PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Cesar Sampaio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thomas Alan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Sampaio
vs
Alan

178 cm
22
145 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

183 cm
26
148 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Experienced

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Tends to cut

Brute
DoofenshmirtzDoofenshmirtz All 160 Supplements Inc

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Cesar Sampaio!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Thomas Alan!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Sergei Dronov and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sampaio throws a right and a left that Alan avoids nicely.
Alan doesn't manage to clinch there - Sampaio circles away.
Danga de danga de dang - Sampaio scores with a four punch combination!

It looks like Thomas Alan has been cut.
Sampaio throws a push kick but Alan slaps the foot to one side.
Sampaio misses with a kick to the body.
Sampaio throws a sloppy head kick and Alan moves out of range easily.
Alan avoids the head kick by Sampaio.
Alan lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Alan fails in his attempt to clinch.
Sampaio fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Sampaio lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

Alan is rocked!
Alan avoids the head kick by Sampaio.
Alan is still on wobbly legs! Can Sampaio finish him?
Alan tries to close the distance and clinch but Sampaio swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Sampaio misses with a head kick.
Alan avoids the head kick by Sampaio.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A solid body kick from Sampaio.
Sampaio throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Sampaio throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Alan fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Sampaio sprawls well initially but Alan persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Alan wants to take a breather but Sampaio is having none of it.
Alan drops an elbow to the side of Sampaio's head.
Sampaio is staying active underneath Alan, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are battling for position here. Sampaio manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Sampaio has his foot on Alan's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Alan works his way back into a safe position though.
Sampaio is breathing heavily.
Alan pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sampaio is keeping the position for now.
Alan controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sampaio is looking for a triangle but Alan pushes his legs off easily.

Alan got a little sloppy there for a moment and Sampaio has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Alan has managed to get both his arms back between Sampaio's legs - danger averted.
Alan working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Sampaio's head.
Alan trying to control but Sampaio is working from the bottom.
Alan seems to have recovered his senses.
Alan is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Alan trying to control but Sampaio is working from the bottom.
Alan slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Alan preventing the sweep.
Alan engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Thomas Alan.
Sampaio lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alan wants to clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sampaio misses with a few strikes there.
Alan is looking to clinch.

Alan closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Alan lands in his opponent's guard.
Sampaio 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.
Alan scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Alan must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Alan is pushing down on Sampaio's leg trying to pass to half guard. Sampaio is fighting to maintain full guard but Alan has managed to sneak the leg through.
Sampaio pushes Alan off looking to stand but Alan dives back in and keeps control.
Alan is looking to take a break and control but Sampaio is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sampaio moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Alan sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Sampaio keeping moving, preventing Alan from controlling successfully.
Sampaio is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Alan is controlling him.
Alan stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sampaio swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Sampaio looking for a sweep. Not yet Sampaio, not yet.

Sampaio working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Alan doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Alan manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Sampaio looking to control.
Sampaio tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Sampaio looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alan lands a couple of elbows.
Sampaio keeping moving, preventing Alan from controlling successfully.
Sampaio is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Alan is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Alan passes Sampaio's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Alan looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sampaio trying to control from the bottom.
Alan controlling the pace.
Alan is pressing down on Sampaio's thigh, looking to free his foot. Sampaio is holding on for now.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Alan lands a nice short elbow.
Sampaio wants to control but Alan is keeping busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Thomas Alan will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Thomas Alan's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

A big left from Sampaio misses.
Sampaio lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

Alan moves into the clinch successfully.

Alan breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Alan looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Sampaio!
Alan landing a few strikes.
Sampaio is trying to control Alan's posture but Alan avoids it.
Alan working the head with strikes.
Alan trying to control the action but Sampaio is working from the bottom.
Sampaio regains half guard.
Sampaio is staying active underneath Alan, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Sampaio moves into full guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Sampaio had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Alan defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alan trying to control the position from guard on top but Sampaio is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Alan lands a couple of elbows.

Sampaio throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Alan trying to control the position from guard on top but Sampaio is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Alan lands a couple of digs.
Sampaio utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Sampaio is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Alan defends well.
Sampaio working a defensive guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sampaio has his foot on Alan's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Alan works his way back into a safe position though.
Alan trying to control the position from guard on top but Sampaio is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Alan is working Sampaio over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Sampaio keeping full guard, as Alan tries to pass.
Alan trying to control the position from guard on top but Sampaio is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Alan might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Sampaio haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Sampaio looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Sampaio escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Alan gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Alan passes Sampaio's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sampaio looking for submissions off his back.
Thomas Alan has got the better of the ground game so far.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Sampaio trying to control but Alan postures up.
Sampaio is looking to improve his position.
Alan landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Sampaio is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Alan scores with a couple of nice shots.
Sampaio keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Alan wants to pass to mount but Sampaio is defending the position.
Sampaio is not content to let Alan control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sampaio gets back to full guard.
Sampaio tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Alan tries to free his leg and advance position but Sampaio is retaining full guard.
Sampaio not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Alan is working Sampaio over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sampaio wants to sweep here but Alan controlling him for the moment.
Alan is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Sampaio is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Alan is holding on to half guard well.
Alan is trying to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Thomas Alan will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Thomas Alan's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Alan closes the distance and pushes Sampaio back into the cage.
Alan swings wildly with an uppercut but Sampaio uses good head movement to avoid it.

Sampaio breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Alan pushes Sampaio up against the cage in a clinch.
Sampaio has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Alan is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Sampaio is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Alan tries to work over Sampaio's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Alan throws a punch but it's blocked by Sampaio.
Sampaio dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Sampaio is trying to push Alan away but Alan has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Sampaio tries to break free but Alan pushes him back against the cage.
Alan tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sampaio's elbow.
Alan scores with a nice hook to the head.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Sampaio.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alan misses with the head strike.
Alan lands on the inside with an uppercut.

Sampaio breaks from the clinch.

Alan rushes Sampaio and presses him up against the cage.
Sampaio throws an elbow but it misses.
Alan can't find room to land a body shot as Sampaio controls the action.

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

Alan looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Sampaio!
Alan tries to advance to mount but can't.
Alan staying calm.
Sampaio wants to get back to his feet but Alan drags him back down.
Sampaio tries to improve position but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alan trying to control the action but Sampaio is working from the bottom.
Alan working away.
Sampaio gets back to half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sampaio is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Alan scores with a couple of nice shots.
Ground and pound from Alan.
Sampaio is refusing to be controlled, as Alan sits in half guard.
Ground and pound from Alan.
Alan stalling.
Sampaio looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sampaio looking for submissions off his back.
Alan is pressing down on Sampaio's thigh, looking to free his foot. Sampaio is holding on for now.
Sampaio wants to improve his position but Alan is controlling well.
Alan scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Alan looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Sampaio is looking to control Alan's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Sampaio avoid being mounted?
Sampaio wants to get back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Alan looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Sampaio is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Alan pulls his head out easily.
Alan working over Sampaio with some ground and pound. Sampaio looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Cesar Sampaio has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Thomas Alan is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Alan seems content to control.
Sampaio won't allow Alan to pass to mount.
Sampaio is trying to maintain the position but Alan is very close to passing his half guard.
Alan prevents Sampaio from improving his position.
Sampaio is working hard here to advance position.
Alan stalling.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Alan blocks a head kick by Sampaio.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Alan lands a right hook to the body.
Sampaio throws a right and a left that both miss.

Alan fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Sampaio, pushing him back against the cage.
Sampaio misses with a body punch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thomas Alan comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Alan 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 28:30
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 28:30
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thomas Alan!