PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Alex Trager (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Torsti Turjake (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Trager comes to the ring accompanied by Run This Town. 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.

Trager
vs
Turjake

170 cm
30
155 lbs
10 - 1 - 1

170 cm
37
149 lbs
32 - 17 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Heavy handed

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 10 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alex Trager!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 32 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Torsti Turjake!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Chris Edwards and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Turjake scores with a takedown into Trager's guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Turjake looking to pass the guard.
Turjake wants to control from the top but Trager keeps moving.
Turjake pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Trager is keeping the position for now.
Trager has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Turjake trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Alex Trager.
Trager shoots in looking for a takedown. Turjake tries to sprawl out of it but Trager keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Turjake manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Turjake closes this distance looking for a takedown but Trager circles away.

Trager fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Turjake sprawls well initially but Trager persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Trager seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Trager is trying to control the action in half guard but Turjake is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Trager is looking for a kimura here.
Turjake has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Trager is working away from the top position though.
Trager is trying to control the action in half guard but Turjake is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Trager wants to free his trapped foot but Turjake is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Turjake tries to get to full guard but Trager has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Trager trying to advance position but Turjake counters by regaining guard.
Turjake is trying to keep Trager in close.
Trager being controlled here momentarily.
Turjake wants to stand up but Trager is controlling him.
Trager pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Turjake is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Turjake wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Trager is now in half guard.
Trager is looking to take a break and control but Turjake is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Trager wants to work for an arm triangle but Turjake is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Turjake trying to control here.
Trager trying to pass the guard but Turjake defending well.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Turjake trying to hold on to Trager's head to control him but Trager postures up.

Trager is looking for a kimura here.
Trager wants to free his trapped foot but Turjake is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Turjake is trying to get back to full guard.
Turjake is trying to maintain the position but Trager is very close to passing his half guard.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Trager trying to pass the guard but Turjake defending well.
Turjake trying to control here.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Torsti Turjake wasn't active enough on the ground.
Trager stuffs the takedown attempt from Turjake. Turjake gets slowly back to his feet.
Turjake will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Alex Trager has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Torsti Turjake.

Turjake looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Trager!

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Trager is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Trager is trying to maintain the position but Turjake is very close to passing his half guard.

Trager is defending against the submission attempts here by Turjake.
Trager trying to control from the bottom.

Turjake is working for a submission of some sort.

Turjake seems to be trying to get a kimura but instead Trager has recovered full guard.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Turjake showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Turjake tries to free his leg and advance position but Trager is retaining full guard.
Turjake trying to control the position from guard on top but Trager is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Trager seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are working up against the ropes. Trager manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the ropes.

Turjake has clasped his hands together around Trager's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Trager manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Turjake trying to control from Trager's half guard. Trager has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Trager is trying to control the position but Turjake postures up.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Turjake drops back, looking for a kneebar! Trager looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Trager looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Trager!
Trager in side control, just content to control the action for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Alex Trager will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Turjake shoots in for a takedown but Trager shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Trager scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Trager is looking to take a break and control but Turjake is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Turjake is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Trager asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Trager trying to control the action but Turjake is working from the bottom.
Turjake is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Trager is taking a breather. Turjake says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Turjake is not content to let Trager control the position.
Trager wants to pass the guard but Turjake is defending well.

Alex Trager has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Trager stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Trager wants it to stay on the feet.
Turjake misses with a takedown

and Trager counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Alex Trager has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Torsti Turjake.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Trager passes Turjake's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Trager seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Turjake does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Turjake actively working from the bottom here.
Turjake is breathing heavily.
Trager is keen to just control but Turjake is a slippery customer.
Trager is really struggling to control Turjake but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Trager moves nicely into side control.
Trager trying to control the action but Turjake is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Trager remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.

