PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Isamba Muhamala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bruce Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gracie is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Some Chinese Song. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Muhamala
vs
Gracie

167 cm
22
168 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

183 cm
22
171 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Isamba Muhamala!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Bruce Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Bruno Hogan and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Muhamala 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.
Muhamala trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Gracie looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Muhamala tries to free his leg and advance position but Gracie is retaining full guard.
Muhamala might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Muhamala slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Muhamala throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Gracie works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Gracie trying to control here.
Gracie avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Muhamala.
Gracie is pressing down on Muhamala's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Gracie working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Muhamala doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Muhamala manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Muhamala stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gracie swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Gracie not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie controls Muhamala momentarily but Muhamala frees himself.
Gracie working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Muhamala.
Gracie working a defensive guard here.

Gracie had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Muhamala is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Gracie Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Muhamala's back instead.
Well, with Gracie on his back, surely it's only a matter of time before Muhamala is tapping out... Can he escape the position?
Muhamala is trying to stand back up.
Gracie has the hooks in. Muhamala is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Muhamala controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Muhamala tries to break free.

Gracie is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Muhamala has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Gracie looks gassed!
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Gracie struggling to keep hold of the position.
Muhamala tries to break free.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gracie looking for the RNC.
Muhamala tries to break free.
A lull in the action here.
Muhamala is really stuck here.
Gracie doesn't have the hooks in and Muhamala manages to turn into his guard.
Muhamala slips nicely into half guard.
Gracie avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Muhamala.
Muhamala wants to free his trapped foot but Gracie is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Gracie is positioning himself well to prevent Muhamala advancing to mount.
Muhamala is looking to advance position but Gracie won't allow it.
Muhamala is thwarting Gracie's attempts to control the position.
Muhamala thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie regains full guard. Nicely done.
Muhamala could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Gracie is trying to keep Muhamala in close.
Muhamala chips away with some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Muhamala throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Gracie looking to control.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Muhamala shoots in for a takedown but Gracie shows good takedown defense.
Gracie tries for a takedown but Muhamala circles away easily

and Muhamala decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Gracie's guard.
Muhamala is pushing down on Gracie's leg trying to pass to half guard. Gracie is fighting to maintain full guard but Muhamala has managed to sneak the leg through.

Gracie looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Gracie is looking to improve his position.
Muhamala working over Gracie with some ground and pound. Gracie looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Muhamala knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Gracie on the ground.
Gracie makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Gracie.
Muhamala stands and throws Gracie's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Muhamala is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Gracie is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Muhamala scores with punches from side control.
Muhamala in side control lands a decent elbow.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gracie is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Muhamala off and has taken his back!

Gracie working for a choke but Muhamala is defending well.
Gracie is hanging on to Muhamala's back as he tries to escape.

Muhamala showing good submission defense here.
Gracie trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Muhamala is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
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 Isamba Muhamala will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Muhamala misses with a takedown

and Gracie counters with a single leg into guard. Muhamala didn't expect that.

Gracie drops back looking for a leg! Muhamala is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Muhamala manages to kick Gracie off! Gracie jumps back into Muhamala's guard.
Gracie trying to control but Muhamala is working from the bottom.
Gracie pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Muhamala is keeping the position for now.
Gracie trying to control but Muhamala is working from the bottom.

Muhamala looking for a guillotine here but Gracie defends easily.
Muhamala keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.
Muhamala looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gracie is one step ahead there.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Muhamala keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Muhamala closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Muhamala lands in his opponent's guard.
Gracie looking to control.
Muhamala wants to pass the guard but Gracie is keeping the position.
Muhamala scoring with some ground and pound.
Muhamala postures up.
Muhamala postures up and lands a big shot to Gracie's brow.
Gracie managing to control the position.
Gracie is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Gracie feints and as Muhamala raises his hands in defense, Gracie changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Muhamala is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Gracie showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Muhamala keeps moving.
Gracie stopping the sweep attempt from Muhamala.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Muhamala is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gracie passes Muhamala's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Gracie is trying to control the action in half guard but Muhamala is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Muhamala tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Muhamala punching from the bottom.
Muhamala is refusing to be controlled, as Gracie sits in half guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Muhamala throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Muhamala gets a takedown into half guard.
Gracie trying to control from the bottom.
Gracie is in trouble now - Muhamala has advanced to mount!

Muhamala goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Gracie turns into him and now he's in Muhamala's guard.
Gracie stays in close to Muhamala's body and controls the position.
Gracie trying to control but Muhamala is working from the bottom.
Muhamala throws a nice elbow from the bottom.
Gracie pushing down on Muhamala's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Muhamala gets full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Muhamala is on top in guard.
Muhamala lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Gracie working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Muhamala doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oh but Gracie is tightening it up a little... Muhamala has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! Muhamala reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! Muhamala taps out! nice BJJ there by Gracie!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:30 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Bruce Gracie!