PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Thiago Barral (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Carlos Nelson (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.

Barral
vs
Nelson

188 cm
20
185 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

185 cm
18
185 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Team S.W.A.T.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thiago Barral!
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, Carlos Nelson!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Emerson Jorge and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barral keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Nelson.
Barral looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Nelson scores with a three punch combo!
Nelson misses with the combination.
Nelson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Barral moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Nelson closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Nelson lands in his opponent's guard.

Nelson postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Barral is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Nelson, into his guard.
Nelson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Barral's guard.

Nelson has his foot on Barral's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Barral works his way back into a safe position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nelson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Barral doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Barral manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Nelson trying to keep a closed guard but Barral is proving a slippery customer.

Nelson looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Barral passes into side control.
Nelson tries to bench press Barral off him but Barral keeps the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Nelson gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Nelson wants to improve his position but Barral is controlling well.
The fighters are battling for position here. Nelson manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Nelson manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Barral manages to get himself to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nelson wants to sweep here but Barral controlling him for the moment.

Nelson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Barral preventing the sweep.
Nelson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Nelson looking for a guillotine here but Barral defends easily.
Nelson lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Barral!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Nelson has hold of Barral's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Barral manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Nelson lands a big shot there that rocks Barral but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Barral is in a horrible position here. Nelson smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Nelson wants to take Barral's back here but Barral is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.
Nelson lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carlos Nelson dominated that round.
That's time! Barral's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Nelson looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Barral is defending against the submission attempts here by Nelson.

Barral is defending against the submission attempts here by Nelson.
Barral wants to control but Nelson is keeping busy.

Nelson is looking for a kimura here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nelson is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Barral is just riding it out for now. Nelson eventually gives up the hold.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Nelson looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Nelson is looking for a kimura but Barral is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Nelson to get the leverage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Barral trying to control here.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Nelson lands a nice shot that snaps Barral's head back.
Nelson misses with a few strikes there.
Nelson connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Nelson tries to clinch there but Barral circles away.
Barral avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nelson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Nelson tries to keep at a distance but Barral has taken the fight into the clinch.

Nelson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Barral takes a swing at Nelson's ribcage but misses.
Carlos Nelson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barral looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Barral slips a jab and a cross from Nelson.
Barral will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Nelson darts in trying to clinch

and Barral counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Nelson's guard now.

Nelson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Barral gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Nelson looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Barral has picked Nelson up and slammed him! Nelson can't keep hold of the triangle and Barral manages to pass to side control!
Nelson manages to work his way to half guard, despite Barral's best efforts.

Nelson is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Barral pulls his head out easily.
Barral working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nelson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Barral blocks the strikes from Nelson.

Nelson looking for submissions off his back.
Nelson moves into full guard.

Nelson looking for a guillotine here but Barral defends easily.
Barral pushes down on Nelson's leg and manages to get into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Carlos Nelson will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Barral misses with a low kick as Nelson jumps back.
Barral gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Nelson counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Nelson drops back, looking for a kneebar! Barral looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Barral looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Barral!
Barral wants to stand but Nelson is controlling his arm.
Nelson is looking to reverse the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nelson manages to work his way to half guard, despite Barral's best efforts.
Barral passes to full mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nelson is looking to improve his position but Barral isn't that keen on the idea.
Barral landing punches.
Nelson tries to reverse the position but Barral maintains control.
Nelson is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Nelson is working to get back to half guard.
Nelson gets back to half guard.
Nelson trying to control from the bottom.
Nelson is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Barral's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Barral's back!

Barral is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Barral is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Nelson gets his way!

Nelson is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Nelson has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barral trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.

Nelson tightening his grip on Barral, looking for the choke.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Nelson's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.

Nelson has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.

Nelson is working hard for the rear naked choke here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nelson has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Nelson is trying to control but Barral is trying to escape here - he's now mounted.

Nelson is working close to his opponent, looking to work a submission by the looks of things. Oh, he's managed to get a guillotine from mount as his opponent reached up! That looks tiiiiight! Will he tap? YES, he's tapped! Impressive submission by Nelson!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:46 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Carlos Nelson!