PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Cris Chapa Ral (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Flavio Malegarie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Flavio Malegarie told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Chapa Ral
vs
Malegarie

168 cm
25
145 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

190 cm
25
189 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Cris Chapa Ral!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Flavio Malegarie!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Matheus Silva and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Malegarie shoots in but no luck this time.

Malegarie gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Chapa Ral postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Malegarie is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Chapa Ral, into his guard.

Chapa Ral has his foot on Malegarie's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Malegarie works his way back into a safe position though.
Malegarie trying to control but Chapa Ral is working from the bottom.

Chapa Ral working for a triangle but Malegarie defends it easily.
Chapa Ral wants to hit a switch here but Malegarie passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Chapa Ral there!
Chapa Ral sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Malegarie is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Chapa Ral doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Malegarie.

Chapa Ral looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Chapa Ral looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Malegarie is looking to advance position but Chapa Ral won't allow it.

Malegarie is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Chapa Ral looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Chapa Ral is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Malegarie pulls his head out easily.

Malegarie decides to stand and escape the position.
Chapa Ral with a lazy takedown attempt

and Malegarie counters with a shoot takedown. Chapa Ral fights it but they end up in guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Malegarie trying to control the position from guard on top but Chapa Ral is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Chapa Ral is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Chapa Ral is breathing heavily.

Chapa Ral throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Malegarie tries to free his leg and advance position but Chapa Ral is retaining full guard.
Chapa Ral might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Chapa Ral working for submissions but it's allowed Malegarie to get to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Chapa Ral looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Malegarie is looking for a kimura here.

Chapa Ral is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Malegarie pulls his head out easily.

Chapa Ral is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Malegarie pulls his head out easily.
Malegarie is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Chapa Ral!

Malegarie working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

Malegarie stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chapa Ral misses with a takedown attempt - Malegarie sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Chapa Ral fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cris Chapa Ral. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Malegarie closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Chapa Ral's guard.

Chapa Ral isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Malegarie stacks Chapa Ral 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 Malegarie!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Chapa Ral is not content to let Malegarie control the position.

Malegarie tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Malegarie has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Malegarie decides to take the fight back to the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Flavio Malegarie dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Chapa Ral closes this distance looking for a takedown but Malegarie circles away.
Chapa Ral throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Malegarie's waist but Malegarie gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Chapa Ral off to one side.
Nice takedown defense from Malegarie. No joy for Chapa Ral on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cris Chapa Ral. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Chapa Ral gets caught flat footed, as Malegarie shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Chapa Ral is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Malegarie defends well.
Chapa Ral can't keep his opponent in guard - Malegarie advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Chapa Ral is defending against the submission attempts here by Malegarie.

Chapa Ral looking for subs from the bottom but Malegarie mounts him!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Malegarie is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chapa Ral shoots in but Malegarie avoids the takedown attempt easily.
No luck for Chapa Ral with that takedown attempt.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Chapa Ral enables Malegarie to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Chapa Ral manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Chapa Ral throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Malegarie trying to control the position from guard on top but Chapa Ral is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Malegarie is trying to control. Chapa Ral wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Malegarie might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Chapa Ral haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Chapa Ral looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Malegarie wants to pass the guard but Chapa Ral is defending well.
Malegarie moves into full mount! Chapa Ral won't be happy about that!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Chapa Ral manages to regain half guard. Good work.

Chapa Ral looking for submissions off his back.
Malegarie is keen to just control but Chapa Ral is a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Chapa Ral looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Malegarie wants to lay and pray for a moment but Chapa Ral keeps working.

Malegarie is trying to work for a kimura but Chapa Ral is defending well.
Chapa Ral is in trouble now - Malegarie has advanced to mount!

Malegarie gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Malegarie misses with a takedown attempt - Chapa Ral sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Chapa Ral shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Malegarie as he jumps to the side.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Malegarie gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Malegarie has his hands on Chapa Ral's head, controlling the position.

Malegarie has his feet on Chapa Ral's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Malegarie dives in and scores a takedown into Chapa Ral's guard.
Malegarie trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Chapa Ral has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Malegarie can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Chapa Ral keeping moving, preventing Malegarie from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Flavio Malegarie showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Chapa Ral shoots in and gets a takedown into Malegarie's guard.

Chapa Ral is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Malegarie is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Malegarie has escaped and now he's on top!

Chapa Ral escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Malegarie gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Malegarie pushing down on Chapa Ral's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Malegarie in particular looking to stall.

Chapa Ral is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Malegarie pulls his head out easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Chapa Ral is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Malegarie pulls his head out easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chapa Ral is staying active underneath Malegarie, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Malegarie decides to stand up.
Chapa Ral is trying hard to land a takedown here. Malegarie sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Malegarie feints and as Chapa Ral raises his hands in defense, Malegarie changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Malegarie controlling from the top position.

Malegarie stands up and waves to Chapa Ral to follow him.
Malegarie fails with a takedown attempt.

Malegarie is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Chapa Ral's half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Chapa Ral actively working from the bottom here.

Malegarie is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Malegarie wants to work for an arm triangle but Chapa Ral is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Chapa Ral looking for a kimura from the bottom but Malegarie passes into side control!
Chapa Ral is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Chapa Ral is working hard here to advance position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Malegarie has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Nice sprawl there from Malegarie as Chapa Ral shoots in.

Malegarie gets a double leg takedown into Chapa Ral's guard.

Malegarie decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Malegarie gets a double leg takedown into Chapa Ral's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Chapa Ral throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Malegarie stays in close to Chapa Ral's body and controls the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

Chapa Ral looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Malegarie passes into side control.

Malegarie is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Chapa Ral is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Chapa Ral manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Malegarie trying to control here.

Chapa Ral is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Malegarie defends it well.
Cris Chapa Ral has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Flavio Malegarie is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Chapa Ral is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Malegarie is just riding it out for now. Chapa Ral eventually gives up the hold.

And that's the end of the fight!
Flavio Malegarie comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Malegarie has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 27:30
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Flavio Malegarie!