PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jose Romero (ranked 521 p4p, 83 weight class) and Joao Neves (ranked 1159 p4p, 153 weight class). Neves has chosen Mama Said Knock You Out as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Romero
vs
Neves

190 cm
28
265 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

193 cm
20
245 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good gas tank

Groove Gear
Zenith Nutrition (160q/$200)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jose Romero!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Joao Neves!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Alyssa Summers and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Neves throws out a loose jab but Romero uses good head movement to avoid it.
Neves leaves Romero with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Neves looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Romero shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Neves defends it nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Neves is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Romero.
Romero changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Romero takes a shot to the body in his stride.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Romero has his takedown stuffed
and Neves counters with a lovely straight right hand!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jose Romero. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Neves swings for the body but Romero moves out of range.
Romero appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Romero shoots and misses
and Neves counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Jab by Neves.

It looks like Jose Romero has been cut.
Neves lands with a good body shot.
Romero needs to keep his hands up - Neves had a free shot at his head there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Romero moves out of range of the strikes.
Neves swinging wildly here.
Neves misses with a body shot

and Romero counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Neves!
Neves is looking to get back to his feet here but Romero is keeping cool and he's managed to take Neves's back.
Neves told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Neves is trying to get back to his feet but Romero has full control of the position and if anything, Neves has just worked his way into a worse spot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Romero has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Romero has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Romero has Neves flattened out and is raining down punches.
Romero scores with punches and elbows.
Neves is trying to get back to his feet but Romero has full control of the position and if anything, Neves has just worked his way into a worse spot.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Romero connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for Neves to escape the position.
Neves wants to get back to his feet.

Neves is trying to get back to his feet. He's worked up on to his knees and now he's on his feet with his head on the canvas, trying to shake Romero off. It looks like it's working - Romero slides off, much to his dismay, and we're back to standing! Neves displaying calm under pressure there.
Neves misses with a left hand

and Romero counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Romero.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Romero sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Romero prevents Neves from getting back to his feet.
Romero looking to pass the guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Neves can do anything to dispel that myth.
Romero prevents Neves from getting back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Joao Neves will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Jose Romero's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

No luck with that takedown attempt from Romero.
Neves swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Romero ducks right into an uppercut from Neves.
Romero staying out of range there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Romero doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Neves counters with a nice right hand that sends Romero toppling to the canvas! Romero scrambles and gets back to his feet - can Neves finish him?!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Romero steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Neves.
Romero shoots and misses
and Neves counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jose Romero. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A big right from Neves misses.
Neves looks to throw the jab but Romero is out of range.
Neves keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Joao Neves seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Romero tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Neves swivels and escapes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Romero shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Neves counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Neves waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Romero.
Romero gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Neves counters with a nice right hand that sends Romero toppling to the canvas! Romero scrambles and gets back to his feet - can Neves finish him?!

Romero is rocked!

Jose Romero's cut is getting worse.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Romero misses with a takedown
and Neves counters with a huge overhand right that connects right on the temple, sending him crumpling, face first to the floor! This one is all over! What a knockout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:58 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Joao Neves!
Joao Neves is the new heavyweight champion!
An out of breath Joao Neves thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.