PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Luc Champagne (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alex Trager (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Champagne
vs
Trager

183 cm
18
186 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

187 cm
18
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Luc Champagne!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Alex Trager!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Steve Smith and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Champagne gets cracked there but stands up to it.

Champagne scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Champagne stops Trager from getting back to his feet.
Trager is looking for a sweep. Champagne is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Champagne working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Trager is trying to stand up here but Champagne is controlling him well.
Trager on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Trager blocking the ground and pound attempt from Champagne.
Trager is looking to improve his position.
Champagne is nestled in close to Trager, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Trager manages to get to full guard.
Champagne throws a big right hand that misses.
Trager wants to get back to his feet but Champagne is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Trager looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Champagne has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Champagne prevents Trager from getting back to his feet.
Trager looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Trager has momentary wrist control but Champagne slips an elbow through the middle.
Trager wants to sweep here but Champagne controlling him for the moment.
Trager looks gassed!

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Trager swats away the attempt to clinch by Champagne.
Champagne tries to close the distance and clinch up but Trager swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Champagne moves forwards but Trager connects with a nice, crisp jab.

Champagne bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Trager is trying to control Champagne's posture but Champagne avoids it.
Champagne connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Trager some visible discomfort.
Trager tries to buck Champagne off but Champagne is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Champagne lands some shots froms side control.
Champagne works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Champagne is working Trager over with some ground and pound from side control.
Trager is looking for a sweep.
Champagne lands an elbow.
Check out the look on Champagne's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Champagne scoring with punches from side control.
Champagne in side control lands a decent elbow.
Trager manages to work his way to half guard, despite Champagne's best efforts.
The fighters are battling for position here. Trager manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Champagne with a flurry of punches that miss.
Champagne is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Champagne knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Trager on the ground.
Trager is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Champagne chips away with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Trager avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Champagne postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Trager lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Champagne!
Champagne is looking to improve his position but Trager isn't that keen on the idea.
Trager pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.

Trager looking for a guillotine from mount but Champagne is having none of it.
Champagne stops Trager from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.

Trager stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
Trager keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Trager closes the distance and clinches.
Trager is trying to break free.

Trager's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Trager's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Trager duly obliges.
Trager bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Champagne's head backwards.
Trager clobbers Champagne with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

Trager closes the distance and pushes Champagne back into the cage.

Trager successfully pulls guard.
Trager pulls Champagne in close to his closed guard and prevents Champagne from doing any damage or advancing position.
Trager manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Trager stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Alex Trager will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Trager fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

Champagne drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Champagne lands a few punches from side control.
Trager gets back to half guard.
Trager works his way to full guard. Good work.
Trager looking to hit a scissor sweep but Champagne is one step ahead there.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Trager had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Champagne is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Trager Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Champagne's back instead.
Trager has his opponent trapped and is landing shots. Not a good position for Champagne.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Champagne manages to reverse the position and now he's in Trager's guard. Nice work there by Champagne.
Trager keeping moving, preventing Champagne from controlling successfully.
Champagne won't allow Trager to sweep him here.
Trager is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Trager decides to stand up.
Champagne walks into a stiff left hand from Trager.

Trager closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Champagne changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Trager fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Luc Champagne is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Trager fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Champagne on the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Trager throws a one two combo.
A jab lands there for Trager.
Trager scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Champagne wants to clinch but Trager slips to the side
and Trager cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Trager scores with a three punch combo!
Champagne tries to clinch but Trager moves away
and Trager makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Nice sprawl there from Champagne as Trager shoots in.
Trager uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Champagne has time to react.
Trager lands with an overhand left.
Trager with a poor takedown

and Champagne counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Trager looking to hit a scissor sweep but Champagne is one step ahead there.
Champagne is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Trager wants to sweep but no luck.
Trager is trying to control the position but Champagne postures up.
Luc Champagne overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Trager is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Champagne keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Trager's head.
Champagne thows a big elbow that misses.

Trager is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Champagne scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Trager trying to keep a closed guard but Champagne is proving a slippery customer.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Trager lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Champagne!
Champagne flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Trager moves to the back position.

Trager tightening his grip on Champagne, looking for the choke.

Champagne defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Trager's arms.

Trager patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Trager's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.

Champagne fending off the submission attempt from Trager.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Trager 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! This is the final round!

Trager scores with a jab to the jaw.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Champagne.
Trager manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Champagne working the head and body with strikes.
Trager wants to get back to his feet.
Trager taking some punishment here, with Champagne in his half guard.
Champagne stops Trager from getting back to his feet.
Trager moves into full guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Trager bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Champagne's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Trager wants to control from the top but Champagne keeps moving.

Champagne looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Trager has picked Champagne up and slammed him! Champagne can't keep hold of the triangle and Trager manages to pass to side control!
Champagne stops Trager from passing to mount.
Trager wants to stand but Champagne is controlling his arm.
Champagne misses with a strike from the bottom.
Trager advances nicely into full mount.
Champagne throwing hammer fists to the chest of Trager. What's that going to do exactly?

Trager has control of Champagne's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Champagne regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Champagne throwing hammer fists to the chest of Trager. What's that going to do exactly?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Champagne wants to hold on but Trager pushes him away.
Trager prevents Champagne from getting the reversal.

Trager working for a guillotine from mount but Champagne is in no mood to give up.
Champagne really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Champagne throws a strike from the bottom but Trager uses the opportunity to take his back.
Trager keeps control of the position as Champagne tries to break free.

Trager looking to break Champagne's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Champagne remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Trager will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Will Trager go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Champagne tries to roll but Trager sticks to his back.

Trager looking for the choke from the back.
Champagne breaks Trager's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Champagne stops Trager from standing up.
Champagne working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Trager's head.

Trager working for a triangle but Champagne defends it easily.
Trager is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Trager working a defensive guard here.
Trager is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's four 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.
Champagne is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Champagne throws a big right hand that misses.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Good standup being displayed there by Trager as he connects with a hook.
Trager works over Champagne's head and body with a nice combination.
Trager lands with a straight right. Champagne didn't see that one coming.
Champagne fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Trager misses with a takedown

and Champagne counters with a shoot takedown. Trager fights it but they end up in guard.
Champagne working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Trager's head.

Trager pushes Champagne off and gets back to his feet.

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

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 Luc Champagne.
I think Trager 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 Trevor Gratis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alex Trager!