PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Raphael Azevedo Souza (ranked 1116 p4p, 825 weight class) and Kullo Kross (ranked 149 p4p, 106 weight class). Kullo Kross told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Azevedo Souza
vs
Kross

191 cm
36
212
14 - 4 - 0

189 cm
29
215
11 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Wrestler Wayfare

Conviction
Kersikov's Vitamin Clinic (160)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Raphael Azevedo Souza!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kullo Kross!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Elvis Blanc and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kross moves out of range as Azevedo Souza strikes.
A jab from Azevedo Souza misses.
Azevedo Souza throws a jab but it's blocked by Kross.
Azevedo Souza cracks a nice hook into Kross's ribs.
Kross tries to land a body kick
and Kross takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kross avoids the body shot from Azevedo Souza.
Azevedo Souza looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Kross takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Azevedo Souza walks into a stiff left hand from Kross.
A telegraphed right hand from Kross misses the target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Azevedo Souza swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Azevedo Souza swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Kross counters with a nice uppercut.

Azevedo Souza is rocked!
Kross avoids the body shot from Azevedo Souza.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kross misses with a looping right.
Azevedo Souza gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
A big right from Azevedo Souza misses.
Azevedo Souza connects with a right hand. Kross shakes it off.
Azevedo Souza misses with a hook

and Kross counters with a nice right hand that sends Azevedo Souza toppling to the canvas! Azevedo Souza scrambles and gets back to his feet - can Kross finish him?!
Oh Azevedo Souza is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kross keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Azevedo Souza.
Azevedo Souza misses with a hook
and Kross counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Azevedo Souza bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kross misses with a hook. Azevedo Souza ducked under it nicely.
Azevedo Souza seems to have got his legs back now.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Kross.
Azevedo Souza throws a lazy uppercut
and Kross counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Azevedo Souza throws a jab when Kross was well out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kross uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Azevedo Souza.
Kross misses with a hook. Azevedo Souza ducked under it nicely.
Azevedo Souza cracks Kross with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
No joy there for Azevedo Souza, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kross takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Kross with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Kross scores with a jab to the body.
Azevedo Souza ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kross moves away.
Azevedo Souza scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Kross ducks under a wild hook from Azevedo Souza.
Kross throws a big counter head kick but Azevedo Souza avoids it with no problem.
Azevedo Souza just misses with a punch to the body.
Kross now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Raphael Azevedo Souza seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azevedo Souza swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kross scores with a jab.
Kross throws an overhand right that lands on Azevedo Souza's shoulder, as Azevedo Souza tries to avoid the shot.
Kross misses with a low kick.
Kross takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Azevedo Souza looks to land a right hand but Kross moved out of range.
Azevedo Souza with a hook.
A looping hook to the body misses from Azevedo Souza. Kross does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kross looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Kross blocks a jab.
Azevedo Souza throws a predictable looking body shot
and Kross counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kross keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Azevedo Souza misses with a body shot.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Kross! But no joy.
Azevedo Souza lands the left hand.
Azevedo Souza throws a lazy uppercut
and Kross connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Azevedo Souza missing with a left hand there. Kross was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Azevedo Souza scores with a sloppy right hand. Kross should have avoided that one.
Azevedo Souza ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kross moves away.
Kross throws out a counter right but Azevedo Souza avoids it with no problem.
Kross looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kross takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Azevedo Souza 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.
Azevedo Souza throws a predictable looking body shot
and Kross counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Azevedo Souza lands a nice shot that snaps Kross's head back.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Raphael Azevedo Souza will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kross uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Azevedo Souza.
A looping hook to the body misses from Azevedo Souza. Kross does a little dance to reset his feet.
Azevedo Souza misses with a wild body shot.
Kross misses with a hook
and Azevedo Souza counters with a stiff right hand.
Azevedo Souza misses with a right hand
and Kross counters with a body kick.
Kross throws a looping overhand right but Azevedo Souza ducks down to avoid it.
Kross avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kross only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Azevedo Souza lands a slapping body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Azevedo Souza cracks Kross with a right hand to the side of the head.
Azevedo Souza misses with a body punch
and Kross counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Azevedo Souza comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Azevedo Souza catches Kross with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Raphael Azevedo Souza is winning the standup battle so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kross throws a looping overhand right but Azevedo Souza ducks down to avoid it.
Azevedo Souza takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Azevedo Souza throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kross sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Azevedo Souza connects with a right hand. Kross shakes it off.
Azevedo Souza fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kross manages to avoid it.
Azevedo Souza swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Azevedo Souza misses with a body shot.
Azevedo Souza scores with a decent looking hook.
Kross takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Kross keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kross throws out a counter right but Azevedo Souza avoids it with no problem.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Azevedo Souza misses with a hook.
Kross throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Azevedo Souza misses with a looping right.
Kross steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Azevedo Souza.
A slow jab from Azevedo Souza misses its intended target.
Azevedo Souza throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Crunch! Kross slams his shin into Azevedo Souza's torso.
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!
Azevedo Souza swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kross tries to move into range but Azevedo Souza moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Azevedo Souza swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Azevedo Souza throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kross uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Azevedo Souza.
A big left from Azevedo Souza misses.
Azevedo Souza lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Kross throws the left hand but Azevedo Souza avoids the punch easily.
Azevedo Souza throws a jab but it's blocked by Kross.
Kross blocks a jab.
Kross slips a jab from Azevedo Souza.
As Azevedo Souza backs off Kross throws a huge counter combo but Azevedo Souza manages to avoid it all.
Kross misses with a lunging right hand
letting Azevedo Souza counter with a right hand.
Kross lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Kross.
Azevedo Souza misses with a left hand