Trager is trying to get an arm triangle but Turjake is defending well.
Turjake is looking to reverse the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Turjake is not content to let Trager control the position.
Turjake tries to improve position but can't.
Trager is looking to take a break and control but Turjake is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Turjake is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Trager is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Turjake has escaped the position, nice work there.
Turjake is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Trager trying to pass the guard but Turjake defending well.
Turjake trying to control from the bottom.
Trager seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Trager wants to pass the guard but Turjake is defending well.
Trager is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Turjake is controlling an arm, preventing Trager from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.
Trager trying to control but Turjake is having none of it.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Turjake wants to control but Trager is having none of it.
Turjake is trying to escape the mount.
Trager controlling the position easily from mount.
Turjake regains half guard.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Trager is trying to control. Turjake wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Turjake is trying to maintain the position but Trager is very close to passing his half guard.
Alex Trager overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Alex Trager wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Trager stuffs the takedown.
Torsti Turjake seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Turjake shoots in looking for a takedown but Trager manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Turjake's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Trager dives in for a single leg takedown but Turjake sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the ropes.
Turjake is pressed up against the ropes. Trager has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Turjake down to the mat. Turjake avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Turjake shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Trager sprawls well. Trager wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Turjake gets slowly back to his feet.
Turjake fails with the takedown

and Trager counters with a single leg into guard. Turjake didn't expect that.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Turjake keeping moving, preventing Trager from controlling successfully.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Trager passes Turjake's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Trager trying to mount his opponent but Turjake defends it.
Trager is working hard here to advance position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Trager seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Turjake does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Turjake gets back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Trager dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Trager shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Turjake but Turjake pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Turjake misses with a takedown attempt

and Trager counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Turjake drops down looking for an ankle pick but Trager pulls his leg out and moves away.
Turjake fails with a takedown attempt.
Alex Trager has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Torsti Turjake.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Trager.
Turjake shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Trager pinned against the ropes. Trager gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Trager closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Turjake quickly recovers to half guard.
Turjake takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Trager tries to pass the half guard into mount. Turjake knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Turjake trying to control from the bottom.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Trager is looking for a kimura here.
Trager perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Trager trying to control the action but Turjake is working from the bottom.
Trager is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Turjake reverses the position - he's now on top in Trager's guard.
Turjake pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Trager is keeping the position for now.
Turjake prevents Trager from getting back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Trager keeping full guard, as Turjake tries to pass.

Turjake is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Trager is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Trager has escaped and now he's on top!
Trager is pushing down on Turjake's leg trying to pass to half guard. Turjake is fighting to maintain full guard but Trager has managed to sneak the leg through.
Trager seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Turjake does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Trager controlling the pace.
Trager is keen to just control but Turjake is a slippery customer.
Trager is looking to advance position but Turjake won't allow it.
Turjake moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Trager pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Turjake is keeping the position for now.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Turjake looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Trager passes into half guard.
Trager is trying to control the action in half guard but Turjake is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Turjake is looking to control Trager's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Turjake avoid being mounted?

Trager is trying to work for a kimura but Turjake is defending well.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Trager is trying to control the action in half guard but Turjake is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Trager is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Turjake actively working from the bottom here.
Trager is trying to control. Turjake wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Turjake is looking for a sweep. Trager is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Turjake is trying to maintain the position but Trager is very close to passing his half guard.
Turjake is staying active underneath Trager, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Trager works his way into full mount!
Trager content just to control the position here.
Trager seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Turjake for as long as he can get away with.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Trager avoids the attempt from Turjake to control.
Turjake is controlling an arm, preventing Trager from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.
Turjake is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Trager wants to control but Turjake has made it back to half guard. Nice work.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Trager is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Turjake sees it coming and defends easily.
Trager works his way into full mount!
Trager trying to control but Turjake is having none of it.

Trager is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Turjake has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Turjake!

And that's the end of the fight!
Alex Trager showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Trager, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Daniel Bishop scores the fight for Alex Trager!
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight for Alex Trager!
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight for Alex Trager!

Alex Trager wins by unanimous decision!
After winning the bout, Alex Trager thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.