PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Denis Fraga (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lucas Guerra (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Fraga
vs
Guerra

180 cm
22
177 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

180 cm
22
170 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Denis Fraga!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Lucas Guerra!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Emerson Jorge and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Fraga feints and as Guerra raises his hands in defense, Fraga changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Guerra looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Fraga passes into half guard.

Fraga is working for a submission of some sort.

Fraga is working for a kimura but Guerra is defending it quite comfortably.
Fraga scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Guerra keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Fraga seems to be looking for submissions.

Fraga is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Guerra is trying is best to control the position here.
Fraga controlling the action here.
Fraga working over Guerra with some ground and pound. Guerra looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Fraga slips a nice elbow through Guerra's hands, connecting with Guerra's forehead.

Fraga is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Guerra is just riding it out for now. Fraga eventually gives up the hold.

Fraga looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Fraga 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Fraga seems to be working for a kimura but Guerra defends the submission attempt.
Guerra wants to control but Fraga is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Guerra is looking for a sweep. Fraga is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Guerra wants to control but Fraga is keeping busy.

Fraga is looking for a kimura but Guerra is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Fraga to get the leverage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Fraga is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Guerra sees it coming and defends easily.
Guerra wants to get back to full guard.

Fraga is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Fraga is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Guerra trying to hold on to Fraga's head to control him but Fraga postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Fraga is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Guerra sees it coming and defends easily.
Guerra really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Fraga. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Guerra has his hands clasped together around Fraga's back. He's all about the action.
Guerra wants to control but Fraga is keeping busy.

Fraga seems to be looking for submissions.
Guerra tries to kick Fraga off but Fraga keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Guerra wants to improve his position but Fraga is controlling well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Denis Fraga dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Fraga.

Fraga decides to stand up, so the ref orders Guerra to his feet.
Fraga shoots in but Guerra avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Fraga bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Fraga is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Guerra has escaped the position, nice work there.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Fraga working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Guerra explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Fraga fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Denis Fraga is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Fraga shoots in for a double leg but Guerra sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Denis Fraga. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Guerra has managed to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fraga prevents a takedown attempt there.

Fraga breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Horrible takedown by Fraga or perhaps it was just good defense by Guerra which made him look bad.
Fraga shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Guerra pinned against the cage. Guerra gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A nice inside leg kick there by Guerra. That's going to slow Fraga down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fraga shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Fraga fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Guerra lands a nice leg kick that just misses Fraga's sensitive parts.
Fraga shoots in but no luck this time.
Guerra wants to clinch.
Guerra lands a two punch combo.

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.
Guerra tries to clinch up.
Fraga stuffs the takedown.
Fraga shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Guerra counters with a good, hard body kick but Fraga shrugs it off.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Fraga.
Guerra tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Fraga wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Fraga working away.
Fraga cracks Guerra with a big elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Denis Fraga dominated that second 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.

Fraga shoots in and bounces Guerra off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Fraga keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Guerra's head.

Fraga drops back looking for a leg! Guerra is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Guerra manages to kick Fraga off! Fraga jumps back into Guerra's guard.
Guerra controls Fraga momentarily but Fraga frees himself.
Guerra preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Fraga thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Fraga is in close to Guerra's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Guerra keeping moving, preventing Fraga from controlling successfully.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Guerra working a defensive guard here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Fraga throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Guerra's waist but Guerra gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Fraga off to one side.

Guerra rushes Fraga and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Fraga has picked Guerra up - he's going for a ride! Fraga dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Fraga lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Guerra avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Fraga.
Guerra makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Guerra.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fraga postures up.
Guerra looking to hit a scissor sweep but Fraga is one step ahead there.
Guerra trying to keep a closed guard but Fraga is proving a slippery customer.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Fraga closes this distance looking for a takedown but Guerra circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Fraga closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Fraga lands in his opponent's guard.
Fraga wants to pass the guard but Guerra is keeping the position.
Fraga would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Fraga won't allow Guerra to sweep him here.
Fraga loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Fraga trying to control but Guerra is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Guerra controls Fraga momentarily but Fraga frees himself.
Guerra is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Fraga changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Guerra looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Guerra struggling a bit here.

Fraga is trying to get an arm triangle but Guerra is defending well.
Fraga tries to move into full mount but can't pass Guerra's legs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Denis Fraga clearly takes that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Guerra tries to clinch up but Fraga circles away and keeps his distance.

Fraga feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Fraga distracts Guerra with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Guerra is trying to keep Fraga in close.
Fraga passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Fraga lands a nice forearm strike.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Fraga trying to control the position but Guerra is working away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fraga advances to full mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Guerra wants to control but Fraga is having none of it.

Fraga looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Guerra is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Denis Fraga overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Fraga fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Fraga is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Guerra wants to control but Fraga is having none of it.

Fraga is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Guerra can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Fraga working for a submission but Guerra is keeping him at bay.

Fraga jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Guerra is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Guerra and Fraga has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

Fraga looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Fraga goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Guerra has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Fraga but great work by Guerra.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fraga wants to control but Guerra postures up.
Guerra is looking to take a break and control but Fraga is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Fraga throws a couple of punches but he's in a bad position and they don't land.
Fraga tries to strike from the bottom but misses.
Guerra sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Fraga is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Guerra trying to control the action but Fraga is working from the bottom.
Fraga tries to get back to half guard but can't.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Guerra keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Fraga changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Guerra tries to avoid it but Fraga manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Guerra to the ground. Guerra escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Guerra fails with the takedown.
Fraga with a lazy takedown attempt
and Guerra cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Denis Fraga. That's going to take a lot out of him.
No luck for Fraga with that takedown attempt.
Fraga shoots and misses

and Guerra counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Guerra breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Fraga tries for a takedown but Guerra circles away easily
and Guerra counters with a big head kick but Fraga shrugs it off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Denis Fraga had his way with Lucas Guerra in that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Guerra shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Fraga as he jumps to the side.
Fraga fails with the takedown
and Guerra counters with a three punch combo that has Fraga backing up. Fraga nods at Guerra to acknowledge the strikes.
Fraga shoots in for a takedown but Guerra shows good takedown defense.
Fraga misses with a takedown attempt - Guerra sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Denis Fraga. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fraga fails to land the takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Guerra moves into range and clinches up with Fraga.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fraga has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Guerra is trying to keep an underhook but Fraga manages to get the takedown into half guard.

Fraga is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Guerra keeping control of the position.
Guerra is looking to control Fraga's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Guerra avoid being mounted?

Fraga is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Guerra has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Fraga is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Guerra sees it coming and defends easily.
Guerra is trying to maintain the position but Fraga is very close to passing his half guard.

Fraga in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Guerra tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Fraga!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:03 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Denis Fraga!
Denis Fraga is the new welterweight champion!