PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Leandro Nunes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Manel Pimpolho (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Manel Pimpolho is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Nunes
vs
Pimpolho

200 cm
22
190 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

185 cm
20
180 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Leandro Nunes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Manel Pimpolho!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Thiago Cunha and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pimpolho fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Nunes avoids it really well and circles away.
Nunes lands with a nice combination. Pimpolho backs away looking to recover.
Pimpolho throws a series of punches but Nunes avoids them all with ease.
Nunes swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Pimpolho.
Pimpolho fails with a takedown attempt.
Nunes pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nunes misses with an uppercut.
Pimpolho dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Nunes. That did some damage!
Nunes thows a left - swing and a miss!
Pimpolho takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Pimpolho swings for the body but Nunes moves out of range.
Nunes scores with a jab to the head.
Pimpolho uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Nunes.
Nunes throws a shot from downtown. Pimpolho moves away and avoids it.
Nunes ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

Pimpolho gets a takedown into half guard.
Nunes is staying active underneath Pimpolho, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nunes looks like he's trying to stand up.
Pimpolho is keen to just control but Nunes is a slippery customer.
Nunes looks like he's trying to stand up.
Pimpolho throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Pimpolho is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Nunes doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Pimpolho.
Pimpolho looks gassed!

Nunes has one foot on Pimpolho's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

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.
Nunes lands a head shot.
Nunes really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Pimpolho blocks a jab.
Pimpolho shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Nunes defends it nicely.
Leandro Nunes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Manel Pimpolho.
Pimpolho fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Nunes throws a good cross that connects.
Pimpolho moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Nunes stuffs the takedown.
Nunes drops Pimpolho with a right and a left! Nunes comes rushing in but Pimpolho regains his composure and manages to keep Nunes in guard.

It looks like Manel Pimpolho has been cut.
Nunes sitting in guard here, content to control.

Nunes gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nunes jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Pimpolho shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nunes's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Nunes duly obliges.
Nunes throws a looping overhand right but Pimpolho ducks down to avoid it.
Nunes scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
A jab from Nunes does it's job there.
Pimpolho has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Pimpolho there as he acknowledges the shot.
Nunes lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nunes lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Nunes is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Nunes lands with a straight right. Pimpolho didn't see that one coming.
A shot to de liver by Nunes. Beautiful body shot.
Nunes missing with a left hand there. Pimpolho was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Pimpolho takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Nunes scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nunes dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Pimpolho takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Nunes misses with a hook.
Pimpolho ducks right into an uppercut from Nunes.
Nice sprawl there from Nunes as Pimpolho shoots in.
Leandro Nunes is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nunes throws a right and a left that Pimpolho avoids nicely.
Pimpolho keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Nunes.

Pimpolho rushes Nunes and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Nunes digs a right hand into Pimpolho's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Pimpolho's gas tank.
Nunes working hard to break the clinch.
Nunes digs a right hand underneath Pimpolho's ribcage. Pimpolho let out a lung full of air as it connected.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nunes wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Pimpolho jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Nunes walks away with a smile on his face. Pimpolho gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Pimpolho shoots in and drives through. Nunes sprawls well.
Pimpolho moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Some wild striking there from Nunes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leandro Nunes dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Manel Pimpolho's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Pimpolho misses with a hook to the body
and Nunes counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Pimpolho is defended easily by Nunes.
Nunes scores with a jab.
Nunes misses with an uppercut. Pimpolho saw that one coming.
Nunes is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Pimpolho can do to turn this around?
Nunes misses with a double jab
and Pimpolho counters with a body kick that stops Nunes in his tracks momentarily.
Pimpolho uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Nunes.
Nunes connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
A big right from Nunes misses.
Pimpolho tries to clinch
letting Nunes counter with a right hand.
Good exchange - Nunes coming out on top.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nunes leaves Pimpolho with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Manel Pimpolho is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nunes misses with a combination
and Pimpolho cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nunes throws a body punch but Pimpolho moves out of range.
Nunes swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Nunes is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Nunes defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Pimpolho.
Leandro Nunes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Manel Pimpolho.
Pimpolho walks into a jab.
Pimpolho shoots in for a double leg but Nunes sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Pimpolho moves out of range of the strikes.
Pimpolho takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Leandro Nunes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nunes clobbers Pimpolho with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Pimpolho steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Nunes.

