PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rafael Carneiro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rafael Almeida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rafael Almeida has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Carneiro
vs
Almeida

186 cm
28
196 lbs
5 - 9 - 0

191 cm
25
196 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Experienced

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Solid chin

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 5 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rafael Carneiro!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rafael Almeida!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Marco Blurström and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Almeida closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Carneiro did well to prevent Almeida getting side control.
Carneiro is looking to control Almeida's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Carneiro avoid being mounted?
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Almeida is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Almeida wants to take a breather but Carneiro is having none of it.
Carneiro is looking for a sweep. Almeida is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Carneiro manages to escape and get back to his feet!
A bone on bone clash there as Almeida blocks the leg kick.
Carneiro tries to score a power double leg takedown but Almeida sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Carneiro somewhat.
Almeida tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Carneiro manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Donk. Almeida catches Carneiro right on the button with a cross.
Almeida shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Carneiro but Carneiro pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Almeida tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Carneiro forces Almeida back against the cage and clinches.

Almeida tightens his grip and picks Carneiro up, before dumping him to the ground. Carneiro manages to land in guard.
Carneiro is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Almeida wants to control from the top but Carneiro keeps moving.
Almeida trying to stand up but can't free himself from Carneiro's guard.
Carneiro wants to stand and escape but Almeida is having none of it.
Carneiro is trying to keep Almeida in close.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Almeida.
Almeida swings widly with a right hand

and Carneiro counters by clinching up.
Carneiro is pressed up against the cage. Almeida has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Carneiro down to the mat. Carneiro avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Rafael Carneiro has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rafael Almeida.
Almeida looks winded!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Carneiro clinches up against the cage.
Carneiro is pressed up against the cage. Almeida has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Carneiro down to the mat. Carneiro avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A looping hook to the body misses from Almeida. Carneiro does a little dance to reset his feet.
Almeida slips a jab and a cross from Carneiro.

Carneiro closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Almeida to the mat! Almeida manages to get full guard.

Almeida is working an open guard so Carneiro takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Carneiro closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Almeida's guard.

Almeida is working an open guard so Carneiro takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Carneiro pushes Almeida up against the cage in a clinch.

Carneiro's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Almeida shoots in looking for a takedown. Carneiro tries to sprawl out of it but Almeida keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Carneiro manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Carneiro throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Almeida tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Carneiro is in Almeida's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Almeida is looking for a triangle but Carneiro pushes his legs off easily.

Carneiro decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Almeida, up you get!

Carneiro darts in and clinches Almeida up against the cage.
Almeida is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Carneiro has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Almeida clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!

What's going on here? Carneiro has decided to give up on the ground game despite having his opponent's back!

Carneiro drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Carneiro stands up from Almeida's guard - Carneiro perhaps looking for a knockout.
Rafael Carneiro seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Carneiro is trying hard to land a takedown here. Almeida sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Almeida is trying hard to land a takedown here. Carneiro sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Almeida shoots in looking for a takedown. Carneiro tries to sprawl out of it but Almeida keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Carneiro manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Carneiro tries to clinch but Almeida is having none of it.
Almeida fails with the takedown

and Carneiro decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Almeida's guard.

Carneiro gets to his feet. Almeida looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Carneiro has Almeida up against the cage in a clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Carneiro's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Carneiro pushes Almeida up against the cage in a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rafael Carneiro dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Almeida misses with a takedown attempt - Carneiro sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Almeida misses with a double jab

and Carneiro counters with a nice double leg into side control. Almeida won't be happy with that.
Carneiro prevents Almeida from escaping the position.

Carneiro decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Carneiro looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
A head kick misses from Almeida.

Carneiro instigates a clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Carneiro ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Carneiro no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Carneiro is controlling Almeida's posture.
Almeida is breathing heavily.
Carneiro trying to control the position.
Almeida won't allow Carneiro to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Almeida tries to free his leg and advance position but Carneiro is retaining full guard.
Almeida trying to control the position from guard on top but Carneiro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rafael Carneiro overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Almeida keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

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

Carneiro stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Almeida to get to his feet.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Carneiro is defended easily by Almeida.
Almeida shoots in but Carneiro avoids the takedown attempt easily.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Almeida wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Carneiro stands and steps away. Almeida gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Carneiro tries to clinch up.
Rafael Carneiro is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Carneiro is defended easily by Almeida.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rafael Carneiro. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Almeida gets the takedown into side control.
Almeida wants to control but Carneiro is keeping him busy.
Carneiro sneaks back into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carneiro gets full guard.
Almeida trying to control but Carneiro is working from the bottom.
Carneiro trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Carneiro working a defensive guard here.

Almeida is posturing up here but Carneiro has hold of an arm and he's gone for an armbar! Almeida tries to roll out but it's too tight and Almeida has to tap! Slick submission there by Carneiro!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:51 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Rafael Carneiro!
Rafael Carneiro opened up his post fight interview with a scream to camera that he wants a title shot! Whether he deserves the shot will be up to the management of the organization, so I guess he'll have to wait and see.