for submissions off his back.
Cartwright looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Miguel Azevedo Souza dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Cartwright ducks right into an uppercut from Azevedo Souza.
Azevedo Souza throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Cartwright sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Azevedo Souza misses with a looping left.
Azevedo Souza avoids the head kick by Cartwright.
Azevedo Souza throws a hook to the side of Cartwright's head but Cartwright sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Azevedo Souza takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Azevedo Souza misses with a looping left.
Cartwright swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
A big right from Azevedo Souza misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Azevedo Souza scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Azevedo Souza swings for the body but Cartwright moves out of range.
Azevedo Souza looks to land a right hand but Cartwright moved out of range.
Azevedo Souza missing with a left hand there. Cartwright was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Azevedo Souza just misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab lands there for Azevedo Souza.
Azevedo Souza misses the shot to the body.
Azevedo Souza scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Cartwright misses with a two punch combination.
Azevedo Souza sizes up Cartwright with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Cartwright moves out of range as Azevedo Souza strikes.
Cartwright blocks a jab.
Nice takedown defense from Cartwright. No joy for Azevedo Souza on that attempt.
Cartwright slaps away a takedown attempt from Azevedo Souza, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Cartwright shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Azevedo Souza blocks a head kick by Cartwright.
Azevedo Souza is looking to counter punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Azevedo Souza lands a jab to Cartwright's midsection.
A cross from Azevedo Souza lands.
Catchy Cartwright is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Azevedo Souza connects with a body shot that sends Cartwright's belly button to the back.
Cartwright has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Azevedo Souza finds it's way round the side to connect with Cartwright's head.
Azevedo Souza throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A nice side step and Cartwright releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Azevedo Souza shoots in but Cartwright avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Miguel Azevedo Souza. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cartwright lands a slapping body shot.
Cartwright swings and misses with a shot to the body
enabling Azevedo Souza to counter with a crisp jab.
Cartwright takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Azevedo Souza waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Cartwright.
Azevedo Souza tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cartwright was well out of range. Poor timing from Azevedo Souza.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azevedo Souza misses with a body punch
and Cartwright counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Azevedo Souza darts in looking for a takedown but Cartwright gets double underhooks and turns Azevedo Souza into the cage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Azevedo Souza tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Cartwright breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nice defenses there by Cartwright.
Miguel Azevedo Souza seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Azevedo Souza throws a hook to the side of Cartwright's head but Cartwright sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Cartwright keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Cartwright doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Cartwright lands with an overhand left.
Azevedo Souza misses with a wild body shot.
Decent striking displayed by Azevedo Souza there.
Azevedo Souza loads up on a big right hand but Cartwright slips the punch.
Azevedo Souza digs a good body shot into Cartwright's ribs.
Cartwright on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cartwright takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

Cartwright gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cartwright keeping full guard, as Azevedo Souza tries to pass.
Azevedo Souza won't allow Cartwright to get back to his feet.
Miguel Azevedo Souza overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Azevedo Souza pushes down on Cartwright's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Cartwright wants to get back to his feet.
The fighters are battling for position here. Cartwright manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Azevedo Souza wants to pass the guard but Cartwright is keeping the position.
Azevedo Souza won't allow Cartwright to get back to his feet.
Azevedo Souza pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cartwright is keeping the position for now.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Miguel Azevedo Souza dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Azevedo Souza lunges at Cartwright with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Cartwright's hand.
Azevedo Souza is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Cartwright can do to turn this around?
Azevedo Souza misses with a looping right.
Cartwright throws a counter combo.
Azevedo Souza looks to throw the jab but Cartwright is out of range.
A head kick misses from Cartwright.
Azevedo Souza throws a looping overhand right but Cartwright ducks down to avoid it.
Azevedo Souza connects with a jab.
Miguel Azevedo Souza is winning the standup battle so far.
Azevedo Souza throws a lazy uppercut
and Cartwright counters with a nice uppercut.
Azevedo Souza uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Cartwright has time to react.
Azevedo Souza tests Cartwright's chin there with a solid looking shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Azevedo Souza fails to land the takedown.
Cartwright misses with a body shot.
Azevedo Souza just misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azevedo Souza throws a right hand that misses
and Cartwright counters with a nice body shot.
Cartwright lands with a shot to the body.
Azevedo Souza walks into a stiff left hand from Cartwright.

It looks like Miguel Azevedo Souza has been cut.
Azevedo Souza throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Cartwright sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Cartwright throws a shot to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cartwright looks to score with a jab to the body but Azevedo Souza is just out of range.
A big left from Azevedo Souza misses.
Azevedo Souza swings widly with a right hand
and Cartwright counters with a stiff right hand.
Cartwright misses with a body shot.
Cartwright tries to bum rush Azevedo Souza with a series of wild strikes but Azevedo Souza uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Azevedo Souza throws a hook but Cartwright blocks it.
A punch lands to the side of Cartwright 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Azevedo Souza lands with an overhand left.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Azevedo Souza lands with an overhand left.
Azevedo Souza throws an ugly left hook that misses
letting Cartwright counter with a right hand.
Cartwright tries a head kick but it misses.
Azevedo Souza pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Cartwright ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Azevedo Souza moves away.
Azevedo Souza shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A little jabbing left from Cartwright on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

Azevedo Souza scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Cartwright is trying to get back to half guard.
Cartwright wants to get back to his feet.
Cartwright prevents Azevedo Souza from moving into mount.
Cartwright is trying to buck Azevedo Souza off.
Cartwright gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azevedo Souza trying to mount his opponent but Cartwright defends it.
Cartwright wants to get back to his feet.
Cartwright won't allow Azevedo Souza to pass to mount.

Azevedo Souza is looking for a kimura here.
Cartwright slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Azevedo Souza stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cartwright swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Catchy Cartwright has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

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.
Cartwright can't keep his opponent in guard - Azevedo Souza advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Cartwright tries to kick Azevedo Souza off but Azevedo Souza keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Azevedo Souza trying to mount his opponent but Cartwright defends it.
Azevedo Souza passes to full mount!
Cartwright gets back to half guard.
Cartwright keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Azevedo Souza is looking to advance position but Cartwright won't allow it.
Cartwright is trying to stand back up but Azevedo Souza is controlling him

Cartwright looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Azevedo Souza is looking to advance position but Cartwright won't allow it.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Miguel Azevedo Souza.
Well Azevedo Souza has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight for Miguel Azevedo Souza!
Judge James Atkins scores the fight for Miguel Azevedo Souza!
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight for Miguel Azevedo Souza!

Miguel Azevedo Souza wins by unanimous decision!
A victorious Miguel Azevedo Souza thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.