PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Rodolfo Moraes (ranked 23746 p4p, 0 weight class) and Handy James (ranked 4514 p4p, 105 weight class). Handy James has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Moraes
vs
James

175 cm
26
157 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

225 cm
18
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Likes comics

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rodolfo Moraes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Handy James!
The judges for this bout are Chris Dean, Donatello Bradman and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
James stuffs the takedown.
Moraes shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and James counters by clinching up.

James tightens his grip and picks Moraes up, before dumping him to the ground. Moraes manages to land in guard.
James pushing down on Moraes's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Moraes looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
James not doing much here.

Moraes is defending against the submission attempts here by James.
James looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Moraes wants to improve his position but James is controlling well.

Moraes looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Moraes might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.

James decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
James misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
James will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Moraes attempts a counter takedown but James avoids it well and moves away.
Moraes dives in for a single leg takedown but James sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rodolfo Moraes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Moraes misses with a takedown attempt - James sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Moraes shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and James counters with a shoot takedown. Moraes fights it but they end up in guard.
Moraes has a closed guard, preventing James from standing up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Moraes working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. James doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. James manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
James trying to control but Moraes is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Moraes looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
James throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Moraes works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
James tries to stand but Moraes is controlling from the bottom.

Moraes working for a triangle but James defends it easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
James wants to control from the top but Moraes keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Moraes is looking for a triangle but James pushes his legs off easily.

Moraes looking for submissions from the bottom but instead James passes into half guard.

Moraes looking for submissions off his back.
James trying to mount his opponent but Moraes defends it.

Moraes looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Moraes is staying active underneath James, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James lands with a punch from half guard.

Moraes actively working from the bottom here.
James is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
James tries to pass to full mount but Moraes defends it.
James seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Moraes has hold of a guillotine but he's not going to be able to crank on it really with only half guard, so it's no trouble for James. Oh but Moraes has got full guard now! Oh boy! This one could be over very soon! James goes limp - he's gone! Moraes jumps up and celebrates with the crowd - fantastic submission finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Rodolfo Moraes!