PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Chase Pace (ranked 25287 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hlasela Dlamini (ranked 5461 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Pace
vs
Dlamini

171 cm
24
162 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

181 cm
23
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Chase Pace!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Hlasela Dlamini!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Leandro Rodrigues and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pace showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Dlamini.
Pace tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Dlamini manages to circle out of the way.
Pace closes this distance looking for a takedown but Dlamini circles away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Dlamini.
Pace throws a big counter combination but Dlamini scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
No luck for Pace with that takedown attempt.
Dlamini looks to land a combination. Pace sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

It looks like Chase Pace has been cut.
Dlamini is looking to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dlamini throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Pace throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Dlamini's head.
Dlamini misses with a low kick.
Pace changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Dlamini shoots in but Pace avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dlamini moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

Pace has closed the distance and engaged Dlamini in a clinch.
Dlamini wants a takedown but no success here.
Chase Pace has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hlasela Dlamini.
Pace stalling against the cage.
Dlamini tries to pull guard but Pace won't allow it.
Dlamini fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Pace breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Dlamini throws a leg kick

and Pace counters with a shoot takedown. Dlamini fights it but they end up in guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Dlamini working a defensive guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dlamini tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Dlamini being controlled here, momentarily.
Dlamini is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pace sitting in guard, not really doing much.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Dlamini lands with an overhand left.

Pace clinches with his opponent.
Pace keeps control of Dlamini as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Pace lands with a light punch inside.

Pace pulls Dlamini into guard.
Pace looking for a sweep. Not yet Pace, not yet.

Pace is looking for a triangle but Dlamini pushes his legs off easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Dlamini decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Pace, up you get!
A right-left combo lands from Dlamini.
Dlamini stuffs the takedown attempt from Pace. Pace gets slowly back to his feet.

Pace pushes Dlamini up against the cage in a clinch.
Pace fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Pace prevents a takedown attempt there.

Pace has picked Dlamini up - he's going for a ride! Pace dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dlamini keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Chase Pace will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Chase Pace's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Dlamini tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Pace paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Dlamini throws a series of punches but Pace moves out of range.

Pace clinches up with Dlamini and pushes him back against the cage.
Pace lands a nice elbow.

Pace breaks the clinch.
Pace takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Hlasela Dlamini seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Dlamini tries to bum rush Pace with a series of wild strikes but Pace uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Dlamini throws a leg kick that is checked
and Pace counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Dlamini throws a nice looking combination but Pace bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Dlamini rushes Pace and presses him up against the cage.
Pace lands an elbow inside.

Pace breaks from the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pace tries for a takedown but Dlamini sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dlamini throws a right hand that Pace ducks under and follows up with a left that Pace also avoids with ease.
As Dlamini looks to move away, Pace throws a big counter combo but Dlamini just gets out of the way.
Dlamini blocks a head kick by Pace.
Dlamini throws out a counter right but Pace avoids it with no problem.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Dlamini, right into the meat.
Dlamini shoots in for a takedown but Pace shows good takedown defense.
Dlamini turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
A bone on bone clash there as Pace blocks the leg kick.
Dlamini misses with a low kick.
Dlamini closes the distance and clinches up with Pace, looking for a takedown. Dlamini pushes Pace against the cage but Pace circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Pace moves into the clinch.
Dlamini is looking for a takedown.
Chase Pace has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hlasela Dlamini.

Pace has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Dlamini uses from the top position.
Pace trying to keep a closed guard but Dlamini is proving a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dlamini wants to control from the top but Pace keeps moving.
Dlamini content to stall in guard here.

Pace is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dlamini trying to control the position from guard on top but Pace is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dlamini in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Dlamini is in close to Pace's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Dlamini trying to control the position from guard on top but Pace is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dlamini postures up and lands a big shot to Pace's brow.
Dlamini trying to control the position from guard on top but Pace is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Chase Pace overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Dlamini advances to half guard.
Pace wants to control but Dlamini is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Dlamini wants to work for an arm triangle but Pace is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Pace is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Dlamini pulls his head out easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Dlamini decides to return to a standing position.
Pace throws a sloppy head kick and Dlamini moves out of range easily.
Chase Pace is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Dlamini looks for a takedown but Pace sprawls well.
A quick step to the side and Pace tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dlamini misses with a low kick.
Pace wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
A punch combination from Dlamini misses.
Pace is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Hlasela Dlamini will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Chase Pace's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Pace looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Dlamini trying to keep a closed guard but Pace is proving a slippery customer.
Pace trying to control the position from guard on top but Dlamini is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dlamini looking for a sweep. Not yet Dlamini, not yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pace missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Pace missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pace sitting in guard here, content to control.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Pace trying to control but Dlamini is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Pace changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Dlamini looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Dlamini manages to work his way to half guard, despite Pace's best efforts.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Pace in particular looking to stall.
Pace thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pace trying to control the action but Dlamini is working from the bottom.
Pace prevents Dlamini from improving his position.
Dlamini moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Pace slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Dlamini is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Pace presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Dlamini tries for a takedown but Pace manages to get underhooks.
Pace is trying to pull guard but Dlamini turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Dlamini can't break the clinch.
Pace lands with a right to the head.
Pace has Dlamini pressed against the cage.
Pace is trying to pull guard but Dlamini has him pressed against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Pace taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Pace swings wildly with an uppercut but Dlamini uses good head movement to avoid it.
Dlamini being controlled against the cage.
Pace lands a nice elbow.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Pace fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Dlamini tries to circle away but Pace has him pinned against the cage.

Dlamini decides to pull 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 Chase Pace.
I think Pace has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 27:30
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 29:28
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Chase Pace!