and Kross counters with a nice right hand that sends Azevedo Souza toppling to the canvas! Azevedo Souza scrambles and gets back to his feet - can Kross finish him?!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kross throws a right and a left that Azevedo Souza avoids nicely.
Azevedo Souza appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kross lands a nice shot to the body.
Azevedo Souza throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Azevedo Souza throws a combination that misses
and Kross counters with a left to the body.
Azevedo Souza throws out a loose jab but Kross uses good head movement to avoid it.
Azevedo Souza misses with a lunging right hand
and Kross counters with a left to the body.
Azevedo Souza jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kross keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Azevedo Souza.
Azevedo Souza lands a jab to the head.
Kross misses with a jab to the body
enabling Azevedo Souza to counter with a crisp jab.
Azevedo Souza lands a jab to Kross's midsection.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Raphael Azevedo Souza dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

A shot to the body from Azevedo Souza misses
and Kross counters with a straight right hand.
Kullo Kross has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nice cross by Azevedo Souza.
Azevedo Souza throws a sloppy body shot
letting Kross counter with a right hand.
The fighters circling - Azevedo Souza throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nice defenses there by Azevedo Souza.
Azevedo Souza is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Kross on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Kross throws a right and a left that Azevedo Souza avoids nicely.
Kross displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Azevedo Souza throws out the jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Azevedo Souza uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Kross needs to keep his hands up - Azevedo Souza had a free shot at his head there.
Azevedo Souza swings away with a body shot that misses
and Kross counters with a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azevedo Souza misses with a straight right.
Azevedo Souza scores with a shot to the body.
Azevedo Souza scores with a jab.
Azevedo Souza's corner calls for a 1-2. Azevedo Souza obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Azevedo Souza cracks Kross with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Azevedo Souza walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Azevedo Souza throws a jab when Kross was well out of range.
Kross throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Azevedo Souza.
Kross avoids the body shot from Azevedo Souza.
Azevedo Souza throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kross moves forwards but Azevedo Souza connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Azevedo Souza uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kross.
A shot to the liver by Azevedo Souza. Beautiful body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Azevedo Souza throws a body punch but Kross moves out of range.
Kross takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Azevedo Souza connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Kross walks into a stiff left hand from Azevedo Souza.
Azevedo Souza avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Azevedo Souza wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Azevedo Souza throws a body punch but Kross moves out of range.
Azevedo Souza throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azevedo Souza slips under a jab.
Kross throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Azevedo Souza. Kross does a little dance to reset his feet.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Kross! But no joy.
Kross moves out of range as Azevedo Souza strikes.
Azevedo Souza throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Azevedo Souza cracks Kross with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Azevedo Souza throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kross keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Azevedo Souza.
A little jabbing left from Kross on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
The fighters circle momentarily. Azevedo Souza darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Azevedo Souza swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Kross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kross throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Azevedo Souza fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kross manages to avoid it.
Kross thuds his right hand into Azevedo Souza's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Nice uppercut there from Azevedo Souza.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with each other but Kross might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Azevedo Souza has got the better of the exchanges.
Azevedo Souza dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
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!
Azevedo Souza loads up on a big right hand but Kross slips the punch.
Azevedo Souza jabs at Kross's body.
Azevedo Souza throws a looping overhand right but Kross ducks down to avoid it.
Kross throws out a counter right but Azevedo Souza avoids it with no problem.
Kross throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A punch lands to the side of Kross 's head but he takes it in his stride.

And that's the end of the fight!
Raphael Azevedo Souza showed his dominance in that final round.
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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 30:27
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 30:28
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Raphael Azevedo Souza!
A very excited looking Raphael Azevedo Souza made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.