PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Babandiishe Chimutengwende (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Renan Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Chimutengwende
vs
Gracie

180 cm
25
223 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

192 cm
25
231 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Babandiishe Chimutengwende!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Renan Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Paulsen Ambrosius and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gracie throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Chimutengwende tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Gracie is in Chimutengwende's guard.
Gracie controls from within his opponent's guard.
Chimutengwende keeping full guard, as Gracie tries to pass.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Chimutengwende looking for a sweep. Not yet Chimutengwende, not yet.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Chimutengwende trying to keep a closed guard but Gracie is proving a slippery customer.

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

Chimutengwende has his foot on Gracie's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Gracie works his way back into a safe position though.
Chimutengwende keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.

Chimutengwende is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Chimutengwende keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Chimutengwende haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Chimutengwende is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Gracie defends well.
Gracie is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Chimutengwende 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.
Chimutengwende could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Gracie tries to free his leg and advance position but Chimutengwende is retaining full guard.

Chimutengwende is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Gracie is aware though and is defending well.
Chimutengwende is breathing heavily.
Gracie trying to control but Chimutengwende is working from the bottom.
Chimutengwende looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Gracie slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Chimutengwende keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Renan Gracie.

Chimutengwende closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Chimutengwende swings wildly with an uppercut but Gracie uses good head movement to avoid it.

Gracie has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Chimutengwende uses from the top position.
Chimutengwende looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Gracie wants to sweep but no luck.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Chimutengwende stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gracie swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Gracie is looking for a triangle but Chimutengwende pushes his legs off easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gracie working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Chimutengwende doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Chimutengwende manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Chimutengwende is stalling in the full guard.
Chimutengwende wants to control from the top but Gracie keeps moving.
Chimutengwende postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Gracie isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Chimutengwende stacks Gracie 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 Chimutengwende!

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is trying to get back to half guard.
The ground and pound from Chimutengwende seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Chimutengwende is looking to take a break and control but Gracie is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Gracie is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Chimutengwende tries to move to mount but Gracie blocks the move with his legs.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gracie is trying to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Renan Gracie will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Chimutengwende clinches with his opponent.

Gracie pulls guard.
Gracie looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Chimutengwende puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Gracie is looking to get back to full guard here but Chimutengwende has managed to pass to side control instead.
Gracie is looking to reverse the position.

Chimutengwende working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Gracie is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Chimutengwende off and has taken his back!
Gracie tries to get the hooks in deep but Chimutengwende pushed the leg off.
Well, with Gracie on his back, surely it's only a matter of time before Chimutengwende is tapping out... Can he escape the position?

Chimutengwende 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 Gracie gets his way!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gracie looking for the RNC.
Gracie is breathing heavily.
Chimutengwende breaks Gracie's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.

Gracie escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Chimutengwende gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Chimutengwende accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Chimutengwende wants to control from the top but Gracie keeps moving.
Chimutengwende throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Gracie works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Gracie working for a triangle but Chimutengwende defends it easily.

Gracie escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Chimutengwende gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chimutengwende passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Gracie is not content to let Chimutengwende control the position.
Gracie is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Chimutengwende misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Chimutengwende wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gracie keeps working.
Gracie is letting Chimutengwende control him for a moment.
Chimutengwende trying to control the position but Gracie is working away.
Gracie tries to improve position but can't.
Chimutengwende advances nicely into full mount.
Chimutengwende is trying to control here but Gracie has managed to regain half guard.
Chimutengwende perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Gracie moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Chimutengwende got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gracie has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Chimutengwende has managed to get both his arms back between Gracie's legs - danger averted.
Chimutengwende trying to control but Gracie is working from the bottom.

Gracie looking for a guillotine here but Chimutengwende defends easily.

Gracie working for a triangle but Chimutengwende defends it easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gracie preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Renan Gracie will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Chimutengwende has managed to clinch.
Chimutengwende has Gracie pushed against the cage.
Chimutengwende is trying to break the clinch but Gracie has him pressed against the cage.

Gracie jumps guard and drags Chimutengwende to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Chimutengwende throws a big right hand that misses.
Chimutengwende stays in close to Gracie's body and controls the position.

Gracie has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Chimutengwende can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Gracie keeping moving, preventing Chimutengwende from controlling successfully.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Chimutengwende accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Chimutengwende controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chimutengwende passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Renan Gracie has got the better of the ground game so far.
Gracie is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Chimutengwende off and has taken his back!
Chimutengwende manages to reverse the position and now he's in Gracie's guard. Nice work there by Chimutengwende.
Chimutengwende might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Chimutengwende looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Gracie keeping moving, preventing Chimutengwende from controlling successfully.
Chimutengwende is looking to work some ground and pound but Gracie has wrist control.
Chimutengwende with a flurry of punches that miss.

Gracie throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Chimutengwende escapes and throws Gracie's legs to the side, diving into side control!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie looking for a sweep but Chimutengwende has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Chimutengwende thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Chimutengwende postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Gracie looks a forlorn figure.
Chimutengwende looking to ground and pound but Gracie is blocking nicely.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Chimutengwende looking to control but Gracie is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Gracie tries to reverse the position but Chimutengwende maintains control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie keeps trying to improve his position.
Chimutengwende takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Gracie is trying desperately to improve position.
Gracie manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Chimutengwende throwing shots but Gracie is blocking nicely.
Gracie is looking to get back to full guard here but Chimutengwende has managed to pass to side control instead.
Chimutengwende wants to control but Gracie is keeping him busy.
Chimutengwende throws an elbow but Gracie slips to the side and avoids it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie tries to buck Chimutengwende off but Chimutengwende is having none of it.
Chimutengwende wants to control but Gracie is keeping him busy.
Gracie tries to buck Chimutengwende off but Chimutengwende is having none of it.
Gracie gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Chimutengwende is pressing down on Gracie's thigh, looking to free his foot. Gracie is holding on for now.
Gracie wants to get back to full guard.
Chimutengwende trying to control the action but Gracie is working from the bottom.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gracie is trying to get back to full guard.

Gracie is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Chimutengwende pulls his head out easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Babandiishe Chimutengwende showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Gracie has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Patrick Alders scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 28:29
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Renan Gracie!
A relieved looking Renan Gracie thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.