PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Wayiqra Tzaraath (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James The Filipino Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Wayiqra Tzaraath has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Tzaraath
vs
The Filipino Gracie

202 cm
20
199 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

175 cm
28
185 lbs
12 - 8 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Powerful

knocKOut Brand Fight Clothing
knocKOut Brand Fight Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Wayiqra Tzaraath!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, James The Filipino Gracie!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Cecil Peabody and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tzaraath misses with a double jab.
Tzaraath lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but The Filipino Gracie circles away quickly and effectively.
The Filipino Gracie tries to clinch there but Tzaraath circles away.
Tzaraath throws an off balance right hand

and The Filipino Gracie counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by The Filipino Gracie.

The Filipino Gracie drops back, looking for a kneebar! Tzaraath looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Tzaraath looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Tzaraath!
The Filipino Gracie sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Tzaraath really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Tzaraath is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The Filipino Gracie is looking to improve his position.
The Filipino Gracie is trying to control but can't.

Tzaraath decides to stand up.
Wayiqra Tzaraath seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tzaraath misses with a looping right.
The Filipino Gracie is looking to clinch.
The Filipino Gracie closes the distance but Tzaraath moves to the side
and Tzaraath counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's one minute gone in the round.
The Filipino Gracie throws a sloppy body shot
and Tzaraath counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps The Filipino Gracie thinking.

The Filipino Gracie gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Tzaraath is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Tzaraath's face as he tries to break the clinch.

The Filipino Gracie drags the fight down to the ground.
The Filipino Gracie working a defensive guard here.

The Filipino Gracie had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Tzaraath defends it easily.
Tzaraath wants to stand but The Filipino Gracie has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The Filipino Gracie looking to hit a scissor sweep but Tzaraath is one step ahead there.

The Filipino Gracie is looking for a triangle but Tzaraath pushes his legs off easily.

The Filipino Gracie looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Tzaraath has picked The Filipino Gracie up and slammed him! The Filipino Gracie can't keep hold of the triangle and Tzaraath manages to pass to side control!
The Filipino Gracie tries to contro but end up mounted... ooooh, that's bad.
Tzaraath wants to get back to his feet but The Filipino Gracie is holding on tight.

Tzaraath is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown by The Filipino Gracie or perhaps it was just good defense by Tzaraath which made him look bad.
Tzaraath swats away the attempt to clinch by The Filipino Gracie.
Tzaraath throws an off balance right hand

and The Filipino Gracie counters with a shoot takedown. Tzaraath fights it but they end up in guard.
Tzaraath keeping moving, preventing The Filipino Gracie from controlling successfully.
The Filipino Gracie trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The Filipino Gracie stops Tzaraath from standing up.
Tzaraath can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as The Filipino Gracie controls the pace.
Tzaraath wants to stand and escape but The Filipino Gracie is having none of it.
Tzaraath is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tzaraath has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Tzaraath throws a left and a right that both miss

and The Filipino Gracie counters with a takedown into side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

The Filipino Gracie is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Tzaraath is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
The Filipino Gracie trying to control the action but Tzaraath is working from the bottom.
Tzaraath is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but The Filipino Gracie has just dragged him back down to the mat.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The Filipino Gracie wants to lay and pray for a moment but Tzaraath keeps working.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James The Filipino Gracie dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

The Filipino Gracie wants to clinch up but Tzaraath keeps it at a distance.
Tzaraath lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Tzaraath with a jab.
Tzaraath misses with a right hand

and The Filipino Gracie holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
The Filipino Gracie tries to break free but Tzaraath pushes him back against the cage.
The Filipino Gracie is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
The Filipino Gracie prevents Tzaraath from breaking the clinch.
Tzaraath wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but The Filipino Gracie has him pressed against the cage.
The Filipino Gracie goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The Filipino Gracie lands with a left to the head.

The Filipino Gracie breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Tzaraath misses with a hook

and The Filipino Gracie counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Tzaraath wants to get back to his feet.
James The Filipino Gracie has got the better of the ground game so far.
Still in half guard, The Filipino Gracie seems content to control.

