PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Juan Novo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Royce Master BJJ (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Juan Novo has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Novo
vs
Master BJJ

188 cm
19
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
180 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Juan Novo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Royce Master BJJ!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Thiago Cunha and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Master BJJ closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Novo did well to prevent Master BJJ getting side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Master BJJ is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Novo is trying to maintain the position but Master BJJ is very close to passing his half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Master BJJ content to control rather than advance.
Novo is refusing to be controlled, as Master BJJ sits in half guard.
Master BJJ moves nicely into side control.
Novo pushes Master BJJ away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Master BJJ gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Novo can't do much from the bottom here.
Master BJJ wants to lay and pray for a moment but Novo keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Master BJJ just content to control the position.
Novo manages to get back to half guard.

Novo is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Master BJJ pulls his head out easily.
Novo is looking to improve his position.
Master BJJ wants to pass the guard but Novo is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Novo blocking the ground and pound attempt from Master BJJ.
Master BJJ is trying to control the action in half guard but Novo is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Novo is trying to maintain the position but Master BJJ is very close to passing his half guard.

Novo looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Master BJJ shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Novo but Novo pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Master BJJ scores with a takedown into Novo's guard.
Master BJJ looks gassed!
Novo will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Master BJJ passes Novo's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Novo tries to roll over but Master BJJ keeps him under control.
Novo trying to control from the bottom.

Novo kicks Master BJJ off and gets back to his feet.
No luck for Novo with that takedown attempt.
Novo shoots and misses

and Master BJJ counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Master BJJ is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Novo throws his legs up looking for a submission but Master BJJ uses it to pass to side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Master BJJ decides to stand back up. Master BJJ steps back and let's Novo get back to his feet.
Novo gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Master BJJ counters with a nice double leg into side control. Novo won't be happy with that.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Juan Novo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Master BJJ stands up and beckons Novo to his feet.

Master BJJ shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Novo's guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Novo trying to control the position here.
Novo wants to sweep but no luck.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Royce Master BJJ dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Master BJJ tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Novo paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Novo fails with the takedown

and Master BJJ counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Novo wants to get back to his feet but Master BJJ is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Master BJJ decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Master BJJ misses with a body kick.

Master BJJ shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Master BJJ sitting in guard here, content to control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Novo is trying to keep Master BJJ in close.
Novo keeping moving, preventing Master BJJ from controlling successfully.
Novo wants to sweep here but Master BJJ controlling him for the moment.
Master BJJ pushes down on Novo's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Novo is looking to control Master BJJ's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Novo avoid being mounted?
Royce Master BJJ has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two 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.
Master BJJ wants to lay and pray for a moment but Novo keeps working.
Master BJJ prevents Novo from improving his position.

Novo has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Master BJJ escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Master BJJ!
A lull in the action here as Master BJJ stalls from top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Novo manages to work his way to half guard, despite Master BJJ's best efforts.
Master BJJ trying to pass the guard but Novo defending well.
Novo slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Novo is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Master BJJ defends well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Novo trying to control the position.
Novo has control of Master BJJ's left arm, preventing Master BJJ from doing any damage.
Master BJJ wants to control from the top but Novo keeps moving.
Novo 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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Royce Master BJJ showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Master BJJ closes the distance and clinches up with Novo, looking for a takedown. Master BJJ pushes Novo against the cage but Novo circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Novo fails with the takedown

and Master BJJ decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Novo's guard.
Master BJJ throwing strikes but missing.
Master BJJ preventing the sweep.
Novo trying to keep a closed guard but Master BJJ is proving a slippery customer.
Master BJJ wants to get up but he can't break Novo's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Novo has his feet on Master BJJ's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Master BJJ.

Novo takes the fight into the clinch.
Novo has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Master BJJ is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Master BJJ working hard to break the clinch.

Novo drags the fight down to the ground.

Master BJJ gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Master BJJ looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Novo is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Master BJJ has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Novo is proving hard to escape from.
Master BJJ not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Novo is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Novo 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Novo is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Master BJJ tries to stand but Novo is controlling from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A good leg kick by Novo.
Novo keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Master BJJ.
Novo throws a sloppy head kick

and Master BJJ moves into the clinch.
Master BJJ wants to get back to striking at distance but Novo won't allow it.
A shot in the inside from Novo.
Novo tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Master BJJ just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Juan Novo. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Novo has Master BJJ pushed against the cage.

Novo successfully pulls guard.
Novo wants to get back to his feet but Master BJJ is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Novo keeping moving, preventing Master BJJ from controlling successfully.
Novo wants to stand but Master BJJ is controlling the position.
Novo trying to control the position.
Juan Novo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Royce Master BJJ is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Master BJJ slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Royce Master BJJ comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Master BJJ winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 27:30
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 27:30
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Royce Master BJJ!