PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Joao Menegale (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Renan Oliva (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.

Menegale
vs
Oliva

175 cm
21
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

189 cm
20
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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, Joao Menegale!
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, Renan Oliva!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Alexandre Firmino and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Menegale is looking to clinch.
Oliva avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A nice combination there by Menegale.
Joao Menegale seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A cross from Oliva lands.
Menegale misses with a wild combination.
Oliva fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Menegale avoids it really well and circles away.
Menegale tries to clinch there but Oliva circles away.
Menegale missing with a left hand there. Oliva was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Menegale tries to clinch there but Oliva circles away.

Oliva closes the distance and pushes Menegale back into the cage.
Oliva keeps control of Menegale as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Oliva takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Menegale jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Oliva walks away with a smile on his face. Menegale gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
The fight stays on the outside here - Oliva looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Oliva avoids a punch combination nicely.
Menegale throws a right and a left that Oliva avoids nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Menegale tries to clinch there but Oliva circles away.
Menegale throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Menegale tries to clinch but Oliva moves out of range.
Menegale misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Oliva looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Oliva circles away from the clinch attempt.
Oliva throws a head kick that misses.
Oliva avoids the head kick by Menegale.
Menegale fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Oliva manages to avoid it.
Oliva tries to bum rush Menegale with a series of wild strikes but Menegale uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Menegale fails in his attempt to clinch.
Oliva shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Menegale but Menegale pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Oliva shoots in for a takedown but Menegale shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Joao Menegale has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Renan Oliva.
Menegale lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Menegale scores with a hook to the body. Oliva takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Oliva fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Menegale avoids it really well and circles away.
Menegale throws a head kick but Oliva moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Menegale fails with an attempt to clinch.
Menegale tries to clinch up.

Menegale pushes Oliva up against the cage in a clinch.
Oliva tries for a takedown. No joy.
Oliva looks gassed!

Oliva successfully pulls guard.
Menegale wants to stand but Oliva has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Oliva looking to hit a scissor sweep but Menegale is one step ahead there.
Menegale wants to stand and escape but instead Oliva has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Oliva works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oliva is trying to control the action in half guard but Menegale is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Oliva is taking a breather. Menegale 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.
Oliva throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Oliva wants to pass to mount but Menegale is defending the position.
Menegale on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Menegale tries to get out of the position.
Menegale is trying to stand up here but Oliva is controlling him well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Oliva trying to control the action but Menegale is working from the bottom.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Menegale lands a body shot.
Menegale connects with a solid leg kick.
Oliva lands a two punch combo.
Menegale lands a high kick!
Oliva takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Oliva shoots for a double leg takedown but Menegale sprawls well. He's pushed Oliva's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Menegale scores with a crisp jab that stopped Oliva in his tracks.

Menegale gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Menegale blocks an elbow strike.

Menegale manages to pull guard.
Oliva wants to pass the guard but Menegale is keeping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joao Menegale dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Menegale closes the distance and pushes Oliva back into the cage.
Oliva tries to pull guard but Menegale won't allow it.
Menegale wants a takedown but no success here.
Menegale misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Oliva.

Menegale gets control of Oliva's arms and successfully pulls guard. Menegale will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Menegale wants to stand and escape but Oliva is having none of it.
Oliva sitting in guard here, content to control.
Menegale wants to stand up but Oliva is controlling him.
Menegale keeping moving, preventing Oliva from controlling successfully.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Oliva trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Menegale might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oliva trying to control the position from guard on top but Menegale is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Menegale wants to stand but Oliva is controlling the position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Menegale misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Menegale looks to land a combination. Oliva sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Oliva.
Oliva shoots in looking for a takedown. Menegale tries to sprawl out of it but Oliva keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Menegale manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Joao Menegale has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Renan Oliva.

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.
Menegale is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Menegale tries to clinch up.
Oliva keeps the fight on the outside.
Menegale throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Oliva is looking to clinch but Menegale is avoiding it.
Joao Menegale is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A slapping leg kick lands for Menegale.
Menegale just misses with a punch to the body.
An inside leg kick lands from Menegale.
Menegale wants to clinch.
Menegale scores with a leg kick.

Menegale has closed the distance and engaged Oliva in a clinch.
Menegale has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Oliva avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Oliva jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Menegale walks away with a smile on his face. Oliva gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Menegale misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Oliva chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Menegale can pounce on him.
Menegale tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Oliva paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Menegale clinches up against the cage.

Menegale gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Menegale wants to stand but Oliva has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Oliva pulls Menegale in to control the position.
Menegale has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Oliva is proving hard to escape from.
Menegale 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Oliva not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Menegale has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Oliva is proving hard to escape from.
Menegale knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Oliva on the ground.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Menegale ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Oliva moves away.
Menegale tries to clinch there but Oliva circles away.
Oliva is looking to clinch.

Menegale darts in and clinches Oliva up against the cage.
Menegale wants to break free but Oliva has control.
Oliva has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Menegale is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Menegale wants a takedown but no success here.
Menegale prevents a takedown attempt there.
Menegale lands an elbow that stopped Oliva in his tracks for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joao Menegale dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Menegale tries to clinch but Oliva moves out of range.

Oliva rushes Menegale and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Oliva looking for a takedown.

Oliva jumps guard.
Menegale wants to get up but he can't break Oliva's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Menegale gets to his feet. Oliva looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Menegale connects with a high kick.
Oliva tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Menegale throws a head kick but Oliva moves out of range.
Menegale swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Menegale fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Oliva manages to avoid it.
Menegale throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Oliva.
Oliva tries a head kick but it misses.
Menegale tries to clinch but Oliva moves out of range.
Oliva fails with a takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Menegale closes the distance and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Menegale pressing his opponent against the cage.
Oliva wants a takedown but no success here.
Joao Menegale has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Renan Oliva.
Menegale has Oliva pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Oliva manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

Oliva's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nice shot lands for Oliva.
Menegale cracks the inside of Oliva's front leg.
Menegale misses with the combination.
Oliva shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Menegale as he avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Menegale wants to clinch up but Oliva keeps it at a distance.
Menegale tries to clinch but Oliva moves away

and Oliva counters by moving into the clinch.
Menegale drops down looking for an ankle pick but Oliva pulls his leg out and moves away.
Menegale throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Oliva throws a quick inside leg kick.
Oliva uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Menegale has time to react.
Oliva shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Menegale defends it nicely.
Menegale throws a lazy head kick
and Oliva counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Menegale tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Oliva is trying hard to land a takedown here. Menegale sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Menegale throws a sloppy head kick and Oliva moves out of range easily.
Menegale pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Oliva misses with a wild body shot.
Menegale works over Oliva's head and body with a nice combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oliva closes this distance looking for a takedown but Menegale circles away.
Menegale lands with a slapping head kick.
Menegale throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Menegale tries a head kick but it misses.
Menegale displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Oliva.
Menegale tries to clinch there but Oliva circles away.
Menegale swats away the attempt to clinch by Oliva.
Oliva blocks a head kick by Menegale.
Menegale doesn't manage to clinch there - Oliva circles away.
Some bone on bone action there as Oliva checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
A head kick from Oliva lands but Menegale takes it in his stride.
Oliva shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Menegale as he avoids it easily.
Oliva has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

Menegale forces Oliva back against the cage and clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Oliva pulls guard successfully.
Menegale trying to stand up but can't free himself from Oliva's guard.
Oliva lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Menegale!
Menegale is trying to stand up.
Oliva trying to control but Menegale is having none of it.
Menegale wants to get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Joao Menegale.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Menegale, 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 Daniel Cesar scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joao Menegale!