PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Elvis Gray (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chris Eckhoff (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Elvis Gray could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Chris Eckhoff's chin.

Gray
vs
Eckhoff

185 cm
18
160 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

181 cm
21
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Prefers ground

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Likes ground

Firebird Designs

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Elvis Gray!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chris Eckhoff!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, George Francis and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Eckhoff shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Gray but Gray pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Eckhoff fails with an attempt to clinch.
Horrible takedown by Eckhoff or perhaps it was just good defense by Gray which made him look bad.
Gray tries to clinch but Eckhoff moves out of range.

Gray darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Eckhoff tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

Gray looking for a submission but Eckhoff manages to get full guard, putting an end to that submission attempt.
Gray has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Eckhoff is proving hard to escape from.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Eckhoff is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Gray stands up over Eckhoff, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Gray works over Eckhoff with some ground and pound from guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Eckhoff pushes Gray off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Eckhoff misses with a takedown
and Gray counters with a body kick.
Elvis Gray has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chris Eckhoff.
Eckhoff looks gassed!
Eckhoff fails with the takedown

and Gray counters with a shoot takedown. Eckhoff fights it but they end up in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gray seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Gray works over Eckhoff with some ground and pound from guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gray trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Eckhoff preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Gray would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Eckhoff 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.
Gray scoring with some ground and pound.
Gray with a flurry of punches that miss.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Eckhoff gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Gray counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Gray breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Eckhoff with a poor takedown

and Gray counters with a nice double leg into side control. Eckhoff won't be happy with that.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Eckhoff manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Eckhoff is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Gray pulls his head out easily.
Eckhoff regains full guard. Nicely done.

Eckhoff looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Eckhoff working a defensive guard here.
Eckhoff bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Gray's guard.
Eckhoff trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Gray is trying to control the position but Eckhoff postures up.

Eckhoff decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Gray, up you get!
Eckhoff throws a quick inside leg kick.
Elvis Gray seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gray tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Eckhoff counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Gray is looking for a sweep. Eckhoff is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Gray is pressing down on Eckhoff's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Gray is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Gray tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Eckhoff stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gray swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Gray wants to get back to his feet but Eckhoff is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Eckhoff postures up and lands a big shot to Gray's brow.
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 Elvis Gray will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Gray tries to clinch but Eckhoff moves away

so Eckhoff counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

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

Eckhoff thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Eckhoff looking to pass the guard.

Eckhoff thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Chris Eckhoff has got the better of the ground game so far.
Gray wants to get back to his feet but Eckhoff is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Eckhoff trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Eckhoff stands up and waves to Gray to follow him.
Gray tries to clinch

and Eckhoff decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Gray's guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Eckhoff trying to control but Gray is working from the bottom.

Gray is working an open guard so Eckhoff takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Eckhoff scores with a takedown into Gray's guard.

Gray has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Eckhoff off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Eckhoff doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Gray counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Gray tries to score a body lock takedown but Eckhoff shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Gray breaks from the clinch.
Eckhoff fails with the takedown

and Gray counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Gray fails to pull the fight into his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gray taking a breather.
Eckhoff fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Elvis Gray has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chris Eckhoff.
Eckhoff keeps control of Gray as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Eckhoff is trying to break free.

Eckhoff gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Eckhoff is looking to stall here but Gray recovers full guard.
Eckhoff trying to control the position from guard on top but Gray is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gray controlling Eckhoff's posture.
Gray 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gray is working an open guard so Eckhoff takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Gray fails with an attempt to clinch.
Gray fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Eckhoff misses with a takedown attempt

and Gray holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Gray breaks from the clinch.

Gray drives through and clinches with Eckhoff against the cage.

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

Eckhoff tries to keep at a distance but Gray has taken the fight into the clinch.

Eckhoff lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Eckhoff wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gray keeps working.
Gray on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Eckhoff stands up and beckons Gray to join him on the feet.
Eckhoff with a lazy takedown attempt

and Gray counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Eckhoff manages to get to full guard.
Gray won't allow Eckhoff to sweep him here.
Gray trying to control but Eckhoff is working from the bottom.

Gray gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Eckhoff tries for a takedown but Gray sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Gray shoots in for a double leg but Eckhoff sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Gray looks to clinch

and Eckhoff counters with a single leg into guard. Gray didn't expect that.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Eckhoff showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Gray tries to clinch

and Eckhoff counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Gray!

Eckhoff is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Gray can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Gray wants to hold on but Eckhoff pushes him away.
Gray has given up his back.

Eckhoff is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Gray is defending well though. Eckhoff let's go of the attempt for now.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gray looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gray is in bad spot here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Eckhoff is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

Eckhoff has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.

Eckhoff is cranking Gray's head sideways - that looks painful. He's managed to get his other arm under the chin and this looks bad for Gray! He's tightened the choke and Gray is tapping out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:37 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Chris Eckhoff!