PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between TopOf FoodChain (ranked 1992 p4p, 233 weight class) and Joao Sousa (ranked 3088 p4p, 330 weight class). Sousa has chosen Beat It as his entrance music. This should be a great matchup!

FoodChain
vs
Sousa

179 cm
26
164 lbs
7 - 7 - 1

180 cm
30
157 lbs
14 - 7 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Very quick

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Sportivité

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 7 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, TopOf FoodChain!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Joao Sousa!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, Elvis Blanc and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A swing and a miss from FoodChain.
FoodChain misses the shot to the body.
FoodChain throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Sousa counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
FoodChain misses with a hook from the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by FoodChain.
FoodChain lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
FoodChain misses with the head strike.
FoodChain lands a right hand that snaps the head of Sousa backwards.

Sousa jumps guard.
FoodChain wants to pass the guard but Sousa is keeping the position.

Sousa has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but FoodChain can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
FoodChain looking to pass the guard.
Sousa wants to sweep here but FoodChain controlling him for the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sousa working for a triangle but FoodChain defends it easily.
Sousa keeping full guard, as FoodChain tries to pass.
FoodChain stopping the sweep attempt from Sousa.
Sousa keeping full guard, as FoodChain tries to pass.
FoodChain trying to control but Sousa is working from the bottom.
FoodChain trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
FoodChain sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Sousa's guard.

Sousa looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Sousa is trying to get back to full guard.
Sousa is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
FoodChain wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sousa keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

FoodChain is working for a kimura but Sousa is defending it quite comfortably.
Sousa wants to get back to full guard.
FoodChain takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
FoodChain throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sousa staying out of range there.
FoodChain takes a swing at Sousa's ribcage but misses.
And Sousa tries to counter it with a takedown but FoodChain pushes his down on his head and steps out.
A leg kick checked by FoodChain.
FoodChain throws out a loose jab but Sousa uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big right from FoodChain misses.

Sousa rushes FoodChain and presses him up against the cage.
I was talking to FoodChain's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Sousa goes for a takedown in the clinch but FoodChain prevents it.
A head punch on the inside from FoodChain fails to land.
Sousa misses with a hook from the clinch.
FoodChain fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Still in the clinch, FoodChain scores with a nice short uppercut.
Sousa blocks a punch to the side of the head.
FoodChain lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
FoodChain misses with a punch on the inside.
FoodChain lands with a light punch inside.
FoodChain lands an uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sousa scores with a shoulder strike.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Sousa creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
FoodChain misses with a punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for FoodChain.
Sousa blocks an uppercut.
Sousa misses with the head strike.
Sousa misses with a short punch on the inside.
Sousa scores with a shot to the side of FoodChain's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

TopOf FoodChain dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

FoodChain throws the left hand but Sousa avoids the punch easily.
FoodChain misses with a hook.
Sousa throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sousa staying out of range there.
Sousa with the counter takedown but FoodChain avoids it easily.
Sousa scores with a sloppy right hand. FoodChain should have avoided that one.
A big right from Sousa misses.
FoodChain throws a hook to the side of Sousa's head but Sousa sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
FoodChain connects with a body shot that sends Sousa's belly button to the back.
FoodChain throws a right hand that misses
and Sousa counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
FoodChain is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sousa can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
FoodChain takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
FoodChain scores with the left hand. Sousa knows he should have avoided that one.
Sousa lands with a nice combination. FoodChain backs away looking to recover.
This has been an exciting period of action!
FoodChain ducks under a wild hook from Sousa.
Sousa jabs at FoodChain's body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
FoodChain slips under a jab.
FoodChain swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
FoodChain slips a straight right by Sousa.
Sousa throws a nice looking combination but FoodChain bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Sousa lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Sousa misses with a wild body shot.
FoodChain cracks Sousa with a good jab.
FoodChain misses with a hook
and Sousa counters with a nice uppercut.
FoodChain moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Sousa misses the shot to the body.
FoodChain thows a left - swing and a miss!
FoodChain thows a left - swing and a miss!
Sousa tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but FoodChain defends well and Sousa ends up having to push FoodChain into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
FoodChain slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Sousa throws a body shot but no joy.
FoodChain fails to land with a series of punches.
Sousa tries to counter by closing the distance.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
FoodChain slips under a jab.
Sousa slips a jab from FoodChain.
Joao Sousa seems to be getting the better of the standup.
FoodChain swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Sousa shoots in and gets a takedown into FoodChain's guard.
FoodChain lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Sousa looking for submissions from the bottom but instead FoodChain passes into half guard.

Sousa looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sousa is pressing down on FoodChain's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Sousa looking for a guillotine here but FoodChain defends easily.
FoodChain wants to control from the top but Sousa keeps moving.
Sousa keeping full guard, as FoodChain tries to pass.
FoodChain trying to control the position from guard on top but Sousa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
FoodChain wants to pass the guard but Sousa is keeping the position.
Sousa trying to keep a closed guard but FoodChain is proving a slippery customer.
Sousa wants to sweep here but FoodChain controlling him for the moment.
Sousa is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Sousa is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joao Sousa showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Sousa is looking to clinch.
Sousa slips a straight right by FoodChain.
Sousa doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Sousa connects with a single shot there.
FoodChain throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Sousa counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Sousa misses with an uppercut.
A punch lands to the side of Sousa 's head but he takes it in his stride.
FoodChain throws an overhand right that lands on Sousa's shoulder, as Sousa tries to avoid the shot.
FoodChain misses with an uppercut.
A slow jab from Sousa misses its intended target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sousa misses with a straight left.
Sousa slips a jab from FoodChain.
FoodChain comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Sousa bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of FoodChain's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sousa displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as FoodChain throws out the jab.
FoodChain bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Sousa's head backwards.
FoodChain scores with a hook.
Sousa fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
FoodChain uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Sousa.
FoodChain loads up on a big right hand but Sousa slips the punch.
FoodChain shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
FoodChain misses with a hook.
FoodChain throws a hook but Sousa avoids it easily.
A jab from FoodChain does it's job there.
Sousa moves to clinch but FoodChain breaks away
and FoodChain connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sousa moves forwards but FoodChain connects with a nice, crisp jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Sousa drives through with a takedown into guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now FoodChain is on top in guard.

FoodChain content to stall in guard here.
FoodChain wants to control from the top but Sousa keeps moving.
FoodChain passes Sousa's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Sousa tries to get to full guard but FoodChain has control of the leg.

FoodChain seems to be working for a kimura but Sousa defends the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
FoodChain wants to free his trapped foot but Sousa is holding on for dear life with his legs.
FoodChain is keen to just control but Sousa is a slippery customer.

FoodChain is working for a submission of some sort.
Sousa is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of FoodChain's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take FoodChain's back!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sousa tries to get the hooks in deep but FoodChain pushed the leg off.
FoodChain is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Sousa looking to soften up his opponent with punches.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
FoodChain trying to control the position but Sousa manages to sink in the hooks.
FoodChain wants to escape the position.
FoodChain trying to control the hands but Sousa breaks the grip.
Joao Sousa has got the better of the ground game so far.
Sousa trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Sousa is throwing strikes from the back here. Oh that last one was to the back of the head. Sousa gets a warning from the referee. He throws another strike to the back of the head straight away though and the referee has seen enough. He breaks up the two fighters and stands them back up. Sousa gets a real talking to here and is lucky not to get a point deducted. Sousa apologises and we restart here on the feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Joao Sousa.
I think Sousa 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 Dillan Fox scores the fight 29:29
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 29:29
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 28:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!