PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rajesh Koothrappali (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Christopher Newton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Newton has chosen She Knows as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Rajesh Koothrappali has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Koothrappali
vs
Newton

178 cm
25
173 lbs
2 - 0 - 1

183 cm
25
184 lbs
1 - 0 - 1

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

Mango Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rajesh Koothrappali!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Christopher Newton!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Daniel Cesar and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Koothrappali uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Newton.

Koothrappali closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Newton is trying to stand back up but Koothrappali is controlling him

Koothrappali is looking for a kimura but Newton is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Koothrappali to get the leverage.
Newton is trying to control but can't.

Koothrappali looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Newton felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Koothrappali is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Newton has managed to free his arm - good work.

Koothrappali is working for a submission of some sort.

Koothrappali is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Newton is just riding it out for now. Koothrappali eventually gives up the hold.
Koothrappali prevents Newton from standing back up.
Newton wants to improve his position but Koothrappali is controlling well.

Koothrappali is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Newton has managed to free his arm - good work.
Koothrappali stops Newton from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Newton slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Newton keeping full guard, as Koothrappali tries to pass.

Koothrappali is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Newton is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Newton has escaped and now he's on top!
Newton is pushing down on Koothrappali's leg trying to pass to half guard. Koothrappali is fighting to maintain full guard but Newton has managed to sneak the leg through.
The fighters are battling for position here. Koothrappali manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Newton got a little sloppy there for a moment and Koothrappali has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Newton has managed to get both his arms back between Koothrappali's legs - danger averted.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Newton avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Newton passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koothrappali is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Newton off and has taken his back!

Koothrappali is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Newton has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

Newton defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Koothrappali's arms.

Koothrappali is persistently looking for the submission but Newton is defending it well.

Koothrappali looking for the choke but no joy.
Despite being in a bad position, Newton is controlling the hands, preventing any submission attempts.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Koothrappali seems to be going for a rear naked choke. He has an arm under Newton's chin but Newton turns very nicely into Koothrappali's guard. Good BJJ skills being displayed there by Newton.

Koothrappali looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Newton sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Koothrappali's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Koothrappali is looking to improve his position.
Newton uses his free foot to push down on Koothrappali's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Koothrappali.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Koothrappali is trying to escape the mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Newton lands a jab followed by a vicious hook that sends Koothrappali sprawling to the canvas. Newton follows him down, looking for the kill. Can Koothrappali hang on?

Koothrappali is rocked!

It looks like Rajesh Koothrappali has been cut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Newton moves into full mount! Koothrappali won't be happy about that!
Oh Koothrappali is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Newton is dominating on the ground here - he's now on his opponent's back, looking to sink in the hooks. Koothrappali is in real trouble.
Koothrappali rolls, trying to escape but Newton keeps control of the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Newton is working hard for the rear naked choke here.

Newton tightening his grip on Koothrappali, looking for the choke.

Newton is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Newton controlling well, preventing Koothrappali from escaping the position.
Koothrappali seems to have got his legs back now.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Koothrappali showing good submission defense here.
Koothrappali rolls, trying to escape but Newton keeps control of the position.
Newton is riding his opponent, not letting Koothrappali buck him off.
Newton struggling to keep hold of the position.
Newton doesn't have the hooks in and Koothrappali manages to turn into his guard.

Koothrappali drops back, looking for a kneebar! Newton looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Newton looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Newton!
Koothrappali tries to improve position but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koothrappali has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.

Newton thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Newton controls the position from side control.
Koothrappali is looking to reverse the position.

Newton decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Newton is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Newton shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rajesh Koothrappali seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Newton is breathing heavily.
Koothrappali fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Newton avoids it really well and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koothrappali keeps the fight on the outside.

Koothrappali fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Newton to the ground. Koothrappali is now in Newton's guard.
Newton can't keep his opponent in guard - Koothrappali advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Newton tries to get to full guard but Koothrappali has control of the leg.
Koothrappali is looking to pass Newton's guard but actually Newton recovers to full guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Newton wants to stand and escape but Koothrappali is having none of it.

Newton looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Koothrappali won't allow Newton to sweep him here.
Koothrappali passes Newton's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koothrappali passes to side control.

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

Koothrappali tries for a kimura but Newton is defending well.

Koothrappali is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Newton has escaped the position, nice work there.
Newton is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Koothrappali tries for a kimura but Newton is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

Newton avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Newton trying to control but Koothrappali is working from the bottom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Koothrappali looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Koothrappali wants to sweep here but Newton controlling him for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Christopher Newton showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Rajesh Koothrappali's cut.
That's time! Koothrappali's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Newton swinging wildly here.
Newton displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Koothrappali.

Koothrappali feints and as Newton raises his hands in defense, Koothrappali changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Newton keeping full guard, as Koothrappali tries to pass.

Koothrappali drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Newton dives on top into guard.
Newton slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Koothrappali on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Koothrappali tries to get out of the position.
Newton trying to control the action but Koothrappali is working from the bottom.
Koothrappali tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Newton wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Newton wants to control but Koothrappali is keeping him busy.
Koothrappali tries to bench press Newton off him but Newton keeps the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Newton wants to lay and pray for a moment but Koothrappali keeps working.

Newton is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Koothrappali knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Newton trying to control the action but Koothrappali is working from the bottom.
Koothrappali manages to work his way to half guard, despite Newton's best efforts.
Koothrappali is pressing down on Newton's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Koothrappali looking for a guillotine here but Newton defends easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Newton tries to stand but Koothrappali is controlling from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koothrappali keeping full guard, as Newton tries to pass.
Christopher Newton has got the better of the ground game so far.

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

Koothrappali looking for a guillotine here but Newton defends easily.

Koothrappali is looking for a triangle but Newton pushes his legs off easily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Newton trying to control the position from guard on top but Koothrappali is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Koothrappali working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Newton doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Newton manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Newton avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Newton trying to control the position from guard on top but Koothrappali is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Newton slips nicely into half guard.

Koothrappali actively working from the bottom here.
Newton is trying to control the action in half guard but Koothrappali is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Newton frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koothrappali is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Koothrappali is trying to escape the mount but Newton keeps good control and instead manages to take Koothrappali's back.
Koothrappali is really stuck here.
Koothrappali manages to reverse the position and now he's in Newton's guard. Nice work there by Koothrappali.

Newton is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Koothrappali is aware though and is defending well.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Koothrappali drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Newton manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Koothrappali has Newton in his guard.
Koothrappali keeping moving, preventing Newton from controlling successfully.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Koothrappali throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Rajesh Koothrappali.
I think Koothrappali has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Matheus Silva scores the fight for Christopher Newton!
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight for Christopher Newton!
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight for Christopher Newton!

Christopher Newton wins by unanimous decision!
Our winner, Christopher Newton, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.