PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tuki Rop (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Frank Wahgwan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Rop
vs
Wahgwan

180 cm
18
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

DC Nutrition

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 Rio de Janeiro, Tuki Rop!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Frank Wahgwan !
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Alexandre Firmino and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Wahgwan throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Rop was covering up waiting for the punch and Wahgwan finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Rop working a defensive guard here.
Rop looking to hit a scissor sweep but Wahgwan is one step ahead there.
Wahgwan with a flurry of punches that miss.
Wahgwan won't allow Rop to get back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wahgwan 's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Wahgwan postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Rop is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Wahgwan , into his guard.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rop trying to control but Wahgwan is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rop drops back, looking for a kneebar! Wahgwan looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Wahgwan looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Wahgwan !

You can see the frustration on Rop's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Wahgwan tries for a kimura but Rop is defending well.
Wahgwan in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Wahgwan is trying to get an arm triangle but Rop is defending well.
Wahgwan tries to get to his feet but Rop is in the middle of advancing position himself and ends up with Wahgwan in his guard.
Rop pulls Wahgwan in close to prevent any damage.
Rop working a defensive guard here.
Wahgwan stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rop swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rop working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Wahgwan doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Wahgwan manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Wahgwan postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Rop wants to sweep here but Wahgwan controlling him for the moment.
Wahgwan trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rop keeping moving, preventing Wahgwan from controlling successfully.
Wahgwan controls from within his opponent's guard.
Wahgwan won't allow Rop to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Rop keeping full guard, as Wahgwan tries to pass.
Rop pulls Wahgwan in close to prevent any damage.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Rop tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Wahgwan defends well and Rop ends up having to push Wahgwan into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Rop closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Wahgwan 's guard.
Rop passes Wahgwan 's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Wahgwan preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Wahgwan wants to improve his position but Rop is controlling well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Frank Wahgwan will probably get the nod.
That's time! Rop's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Wahgwan is looking to clinch but Rop is avoiding it.
Rop shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Wahgwan defends it nicely.

Rop shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Wahgwan napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Wahgwan tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Rop is looking to take a break and control but Wahgwan is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wahgwan is trying to get back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rop wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Wahgwan , who protects the arm well.

Rop is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Wahgwan is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Wahgwan is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Rop's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Wahgwan pushes Rop off looking to stand but Rop dives back in and keeps control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Rop wants to control but Wahgwan is keeping him busy.
Wahgwan moves into full guard.
Wahgwan keeping moving, preventing Rop from controlling successfully.
Rop slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Wahgwan lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Rop controls Wahgwan momentarily but Wahgwan frees himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wahgwan postures up and lands a big shot to Rop's brow.
Wahgwan throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rop works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Wahgwan looking to sit in guard and control but Rop gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Frank Wahgwan has got the better of the ground game so far.
Rop trying to control the position from guard on top but Wahgwan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Wahgwan has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rop wants to control from the top but Wahgwan keeps moving.
Wahgwan looking for a sweep. Not yet Wahgwan , not yet.
Wahgwan keeping moving, preventing Rop from controlling successfully.
Wahgwan controls Rop momentarily but Rop frees himself.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Wahgwan shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Rop napping and manages to drive through into side control!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Frank Wahgwan will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Rop gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
enabling Wahgwan to counter with a crisp jab.
Rop dives in and grabs Wahgwan 's left leg, looking for a takedown. Wahgwan pushes down on Rop's head and hops out.
Rop fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tuki Rop. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The fight stays on the outside here - Wahgwan looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Wahgwan dives in for a single leg takedown but Rop sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Wahgwan misses with a series of wild punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wahgwan stuffs the takedown attempt from Rop. Rop gets slowly back to his feet.
Rop fails to land the takedown.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Wahgwan .

Rop sneaks out the side door and pushes Wahgwan away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rop gets caught napping as Wahgwan dives in and scores a takedown. Rop manages to retain guard.
Wahgwan takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rop controls Wahgwan momentarily but Wahgwan frees himself.
Wahgwan keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Rop's head.
Rop not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wahgwan trying to control the position from guard on top but Rop is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Wahgwan wants to get up but he can't break Rop's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Wahgwan postures up in Rop's guard and throws a big left but Rop blocks it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rop fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Rop shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Wahgwan manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Rop postures up.
Rop wants to pass the guard but Wahgwan is keeping the position.
Wahgwan not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rop trying to control but Wahgwan is working from the bottom.
Rop sitting in guard here, content to control.
Rop trying to control the position from guard on top but Wahgwan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rop stopping the sweep attempt from Wahgwan .

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Tuki Rop is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Rop is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Wahgwan 's half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rop is looking for a kimura but Wahgwan is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Rop to get the leverage.
Rop trying to control the action but Wahgwan is working from the bottom.
Rop passes to side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Wahgwan is looking for a sweep.

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 Tuki Rop.
I think Wahgwan 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 Daniel Cesar scores the fight 28:30
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 28:29
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Frank Wahgwan !