PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Selim Betishev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lucas Souza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Betishev
vs
Souza

193 cm
20
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
22
205 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent knees
Granite chin

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 St Petersburg, Selim Betishev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Lucas Souza!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Igor Prikhodko and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Horrible takedown by Betishev or perhaps it was just good defense by Souza which made him look bad.

Betishev throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Souza was covering up waiting for the punch and Betishev finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Betishev is stalling in the full guard.
Betishev working some strikes from top position.
Betishev throws an elbow that misses. Souza uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Betishev's guard. Nice move by Souza!
Souza stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Betishev swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Betishev tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Souza trying to control but Betishev is working from the bottom.

Betishev has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Souza is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Betishev.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Souza trying to control the action but Betishev is working from the bottom.
Betishev sneaks back into half guard.
Betishev makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Betishev.
Betishev will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Souza trying to control but Betishev is working from the bottom.

Betishev looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Souza stands up and waves to Betishev to follow him.
Betishev looks for a takedown but Souza sprawls well.
Betishev shoots in but Souza avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Selim Betishev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Betishev shoots in looking for a takedown but Souza manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Betishev's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Souza shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Betishev eats them both and turns towards Souza to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Betishev on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Souza. Souza obviously looking to wear him down.
Souza is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Betishev shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Betishev is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Betishev is defended easily by Souza.

Souza clinches with his opponent.

Souza has clasped his hands together around Betishev's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Betishev is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Souza is one step ahead and moves to full mount!

Souza is working for a guillotine from mount but Betishev frees his head quite easily.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Souza cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Souza takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Betishev is working to get back to half guard.
BOOM! Souza connects with a massive shot to the dome!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Souza looking to control but Betishev is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Souza might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Betishev kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Betishev really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lucas Souza dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Betishev looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Betishev throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Souza's waist but Souza gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Betishev off to one side.
Souza tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Betishev paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Souza tries to clinch up but Betishev circles away and keeps his distance.

Souza pushes Betishev up against the cage in a clinch.

Souza escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Betishev swats away the attempt to clinch by Souza.
Betishev looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Selim Betishev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Betishev misses with a takedown attempt
and Souza counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Souza tries to clinch up.

Souza manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Betishev on his heels. He'll look to pass Betishev's guard now, I'm sure.
Souza pushes down on Betishev's leg and manages to get into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Souza is trying to control. Betishev wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Betishev wants to get back to full guard but Souza has passed into side control.
Souza trying to control the action but Betishev is working from the bottom.
Betishev tries to bench press Souza off him but Souza keeps the position.

Souza stands up.

Souza scores with a takedown into Betishev's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Betishev looking to control but Souza passes into half guard.
Betishev on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Betishev tries to get out of the position.

Betishev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Souza is looking for a kimura but Betishev is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Souza to get the leverage.
Souza not doing much here.
Betishev controlling the position well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Souza is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Betishev is staying active underneath Souza, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Betishev avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Souza.
Betishev is looking for a sweep. Souza is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Lucas Souza has got the better of the ground game so far.
Souza wants to get back to his feet.
Betishev is trying to maintain the position but Souza is very close to passing his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Betishev wants to improve his position but Souza is controlling well.
Souza looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Betishev fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Souza avoids it really well and circles away.

Betishev shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Souza napping and manages to drive through into side control!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Souza isn't going anywhere.

Betishev working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lucas Souza showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Betishev's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Betishev with a lazy takedown attempt
and Souza counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

Betishev closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Betishev is working for a submission of some sort.
Souza keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Souza is trying to maintain the position but Betishev is very close to passing his half guard.
Betishev 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.

Souza kicks Betishev off and gets back to his feet.
Betishev throws a solid leg kick but Souza takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Betishev.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Souza tries to clinch up but Betishev circles away and keeps his distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Betishev.

Betishev swings around for an armbar but Souza sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Betishev's guard.
Betishev is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Betishev knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Souza on the ground.

Souza drops back, looking for a kneebar! Betishev looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Betishev looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Betishev!
A lull in the action here.
Betishev throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Souza wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Souza taking a bit of punishment here - Betishev scoring with strikes.
Souza struggling a bit here.

Betishev goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Souza rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Betishev's guard! Nice work there by Souza!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Souza won't allow Betishev to sweep him here.
Souza is looking to stand up but Betishev won't let him.
Souza trying to control the position from guard on top but Betishev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Betishev lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Souza!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Betishev moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Souza has worked his arm free - good work by Souza!
Souza taking punishment in the form of punches.

Betishev swings around for an armbar but Souza sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Betishev's guard.

Betishev has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Souza can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Souza postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Souza advances position into side control!
Souza works to advance to full mount. Betishev defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.

Souza is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Betishev can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Souza working the ground and pound effectively.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Betishev is squirming around, avoiding Souza's attempts to control the action.

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 Selim Betishev.
Well Souza 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 28:29
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lucas Souza!