PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Thuam Chaka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jacoby Lombard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chaka comes to the cage accompanied by Heart of a Champion. Lombard is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Retaliator. Thuam Chaka had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Chaka
vs
Lombard

182 cm
28
179 lbs
12 - 8 - 0

182 cm
27
177 lbs
9 - 9 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Thuam Chaka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Jacoby Lombard!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Ivan Kurochkin and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Chaka looking to score a takedown here. Lombard is defending well but Chaka drives through and ends up in Lombard's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Chaka forces his way into half guard.

Chaka 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.
Chaka uses his free foot to push down on Lombard's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Lombard.

Chaka is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Lombard has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Lombard regains half guard.

Chaka seems to be working for a kimura but Lombard defends the submission attempt.

Chaka seems to be looking for submissions.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Chaka passes to full mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Chaka is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Lombard can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Lombard wants to control but Chaka is having none of it.

Chaka working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

Chaka is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Lombard has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Chaka goes for an armbar but Lombard turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Lombard.

Chaka is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Chaka bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Lombard's guard.
Lombard manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Lombard prevents Chaka from getting the reversal.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chaka regains half guard.

Chaka actively working from the bottom here.

Chaka is defending against the submission attempts here by Lombard.
Chaka won't allow Lombard to pass to mount.
Chaka is looking for a sweep. Lombard is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Chaka looks like he's trying to stand up.
Lombard wants to take a breather but Chaka is having none of it.
Chaka wants to get back to full guard.

Chaka looking for submissions off his back.

Lombard is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Chaka doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Lombard.
Chaka on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lombard is pressing down on Chaka's thigh, looking to free his foot. Chaka is holding on for now.
Chaka wants to get back to full guard.

Chaka looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Lombard pushes past his half guard into mount!
Chaka gets back to half guard.

Chaka actively working from the bottom here.

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

Lombard is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Lombard looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
The fighters are battling for position here. Chaka manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lombard is trying to tuck his arms in to keep them safe but Chaka has managed to isolate one of them and has got a loose triangle. Lombard is looking to defend but Chaka has done well to lock his legs together - this could be big trouble for Lombard! Chaka pulls down on the head and a little smile comes across his face - he knows he's got it. Yep, Lombard taps out and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:24 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Thuam Chaka!
Thuam Chaka managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Sparta Fightware, into his post fight interview.