PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Miguel Chavez (ranked 5546 p4p, 0 weight class) and Luuk De Graeff (ranked 5744 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Chavez
vs
De Graeff

169 cm
25
178 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

180 cm
25
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Miguel Chavez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Luuk De Graeff!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Aafke Stam and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

De Graeff moves into the clinch.
Chavez tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. De Graeff smiles and moves away.
De Graeff keeps the fight on the outside.

De Graeff moves into the clinch.

De Graeff manages to pull guard.
De Graeff is trying to keep Chavez in close.
Chavez controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Chavez seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down De Graeff for as long as he can get away with.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chavez throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as De Graeff works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Chavez wants to stand but De Graeff has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chavez's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Chavez lands a couple of digs.
Chavez working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
De Graeff is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Chavez scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
De Graeff wants to stand up but Chavez is controlling him.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Chavez in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Chavez could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

De Graeff closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Chavez's guard.
De Graeff really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Chavez. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
De Graeff would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
De Graeff won't allow Chavez to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De Graeff stopping the sweep attempt from Chavez.
Chavez lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Chavez content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Chavez's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Chavez wanted to stand there but De Graeff had control of the position.
Chavez throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as De Graeff works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Chavez in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
De Graeff is trying to keep Chavez in close.
De Graeff is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chavez landing some decent shots from guard.
Chavez cracks De Graeff with a solid left hand.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now De Graeff is on top in guard.

Chavez manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. De Graeff manages to get himself to full guard.

Chavez decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on De Graeff, up you get!

De Graeff shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
De Graeff looks winded!
De Graeff stops Chavez from getting back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chavez trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Chavez taking some punishment here, with De Graeff in his half guard.
Chavez is looking for a sweep. De Graeff is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

De Graeff seems to be working for a kimura but Chavez defends the submission attempt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
De Graeff prevents Chavez from standing back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Luuk De Graeff will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Chavez throws a body punch but De Graeff moves out of range.
De Graeff steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Chavez.

De Graeff closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Chavez is looking for a takedown.
De Graeff dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

Chavez breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

De Graeff instigates a clinch.
De Graeff lands a hook to the side of the head.

Chavez jumps guard and drags De Graeff to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Chavez is working an open guard so De Graeff takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chavez fails in his attempt to clinch.

De Graeff feints and as Chavez raises his hands in defense, De Graeff changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Chavez might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Chavez is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst De Graeff is controlling him.
De Graeff must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Chavez throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chavez is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

De Graeff gets full guard.
De Graeff trying to control the position.

Chavez stands and steps away. De Graeff gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

De Graeff closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Chavez quickly recovers to half guard.
De Graeff is breathing heavily.
Chavez is looking for a sweep. De Graeff is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
De Graeff thows a huge punch but Chavez dodges it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chavez is trying to stand back up but De Graeff is controlling him
De Graeff wants to lay and pray for a moment but Chavez keeps working.
De Graeff stalling.
Chavez wants to get back to full guard.
De Graeff throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

De Graeff is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Chavez doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time De Graeff.
Chavez is looking to improve his position.
Miguel Chavez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De Graeff wants to control but Chavez is keeping him busy.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
De Graeff lands a slapping body shot.

De Graeff fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Chavez, pushing him back against the cage.

De Graeff decides to pull guard.
Chavez landing with the ground and pound.
Chavez stays in close to De Graeff's body and controls the position.
Chavez has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of De Graeff is proving hard to escape from.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chavez throwing strikes but missing.
Chavez makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
De Graeff wants to stand but Chavez is controlling the position.

Chavez decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on De Graeff, up you get!

De Graeff throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Chavez was covering up waiting for the punch and De Graeff finishes the takedown easily into guard.
De Graeff has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
De Graeff slips nicely into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luuk De Graeff showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Chavez wants to clinch.
De Graeff throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
De Graeff throws a body kick that misses
and Chavez counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

De Graeff gets a clinch.
Chavez has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by De Graeff after a bit of a struggle.
Chavez jumps guard but De Graeff stands there with Chavez around his waist. Chavez gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Chavez pulls guard successfully.
De Graeff tries to free his leg and advance position but Chavez is retaining full guard.
Chavez wants to sweep but no luck.
De Graeff throwing strikes but missing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chavez looking to hit a scissor sweep but De Graeff is one step ahead there.
Chavez 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.
Chavez is looking to stand up but De Graeff isn't so interested in that idea.
Chavez has momentary wrist control but De Graeff slips an elbow through the middle.
De Graeff wants to get up but he can't break Chavez's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Chavez is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Chavez scoring with strikes to the body and head.
De Graeff pushes Chavez off but Chavez dives into side control.
De Graeff parries the strikes from Chavez easily there. Chavez is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable De Graeff to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De Graeff is not content to let Chavez control the position.
De Graeff takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
De Graeff is being controlled here.
De Graeff is trying to get back to half guard.
De Graeff is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Chavez off and has taken his back!
Chavez is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Chavez manages to reverse the position and now he's in De Graeff's guard. Nice work there by Chavez.
Chavez distracts De Graeff with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chavez controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Chavez drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Chavez jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Chavez controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Chavez postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Chavez trying to stand up but can't free himself from De Graeff's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Chavez controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Chavez keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of De Graeff's head.
Chavez won't allow De Graeff to sweep him here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Chavez with a nice head shot there.
Luuk De Graeff is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
De Graeff is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Miguel Chavez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

De Graeff shoots in and gets a takedown into Chavez's guard.

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 Miguel Chavez.
I think De Graeff 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 Nard Betker scores the fight 29:28
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 28:29
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a draw!