PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Carlos Rafael (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Krav Mcgraw (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mcgraw has chosen Limp Bizkit--Break Stuff as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Rafael
vs
Mcgraw

164 cm
21
155 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

180 cm
20
154 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Carlos Rafael!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Krav Mcgraw!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Alexandre Firmino and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rafael wants to clinch.
Rafael swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Mcgraw fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Rafael fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Mcgraw takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Mcgraw has a takedown stuffed.

Rafael instigates a clinch.
Mcgraw gets underhooks to prevent Rafael's takedown attempt.
Rafael misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Rafael tries to score a body lock takedown but Mcgraw shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Rafael gets underhooks to prevent Mcgraw's takedown attempt.
Carlos Rafael has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Krav Mcgraw.
Mcgraw fails to pull guard.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Mcgraw tries to pull guard but Rafael won't allow it.

Rafael escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mcgraw bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Rafael tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Rafael gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Rafael blocking the ground and pound attempt from Mcgraw.
Rafael taking some punishment here, with Mcgraw in his half guard.

Mcgraw 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.

Rafael looking for submissions off his back.
Mcgraw wants to free his trapped foot but Rafael is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Rafael might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Rafael makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Rafael.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rafael working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Mcgraw doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Mcgraw manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Mcgraw loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Mcgraw throwing strikes from guard but Rafael blocks nicely.

Rafael has his foot on Mcgraw's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Mcgraw works his way back into a safe position though.
Mcgraw throws a strike but Rafael rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Mcgraw looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Rafael drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Rafael jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Rafael is breathing heavily.

Rafael thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rafael won't allow Mcgraw to sweep him here.

Mcgraw looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Mcgraw is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Rafael forces his way into half guard.

Mcgraw is defending against the submission attempts here by Rafael.

Mcgraw is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Rafael pulls his head out easily.

Mcgraw is defending against the submission attempts here by Rafael.
Rafael prevents Mcgraw from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mcgraw slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Mcgraw throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Rafael sitting in guard here, content to control.
Rafael trying to control the position from guard on top but Mcgraw is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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

Mcgraw working for submissions but it's allowed Rafael to get to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Carlos Rafael will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Rafael scores a takedown into full mount!
Mcgraw sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Mcgraw is looking for a sweep. Rafael is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The fighters are battling for position here. Mcgraw manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Mcgraw had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Rafael defends it easily.
Rafael wants to control from the top but Mcgraw keeps moving.

Mcgraw has his foot on Rafael's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rafael works his way back into a safe position though.
Mcgraw is breathing heavily.
Mcgraw will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Rafael trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rafael trying to control the position from guard on top but Mcgraw is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rafael slips nicely into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rafael is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Mcgraw looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Rafael looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Rafael is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Rafael is trying to work for a kimura but Mcgraw is defending well.

Mcgraw actively working from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

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

Mcgraw actively working from the bottom here.
Rafael prevents Mcgraw from improving his position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Mcgraw shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Rafael counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

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

Mcgraw actively working from the bottom here.
Rafael seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Mcgraw does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rafael not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Mcgraw throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

Rafael is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Mcgraw has managed to free his arm - good work.
Mcgraw is looking to improve his position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Rafael misses with a hook. Mcgraw ducked under it nicely.
A good leg kick by Rafael.
Mcgraw gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Rafael counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Rafael throws a nice looking combination but Mcgraw bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Mcgraw misses with a body shot.
Nice takedown defense from Mcgraw. No joy for Rafael on that attempt.
Mcgraw gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Rafael counters with a series of strikes. Mcgraw will be more careful next time no doubt.
Carlos Rafael has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Krav Mcgraw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Rafael stuffs the takedown attempt from Mcgraw. Mcgraw gets slowly back to his feet.

Mcgraw bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Rafael tries to buck Mcgraw off but Mcgraw is having none of it.
Mcgraw working the body and head with strikes.

Mcgraw tries for a kimura but Rafael is defending well.
Rafael wants to control but Mcgraw postures up.
Mcgraw creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Rafael tries to bench press Mcgraw off him but Mcgraw keeps the position.
Rafael is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Mcgraw's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Mcgraw throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Mcgraw is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Rafael has managed to free his arm - good work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carlos Rafael dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Rafael clinches.
Mcgraw is pressed up against the cage. Rafael has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Mcgraw down to the mat. Mcgraw avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Mcgraw slips a jab and a cross from Rafael.
Krav Mcgraw seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mcgraw doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Rafael counters with a shoot takedown. Mcgraw fights it but they end up in guard.

Rafael avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Rafael is looking to stand up but Mcgraw won't let him.
Rafael preventing the sweep.
Rafael trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mcgraw scores with a nice shot.

Mcgraw throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Mcgraw looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rafael drops back looking for a leg! Mcgraw is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Mcgraw manages to kick Rafael off! Rafael jumps back into Mcgraw's guard.

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

Mcgraw is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Rafael defends well.

Rafael drops back looking for a leg! Mcgraw is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Mcgraw manages to kick Rafael off! Rafael jumps back into Mcgraw's guard.

Mcgraw is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rafael advances to half guard.

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

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

Rafael wants to work for an arm triangle but Mcgraw is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Rafael is working for a kimura but Mcgraw is defending it quite comfortably.
Mcgraw slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Krav Mcgraw has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mcgraw manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Mcgraw working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Rafael is wriggling around trying to escape.
Mcgraw blocks Rafael's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Mcgraw lands a big elbow.
Rafael sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Mcgraw working Rafael over with strikes.
Mcgraw thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Rafael wants to control but Mcgraw is keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rafael is trying to get back to full guard.
Mcgraw lands strikes from half guard.

Mcgraw 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.

Rafael is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Mcgraw pulls his head out easily.
Carlos Rafael is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rafael is looking for a sweep. Mcgraw is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Mcgraw throws a body kick that misses.
Rafael connects with a nice looking jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Carlos Rafael.
Well Rafael 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 30:28
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 30:27
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Carlos Rafael!