PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Zeca Pagodinho (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Darius Xerxes Marquez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Pagodinho
vs
Xerxes Marquez

187 cm
22
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

172 cm
18
154 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight 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, Zeca Pagodinho!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Darius Xerxes Marquez!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Daniel Cesar and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pagodinho swats away the attempt to clinch by Marquez.
Marquez rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Pagodinho moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Marquez throws a sloppy head kick and Pagodinho moves out of range easily.
Zeca Pagodinho seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pagodinho circles away from the clinch attempt.
Pagodinho throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Marquez's waist but Marquez gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Pagodinho off to one side.
Marquez with a poor takedown

and Pagodinho counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Pagodinho trying to control but Marquez is working from the bottom.
Marquez is trying to keep Pagodinho in close.
Marquez really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Pagodinho. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Pagodinho preventing the sweep.

Pagodinho gets to his feet - Marquez follows without any prompting.
Pagodinho doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Marquez counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Pagodinho.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zeca Pagodinho. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Marquez fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Pagodinho slaps away a takedown attempt from Marquez, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Pagodinho shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Marquez napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Pagodinho decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Pagodinho is breathing heavily.
Marquez shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Pagodinho pinned against the cage. Pagodinho gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Pagodinho shoots in but Marquez avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Pagodinho checks a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marquez changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Pagodinho tries to avoid it but Marquez manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Pagodinho to the ground. Pagodinho escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Nice sprawl there from Pagodinho as Marquez shoots in.
Marquez shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Pagodinho defends it nicely.
Marquez wants to clinch up but Pagodinho keeps it at a distance.

Marquez closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Marquez wants to stand but Pagodinho is controlling his arm.
Pagodinho is trying to control Marquez's posture but Marquez avoids it.
Marquez wants to control but Pagodinho is keeping him busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marquez tries to stand but Pagodinho is controlling his head.
Marquez working away.
Marquez is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Pagodinho will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Pagodinho regains half guard.
Marquez thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Marquez missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Marquez seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Pagodinho won't allow Marquez to pass to mount.
Pagodinho regains full guard. Nicely done.
Pagodinho trying to control the position.
Marquez tries to stand but Pagodinho is controlling from the bottom.
Pagodinho is trying to keep Marquez in close.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
A right-left combo lands from Marquez.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zeca Pagodinho 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.

Marquez tries to clinch but Pagodinho moves out of range.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Marquez.
Pagodinho will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Marquez wants to clinch

and Pagodinho moves into the clinch.
Pagodinho tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Pagodinho will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Marquez up against the cage.
Marquez drops down looking for an ankle pick but Pagodinho pulls his leg out and moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marquez fails with a takedown attempt.
Zeca Pagodinho has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Darius Xerxes Marquez.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Pagodinho rushes Marquez and presses him up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marquez tries to score a body lock takedown but Pagodinho shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Marquez wants to get back to striking at distance but Pagodinho won't allow it.
Marquez goes for a takedown in the clinch but Pagodinho prevents it.
Pagodinho is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Marquez goes for a takedown attempt but Pagodinho pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Marquez displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Pagodinho.
Marquez leaves Pagodinho with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Marquez closes the distance looking to clinch

and Pagodinho counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pagodinho postures up.
Marquez wants to sweep here but Pagodinho controlling him for the moment.
Pagodinho wants to stand but Marquez has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marquez has Pagodinho pulled in close to control his posture.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Marquez throws a sloppy head kick and Pagodinho moves out of range easily.
Pagodinho keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Marquez wants to clinch up but Pagodinho keeps it at a distance.
Marquez is looking to clinch but Pagodinho is avoiding it.
Zeca Pagodinho is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Pagodinho moves out of range of the body kick from Marquez.
Marquez pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Pagodinho closes this distance looking for a takedown but Marquez circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
No luck for Marquez with that takedown attempt.
Marquez misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Marquez has a takedown stuffed.
Marquez moves in looking to clinch but Pagodinho pushes him off.
Marquez misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Pagodinho really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Pagodinho forces Marquez back against the cage and clinches.
Marquez fails to pull guard.

Pagodinho's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Marquez throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Pagodinho's waist but Pagodinho gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Marquez off to one side.
Marquez with a poor takedown

and Pagodinho counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zeca Pagodinho dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Marquez shoots in for a takedown but Pagodinho shows good takedown defense.
Pagodinho looks for a takedown but Marquez sprawls well.
Marquez shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Pagodinho as he jumps to the side.

Pagodinho moves into range and clinches up with Marquez.
Pagodinho drops down looking for an ankle pick but Marquez pulls his leg out and moves away.
Marquez shoots in for a double leg but Pagodinho sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Zeca Pagodinho has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Darius Xerxes Marquez.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pagodinho fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Marquez wants to clinch but Pagodinho slips to the side

and Pagodinho counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Zeca Pagodinho overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Marquez working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Pagodinho.
Pagodinho will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pagodinho won't allow Marquez to get back to his feet.
Marquez looking for a sweep. Not yet Marquez, not yet.
Marquez is looking to stand up but Pagodinho isn't so interested in that idea.
Marquez wants to improve his position but instead Pagodinho has moved into half guard.
Marquez is looking to improve his position.
Pagodinho wants to take a breather but Marquez is having none of it.
Marquez is looking to improve his position.

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.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Marquez tries to clinch but Pagodinho moves out of range.
Marquez fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Pagodinho leaves Marquez with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Pagodinho has taken the fight to the clinch.
Pagodinho lands with a right to the head.

Pagodinho breaks the clinch.
Nice sprawl there from Pagodinho as Marquez shoots in.

Pagodinho gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Pagodinho has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Marquez is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Marquez jumps guard but Pagodinho stands there with Marquez around his waist. Marquez gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Pagodinho holding his opponent close, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pagodinho tries to score a body lock takedown but Marquez shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Marquez wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Pagodinho has him pressed against the cage.
Marquez is trying to break the clinch but Pagodinho is controlling him.
Marquez wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Marquez goes for a takedown in the clinch but Pagodinho prevents it.
Marquez has Pagodinho pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Pagodinho manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Pagodinho pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Marquez shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Pagodinho as he jumps to the side.

Pagodinho takes the fight into the clinch.
Pagodinho prevents a takedown attempt there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pagodinho holding his opponent close, against the cage.

Pagodinho pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
No luck for Pagodinho with that takedown attempt.
Marquez tries to clinch up

and Pagodinho counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Marquez working hard to break the clinch.

Pagodinho has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Marquez clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Pagodinho punches the canvas rather than the man.
Darius Xerxes Marquez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zeca Pagodinho is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Marquez wants to escape the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zeca Pagodinho showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Pagodinho, 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 Daniel Cesar scores the fight 30:27
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zeca Pagodinho!