PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bobby McGrath (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Booker Block (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Booker Block has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Bobby McGrath's chin.

McGrath
vs
Block

186 cm
22
203 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

190 cm
20
220 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Likes ground

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Bobby McGrath!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Booker Block!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Ren Mimura and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McGrath looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Block is fending him off so far but McGrath persists. Nope, Block circles away and we're back to standing.
Block tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Block stuffs the takedown attempt from McGrath. McGrath gets slowly back to his feet.
McGrath fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bobby McGrath. That's going to take a lot out of him.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! McGrath crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Block - the referee stops the clock and McGrath gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Block. McGrath manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
McGrath is breathing heavily.

Block gets the takedown into side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Block tries for a kimura but McGrath is defending well.
Block in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
McGrath tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Block is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. McGrath knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Block trying to control the action but McGrath is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGrath gets back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McGrath tries to get to full guard but Block has control of the leg.

Block is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
McGrath doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Block counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
McGrath gets back to full guard.

McGrath working for a triangle but Block defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Block avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Block wants to pass the guard but McGrath is keeping the position.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Block's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Block stopping the sweep attempt from McGrath.
McGrath wants to improve his position but instead Block has moved into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Block is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Block seems to be working for a kimura but McGrath defends the submission attempt.
Block sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. McGrath defending well though.
Block not doing much here.

McGrath looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

McGrath is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Block pulls his head out easily.
McGrath is trying to get back to full guard.
McGrath makes his way to full guard. A much better position for McGrath.

McGrath is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

McGrath has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Block can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McGrath trying to strike off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Booker Block dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

McGrath with a poor takedown
and Block counters with a nice uppercut.
McGrath with a poor takedown

and Block counters with a nice double leg into guard.

McGrath looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Block must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
McGrath wants to sweep here but Block controlling him for the moment.
McGrath manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Block manages to get himself to full guard.
McGrath forces his way into half guard.
McGrath is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Block!

McGrath moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Block has worked his arm free - good work by Block!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Block gets back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McGrath is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Block has managed to free his arm - good work.

Block looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Block is staying active underneath McGrath, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
McGrath thows a huge punch but Block dodges it nicely.

Block looking for submissions off his back.
Block tries to get to full guard but McGrath has control of the leg.
Block is in trouble now - McGrath has advanced to mount!

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.
Block really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Block tries to lock up and control but McGrath gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Block is wriggling around trying to escape.
McGrath blocks Block's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Block wants to control but McGrath is having none of it.
Block prevents any damage by holding on tight.
Block slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Block regains full guard. Nicely done.
Block controls McGrath momentarily but McGrath frees himself.
Block keeping full guard, as McGrath tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Block manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Block wants to take his opponent's back but McGrath doesn't allow it.
Block is landing with some decent strikes but McGrath is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.

Block working for a submission but McGrath is keeping him at bay.

Block has control of McGrath's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and McGrath regains control of the situation pretty easily.
McGrath regains half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Block lands with a punch from half guard.
Block trying to control the pace.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Block connects with a nice short shot to McGrath's temple.

Block is trying to work for a kimura but McGrath is defending well.

McGrath looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Block really doesn't want to stay on the ground with McGrath. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
McGrath is trying to get back to full guard.
McGrath gets back to full guard.
Block stopping the sweep attempt from McGrath.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Booker Block showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

McGrath shoots and misses

and Block counters with a single leg into guard. McGrath didn't expect that.
Block distracts McGrath with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Block trying to control the position from guard on top but McGrath is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Block wants to pass the guard but McGrath is keeping the position.
McGrath tries to land a sweep but no joy.

McGrath working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Block doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Block manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Block sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Block takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Block won't allow McGrath to sweep him here.
McGrath is working hard here to advance position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McGrath is looking for a triangle here but Block uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.

Block is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. McGrath knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
McGrath tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Block lands some shots froms side control.

Block is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. McGrath knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGrath manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
McGrath scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Block trying to hold on to McGrath's head to control him but McGrath postures up.
Block is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Block is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of McGrath's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take McGrath's back!

Block looking for the rear naked choke. And he's got it! McGrath taps!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:03 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Booker Block!