PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Paulo Arona (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ricardo Portugal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Arona
vs
Portugal

185 cm
18
211 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
22
215 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Paulo Arona!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ricardo Portugal!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Thiago Cunha and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Arona fails in his attempt to clinch.
Portugal closes this distance looking for a takedown but Arona circles away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Portugal is defended easily by Arona.
Arona tries to close the distance and clinch but Portugal swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Arona tries to close the distance and clinch but Portugal swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Arona is looking to clinch.
Arona fails with an attempt to clinch.
Arona wants to clinch.
Arona tries to clinch there but Portugal circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Arona moves in looking to clinch but Portugal pushes him off.
Portugal scores with a hook to the body. Arona takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Arona wants to clinch up but Portugal keeps it at a distance.

Portugal clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Portugal taking a breather.
Arona tries to land a knee to the head but Portugal blocks with his arms.
Arona trying to land knees to the body.
Arona scores a nice knee to the body.

Portugal decides to pull guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Portugal has a closed guard, preventing Arona from standing up.
Portugal wants to sweep but no luck.
Arona tries to stand but Portugal is controlling from the bottom.

Portugal pushes Arona off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

Portugal fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Arona, pushing him back against the cage.
Arona tries to land a knee to the head but Portugal blocks with his arms.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Portugal lands a left hand.

Portugal escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Arona clinches but Portugal breaks the clinch

and Portugal counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Portugal gets control of Arona's arms and successfully pulls guard. Portugal will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Arona tries to stand but Portugal is controlling from the bottom.

Portugal kicks Arona off and gets to his feet.
Arona tries to clinch up

and Portugal counters by clinching up.
Portugal manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Arona misses with a knee to the head.
Portugal avoiding damage.
Portugal presses Arona against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Portugal tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Arona just stands there and leans against the cage.
Paulo Arona has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ricardo Portugal.
Portugal drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Arona stops a takedown attempt from Portugal.
Portugal looks gassed!
Arona throws a knee to the head but misses.
Arona is pressed up against the cage. Portugal has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Arona down to the mat. Arona avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Arona wants to clinch but Portugal slips to the side

and Portugal counters with a takedown into side control.
Arona knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Portugal on the ground.
Portugal is looking to take a break and control but Arona is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Arona wants to get back to his feet but Portugal is dominant here and he's now got Arona's back!
Arona is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Portugal tries to keep control of the position but Arona is staying busy.
Arona is trying to get back to his feet but Portugal has full control of the position and if anything, Arona has just worked his way into a worse spot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arona trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

Arona showing good submission defense here.
Arona is trying to stand back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricardo Portugal dominated that round.
That's time! Arona's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Arona tries to clinch up

and Portugal counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Portugal.
Portugal jumps guard but Arona stands there with Portugal around his waist. Portugal gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Portugal with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Arona pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Portugal scores with a nice hook to the head.
Arona tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Arona tries to land knees in the clinch but Portugal avoids the damage to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Arona creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Arona tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Portugal avoids it.
Portugal managing to block the knees to the body from Arona.
Arona utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Portugal is breathing heavily.
Arona misses with a knee strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Portugal jumps guard but Arona stands there with Portugal around his waist. Portugal gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Portugal escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Portugal shoots in and drives through. Arona sprawls well.
Paulo Arona has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ricardo Portugal.
Arona darts in trying to clinch

and Portugal counters by moving into the clinch.
Portugal blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Arona looking to throw knees to the head but Portugal is blocking nicely.
Arona misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Portugal.

Portugal pulls guard successfully.
Portugal pulls Arona in close to his closed guard and prevents Arona from doing any damage or advancing position.
Arona has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Portugal is proving hard to escape from.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Portugal trying to keep a closed guard but Arona is proving a slippery customer.
Arona wants to stand and escape but instead Portugal has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Portugal is pushing down on Arona's leg trying to pass to half guard. Arona is fighting to maintain full guard but Portugal has managed to sneak the leg through.
Arona wants to get back to his feet.
Portugal content to control rather than advance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arona is looking to escape.
Portugal is taking a breather. Arona says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Portugal prevents Arona from standing back up.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Portugal in particular looking to stall.
Arona is trying to stand up here but Portugal is controlling him well.
Portugal thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Arona's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Arona is trying to stand.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Portugal closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Portugal on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Arona.
Arona lands a nice knee to the body.
Arona looking to throw knees to the head but Portugal is blocking nicely.
Portugal blocks an elbow strike from Arona.
Portugal blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Arona with an attempt at a knee that misses.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Portugal.
Arona using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Portugal has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Portugal's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Portugal has a takedown stuffed.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Arona clinches but Portugal breaks the clinch

and Portugal moves into the clinch.
Portugal gets through Arona's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricardo Portugal showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Arona keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Arona tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Portugal holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Portugal content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Portugal can't get the takedown.
Arona managing to block the knees to the body from Portugal.
Arona landing knees to the body.
Portugal goes for a takedown attempt but Arona pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Paulo Arona has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ricardo Portugal.
Arona wants to clinch but Portugal slips to the side

and Portugal moves into the clinch.
Arona throws an elbow that misses.
Arona connects with a nasty looking knee right to Portugal's face.
Arona tries a knee to the head but Portugal blocks it.
Arona misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Portugal.
Arona misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Portugal.
Portugal takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Arona tries a knee to the head but Portugal blocks it.
Portugal tries to stall but Arona uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arona with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Portugal managing to block the knees to the body from Arona.
Portugal blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Arona tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Arona throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Arona tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Arona using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Portugal has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Portugal manages to break the clinch.
Portugal throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Arona clinches but Portugal breaks the clinch

and Portugal counters by clinching up.
Portugal managing to block the knees to the body from Arona.
Portugal tries for a takedown. No joy.
Portugal tries for a takedown but Arona manages to get underhooks.
Arona pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Portugal avoiding damage as Arona throws knees to the body.
Arona misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Portugal.

That's two 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.
Arona misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Portugal.
Portugal tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Arona smiles and moves away.
Portugal circles away from the clinch attempt

and Portugal counters by clinching up.
Arona tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Arona with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Portugal jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Arona walks away with a smile on his face. Portugal gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Portugal fails with a takedown attempt.
Arona tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Portugal moves into the clinch.
Arona throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Portugal blocks it with crossed arms.
Arona tries a knee to the head but Portugal blocks it.
Arona misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Portugal.
Arona with a knee to the head.
Portugal can't get the takedown.
Portugal on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arona misses with an elbow over the top.
Arona with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Portugal breaks from the clinch.
Portugal circles away from the clinch attempt.
Paulo Arona is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Arona tries to clinch up.
The fight stays on the outside here - Arona looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Portugal shoots in for a takedown but Arona shows good takedown defense.
Arona darts in trying to clinch

and Portugal counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Portugal.
Portugal blocks the elbow strike.
Portugal managing to block the knees to the body from Arona.
Portugal takes a knee right on the jaw!
Paulo Arona has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

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.
Portugal goes for a takedown in the clinch but Arona prevents it.
Arona unloads a knee to the mid-section. Portugal lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Arona tries a knee to the head but Portugal blocks it.
Arona tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Portugal avoiding damage as Arona throws knees to the body.
Portugal lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Arona backwards.
Arona misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Portugal.
Arona avoiding damage as Portugal throws knees to the body.
Arona with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Arona using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Portugal has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Portugal stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Arona lands a knee to the head.
Portugal avoiding damage as Arona throws knees to the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Portugal successfully pulls guard.

Portugal scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Portugal shoots in for a takedown but Arona shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ricardo Portugal comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Portugal has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 27:30
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ricardo Portugal!