PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between William Joseph (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Daniel Moreira (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Joseph comes into the arena with TEARS FOR FEARS - SHOUT blaring out of the sound system. This should be fireworks!

Joseph
vs
Moreira

175 cm
37
169 lbs
28 - 14 - 0

170 cm
40
155 lbs
21 - 15 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 28 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, William Joseph!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 15 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Daniel Moreira!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Micheangelo Fripello and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Joseph with a poor takedown
and Moreira counters with a left to the body.
Joseph fails with the takedown
enabling Moreira to counter with a crisp jab.
Joseph avoids a kick to the body.
Moreira shoots in for a takedown but Joseph shows good takedown defense.
Joseph shoots in for a takedown but Moreira shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for William Joseph. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Joseph doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Joseph takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Moreira swings for the body but Joseph moves out of range.
Moreira tries to score with a low kick but Joseph moves his leg out of the way.
Joseph shoots in for a double leg but Moreira sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Moreira ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Joseph moves away.
William Joseph seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
No joy there for Joseph, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Joseph showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Moreira.
Joseph closes this distance looking for a takedown but Moreira circles away.
Horrible takedown attempt by Joseph or perhaps it was just good defense by Moreira, which made it look bad.
Joseph staying out of range there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joseph tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Moreira counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Moreira tries to pass to full mount but Joseph defends it.
Moreira missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Moreira is keen to just control but Joseph is a slippery customer.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Joseph is concentrating on defense, preventing Moreira from advancing position.
Moreira slows the pace down in half guard.

Moreira is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Joseph sees it coming and defends easily.
Joseph wants to get back to full guard.
Joseph wants to control but Moreira is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Moreira wants to take a breather but Joseph is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Joseph tries to get to full guard but Moreira has control of the leg.
Moreira content to control rather than advance.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Daniel Moreira was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Nice takedown defense from Moreira. No joy for Joseph on that attempt.
Moreira throws a right hand that Joseph ducks under and follows up with a left that Joseph also avoids with ease.
Moreira has a takedown stuffed.
Joseph shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Moreira as he avoids it easily.
Joseph avoids the body shot from Moreira.
Joseph leaves Moreira with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Some wild striking there from Joseph.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Moreira is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Moreira fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Joseph throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Moreira.
Joseph avoids the body shot from Moreira.
Joseph tries to clinch but Moreira moves away
and Moreira counters with a right hand to the body.
Joseph has his takedown stuffed
enabling Moreira to counter with a crisp jab.
Moreira paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Moreira wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

Joseph moves into the clinch.
Moreira prevents a takedown attempt there.
Joseph wants to take the fight to the mat but Moreira manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Joseph has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Moreira is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Moreira can't find room to land a body shot as Joseph controls the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Moreira has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Joseph is trying to keep an underhook but Moreira manages to get the takedown into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Moreira lands strikes from half guard.
Joseph is trying to get back to full guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Joseph is looking for a sweep. Moreira is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Moreira thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Joseph is not content to let Moreira control the position.
Moreira prevents Joseph from improving his position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Moreira thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Moreira looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daniel Moreira dominated that round.
That's time! Joseph's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Joseph fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Joseph fails with a takedown attempt.
William Joseph is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Joseph shoots in but Moreira avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for William Joseph. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Joseph fails to land the takedown.
Moreira tries to score a power double leg takedown but Joseph sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Moreira somewhat.
A swing and a miss from Moreira.
Moreira throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Joseph's waist but Joseph gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Moreira off to one side.
Joseph shoots in and drives through. Moreira sprawls well.
Joseph looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Joseph takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Joseph shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Moreira as he avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joseph tries to clinch up.
Joseph takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Daniel Moreira seems to be getting the better of the standup.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Moreira enables Joseph to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Moreira manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Moreira pulls Joseph in close to prevent any damage.
Moreira keeping moving, preventing Joseph from controlling successfully.
Moreira has his hands on Joseph's head, controlling the position.
Moreira working a defensive guard here.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Daniel Moreira hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Moreira gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Joseph to score an easy takedown into full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Moreira manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Moreira misses the shot to the body.
Moreira fails to land with a series of punches.
Joseph wants to clinch up but Moreira keeps it at a distance.

Joseph manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Moreira on his heels. He'll look to pass Moreira's guard now, I'm sure.
Joseph with a nice head shot there.
Joseph working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Moreira is trying to keep Joseph in close.
Moreira has his hands on Joseph's head, controlling the position.
Joseph throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joseph throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Joseph tries to free his leg and advance position but Moreira is retaining full guard.
Joseph wants to control from the top but Moreira keeps moving.
Moreira working a defensive guard here.
Moreira has his hands on Joseph's head, controlling the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Daniel Moreira was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Joseph avoids the body shot from Moreira.
Moreira fails with a takedown attempt.
Moreira throws an overhand right that lands on Joseph's shoulder, as Joseph tries to avoid the shot.

Joseph moves into the clinch.
Moreira gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Joseph.
Joseph scores with a shoulder strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Joseph is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Moreira is defending well for now.

Joseph gets control of Moreira's arms and successfully pulls guard. Joseph will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Moreira is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Moreira tries to free his leg and advance position but Joseph is retaining full guard.
Joseph looking to control.
Joseph looking to hit a scissor sweep but Moreira is one step ahead there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Moreira advances position into side control!
Moreira trying to control the action but Joseph is working from the bottom.
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 William Joseph will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Joseph throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Moreira's waist but Moreira gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Joseph off to one side.
Joseph tries to close the distance and clinch up but Moreira swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Moreira connects with a body shot.
Joseph tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Moreira paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Joseph doesn't manage to clinch there - Moreira circles away.
Joseph checks a leg kick.
Moreira doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Joseph fails with the takedown
and Moreira counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Joseph.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for William Joseph. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Moreira is looking to land body kicks.

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

Moreira is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Joseph doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Moreira.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joseph is looking for a sweep. Moreira is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Joseph taking some punishment here, with Moreira in his half guard.
Joseph has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Moreira is working away from the top position though.
Moreira is trying to control. Joseph wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Moreira wants to pass the guard but Joseph is defending well.
Moreira takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Joseph wants to control but Moreira is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Moreira thows a huge punch but Joseph dodges it nicely.
Moreira takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Moreira is thwarting Joseph's attempts to control the position.
Joseph regains full guard. Nicely done.
Joseph is controlling Moreira's posture.
Moreira showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Joseph is trying to control the position but Moreira postures up.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Moreira shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Joseph manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Moreira wants to pass the guard but Joseph is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joseph is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Moreira won't allow Joseph to sweep him here.
Moreira looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Joseph keeping moving, preventing Moreira from controlling successfully.
Moreira is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Daniel Moreira wasn't active enough on the ground.
Moreira moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Joseph goes for a double leg but Moreira avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Moreira continues to drive forward.

Moreira has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Joseph is trying to keep an underhook but Moreira manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Joseph is trying to control but can't.
Joseph wants to improve his position but Moreira is controlling well.
Moreira is trying to control the action in half guard but Joseph is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Daniel Moreira has got the better of the ground game so far.
Joseph is looking to improve his position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Moreira wants to lay and pray for a moment but Joseph keeps working.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

And that's the end of the fight!
Daniel Moreira comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Moreira has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Chris Saunders scores the fight 28:29
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Daniel Moreira!
Daniel Moreira thanked the fans post fight for their support.