PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Thie Lion (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brandon Graves (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Lion
vs
Graves

193 cm
22
145 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

170 cm
19
150 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thie Lion!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brandon Graves!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Paulo Santos and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lion closes this distance looking for a takedown but Graves circles away.
Lion looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Graves is fending him off so far but Lion persists. Nope, Graves circles away and we're back to standing.
Graves stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thie Lion. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lion fails with a takedown attempt.

Lion darts in and clinches Graves up against the cage.
Lion wants a takedown.

Lion pulls Graves into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Graves trying to control the position from guard on top but Lion is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lion has a closed guard, preventing Graves from standing up.
Graves won't allow Lion to sweep him here.
Graves trying to control the position from guard on top but Lion is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lion wants to sweep but no luck.
Graves lands a couple of digs.

Lion had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Graves is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Lion Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Graves's back instead.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lion throwing wild punches that miss their target.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Graves is having to fend off submission attempts from Lion, who is looking to sink in the choke. Lion doesn't have the hooks in though and Graves manages to reverse position! He's now on top, in his opponent's guard.
Lion really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Lion is breathing heavily.
Graves working some strikes from top position.
Graves looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Graves won't allow Lion to sweep him here.
Graves is in close to Lion's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Graves trying to control the position from guard on top but Lion is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lion looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Graves puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Graves wants to free his trapped foot but Lion is holding on for dear life with his legs.
The fighters are battling for position here. Lion manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Lion throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Lion looking for a sweep. Not yet Lion, not yet.
Lion trying to control the position.
Graves trying to control the position from guard on top but Lion is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Graves must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Lion fails with the takedown.
Graves tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Lion decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Graves's guard.

Lion drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Graves manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Lion has Graves in his guard.
Lion looking for a sweep. Not yet Lion, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lion has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Graves has passed into side control.
Lion manages to work his way to half guard, despite Graves's best efforts.
Lion misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Lion regains full guard. Nicely done.

Lion looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Graves trying to control but Lion is working from the bottom.

Lion has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think Graves should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, Lion has tightened it up now! Graves should have reacted faster there - he's in big trouble and yes, he's tapped out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Thie Lion!