PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gino Calza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryan Abraham (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ryan Abraham is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Calza
vs
Abraham

186 cm
22
250 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

200 cm
21
260 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Gino Calza!
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, Ryan Abraham!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Alexandre Firmino and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Abraham looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Calza!
Abraham dominating with strikes here.

Calza is rocked!
Abraham tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Oh Calza is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Abraham working away from the top, dropping strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Calza trying desperately to get to his feet.
Abraham with good strikes from the mount here!
Abraham trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Abraham controlling the pace for now.
Calza is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Calza seems to have got his legs back now.
Abraham is landing with some decent strikes but Calza is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
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!
Calza trying desperately to get to his feet.
Abraham sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
You get the feeling that Calza really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Calza might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Calza is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abraham controlling the position easily from mount.
Abraham is landing with some decent strikes but Calza is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Calza squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Abraham controlling the pace for now.
A nice elbow there by Abraham.

Abraham wants to finish this one by submission but Calza is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Abraham.
Abraham scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Calza?
Abraham controlling the position easily from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
I looks like Abraham might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
The referee warns Calza that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Abraham has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Abraham sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

Abraham is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Calza has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Abraham connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

Calza bucks up and throws Abraham to the side - he's got back to his feet. Great escape!

Calza closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Calza decides to stand up, so the ref orders Abraham to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Calza fails with the takedown
and Abraham counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Calza throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Abraham gets caught flat footed, as Calza shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Calza stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Abraham scores with a takedown into Calza's guard.
Abraham looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Abraham gets to his feet. Calza looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Calza has his takedown stuffed

and Abraham decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Calza's guard.
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!
Abraham lands a couple of elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Abraham is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Let's hope that Abraham has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Calza keeping moving, preventing Abraham from controlling successfully.
Calza wants to stand but Abraham is controlling the position.

Abraham is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Abraham stops Calza from standing up.
Abraham landing some decent shots from guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Calza is looking to stand up but Abraham isn't so interested in that idea.
Calza can't keep his opponent in guard - Abraham advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Abraham dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Abraham is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Abraham bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Abraham stands up and beckons Calza to his feet.
Abraham doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Calza counters with a one-two to the body.
Abraham with a poor takedown

and Calza counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Calza.
Abraham not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Abraham has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Abraham wants to sweep but no luck.
Calza has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Calza stands up from Abraham's guard - Calza perhaps looking for a knockout.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Calza misses with a takedown

and Abraham counters with a single leg into guard. Calza didn't expect that.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abraham wants to control from the top but Calza keeps moving.
Calza wants to stand and escape but Abraham is having none of it.

Abraham stands and steps away. Calza gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Calza has his takedown stuffed

and Abraham counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Abraham.

Abraham breaks the clinch.

Abraham closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Ryan Abraham has got the better of the ground game so far.
Abraham happy to just control the position for now.
Abraham prevents Calza from escaping the position.
Calza is not content to let Abraham control the position.
Calza is pushing Abraham's head away, looking to escape. Abraham manages to hold on to the position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Calza seems a little lost for a moment, as Abraham dominates the positioning.

Calza throws Abraham to one side and escapes!
Calza clinches but Abraham breaks the clinch
and Abraham counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Abraham feints and as Calza raises his hands in defense, Abraham changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Abraham decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Calza, up you get!
Calza shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Abraham counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gino Calza. That's going to take a lot out of him.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Abraham landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Abraham wants to take a breather but Calza is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abraham perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Abraham postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Calza to stand up.
Abraham throws a right and a left that Calza avoids nicely.
Nice takedown defense from Calza. No joy for Abraham on that attempt.

Abraham gets caught flat footed, as Calza shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Calza stands up from Abraham's guard - Calza perhaps looking for a knockout.
Abraham wants to clinch.
Calza moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Calza with a poor takedown
and Abraham counters with a series of strikes. Calza will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Calza tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Calza misses with a takedown attempt - Abraham sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Abraham feints and as Calza raises his hands in defense, Abraham changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Abraham gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Gino Calza seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Abraham instigates a clinch.
Abraham is working Calza over against the cage.
Abraham is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Calza is keeping busy.
Abraham is looking to break free of the clinch but Calza has double underhooks.
Abraham is trying to break the clinch but Calza has him pressed against the cage.
Stalling in the clinch from Abraham.
Abraham is looking to break free of the clinch but Calza has double underhooks.
Abraham throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Abraham with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Abraham wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Calza has him pressed against the cage.
Abraham throws a knee to the head but misses.
Abraham tries to break the clinch but Calza is controlling the position.
Abraham drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Calza gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Calza tries to score a body lock takedown but Abraham shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Abraham wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Abraham showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Calza fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Abraham sprawls well initially but Calza persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Abraham trying to control here.
Abraham is doing well to control the position and prevent Calza from advancing to side control.
Abraham is trying to maintain the position but Calza is very close to passing his half guard.
Abraham tries to get to full guard but Calza has control of the leg.
Abraham wants to control but Calza is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Calza tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Abraham.
Abraham is pressing down on Calza's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Abraham trying to keep a closed guard but Calza is proving a slippery customer.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Abraham kicks Calza off and gets to his feet.
Calza circles away from the clinch attempt

and Calza counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Calza would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Abraham scores with a short punch from the bottom.

Calza gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Calza doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Abraham counters with a stiff right hand.
Calza lands with a nice combination. Abraham backs away looking to recover.
Abraham wants to clinch

and Calza counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Abraham!

Calza gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Abraham misses with a takedown attempt

so Calza counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Abraham doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Calza stands and steps away. Abraham gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Calza misses with a takedown attempt

and Abraham counters with a shoot takedown. Calza fights it but they end up in guard.
Calza is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Abraham is controlling him.
Abraham stands and throws Calza's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Abraham tries to advance to mount but can't.

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

Calza shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Calza showed some decent athleticism there.

Calza stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Calza shoots and misses

and Abraham counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Abraham.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gino Calza. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Abraham gets to his feet. Calza looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Abraham bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abraham moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Calza is pushing Abraham's head away, looking to escape. Abraham manages to hold on to the position though.
Calza is not content to let Abraham control the position.
Abraham might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Calza kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Calza is pushing Abraham's head away, looking to escape. Abraham manages to hold on to the position though.
Abraham wants to lay and pray for a moment but Calza keeps working.
Abraham is chipping away with strikes.
Calza pushes Abraham away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Abraham gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Calza throws a series of punches but Abraham avoids them all with ease.
Gino Calza is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Abraham fails with the takedown

and Calza counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Abraham!

Calza get's back to his feet.

Calza takes the fight into the clinch.
Abraham misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Calza.
Abraham is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Abraham stalling.
Abraham throws a knee to the head but misses.
Abraham can't break the clinch.
Abraham lands a hook that snaps the head of Calza backwards.
Calza throws a knee to the head but misses.
Calza tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Abraham just stands there and leans against the cage.
Abraham prevents a takedown attempt there.
Calza keeps control of Abraham as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Abraham cracks Calza with a nice body shot.
Abraham throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Calza has Abraham pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Abraham manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Abraham gets underhooks to prevent Calza's takedown attempt.
Calza tries a knee to the head but Abraham blocks it.
Abraham using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Calza has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Abraham missing with knees to the body.
Calza tries for a takedown. No joy.
Gino Calza has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Abraham wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Abraham wants to break free but Calza has control.
Calza throws a knee to the head but misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gino Calza showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Abraham 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 Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ryan Abraham!