PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Silviu Furnica (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Maicol Raul (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Furnica
vs
Raul

192 cm
19
205 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

185 cm
19
205 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Self confident

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Silviu Furnica!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Maicol Raul!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Thiago Cunha and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Raul shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
It looked like Furnica wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Raul goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Furnica fails with a takedown attempt.

Raul throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Furnica was covering up waiting for the punch and Raul finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Furnica is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Raul wanted to stand there but Furnica had control of the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Furnica had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Raul defends it easily.

Raul avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Furnica escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Raul gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Furnica is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Furnica is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Raul defends well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Raul wants to get up but he can't break Furnica's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Furnica working for a triangle but Raul defends it easily.

Furnica is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Raul throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Furnica works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Furnica is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Furnica working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Raul.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raul trying to stand up but can't free himself from Furnica's guard.
Raul trying to control but Furnica is working from the bottom.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Furnica working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Raul doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Raul manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Furnica working for a triangle but Raul defends it easily.
Furnica definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Raul postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Furnica preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Raul wanted to stand there but Furnica had control of the position.

Furnica working for a triangle but Raul defends it easily.

Furnica is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Raul is aware though and is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raul postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Furnica has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Raul can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Raul is looking to work some ground and pound but Furnica has wrist control.

Furnica working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Raul has passed into half guard!
Raul missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Raul is trying to control the action in half guard but Furnica is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Furnica keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Furnica looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Furnica tries to get to full guard but Raul has control of the leg.

Furnica actively working from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Furnica looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Raul passes to full mount!
Raul sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Raul misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Raul thowing shots but they're missing.
Furnica is in all sorts of trouble here.
Raul throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Furnica regains half guard.
Raul throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Furnica is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Raul jumps into side control!
Furnica regains half guard.

Furnica looking for submissions off his back.
Raul sitting and controlling from the half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maicol Raul dominated that round.
That's time! Furnica's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Raul tries a low kick but Furnica avoids it.
Raul lands an overhand right.
Raul pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Furnica back to the cage. Raul follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Furnica tries to bum rush Raul with a series of wild strikes but Raul uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Furnica walks into a left hand.
Raul feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Furnicas jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Raul connects with the punch.
Raul throws a head kick that misses.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Raul!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Raul closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Raul tries a head kick but it misses.
Raul lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Furnica darts in looking for a takedown but Raul gets double underhooks and turns Furnica into the cage.
Raul defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Furnica.
Raul looks like he wants to counter punch here.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Raul.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Raul looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Furnica escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Raul gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Raul tries to stand but Furnica is controlling from the bottom.
Raul must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Furnica escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Raul gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Raul wants to get up but he can't break Furnica's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Raul throws a big elbow that misses.
Raul trying to control the position from guard on top but Furnica is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Furnica throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Raul engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Furnica looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Raul throwing strikes but missing.

Furnica throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Raul has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Furnica is proving hard to escape from.

Furnica looking for subs off his back but Raul has passed one foot through into half guard.
Furnica avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Raul.
Raul missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raul thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Furnica actively working from the bottom here.

Raul is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Furnica has managed to free his arm - good work.
Raul thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Raul thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Raul wants to control but Furnica is keeping him busy.
Nice strikes from Raul there.

Furnica is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Raul pulls his head out easily.

Furnica actively working from the bottom here.

Raul is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Furnica makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Furnica.

Furnica looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Raul accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

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

Furnica throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Furnica being controlled here, momentarily.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Raul's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Furnica escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Raul gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Raul wants to control from the top but Furnica keeps moving.
Raul trying to stand up but can't free himself from Furnica's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maicol Raul showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Furnica's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Furnica looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Raul closes the distance and clinches.
Raul lands with a short shot to the head.
Raul wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Raul breaks from the clinch.
Furnica shoots in but Raul avoids the takedown attempt easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Raul throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A nice inside leg kick there by Furnica. That's going to slow Raul down.
Some wild striking there from Raul.
Furnica tries to clinch but Raul is having none of it.
Raul has worked on his takedown defense in the runup to this fight and it is paying off so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Raul. Those never looked like landing.
Raul just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromFurnica.
Raul has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Raul shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Furnica is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Raul defends well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Furnica looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Raul passes into half guard.

Furnica looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Raul sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Furnica defending well though.
Raul wants to stand up but Furnica has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Furnica keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Furnica looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
It looks like Raul is going to stand back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raul not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Furnica blocking the ground and pound attempt from Raul.
Raul not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Raul tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Furnica.
Raul throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Raul tries to stand but can't do so whilst Furnica controls his leg.
Raul thows a huge punch but Furnica dodges it nicely.
Furnica blocking the ground and pound attempt from Raul.

Furnica looking for submissions off his back.
Furnica is staying active underneath Raul, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Raul postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Furnica to stand up.
Raul is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raul is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Raul fails to land with a series of punches.
Furnica is trying hard to land a takedown here. Raul sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Silviu Furnica. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A jab lands there for Raul.
Raul is looking to clinch.
Raul scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Raul connects with a jab.
Furnica showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Raul.
Furnica takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Raul closes the distance and pushes Furnica back into the cage.
Raul looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Raul's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Furnica shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Raul as he jumps to the side.
Raul throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Raul throws a shot to the body.
Raul throws a nice looking combination but Furnica bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
As Raul looks to move away, Furnica throws a big counter combo but Raul just gets out of the way.
Raul finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Furnica dives in for a single leg takedown but Raul sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Jab from Raul.
Silviu Furnica has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Maicol Raul is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Raul throws out a powerful jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
Maicol Raul comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Raul has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 26:30
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 26:30
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Maicol Raul!