Tzaraath makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The Filipino Gracie fails to land the takedown.
Tzaraath works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Tzaraath is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
The Filipino Gracie tries to clinch but Tzaraath is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tzaraath throws a jab when The Filipino Gracie was well out of range.

The Filipino Gracie closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
The Filipino Gracie lands a shot to the body.

Tzaraath's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Tzaraath throws a poor cross that misses

and The Filipino Gracie counters by clinching up.
The Filipino Gracie tries a body shot but Tzaraath blocks it.
Tzaraath blocks a body shot from The Filipino Gracie.
Tzaraath prevents a body shot from The Filipino Gracie.
Tzaraath looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The Filipino Gracie breaks the clinch.
Tzaraath misses with a lunging right hand

and The Filipino Gracie holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Tzaraath working hard to break the clinch.
The Filipino Gracie struggles to land a body shot inside as Tzaraath controls his hands.
Tzaraath tries to circle away but The Filipino Gracie has him pinned against the cage.
The Filipino Gracie tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
The Filipino Gracie misses with a shot to the kidneys.
The Filipino Gracie can't find room to land a body shot as Tzaraath controls the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
The Filipino Gracie tries to break the clinch but Tzaraath is controlling the position.
Tzaraath is trying to break the clinch but The Filipino Gracie has him pressed against the cage.
Tzaraath wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but The Filipino Gracie has him pressed against the cage.
The Filipino Gracie tries to throw a body punch but Tzaraath avoids it by throwing The Filipino Gracie back against the cage.
The Filipino Gracie digs a right hand underneath Tzaraath's ribcage. Tzaraath let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Tzaraath prevents a body shot from The Filipino Gracie.
Tzaraath wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Tzaraath looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James The Filipino Gracie showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Tzaraath swings widly with a right hand

and The Filipino Gracie holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
The Filipino Gracie struggles to land a body shot inside as Tzaraath controls his hands.
Tzaraath tries to circle away but The Filipino Gracie has him pinned against the cage.
The Filipino Gracie scores with a hook to the body.
Tzaraath blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A right hook to the body lands for The Filipino Gracie.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The Filipino Gracie can't find room to land a body shot as Tzaraath controls the action.

The Filipino Gracie ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. The Filipino Gracie no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

The Filipino Gracie looking for a guillotine here but Tzaraath defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The Filipino Gracie looking to control.

The Filipino Gracie escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Tzaraath gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

The Filipino Gracie is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Tzaraath is aware though and is defending well.
Tzaraath will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Tzaraath stopping the sweep attempt from The Filipino Gracie.
The Filipino Gracie is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Tzaraath stands and steps away. The Filipino Gracie gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's two 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.
The Filipino Gracie closes the distance looking to clinch
and Tzaraath counters with a right hand to the body.
Tzaraath misses with a left hand

and The Filipino Gracie counters by clinching up.

Tzaraath's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Tzaraath throws a poor cross that misses

and The Filipino Gracie counters by clinching up.
Tzaraath tries to break free but The Filipino Gracie pushes him back against the cage.
Tzaraath wants to break free but The Filipino Gracie has control.
Tzaraath wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tzaraath blocks a body shot from The Filipino Gracie.
The Filipino Gracie can't find room to land a body shot as Tzaraath controls the action.
The Filipino Gracie keeps control of Tzaraath as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
The Filipino Gracie misses with a body punch.
The Filipino Gracie keeps control of Tzaraath as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
The Filipino Gracie drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Tzaraath wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

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.
The Filipino Gracie tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Tzaraath wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Wayiqra Tzaraath has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

The Filipino Gracie turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and The Filipino Gracie manages to end up in side control.
Tzaraath is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, The Filipino Gracie asserts his dominance and retains side control.

The Filipino Gracie tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no The Filipino Gracie has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

The Filipino Gracie is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Tzaraath has escaped the position, nice work there.

And that's the end of the fight!
James The Filipino Gracie comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got The Filipino Gracie winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 George Francis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James The Filipino Gracie!