PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Thiago Magalhaes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rafael BR (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Magalhaes
vs
BR

180 cm
22
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

170 cm
18
190 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thiago Magalhaes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rafael BR!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Emerson Jorge and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fight stays on the outside here - Magalhaes looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
BR looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!

Magalhaes takes the fight into the clinch.
Magalhaes gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

It looks like Rafael BR has been cut.
Magalhaes blocks an uppercut.
BR tries to break the clinch but Magalhaes is controlling the position.
BR fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Magalhaes is trying to work for a single leg takedown but BR pulls him back up using the underhooks.

BR is fighting off a takedown attempt but Magalhaes is just too persistent for him and manages to trip BR to the mat. BR regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Magalhaes postures up.
Magalhaes lands a couple of elbows.
Magalhaes passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Magalhaes throws a strike aimed at the side of BR's head but BR avoids it well.

Magalhaes stands up and beckons BR to his feet.

Magalhaes has closed the distance and engaged BR in a clinch.
Magalhaes will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning BR up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

BR is fighting off a takedown attempt but Magalhaes is just too persistent for him and manages to trip BR to the mat. BR regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Magalhaes wants to control from the top but BR keeps moving.

BR is looking for a triangle here but Magalhaes uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
BR should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Magalhaes advances to mount.
Magalhaes controlling the pace for now.
Magalhaes looking to control but BR is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Magalhaes cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Magalhaes dominating with strikes here.
BR is wriggling around trying to escape.
Magalhaes controlling from mount.
BR is looking to get to half guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Magalhaes trying to control but he's not successful this time.
BR keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Magalhaes has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of BR's face.
Magalhaes looking to ground and pound but BR is blocking nicely.
BR tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Magalhaes has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
BR blocking the ground and pound.
Magalhaes pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Magalhaes looking to control but BR is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Magalhaes thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
BR is in all sorts of trouble here.
BR tries to hold on but Magalhaes postures up.

Magalhaes swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and BR is now in Magalhaes's guard. A big mistake from Magalhaes there, giving up the dominant position!

Magalhaes looking for a guillotine here but BR defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thiago Magalhaes dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rafael BR's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Magalhaes shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Magalhaes doesn't manage to clinch there - BR circles away.
Thiago Magalhaes is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Magalhaes lands with a nice combination. BR backs away looking to recover.
BR misses with a takedown

and Magalhaes holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
BR is pressed up against the cage. Magalhaes has hold of a leg and is looking to drag BR down to the mat. BR avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
BR looks to land a combination. Magalhaes sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
BR swats away the attempt to clinch by Magalhaes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

BR closes the distance and clinches.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
BR is trying to break the clinch but Magalhaes has him pressed against the cage.
BR wants to break the clinch but can't.

BR manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Magalhaes is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
BR darts in trying to clinch

and Magalhaes counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Magalhaes trying to control but BR is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

BR working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Magalhaes doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Magalhaes manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
BR has his hands on Magalhaes's head, controlling the position.
BR throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Magalhaes working some strikes from top position.
Magalhaes pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. BR is keeping the position for now.
BR not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Magalhaes slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Magalhaes landing a few strikes.
Magalhaes prevents BR from escaping the position.

Magalhaes stands up and we're back to a striking position.

Magalhaes closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
BR is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Magalhaes is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Magalhaes lands a heavy elbow.
Magalhaes is stalling here but it's allowed BR to get half guard.

Magalhaes is looking for a kimura here.

Magalhaes is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so BR is just riding it out for now. Magalhaes eventually gives up the hold.
Magalhaes is trying to control the action in half guard but BR is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Magalhaes missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
BR is trying to get back to full guard.
Magalhaes is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for BR!
Magalhaes tries to push BR's head away but BR is holding on tight.
Magalhaes prevents BR from getting the reversal.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thiago Magalhaes dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Rafael BR's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Magalhaes fails to land with a series of punches.
BR throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Magalhaes's waist but Magalhaes gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing BR off to one side.
Magalhaes shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has BR pinned against the cage. BR gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Magalhaes clinches but BR breaks the clinch

and BR counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
BR must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
BR looking to pass the guard.

Magalhaes escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. BR gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
BR controlling from the top position.
Magalhaes keeping full guard, as BR tries to pass.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
BR won't allow Magalhaes to sweep him here.

Magalhaes is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
BR postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
BR trying to control the position from guard on top but Magalhaes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Magalhaes tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
BR postures up.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Magalhaes shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
BR is trying to control but can't.
Magalhaes is keen to just control but BR is a slippery customer.
BR blocking the ground and pound attempt from Magalhaes.

Magalhaes is looking for a kimura but BR is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Magalhaes to get the leverage.
Magalhaes perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Magalhaes is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
BR manages to regain half guard. Good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Magalhaes trying to control the action but BR is working from the bottom.
Magalhaes wants to pass the guard but BR is defending well.
Thiago Magalhaes is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
BR is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Magalhaes wants to take a breather but BR is having none of it.
Magalhaes trying to mount his opponent but BR defends it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Magalhaes stops BR from getting back to his feet.
BR trying to control but Magalhaes postures up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Magalhaes displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as BR throws out the jab.
Nice takedown defense from Magalhaes. No joy for BR on that attempt.

BR shoots in and bounces Magalhaes off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Magalhaes throwing short punches from the bottom.
Magalhaes avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Rafael BR has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Magalhaes looking to control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rafael BR comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Magalhaes has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Paulo Santos scores the fight 29:28
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 29:28
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thiago Magalhaes!