PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Julio Sobral (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Test Ninja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ninja has chosen Super Bon Bon - Soul Coughing as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Sobral
vs
Ninja

181 cm
35
168 lbs
32 - 19 - 1

150 cm
31
145 lbs
16 - 15 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Counter fighter
Fast

KAISER Nutrition - Q160/$250
Spartan Nutrition

GREEN!160
Spartan Nutrition

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 32 - 19 - 1, fighting out of London, Julio Sobral!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Test Ninja!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Alexandre Firmino and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sobral thuds a left hand into Ninja's body.
Sobral cracks Ninja with a good jab.
Sobral scores with a sloppy right hand. Ninja should have avoided that one.
Sobral lands with a right hand.
Sobral lands a nice shot that snaps Ninja's head back.
Ninja ducks under a wild hook from Sobral.
Julio Sobral seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sobral throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ninja sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Ninja ducks under a wild hook from Sobral.
Ninja with the counter takedown but Sobral avoids it easily.
Sobral connects with a right hand. Ninja shakes it off.
Sobral misses the jab.
Jab by Sobral.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Ninja has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Sobral as Ninja shoots in.
Sobral lunges at Ninja with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Ninja's hand.
Sobral looks to score with a jab to the body but Ninja is just out of range.

Sobral throws a left that rocks Ninja and follows with a right that sends him tumbling to the canvas! Sobral dives into side control, looking to finish! Can Ninja regain composure!

Ninja is rocked!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ninja regains half guard.
Sobral looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Ninja with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Ninja punching from the bottom.
Sobral trying to control the action but Ninja is working from the bottom.
Ninja wants to control but Sobral is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Sobral trying to control the action but Ninja is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ninja has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Sobral is working away from the top position though.
Ninja is trying to get back to full guard.
Sobral wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ninja keeps working.
Sobral lands with a punch from half guard.
Ninja wants to improve his position but Sobral is controlling well.
Ninja is pressing down on Sobral's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Sobral trying to control the position from guard on top but Ninja is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ninja manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Sobral manages to get himself to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sobral trying to keep a closed guard but Ninja is proving a slippery customer.

Sobral escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ninja gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Ninja stopping the sweep attempt from Sobral.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sobral lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Ninja keeping moving, preventing Sobral from controlling successfully.
Ninja not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Ninja wants to sweep here but Sobral controlling him for the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Sobral drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Sobral jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sobral with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sobral is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Sobral wants to control from the top but Ninja keeps moving.
Ninja looking for a sweep. Not yet Ninja, not yet.
Sobral trying to control but Ninja is working from the bottom.
Sobral preventing the sweep.
Sobral stays in close to Ninja's body and controls the position.
Sobral will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Ninja working a defensive guard here.
Ninja looking for a sweep. Not yet Ninja, not yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Julio Sobral dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Sobral throws a lazy right hand but Ninja sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ninja changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Sobral just misses with a punch to the body.
And Ninja tries to counter it with a takedown but Sobral pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Sobral sizes up Ninja with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
The crowd cheers as Sobral lands an impressive looking overhand right. Ninja doesn't seem phased though.
Sobral punishes Ninja's body with a nice straight punch.
Ninja on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Sobral throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

so Ninja counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Ninja throws a big elbow that misses.
Sobral keeping moving, preventing Ninja from controlling successfully.
Sobral is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sobral keeping full guard, as Ninja tries to pass.
Ninja postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Ninja preventing the sweep.

Ninja is trying to tuck his arms in to keep them safe but Sobral has managed to isolate one of them and has got a loose triangle. Ninja is looking to defend but Sobral has done well to lock his legs together - this could be big trouble for Ninja! Sobral pulls down on the head and a little smile comes across his face - he knows he's got it. Yep, Ninja taps out and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:48 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Julio Sobral!
An out of breath Julio Sobral thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.