PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Bright Chikombe (ranked 3570 p4p, 4857 weight class) and Jacob Builder (ranked 425 p4p, 519 weight class). Chikombe comes to the ring accompanied by Bhundu Boys - Jit Jive. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Jacob Builder enters the ring!

Chikombe
vs
Builder

190 cm
25
180
1 - 0 - 0

174 cm
23
170
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Bright Chikombe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jacob Builder!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Leandro Rodrigues and Luis Engracia.

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

and Chikombe holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Chikombe fails to pull guard.
Builder tries to break the clinch but Chikombe is controlling the position.

Chikombe breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Builder tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Chikombe manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Builder shoots and misses
and Chikombe counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Chikombe dives in and grabs Builder's left leg, looking for a takedown. Builder pushes down on Chikombe's head and hops out.
Builder steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Chikombe.

Chikombe clinches up with Builder and pushes him back against the ropes.
A hook to the body from Chikombe.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Chikombe escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Builder dodges the punch combination from Chikombe.
As Chikombe backs off Builder throws a huge counter combo but Chikombe manages to avoid it all.
Builder doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Chikombe counters with a series of strikes. Builder will be more careful next time no doubt.
Bright Chikombe has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jacob Builder.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck for Chikombe with that takedown attempt.
Builder drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Chikombe defends it well.
Builder is looking to score with low kicks.
Builder fails to land the takedown.
Chikombe was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Chikombe tries to work over Builder's front leg with a kick but Builder checks it.

Chikombe gets a clinch.
Chikombe is pressed up against the ropes. Builder has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Chikombe down to the mat. Chikombe avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Chikombe dives in for a single leg takedown but Builder sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the ropes.
Builder has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Chikombe is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Chikombe wants to take the fight to the mat but Builder manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Chikombe pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Builder is defended easily by Chikombe.
Chikombe tries to counter by clinching up but Builder breaks away and moves out of range.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Builder.
Horrible takedown attempt by Builder or perhaps it was just good defense by Chikombe, which made it look bad.
Chikombe defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Builder.
Chikombe is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Builder.
Builder looks winded!
Chikombe throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Builder's waist but Builder gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Chikombe off to one side.

Chikombe moves into the clinch.
Builder with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Chikombe tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Chikombe breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Builder misses with a takedown attempt - Chikombe sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Builder tries to clinch but Chikombe is having none of it.

Builder gets caught flat footed, as Chikombe shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Chikombe working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Builder looking for a sweep. Not yet Builder, not yet.
Chikombe 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.
Chikombe wants to control from the top but Builder keeps moving.
Builder preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Chikombe trying to control but Builder is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chikombe is looking to stand up but Builder won't let him.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Chikombe fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Builder closes this distance looking for a takedown but Chikombe circles away.
Chikombe lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Builder misses with a hook. Chikombe ducked under it nicely.
Horrible takedown attempt by Chikombe or perhaps it was just good defense by Builder, which made it look bad.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Bright Chikombe dominated that round.
That's time! Chikombe's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Chikombe throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Builder's waist but Builder gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Chikombe off to one side.

Chikombe pushes Builder up against the ropes in a clinch.
Builder has had enough of the clinch but Chikombe keeps him there for the moment.
Builder wants to break the clinch but can't.

Chikombe manages to break the clinch.
Builder throws a push kick but Chikombe slaps the foot to one side.
Chikombe shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Builder sprawls well. Builder wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Chikombe gets slowly back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Chikombe scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Chikombe is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Builder can do to turn this around?
Builder moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Builder is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Chikombe trying to control but Builder is working from the bottom.
Chikombe will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Chikombe wants to get up but he can't break Builder's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Builder wants to sweep but no luck.
Chikombe is looking to pass into half guard but Builder pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Builder is in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Builder has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Chikombe is proving hard to escape from.
Chikombe not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Builder is fighting to break Chikombe's control of his arms but Chikombe is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Builder is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Chikombe wants to stand up but Builder is controlling him.
Builder trying to control the position from guard on top but Chikombe is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chikombe shoots in for a double leg but Builder sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bright Chikombe. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Builder clinches up against the ropes.
Chikombe prevents Builder from breaking the clinch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

Chikombe escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Builder shoots in and drives through. Chikombe sprawls well.

Chikombe clinches.
Builder tries to stall but Chikombe uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Chikombe lands with a light punch inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Chikombe pulls guard effortlessly.
Chikombe managing to control the position.
Builder trying to control the position from guard on top but Chikombe is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Chikombe is trying to keep Builder in close.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Builder looking to sit in guard and control but Chikombe gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Chikombe passes Builder's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Bright Chikombe dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Builder leaves Chikombe with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Chikombe throws the kick towards the body but Builder avoids it.
Builder swats away the attempt to clinch by Chikombe.
Builder drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Chikombe defends it well.
No luck for Chikombe with that takedown attempt.

Builder pushes Chikombe up against the ropes in a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chikombe jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Builder walks away with a smile on his face. Chikombe gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bright Chikombe. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Chikombe tries to score a power double leg takedown but Builder sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Chikombe somewhat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Builder shoots in for a takedown but Chikombe shows good takedown defense.
Builder moves in looking to clinch but Chikombe pushes him off.
Builder misses with a two punch combination.
Builder throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
As Builder tries to get set, Chikombe tries to push him back and clinch up but Builder manages to avoid the attempt.
Chikombe looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Bright Chikombe is winning the standup battle so far.
A nice combination there by Chikombe.
Chikombe uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Builder.
Builder fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Builder misses with a takedown
and Chikombe cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Builder takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nice body punch from Chikombe.
Chikombe dives in and grabs Builder's left leg, looking for a takedown. Builder pushes down on Chikombe's head and hops out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chikombe lands a nice hook to Builder's body. Builder takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Chikombe is trying hard to land a takedown here. Builder sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Chikombe misses with a takedown attempt
and Builder counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Chikombe fails in his attempt to clinch.
Builder tries to counter with a clinch but Chikombe shakes him off and moves away.
Builder tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Chikombe manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Builder shoots in for a takedown but Chikombe shows good takedown defense.
Chikombe swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Chikombe shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Builder as he avoids it easily.
Builder fails with a takedown attempt.
No luck for Builder with that takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Builder has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Builder there as he acknowledges the shot.
Builder misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Chikombe closes the distance and clinches up with Builder, looking for a takedown. Chikombe pushes Builder against the ropes but Builder circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Builder misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Chikombe darts in and clinches Builder up against the ropes.
Chikombe drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Builder gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Chikombe is trying to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chikombe tries to land knees in the clinch but Builder avoids the damage to the body.
Builder tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Chikombe's elbow.
Chikombe throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Chikombe is looking to control Builder's arms but Builder gets an underhook and turns him. Now Chikombe has his back to the ropes.
Chikombe goes for a takedown attempt but Builder pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Builder shoots in for a takedown but Chikombe shows good takedown defense.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Builder fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Chikombe sprawls well initially but Builder persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Chikombe tries to kick Builder off but Builder keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Jacob Builder has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bright Chikombe is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The fighters are battling for position here. Chikombe manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

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 Bright Chikombe.
Well Chikombe has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Thiago Cunha scores the fight 30:27
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 30:27
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bright Chikombe!
After the fight, Bright Chikombe was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.