PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between TIAGO VALERIO (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tiago Soares (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). TIAGO VALERIO has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

VALERIO
vs
Soares

178 cm
18
270 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

195 cm
22
230 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, TIAGO VALERIO!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Tiago Soares!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Emerson Jorge and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

VALERIO closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - VALERIO lands in his opponent's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Soares is trying to control the position but VALERIO postures up.
Soares working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from VALERIO.
VALERIO throwing strikes but missing.
Soares trying to keep a closed guard but VALERIO is proving a slippery customer.
VALERIO prevents Soares from getting back to his feet.
Soares manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. VALERIO manages to get himself to full guard.
VALERIO keeping moving, preventing Soares from controlling successfully.
VALERIO might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
VALERIO trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

VALERIO wriggles free and stands up.
Soares with a body punch. A glancing blow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soares is looking to clinch but VALERIO is avoiding it.
VALERIO takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Soares wants to clinch up but VALERIO keeps it at a distance.

VALERIO shoots in and bounces Soares off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Soares wants to stand up but VALERIO is controlling him.
Soares looking to control.
VALERIO is looking to work some ground and pound but Soares has wrist control.
Soares wants to stand up but VALERIO is controlling him.
Soares working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from VALERIO.
VALERIO is breathing heavily.
VALERIO postures up.
VALERIO lands a couple of digs.
Soares wants to stand up but VALERIO is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

VALERIO decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Soares, up you get!
VALERIO tries to clinch there but Soares circles away.
VALERIO shoots in for a takedown but Soares shows good takedown defense.
VALERIO misses with a combination
and Soares counters with a one-two to the body.
Left hook, right uppercut from Soares.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Soares shoots in but no luck this time.
Soares lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Soares doesn't manage to clinch there - VALERIO circles away.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Soares scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
VALERIO has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Soares dives in and grabs VALERIO's left leg, looking for a takedown. VALERIO pushes down on Soares's head and hops out.
Soares tries to close the distance and clinch but VALERIO swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
TIAGO VALERIO seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
VALERIO changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Soares tries to avoid it but VALERIO manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Soares to the ground. Soares escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Soares tries to close the distance and clinch up but VALERIO swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

VALERIO drives through with a takedown into guard.
Soares is trying to control the position but VALERIO postures up.
VALERIO wants to get up but he can't break Soares's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Soares working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. VALERIO doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oh but Soares is tightening it up a little... VALERIO has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! VALERIO reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! VALERIO taps out! nice BJJ there by Soares!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:32 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Tiago Soares!