PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Vitalie Jimbei (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gorilla Grapplin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Jimbei
vs
Grapplin

180 cm
23
185 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

182 cm
25
199 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Big heart

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Inexperienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Vitalie Jimbei!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Gorilla Grapplin!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, John Roberts and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Grapplin slaps away a takedown attempt from Jimbei, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Jimbei fails with a takedown attempt.
Jimbei goes for a double leg but Grapplin avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Grapplin continues to drive forward.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vitalie Jimbei. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jimbei is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Grapplin pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Jimbei is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Grapplin's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Jimbei shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Grapplin pinned against the cage. Grapplin gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Grapplin takes the fight into the clinch.
Jimbei tries for a takedown but Grapplin manages to get underhooks.
Jimbei is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Jimbei is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Grapplin can't fight it off and eventually Jimbei manages to take the fight to the floor. Grapplin looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Jimbei throws a strike but Grapplin rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Jimbei is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grapplin wants to get up but he can't break Jimbei's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Grapplin is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Grapplin forces his way into half guard.

Grapplin stands up and beckons Jimbei to join him on the feet.

Grapplin shoots in and gets a takedown into Jimbei's guard.
Jimbei not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jimbei keeping moving, preventing Grapplin from controlling successfully.
Jimbei pulls Grapplin in to control the position.
Grapplin is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Jimbei tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Grapplin defends well and Jimbei ends up having to push Grapplin into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Grapplin is fighting off a takedown attempt but Jimbei is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Grapplin to the mat. Grapplin regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Grapplin looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Grapplin is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Jimbei rolls with it to try and escape but Grapplin cranks on the arm and Jimbei is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Gorilla Grapplin!