PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rip James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexander Sebathia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sebathia has chosen Mama Said Knock You Out as his entrance music. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

James
vs
Sebathia

194 cm
22
273 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

190 cm
19
245 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Prefers ground

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Tokyo Pharmaceuticals
Abtastic Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rip James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Alexander Sebathia!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Matheus Silva and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

James fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Sebathia sprawls well initially but James persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

James is looking for a kimura but Sebathia is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for James to get the leverage.
Sebathia wants to get back to full guard.
Sebathia really doesn't want to stay on the ground with James. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
James is looking to advance position but Sebathia won't allow it.
Sebathia is staying active underneath James, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
James wants to pass the guard but Sebathia is defending well.
James could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Sebathia wants to improve his position but James is controlling well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
James wants to take a breather but Sebathia is having none of it.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
James shoots in and drives through. Sebathia sprawls well.

Sebathia has taken the fight to the clinch.
Sebathia tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

James has hold of one of Sebathia's legs. Sebathia is fighting the takedown attempt but James gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Sebathia is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Sebathia looking to hit a scissor sweep but James is one step ahead there.
James throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sebathia is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Sebathia keeping full guard, as James tries to pass.
Sebathia trying to control the position.

James thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Sebathia tries to clinch up but James circles away and keeps his distance.
Sebathia looks to land a combination but James avoids it well.

James shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.

James working for a guillotine from mount but Sebathia is in no mood to give up.
James is breathing heavily.
James misses with a head shot.
Sebathia tries to hold on but James postures up.
Sebathia is working to get back to half guard.
Sebathia wants to control but James is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James controlling from the full mount.
James tries to control but Sebathia wriggling away.
Sebathia tries to lock up and control but James gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Sebathia is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
James can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Sebathia is looking to escape.

James is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Sebathia is surviving well by controlling James's body position as best he can.
James avoids the attempt from Sebathia to control.
Sebathia tries to get back to half guard but can't.

James looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.

James working from mount. He moves in close and looks like he might be going for an arm triangle... He's hopped off to the side and he's transitioned into an Anaconda choke. Sebathia turning a nasty shade of purple. He's refusing to tap but he's gone! He's out! The ref rips James off and cradles Sebathia's limp body as James celebrates with his corner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:04 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Anaconda Choke). Rip James!