Pimpolho looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Pimpolho must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Pimpolho stopping the sweep attempt from Nunes.
Nunes working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Pimpolho.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nunes is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Pimpolho postures up.
Nunes is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Pimpolho is controlling him.
Nunes controls Pimpolho momentarily but Pimpolho frees himself.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Pimpolho stuns Nunes with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nunes misses with a looping right.
Pimpolho tries to clinch up but Nunes circles away and keeps his distance.

Pimpolho changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Nunes looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
You can see the frustration on Nunes's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Pimpolho has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Pimpolho pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nunes is wriggling around trying to escape.
Pimpolho controlling the position easily from mount.
Nunes is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nunes defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Pimpolho.
Nunes wants to hold on but Pimpolho pushes him away.
Nunes can't escape the position.
Nunes doing his best to control the position. Can he escape?
Nunes wants to hold on but Pimpolho pushes him away.
Pimpolho throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Nunes because Pimpolho loaded up on that one.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Leandro Nunes will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Manel Pimpolho's cut.
That's time! Nunes's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Pimpolho comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Pimpolho takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Nunes lands the left hand.
Nunes cracks Pimpolho with a good jab.
Nunes lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Leandro Nunes is winning the standup battle so far.
Nunes throws a series of strikes that have Pimpolho backpedaling.
Pimpolho misses with a combination
and Nunes counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Nunes works Pimpolho's body with a nice hook.
Nunes smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Nunes scores with a nice head shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nunes throws a good cross that connects.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nunes thuds a left hand into Pimpolho's body.
Nunes connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Nunes lands with a hook. Pimpolho tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pimpolho misses with a takedown attempt - Nunes sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Pimpolho takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Nunes throws a right and a left that both miss.
Pimpolho shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Nunes pinned against the cage. Nunes gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Nunes rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Pimpolho moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A thudding body kick lands there by Pimpolho!
Pimpolho tries to clinch but Nunes moves out of range.
Pimpolho takes one to the chin there.
Pimpolho throws a right and a left that both miss.
Nice body punch from Nunes.
Nunes dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nunes connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Nunes clobbers Pimpolho with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
A jab from Nunes misses.
Nunes looks to land a right hand but Pimpolho moved out of range.
A slow jab from Nunes misses its intended target.
Pimpolho fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Leandro Nunes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Manel Pimpolho.
Nunes tests Pimpolho's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A left and a right from Nunes both land. Nice combination.
Pimpolho scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Nunes throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Pimpolho sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Nunes thows a left - swing and a miss!
Pimpolho moves forwards but Nunes connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Pimpolho throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nunes gets caught flat footed, as Pimpolho shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Nunes 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.
Nunes wants to stand up but Pimpolho is controlling him.
Pimpolho throwing strikes but missing.

Nunes is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Pimpolho working hard to break the clinch.
Nunes lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Pimpolho or not.
Nunes is looking to break free of the clinch but Pimpolho has double underhooks.
A frustrated look appears on Nunes's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Pimpolho wants a takedown.
Pimpolho working hard to break the clinch.
Leandro Nunes is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pimpolho tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Nunes wants to break the clinch but can't.
Nunes leaning against his opponent.
Nunes wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Pimpolho gets control of Nunes's arms and successfully pulls guard. Pimpolho will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Nunes seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Nunes will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nunes would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Leandro Nunes showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Nunes, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Emerson Jorge scores the fight 30:27
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 30:27
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Leandro Nunes!