PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Tico Cortez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Daniel Moreira (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Cortez
vs
Moreira

173 cm
34
157 lbs
18 - 10 - 1

170 cm
38
155 lbs
20 - 12 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Affordable Quality + Reliable Laundry

KAISER

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 18 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tico Cortez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Daniel Moreira!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Andrew Berry and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Moreira misses the shot to the body.
Moreira tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cortez was well out of range. Poor timing from Moreira.
Moreira throws a sloppy body shot
and Cortez counters with a thumping low kick.
Moreira misses with a body shot.
Moreira throws a body kick that misses.
Cortez moves out of range as Moreira throws a body kick.
Cortez misses the jab.
Cortez keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Moreira is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Cortez rather than just go for the knockout.
Cortez lands with a thumping leg kick.
Cortez throws a combination. Moreira tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Moreira tries to land a front kick but Cortez steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Cortez connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Moreira's hands.
Cortez throws a head kick that misses.
Cortez takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cortez thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Moreira if he has to take too many more of those.
Cortez takes a shot to the body in his stride.
No joy there for Cortez, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Moreira avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Moreira changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Cortez lands a leg kick that knocks Moreira off balance momentarily.

Cortez shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Moreira is trying to defend but Cortez finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Moreira is defending against the submission attempts here by Cortez.
Still in half guard, Cortez seems content to control.
Cortez is thwarting Moreira's attempts to control the position.
Moreira is not content to let Cortez control the position.
Cortez wants to advance to full mount but Moreira doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Moreira wants to get back to his feet but Cortez is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Cortez loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Moreira is looking for a triangle but Cortez pushes his legs off easily.
Cortez wants to control from the top but Moreira keeps moving.
Cortez being controlled here momentarily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cortez is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tico Cortez has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Some bone on bone action there as Cortez checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Moreira scores with a jab to the head.
Moreira gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Cortez.
Cortez throws out a powerful jab.
Moreira throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Moreira throws a right hand that Cortez ducks under and follows up with a left that Cortez also avoids with ease.

Moreira scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Cortez blocking the ground and pound attempt from Moreira.
My spies in LOD: GRITTY'S ELITE KILLAS inform me that Moreira has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Cortez is trying to stand.
Cortez is trying to get back to full guard.
Moreira trying to pass the guard but Cortez defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Moreira is controlling the pace.
Cortez is trying to get back to full guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Moreira seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Cortez does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Cortez is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Well, if Moreira is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Daniel Moreira wasn't active enough on the ground.
Moreira blocks the body kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Tico Cortez will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Cortez punishes Moreira's body with a nice straight punch.
Moreira throws a leg kick but Cortez sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Moreira shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Cortez sprawls well. Cortez wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Moreira gets slowly back to his feet.
Moreira lands a glancing blow to the side of Cortez's head.
Moreira misses the shot to the body.
Cortez connects with a looping right hand.
Moreira throws a leg kick that is checked
and Cortez counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Moreira goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Tico Cortez is winning the standup battle so far.
Moreira on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Cortez throws a looping overhand right but Moreira ducks down to avoid it.
Cortez shoots in for a takedown but Moreira shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Moreira shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Cortez napping and manages to drive through into side control!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Moreira working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cortez seems a little lost for a moment, as Moreira dominates the positioning.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cortez can't do much from the bottom here.
Moreira trying to control the position but Cortez is working away.
Moreira tries to score with some ground and pound. Cortez controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
You can see the frustration on Cortez's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Cortez tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Moreira misses with the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Moreira trying to control the position but Cortez is working away.
Cortez tries to control but end up mounted... ooooh, that's bad.
Moreira controlling his opponent.
Cortez is in all sorts of trouble here.
Cortez tries to hold on but Moreira postures up.
Moreira manages to capitalize on a mistake by Cortez to take his back!
Moreira doesn't have the hooks in and Cortez manages to turn into his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Moreira is looking for a triangle but Cortez pushes his legs off easily.
Cortez trying to control but Moreira is working from the bottom.
Moreira tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Moreira is trying to keep Cortez in close.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cortez postures up and lands a big shot to Moreira's brow.
Moreira trying to control the position.
Cortez slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Moreira is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cortez sitting in guard here, content to control.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Daniel Moreira wasn't active enough on the ground.
Cortez lands a nice shot that snaps Moreira's head back.
Cortez blocks the body kick.
Cortez fails to land the takedown.
Moreira on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Cortez tests Moreira's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Moreira avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Moreira misses with a wild body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Moreira blocks a jab.

Cortez closes the distance and clinches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Tico Cortez will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Cortez throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Cortez scores with a head kick.
Cortez tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Moreira closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Moreira lands in his opponent's guard.
Cortez is trying to keep Moreira in close.
Moreira won't allow Cortez to sweep him here.
Moreira sitting in guard, not really doing much.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Moreira accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Daniel Moreira has got the better of the ground game so far.
Moreira is looking to stand up but Cortez won't let him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Moreira trying to control but Cortez is working from the bottom.
Moreira working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Cortez's head.
Cortez being controlled here, momentarily.
Moreira looking to sit in guard and control but Cortez gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Cortez wants to control from the top but Moreira keeps moving.
Cortez with a flurry of punches that miss.
Moreira 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cortez trying to control the position from guard on top but Moreira is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Daniel Moreira has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Moreira throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Moreira looking for a sweep. Not yet Moreira, not yet.
Cortez throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Moreira utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Cortez being controlled here momentarily.
Moreira looking to hit a scissor sweep but Cortez is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Moreira keeping moving, preventing Cortez from controlling successfully.
Cortez slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Tico Cortez wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Moreira scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Cortez manages to get back to half guard.
Cortez moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Cortez keeping moving, preventing Moreira from controlling successfully.
Cortez is pulling down on Moreira's head to control his posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cortez not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Cortez tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Moreira loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Cortez keeping moving, preventing Moreira from controlling successfully.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
A looping hook to the body misses from Moreira. Cortez does a little dance to reset his feet.
Moreira lands with a right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Moreira takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cortez with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Moreira on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Moreira thows a body shot but no joy.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Daniel Moreira.
I think Cortez has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 29:28
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 29:28
Judge William Gold scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tico Cortez!
Tico Cortez made sure to mention his sponsor, Affordable Quality + Reliable Laundry in his post fight interview.