PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ching Chang (ranked 5756 p4p, 3392 weight class) and Blake Souza (ranked 298 p4p, 215 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Chang
vs
Souza

175 cm
18
135
1 - 1 - 0

170 cm
19
143
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ching Chang!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Blake Souza!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Donatello Bradman and Darius Henderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Chang just misses with a punch to the body.
Souza throws an off balance right hand
and Chang counters with a right hand to the body.
Souza has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Souza there as he acknowledges the shot.
Chang checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Souza attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
A counter left hand to the body from Chang misses its target.

Souza fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Chang to the ground. Souza is now in Chang's guard.
Souza with a flurry of punches that miss.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Souza showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Souza pushes down on Chang's leg and manages to get into half guard.
My spies in Tea Time Takedowns inform me that Souza has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Souza is thwarting Chang's attempts to control the position.
Chang definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Chang is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Souza not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Souza thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Chang's head.
Souza trying to mount his opponent but Chang defends it.
Souza not doing much here.
Chang pushes Souza off looking to stand but Souza dives back in and keeps control.
Souza prevents Chang from improving his position.
Chang knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Souza on the ground.
Chang missing with punches from the bottom.
Souza prevents Chang from improving his position.
Souza lands with a punch from half guard.
Souza seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Souza thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Souza is taking a breather. Chang 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.
Chang keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Chang is trying to escape back to his feet but Souza uses the scramble to pass into side control.
Chang really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Souza controls the position.
Souza landing a few strikes.
A lull in the action here as Souza stalls from top position.
Chang is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

Souza has an Americana. Chang didn't react quickly enough there and he's in big trouble now! He tries to squirm out but is forced to tap! Souza is delighted and gyrates in front of the ring girls. They seem to like the attention - it'll be interesting to see if Souza hooks up with any of them at the after show party.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Blake Souza!
Blake Souza thanked the fans post fight for their support.