PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ale Cali (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Frankie Fryer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Cali
vs
Fryer

167 cm
26
140 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

160 cm
25
137 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

HERITAGE Threads

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ale Cali!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Frankie Fryer!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Alec Ball and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cali shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Fryer's guard.
Fryer looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Cali definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

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

Fryer is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Fryer preventing the sweep.
Fryer looking to pass the guard.
Fryer slips nicely into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cali is looking to improve his position.

Cali actively working from the bottom here.
Cali tries to get to full guard but Fryer has control of the leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cali is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Fryer is taking a breather. Cali 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.
Cali taking some punishment here, with Fryer in his half guard.
Fryer content to control rather than advance.
Fryer trying to control the action but Cali is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Fryer thows a huge punch but Cali dodges it nicely.
Cali tries to get to full guard but Fryer has control of the leg.
Fryer sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Cali defending well though.
Cali is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Fryer's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Fryer's back!
Even with his hooks in, Cali manages to miss with strikes from the back.
Fryer looking very determined here, making life difficult for Cali.
Fryer breaks Cali's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Cali wants to hit a switch here but Fryer passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Cali there!
Cali keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fryer looking to control and managing it successfully.
Fryer wants to control the pace but Cali is squirming around nicely.
Cali really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Fryer content just to control the position here.
Cali tries to hold on but Fryer postures up.
Fryer tries to control but Cali wriggling away.
Cali tries to reverse the position but Fryer maintains control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Fryer lands a big elbow.
Fryer is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Cali can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

Fryer looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Cali is desperately trying to improve his position but Fryer has a good base and remains in mount.
Cali tries to improve his position but instead Fryer has taken his back!
Cali staying busy and making it hard for Fryer to control.
Fryer might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Cali haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Fryer patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Fryer is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Cali is defending well though. Fryer let's go of the attempt for now.
Fryer lands a shot to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frankie Fryer 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.

Cali tries to score a power double leg takedown but Fryer sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Cali somewhat.
Fryer throws a counter combo.
Cali throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Fryer's waist but Fryer gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Cali off to one side.

Fryer moves into the clinch successfully.
Fryer avoiding damage.

Fryer pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Cali shoots for a takedown but Fryer saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ale Cali. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cali pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Cali fails with a takedown attempt.
Fryer unleashes a big counter combination but Cali bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Fryer has closed the distance and engaged Cali in a clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Cali gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Fryer is pressing down on Cali's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Fryer is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Cali is controlling him.
Fryer working a defensive guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cali won't allow Fryer to get back to his feet.
Fryer trying to keep a closed guard but Cali is proving a slippery customer.
Fryer wants to stand but Cali is controlling the position.
Cali wants to control from the top but Fryer keeps moving.
Cali postures up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Cali shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Fryer sprawls well. Fryer wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Cali gets slowly back to his feet.
Cali goes for a double leg but Fryer avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Fryer continues to drive forward.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Fryer throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Cali was covering up waiting for the punch and Fryer finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Cali keeping moving, preventing Fryer from controlling successfully.
Fryer tries to stand but Cali is controlling from the bottom.
Cali looking to control.
Fryer passes Cali's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Fryer is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Cali is looking to get back to full guard here but Fryer has managed to pass to side control instead.
Cali takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fryer working the body and head with strikes.
Fryer is looking to take a break and control but Cali is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cali gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Fryer looking to control but Cali is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Cali tries to lock up and control but Fryer gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Fryer looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Fryer working the ground and pound effectively.
Cali is squirming around, avoiding Fryer's attempts to control the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cali can't escape the position.
Cali is squirming around, avoiding Fryer's attempts to control the action.

Cali defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Fryer.
Fryer lands a couple of good shots and Cali has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Cali showing good submission defense here.
Cali tries to escape but Fryer has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frankie Fryer showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Fryer leaves Cali with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Cali circles away from the clinch attempt.
Cali takes a kick to the side of the head.
Fryer has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Cali fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Fryer avoids it really well and circles away.
Fryer fails with the takedown.
Cali wants to break the clinch but can't.
Cali is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Fryer gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ale Cali. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cali tries to score a body lock takedown but Fryer shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cali looking for a takedown.

Fryer has picked Cali up - he's going for a ride! Fryer dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Fryer controlling the action here.
Cali is looking for a sweep. Fryer is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fryer works his way into side control.

Fryer is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Cali knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Cali manages to work his way to half guard, despite Fryer's best efforts.
Fryer thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Cali's head.
Cali regains full guard. Nicely done.
Fryer is stalling in the full guard.
Fryer would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Fryer must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fryer wants to control from the top but Cali keeps moving.
Cali looking to hit a scissor sweep but Fryer is one step ahead there.
Fryer trying to control the position from guard on top but Cali is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cali working a defensive guard here.
Fryer wants to control from the top but Cali keeps moving.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Cali misses with a takedown

and Fryer moves into the clinch.

Cali pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Fryer drives through with a takedown into Cali's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Fryer wants to control from the top but Cali keeps moving.
Cali seems keen to control Fryer's posture.
Fryer postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Fryer stands and throws Cali's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Ale Cali has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fryer wants to control but Cali is keeping him busy.
Frankie Fryer has got the better of the ground game so far.
Cali is trying to get back to half guard.
Fryer scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Cali to see if he's OK.
Fryer creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Cali is not in a great position here, taking some shots.

Fryer is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Cali has escaped the position, nice work there.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fryer wants to control but Cali is keeping him busy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Frankie Fryer comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Fryer 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Frankie Fryer!