PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rhett Figueroa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rafael Navalha (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Rhett Figueroa has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Rhett Figueroa seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Figueroa
vs
Navalha

195 cm
22
193 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

185 cm
22
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
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 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rhett Figueroa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rafael Navalha!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Emerson Jorge and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Figueroa throws a head kick but Navalha moves out of range.
Navalha punishes Figueroa's body with a nice straight punch.

Navalha shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Figueroa's guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Navalha wants to control from the top but Figueroa keeps moving.
Navalha looking to pass the guard.
Figueroa keeping moving, preventing Navalha from controlling successfully.
Navalha trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Navalha loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Figueroa pulls Navalha in close to prevent any damage.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Rafael Navalha.

Navalha gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Figueroa to score an easy takedown into full guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Figueroa 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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Figueroa is working Navalha over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Navalha can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Figueroa controls the pace.
Figueroa postures up.
Figueroa trying to control but Navalha is working from the bottom.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Navalha is controlling Figueroa's posture.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Rhett Figueroa.
Navalha motions for Figueroa to come forward. Navalha throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

Navalha clinches up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Figueroa is stalling here.
Navalha tries to break free but Figueroa pushes him back against the cage.

Navalha escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Navalha shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Figueroa napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Navalha trying to control the action but Figueroa is working from the bottom.
Figueroa wants to control but Navalha postures up.
A control attempt from Figueroa but he's now mounted!
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!
Figueroa is trying desperately to improve position.
Figueroa is just holding on here. Navalha manages to take his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Navalha has the hooks in. Figueroa is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Navalha throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
Navalha gets his hooks in and is throwing strikes.

Figueroa fending off the submission attempt from Navalha.
Navalha has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Figueroa looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Figueroa knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Navalha on the ground.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Navalha's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Navalha controls the action.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Navalha thows a strike but Figueroa uses the opportunity to reverse the position! Great move by Figueroa as he ends up in Navalha 's guard!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Navalha keeping moving, preventing Figueroa from controlling successfully.
Navalha is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Navalha tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Navalha wants to control the position but Figueroa says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Navalha tries to roll over but Figueroa keeps him under control.
Figueroa content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Navalha missing with punches from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rafael Navalha dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Navalha throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Figueroa's waist but Figueroa gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Navalha off to one side.
Navalha looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Navalha gets a clinch.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Figueroa takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Figueroa looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Figueroa fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Navalha pulls Figueroa into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Figueroa won't allow Navalha to get back to his feet.
Figueroa slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Navalha looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Navalha trying to keep a closed guard but Figueroa is proving a slippery customer.

Rhett Figueroa has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Navalha drives through with a takedown into Figueroa's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Figueroa has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Navalha has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Figueroa leaning against his opponent.
Navalha is trying to pull guard but Figueroa has him pressed against the cage.
Navalha has Figueroa pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Figueroa manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Rhett Figueroa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rafael Navalha.
Navalha is breathing heavily.
Navalha is looking for a takedown.
Navalha has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Figueroa after a bit of a struggle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Figueroa takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Figueroa tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Navalha avoids it.
Figueroa manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
A frustrated look appears on Navalha's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Figueroa has Navalha pressed against the cage.
Navalha tries to pull guard but Figueroa won't allow it.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Figueroa.

Navalha drags the fight down to the ground.
Navalha is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Figueroa is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Navalha working for a triangle but Figueroa defends it easily.
Figueroa sitting in guard here, content to control.
Figueroa's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Figueroa wants to stand but Navalha is controlling his posture from full guard.
Figueroa has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Figueroa won't allow Navalha to sweep him here.
Navalha is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Rhett Figueroa has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Navalha misses with a body kick.
Navalha looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Rafael Navalha is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Navalha fails to land the takedown.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Figueroa looking to score a takedown here. Navalha is defending well but Figueroa drives through and ends up in Navalha's guard.
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 Rhett Figueroa will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Figueroa has a takedown stuffed.
Navalha tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Figueroa swivels and escapes.
Navalha stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Figueroa.
Navalha swinging wildly here.
Navalha tries for a takedown but Figueroa sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Navalha throws a sloppy head kick and Figueroa moves out of range easily.
Navalha takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Navalha closes the distance and pushes Figueroa back into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Navalha tries for a takedown but Figueroa manages to get underhooks.
Rhett Figueroa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rafael Navalha.
Figueroa dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

Figueroa pulls guard.
Figueroa is adopting a defensive guard.

Figueroa is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Figueroa working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Navalha.
Figueroa is trying to keep Navalha in close.
Navalha wants to get up but he can't break Figueroa's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Navalha tries to free his leg and advance position but Figueroa is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Figueroa is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Rhett Figueroa.
Figueroa stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Figueroa wants it to stay on the feet.

Navalha rushes Figueroa and presses him up against the cage.
A bit of stalling here from Figueroa.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Figueroa gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Navalha.
Figueroa trying to stall but Navalha improves his position.
Figueroa tries to pull guard but Navalha won't allow it.
Figueroa taking a breather.

Navalha ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Navalha no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Navalha throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Figueroa stopping the sweep attempt from Navalha.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Figueroa content to stall in guard here.
Figueroa stands and throws Navalha's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Figueroa is looking to take a break and control but Navalha is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
You can see the frustration on Navalha's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Navalha is looking to reverse the position.

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 Rhett Figueroa.
I think Figueroa 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 Luis Engracia scores the fight 29:28
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 29:29
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Rhett Figueroa!