PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mohamed al Hadj (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Royce Grazies (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). al Hadj kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Lebanon. This should be fireworks!

al Hadj
vs
Grazies

191 cm
23
200 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

186 cm
29
198 lbs
16 - 7 - 0

Decent wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Fight Club Clothing™
Fight Club 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 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mohamed al Hadj!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Royce Grazies!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
al Hadj misses with a wild body shot.
Grazies throws a jab when al Hadj was well out of range.
Grazies shoots in but no luck this time.
al Hadj misses with a looping right.
Grazies misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Grazies fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but al Hadj avoids it really well and circles away.
Mohamed al Hadj has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Royce Grazies.
Grazies misses with a takedown
and al Hadj counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
al Hadj scores with a one two! Grazies had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
A slapping leg kick lands for al Hadj.

Grazies bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
al Hadj tries to improve position but can't.
al Hadj on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if al Hadj tries to get out of the position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Grazies goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, al Hadj rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Grazies's guard! Nice work there by al Hadj!

Grazies is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. al Hadj is aware though and is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
al Hadj trying to control the position from guard on top but Grazies is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
al Hadj knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Grazies on the ground.

Grazies is looking for a triangle but al Hadj pushes his legs off easily.
Grazies utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
al Hadj is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Grazies preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
al Hadj trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
al Hadj trying to control but Grazies is working from the bottom.

al Hadj avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Grazies has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but al Hadj can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
al Hadj throwing strikes but missing.
al Hadj wants to stand but Grazies is controlling his posture from full guard.
al Hadj has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Grazies has his foot on al Hadj's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. al Hadj works his way back into a safe position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
al Hadj postures up in Grazies's guard and throws a big left but Grazies blocks it.
al Hadj is looking to work some ground and pound but Grazies has wrist control.

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

al Hadj got a little sloppy there for a moment and Grazies has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, al Hadj has managed to get both his arms back between Grazies's legs - danger averted.

Grazies is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Grazies has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but al Hadj can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Grazies is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! al Hadj rolls with it to try and escape but Grazies cranks on the arm and al Hadj is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:02 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Royce Grazies!