PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Thiago Souza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andy Armitage (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Souza
vs
Armitage

189 cm
25
143 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

172 cm
25
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very confident

Fossington & Blythe: Gentlemen's Fight Attire

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Thiago Souza !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Andy Armitage!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Chris Edwards and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Armitage misses with a wild combination.
Armitage throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Souza shoots for a takedown but Armitage saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Souza throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Armitage's waist but Armitage gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Souza off to one side.
Sloppy strikes from Armitage. Those never looked like landing.
Souza shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thiago Souza . That's going to take a lot out of him.
Armitage ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Souza looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Armitage with a jab.
Armitage looks for a takedown but Souza sprawls well.
Armitage lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Armitage.
Armitage throws a right and a left that Souza avoids nicely.
Armitage shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Souza sprawls well. Souza wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Armitage gets slowly back to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Armitage lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Armitage closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Souza stuffs the takedown attempt from Armitage. Armitage gets slowly back to his feet.
Armitage throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Souza .
Andy Armitage seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Armitage looks gassed!
Armitage looks to land a combination but Souza avoids it well.
Souza on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Some wild striking there from Armitage.
Armitage will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Nice sprawl there from Armitage as Souza shoots in.
Souza shoots in for a takedown but Armitage shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Armitage lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Nice takedown defense from Armitage. No joy for Souza on that attempt.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Armitage.
Armitage misses with the combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Souza fails with the takedown.
Armitage throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Souza .
Souza shoots in for a double leg but Armitage sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Armitage connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Armitage feints a jab promting Souza to slip. Armitage then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Souza slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Armitage swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Souza dives in and grabs Armitage's left leg, looking for a takedown. Armitage pushes down on Souza 's head and hops out.
Armitage throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Armitage misses with a series of wild punches.
Nice takedown defense from Armitage. No joy for Souza on that attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Armitage lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Souza backs up against the cage.
Souza fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Armitage avoids it really well and circles away.
Armitage shoots in for a takedown but Souza shows good takedown defense.
Armitage throws a right hand that Souza ducks under and follows up with a left that Souza also avoids with ease.
Armitage swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Souza shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Armitage sprawls well. Armitage wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Souza gets slowly back to his feet.
Souza has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Souza 's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Armitage connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Souza scrambles back to his feet.
Souza closes this distance looking for a takedown but Armitage circles away.
Souza showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Armitage.
Armitage fails with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Souza closes the distance and clinches up with Armitage, looking for a takedown. Souza pushes Armitage against the cage but Armitage circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Armitage tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Souza swivels and escapes.
Horrible takedown by Souza or perhaps it was just good defense by Armitage which made him look bad.
Armitage shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Souza pinned against the cage. Souza gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Souza shoots in and drives through. Armitage sprawls well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Armitage shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Armitage throws out a loose jab but Souza uses good head movement to avoid it.
Souza shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Armitage as he avoids it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andy Armitage dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Armitage fails to land with a series of punches.

Souza closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Armitage to the mat! Armitage manages to get full guard.
Souza trying to control but Armitage is working from the bottom.
Souza will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Souza postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Armitage wants to sweep but no luck.
Souza trying to control the position from guard on top but Armitage is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Souza is looking to work some ground and pound but Armitage has wrist control.
Souza trying to control the position from guard on top but Armitage is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Souza preventing the sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Souza trying to control but Armitage is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Thiago Souza wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Armitage defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Souza .
Armitage throws a shot to the body.
Armitage throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Armitage keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Armitage throws a right and a left that both miss.
Souza really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Armitage connects with a single shot there.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Souza is defended easily by Armitage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thiago Souza . That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sloppy strikes from Armitage. Those never looked like landing.
Souza takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Armitage works over Souza 's head and body with a nice combination.
Armitage fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Some wild striking there from Armitage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Souza shoots in for a takedown but Armitage shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Armitage throws a one two combo.
Good standup being displayed there by Armitage as he connects with a hook.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Souza looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Armitage is fending him off so far but Souza persists. Nope, Armitage circles away and we're back to standing.
Souza tries to move into range but Armitage moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Andy Armitage seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Souza throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Armitage's waist but Armitage gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Souza off to one side.
Souza keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Armitage misses with a series of wild punches.
Souza tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Armitage swivels and escapes.
Armitage looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Souza shoots in and drives through. Armitage sprawls well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Armitage lands a two punch combo.
Armitage throws a right hand that Souza ducks under and follows up with a left that Souza also avoids with ease.
Souza changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Armitage tries to avoid it but Souza manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Armitage to the ground. Armitage escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Souza shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Armitage sprawls well. Armitage wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Souza gets slowly back to his feet.
Armitage scores with a one two! Souza had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Souza fails with the takedown.
Souza takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Souza takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Armitage misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Armitage misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Souza looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Souza scores a takedown into full mount!
Souza controlling his opponent.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Souza throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Souza punching from mount but Armitage doing a good job of avoiding damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Armitage is trying desperately to improve position.

Souza has hold of Armitage's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Armitage manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Andy Armitage will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Armitage tries to bum rush Souza with a series of wild strikes but Souza uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A combination from Armitage does no damage.
Armitage misses with a two punch combination.
Armitage is working the combinations to good effect here.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Souza .
Armitage lands with an overhand left.
Armitage looks for a takedown but Souza sprawls well.
Souza fails with the takedown.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Armitage scores with a sloppy right hand. Souza should have avoided that one.
Souza dodges the punch combination from Armitage.
Armitage feints a jab promting Souza to slip. Armitage then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Souza slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A punch combination from Armitage misses.
Armitage rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Souza moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Horrible takedown by Souza or perhaps it was just good defense by Armitage which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thiago Souza . That's going to take a lot out of him.
Souza takes one on the button.
Souza fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Armitage shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Souza but Souza pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Souza shoots in for a takedown but Armitage shows good takedown defense.
Souza slips a jab and a cross from Armitage.
Armitage throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Armitage stuffs the takedown attempt from Souza . Souza gets slowly back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Armitage throws a combination. Souza tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Armitage misses with a few strikes there.
Souza fails with a takedown attempt.
Souza looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Armitage misses with the combination.
Souza fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Armitage avoids it really well and circles away.
Armitage misses with a two punch combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Armitage scores with a one two! Souza had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Souza shoots in looking for a takedown but Armitage manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Souza 's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Armitage might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Souza shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Armitage as he jumps to the side.
Armitage swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
No joy there for Armitage, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Armitage throws a right and a left that both miss.

Souza looking to score a takedown here. Armitage is defending well but Souza drives through and ends up in Armitage's guard.
Souza has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Souza won't allow Armitage to sweep him here.
Armitage is looking to stand up but Souza isn't so interested in that idea.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Souza trying to control the position from guard on top but Armitage is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Armitage looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Souza trying to control but Armitage is working from the bottom.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Armitage looking to hit a scissor sweep but Souza is one step ahead there.
Souza lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Souza sitting in guard here, content to control.
Armitage 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 fight!
Andy Armitage comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Armitage 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 Richard Clark scores the fight for Andy Armitage!
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight for Andy Armitage!
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight for Andy Armitage!

Andy Armitage wins by unanimous decision!