PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joesph Walls (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Adel Chalhoub (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Walls
vs
Chalhoub

214 cm
18
278 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

196 cm
23
230 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Joesph Walls!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Adel Chalhoub!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Hirohito Nitta and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Walls keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Chalhoub tries to score a power double leg takedown but Walls sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Chalhoub somewhat.
Chalhoub closes this distance looking for a takedown but Walls circles away.
Joesph Walls has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Adel Chalhoub.
Chalhoub darts in looking for a takedown but Walls gets double underhooks and turns Chalhoub into the cage.
Walls went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

Chalhoub drives through with a takedown into Walls's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Walls is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Chalhoub defends well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Walls is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Walls wants to stand and escape but Chalhoub is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Walls lands a couple of decent looking body shots there.
Chalhoub sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Chalhoub wants to stand but Walls has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Walls will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Chalhoub trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Walls manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Walls wants to stand but Chalhoub is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Chalhoub tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Chalhoub pulls Walls in close to his closed guard and prevents Walls from doing any damage or advancing position.
Walls wants to stand but Chalhoub has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Walls trying to control but Chalhoub is working from the bottom.
Walls wants to stand but Chalhoub has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Walls has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Walls trying to control but Chalhoub is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Chalhoub is trying hard to land a takedown here. Walls sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Walls drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Walls wants to stand and escape but instead Chalhoub has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Walls being controlled here, momentarily.
Walls has a closed guard, preventing Chalhoub from standing up.
Chalhoub trying to control the position from guard on top but Walls is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Chalhoub wants to pass the guard but Walls is keeping the position.
Walls has momentary wrist control but Chalhoub slips an elbow through the middle.

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.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Chalhoub's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Walls is striking from the bottom but Chalhoub uses the opportunity to pass into half guard.
Chalhoub throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Walls is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Chalhoub pulls his head out easily.
It looks like Chalhoub is going to stand back up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Walls avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Chalhoub.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Walls is trying hard to land a takedown here. Chalhoub sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Chalhoub fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Walls avoids it really well and circles away.

Chalhoub takes the fight into the clinch.

Chalhoub manages to pull guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Walls won't allow Chalhoub to sweep him here.
Walls would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Walls trying to control the position from guard on top but Chalhoub is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Walls avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Walls trying to control the position from guard on top but Chalhoub is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Chalhoub 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.
Adel Chalhoub has got the better of the ground game so far.
Chalhoub looking to control.
Walls wants to get up but he can't break Chalhoub's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Chalhoub is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Chalhoub keeping moving, preventing Walls from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Walls throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Chalhoub has a closed guard, preventing Walls from standing up.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Chalhoub drives through and clinches with Walls against the cage.
Walls is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

Chalhoub breaks the clinch.
Chalhoub changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Walls tries to avoid it but Chalhoub manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Walls to the ground. Walls escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Walls shoots in and drives through. Chalhoub sprawls well.

Chalhoub changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Walls looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Chalhoub is breathing heavily.
You can see the frustration on Walls's face as Chalhoub controls the position.
Walls is trying to work for a sweep but Chalhoub has mounted him!
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Chalhoub. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Walls is trying to escape the mount.
Chalhoub won't let Walls get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Walls is working to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chalhoub lands a big elbow.
Chalhoub lands a nice shot to the head.
Chalhoub tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Chalhoub looking to finish Walls with some ground and pound. This is bad for Walls!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Walls is in all sorts of trouble here.
Chalhoub punishing his opponent with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Adel Chalhoub showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Walls's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

Walls stuffs the takedown.
Walls stuffs the takedown attempt from Chalhoub. Chalhoub gets slowly back to his feet.
Chalhoub throws a sloppy head kick and Walls moves out of range easily.
Nice sprawl there from Walls as Chalhoub shoots in.
Joesph Walls has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Adel Chalhoub.
Chalhoub shoots in for a takedown but Walls shows good takedown defense.
Chalhoub throws a front kick aimed at Walls's knee but Walls avoids it well.
Walls misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Chalhoub takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Walls closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Chalhoub quickly recovers to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chalhoub desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Walls perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Chalhoub is trying to stand.
Walls is controlling the pace.
Chalhoub flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Chalhoub has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Walls in particular looking to stall.
Chalhoub controlling the position for now.
Walls seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Chalhoub does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Chalhoub fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Walls to the ground. Chalhoub is now in Walls's guard.

Walls has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Chalhoub off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Walls lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Walls stuffs the takedown attempt from Chalhoub. Chalhoub gets slowly back to his feet.

Walls fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Chalhoub sprawls well initially but Walls persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Chalhoub manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Walls keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Walls has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Chalhoub after a bit of a struggle.
Walls is trying to drag Chalhoub to the mat but Chalhoub just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Walls tries for a takedown. No joy.
Chalhoub prevents the takedown attempt.

Chalhoub gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Walls regains guard.
Walls wants to get back to his feet but Chalhoub passes into half guard.

Chalhoub winds up and cracks Walls with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chalhoub perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Chalhoub wants to take a breather but Walls is having none of it.
Chalhoub seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Chalhoub performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Chalhoub is looking to advance position but Walls won't allow it.
Joesph Walls has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Adel Chalhoub is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Chalhoub not doing much here.

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 Joesph Walls.
I think Chalhoub 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 Shigeki Sano scores the fight 29:28
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 29:29
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 28:29

The fight is ruled a draw!