PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kyle Newheart (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rocko Graney (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Newheart
vs
Graney

193 cm
23
267 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

198 cm
23
249 lbs
5 - 1 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Syndicate Drugs
Crippler's Corner

Hell's Balls Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Kyle Newheart!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rocko Graney!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Daniel Cesar and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Newheart moves into the clinch.
A right hand to the body from Newheart.

Newheart jumps into guard, dragging Graney to the mat.
Graney slips nicely into half guard.
Graney works his foot free and advances to mount.
Graney fails to advance to Newheart's back.
Newheart working to try and regain half guard.
Newheart looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Newheart manages to reverse the position and now he's in Graney's guard. Nice work there by Newheart.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Graney throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Newheart pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Graney is keeping the position for now.
Newheart sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Graney's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Newheart wants to free his trapped foot but Graney is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Graney looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Graney is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Newheart's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Newheart's back!

Newheart is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Graney gets his way!
Graney is trying to stick to Newheart's back but Newheart is turning into Graney. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Graney's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Newheart.
Newheart pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Graney is keeping the position for now.

Graney is looking for a triangle but Newheart pushes his legs off easily.
Newheart looking to pass the guard.
Graney doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Newheart trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Newheart avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Graney looks gassed!
Graney tries to land a sweep but no joy.

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

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Newheart looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Newheart swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Newheart scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Newheart scoring with punches from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Graney is not content to let Newheart control the position.

Newheart tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Newheart has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Graney is looking to reverse the position.
Graney is trying to control Newheart's posture but Newheart avoids it.
Newheart has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Graney is trying desperately to improve position.

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.

Newheart is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Graney is surviving well by controlling Newheart's body position as best he can.
Graney regains half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Graney is trying to get back to full guard.
Newheart trying to control from half guard but Graney is working away.

Graney is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Newheart pulls his head out easily.
Newheart seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Graney blocking the ground and pound attempt from Newheart.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyle Newheart dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

A right-left combo lands from Newheart.
Newheart looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Newheart fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Graney sprawls well initially but Newheart persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Graney manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Newheart pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Graney is keeping the position for now.

Graney is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Newheart tries to free his leg and advance position but Graney is retaining full guard.
Graney is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Newheart trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Newheart drops back, looking for a kneebar! Graney looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Graney looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Graney!

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

Graney thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Graney tries for a kimura but Newheart is defending well.

Graney goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Newheart rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Graney's guard! Nice work there by Newheart!
Graney looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Newheart looking to pass the guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Newheart thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Newheart wants to control from the top but Graney keeps moving.

Graney is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Newheart has gone for a leg lock! Graney slips out almost immediately though and dives into Newheart's guard.

Newheart working for a triangle but Graney defends it easily.
Graney looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Graney advances position into side control!

Graney goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Newheart has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Graney but great work by Newheart.
Graney is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Newheart is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

Graney is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Newheart pulls his head out easily.

Newheart is trying to work for a kimura but Graney is defending well.
Graney slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

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

Graney is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Newheart pushing down on Graney's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Kyle Newheart will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Newheart scores with a takedown into Graney's guard.
Newheart trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Graney looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Newheart drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Newheart jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Newheart passes into half guard.

Graney looking for submissions off his back.

Newheart is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Graney is just riding it out for now. Newheart eventually gives up the hold.
Kyle Newheart overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Graney looks like he's trying to stand up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Graney actively working from the bottom here.
Newheart looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Graney with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Newheart is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Graney has managed to free his arm - good work.
Graney tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Graney regains full guard. Nicely done.

Graney has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Newheart can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Newheart's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Newheart has gone for a leg lock! Graney slips out almost immediately though and dives into Newheart's guard.

Newheart has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Graney can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Graney throwing strikes from guard but Newheart blocks nicely.
Graney tries to free his leg and advance position but Newheart is retaining full guard.
Graney is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Graney 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Newheart is looking for a triangle but Graney pushes his legs off easily.

Graney stands up and waves to Newheart to follow him.
Newheart shoots in looking for a takedown. Graney tries to sprawl out of it but Newheart keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Graney manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Graney is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Graney on the wrong end of a nice hook.

Newheart feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Graney looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Newheart is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Graney working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Newheart doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Newheart manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Newheart trying to control but Graney is working from the bottom.
Newheart works a leg free and moves into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyle Newheart clearly takes 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.

Newheart jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Newheart fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Newheart shoots in but no luck this time.

Graney shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Graney advances to half guard.
Newheart trying to hold on to Graney's head to control him but Graney postures up.

Newheart is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Graney pulls his head out easily.
Newheart is staying active underneath Graney, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Graney is pressing down on Newheart's thigh, looking to free his foot. Newheart is holding on for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Newheart is trying to maintain the position but Graney is very close to passing his half guard.
Graney frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Graney looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.

Graney has hold of Newheart's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Newheart manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Newheart regains half guard.
Newheart manages to get to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Graney is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Newheart is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Newheart has escaped and now he's on top!
Newheart stays in close to Graney's body and controls the position.
Newheart looking to pass the guard.

Graney throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

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

Graney has his foot on Newheart's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Newheart works his way back into a safe position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Newheart is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Graney isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Newheart stacks Graney on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Newheart!
Check out the look on Newheart's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Graney misses with an elbow from the bottom.

Newheart is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Graney is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Graney prevents Newheart from moving into mount.
Graney is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Newheart happy to just control the position for now.

Newheart is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Graney is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Graney sneaks back into half guard.
Newheart wants to pass the guard but Graney is defending well.
Graney manages to get to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Rocko Graney will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Graney gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

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

Graney is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Newheart tries to free his leg and advance position but Graney is retaining full guard.

Graney had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Newheart is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Graney Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Newheart's back instead.
Graney doesn't have the hooks in and Newheart manages to turn into his guard.

Newheart drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Newheart jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Graney preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

Graney looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Newheart passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Newheart working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

Newheart looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Graney sneaks back into half guard.

Graney looking for submissions off his back.
Graney is trying to get back to full guard.

Newheart is trying for a kimura here. Graney looks like he's in a lot of pain... and he's tapping out! Newheart wins by kimura!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:01 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Kyle Newheart!
Kyle Newheart retains his heavyweight title!