PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Rollo Gracie (ranked 715 p4p, 78 weight class) and Cody Chalke (ranked 533 p4p, 56 weight class). Gracie comes to the cage accompanied by Jiu Jitsu: Apaga Mas Não Bate. Chalke is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Operation Blade. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Gracie
vs
Chalke

171 cm
34
154 lbs
19 - 7 - 2

175 cm
24
160 lbs
13 - 4 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent MT
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Aspire Clothing
Aspire Nutrition

RAGS of a RONIN

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 7 - 2, fighting out of London, Rollo Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 4 - 1, fighting out of London, Cody Chalke!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Steven Brown and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Chalke throws the left hand but Gracie avoids the punch easily.
Gracie tries to counter by clinching up but Chalke breaks away and moves out of range.
Chalke throws out a loose jab but Gracie uses good head movement to avoid it.

Gracie decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Chalke wants to improve his position but Gracie is controlling well.
Gracie trying to pass the guard but Chalke defending well.
Chalke is looking for a sweep. Gracie is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gracie trying to control from half guard but Chalke is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie is controlling the pace.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Chalke won't allow Gracie to pass to mount.
Gracie is keen to just control but Chalke is a slippery customer.
Gracie controlling the action here.

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

Gracie instigates a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Chalke tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Chalke misses with a punch to the body.

Gracie manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Gracie has momentary wrist control but Chalke slips an elbow through the middle.

Gracie has his foot on Chalke's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Chalke works his way back into a safe position though.
Chalke sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Chalke works over Gracie with some ground and pound from guard.
Gracie has momentary wrist control but Chalke slips an elbow through the middle.
Chalke is fighting to break Gracie's control of his arms but Gracie is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Chalke postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gracie is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Chalke defends well.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Chalke seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Chalke accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Chalke is looking to work some ground and pound but Gracie has wrist control.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Chalke accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Gracie is trying to keep Chalke in close.

Chalke got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gracie has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Chalke has managed to get both his arms back between Gracie's legs - danger averted.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Chalke lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Gracie wants to sweep here but Chalke controlling him for the moment.
Chalke trying to control the position from guard on top but Gracie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Chalke is sitting in close to Gracie's body. Gracie has gone for a guillotine from the bottom. Oh damn, that looks pretty tight! Chalke is panicking - it looks like this one could be all over! Yes, Chalke is tapping! That was a very nice submission by Gracie.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:53 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Rollo Gracie!
In his post fight interview, Rollo Gracie started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.