PRIDE 4 - Death Warrants PBP Commentary

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Edson Aldrete (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alex Razor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Edson Aldrete has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Aldrete
vs
Razor

187 cm
18
194 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

182 cm
21
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Edson Aldrete!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Alex Razor!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Columbo Gatti and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A punch combination from Aldrete misses.
Razor shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Aldrete as he avoids it easily.
Razor on the wrong end of a nice jab.

It looks like Alex Razor has been cut.
Aldrete misses with a series of wild punches.
Razor tries to clinch but Aldrete is having none of it.
Razor looks winded!
Aldrete fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

Oooooh!!! Aldrete has knocked Razor down with a huge combo! Aldrete steps away and waves a wobbly Razor back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Aldrete feints and then winds up with a huge right hand that connects perfectly and sends Razor sprawling to the canvas! Razor rolls over backwards and springs off the cage and manages to regain his footing - how acrobatic! Oh, he's still wobbly - can Aldrete finish him?!

Razor is rocked!
Aldrete is looking for an opening here. He's unloaded a big left hand that catches Razor flush on the jaw and sends him tumbling to the canvas! Razor is out cold! Aldrete holds back from landing any unnecessary shots to his unconscious opponent, as the referee reacts slowly to the situation. A brutal knockout and then some excellent sportsmanship - this guy is my new favorite fighter!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:46 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Edson Aldrete!
Post fight, Edson Aldrete took to the microphone: 'Next!!!!'.

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
100%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Fernando Fraquineti (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Richie Franklins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Franklins has chosen 100 Black Coffins by Rick Ross as his entrance music. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Richie Franklins was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Fraquineti
vs
Franklins

171 cm
23
170 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

188 cm
18
179 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Fernando Fraquineti!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Richie Franklins!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Joseph Jones and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fraquineti's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Franklins connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Fraquineti scrambles back to his feet.

Fraquineti scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Fraquineti working the body and head with strikes.
Fraquineti scores with a couple of short elbows.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Franklins is trying to get back to half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Franklins trying to control but Fraquineti flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
Franklins is really stuck here.
Franklins is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Fraquineti off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.

Fraquineti has managed to slip his arm under Franklins's chin. This could be all over... yep, Franklins is tapping out! Submission win for Fraquineti.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Fernando Fraquineti!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
50%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dwayne Johnston (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bob Sappe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Sappe's choice of entrance music: Django by Luis Bacalov. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Johnston
vs
Sappe

198 cm
18
284 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

190 cm
25
275 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue 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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Dwayne Johnston!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bob Sappe!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Lou da Vinci and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sappe looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Johnston!
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Johnston tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Johnston knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Sappe on the ground.
Sappe trying to control the action but Johnston is working from the bottom.

Sappe has hold of Johnston's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! Johnston tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - Sappe cranks the arm and Johnston screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from Johnston, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:36 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Bob Sappe!
After winning the bout, Bob Sappe thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
50%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Payday The Heist (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shamar Grepolis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Payday The Heist has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

The Heist
vs
Grepolis

185 cm
23
170 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

180 cm
23
170 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Good knees
Good chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Payday The Heist!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Shamar Grepolis!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Alyssa Summers and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Grepolis fails with the takedown.
A head kick misses from The Heist.
The Heist keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
The Heist misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
The Heist misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A head kick misses from The Heist.
The Heist stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and The Heist wants it to stay on the feet.
Payday The Heist has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shamar Grepolis.
The Heist throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
The Heist fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Grepolis.
The Heist misses with a head kick.
Grepolis shoots in looking for a takedown but The Heist manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Grepolis's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
The Heist tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
The Heist tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Grepolis looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? The Heist is fending him off so far but Grepolis persists. Nope, The Heist circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The Heist throws a head kick that misses.
Grepolis shoots in looking for a takedown but The Heist manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Grepolis's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Payday The Heist is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Grepolis shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with The Heist but The Heist pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Payday The Heist seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The Heist slaps away a takedown attempt from Grepolis, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Grepolis looks winded!
Grepolis shoots in for a takedown but The Heist shows good takedown defense.
The Heist throws a nice head kick!
The Heist tries a head kick but it misses.
The Heist scores with a head kick. Grepolis tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

Grepolis is rocked!
The Heist feints and then cracks Grepolis's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Grepolis down.
Grepolis is still on wobbly legs! Can The Heist finish him?
The Heist tries a head kick but it misses.
Grepolis tries for a takedown but The Heist circles away easily
and The Heist counters with a slapping leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The Heist throws a sloppy head kick and Grepolis moves out of range easily.
Grepolis seems to have recovered his senses.
Grepolis takes a kick to the side of the head.
Good leg kick by The Heist there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
The Heist throws a head kick that half lands.
A head kick misses from The Heist.
The Heist misses with a head kick.
Grepolis shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Grepolis has a takedown stuffed.
The Heist throws a sloppy head kick and Grepolis moves out of range easily.
Grepolis has a takedown stuffed.
The Heist lands a high kick!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The Heist misses with a head kick.

Grepolis fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. The Heist sprawls well initially but Grepolis persists and gets the takedown into half 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.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Grepolis is pressing down on The Heist's thigh, looking to free his foot. The Heist is holding on for now.

Grepolis in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. The Heist tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Grepolis!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:42 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Shamar Grepolis!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
52%

Co-main event

Main event

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Chuck Lindell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rodney Brown (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Brown has chosen Battle Hymn - Manowar as his entrance music. 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.

Lindell
vs
Brown

193 cm
18
214 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

195 cm
23
215 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Chuck Lindell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rodney Brown!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Jonathan Paton and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lindell tries for a takedown but Brown sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Brown leaves Lindell with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Brown shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Brown showed some decent athleticism there.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Brown is trying to control. Lindell wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Brown content to control rather than advance.
Lindell tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Brown is controlling the pace.
Brown seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Lindell does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Rodney Brown wasn't active enough on the ground.
Lindell throws a series of punches but Brown moves out of range.
Brown tries to close the distance and clinch but Lindell swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Brown gets the takedown into side control.
Lindell is trying to escape the position but Brown is controlling the position.
Lindell wings away with a couple of strikes but they don't land.
Brown wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lindell keeps working.
Lindell misses with a strike from the bottom.

Brown is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Lindell is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Lindell is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Brown off and has taken his back!
Lindell is trying to stick to Brown's back but Brown is turning into Lindell. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Lindell's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Brown.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lindell keeping moving, preventing Brown from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brown looking to pass the guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Brown in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Lindell can't keep his opponent in guard - Brown advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Lindell is striking from the bottom but he's now found himself mounted! Oh dear - not enough focus on defense there.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Brown fails to take his opponent's back.
Lindell bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Lindell throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Lindell postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lindell throws a big right hand that misses.
Brown wants to stand but Lindell is controlling the position.
Brown lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Lindell!
Brown is trying to take his opponent's back.

Lindell defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Brown.
Lindell is working to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brown content just to control the position here.
Brown lands a big elbow.
Lindell is desperately trying to improve his position but Brown has a good base and remains in mount.
Brown trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Brown controlling from the full mount.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Brown tries to control but Lindell wriggling away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rodney Brown dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Brown dives in and scores a takedown into Lindell's guard.
Brown pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Lindell is keeping the position for now.

Brown postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Lindell is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Brown, into his guard.

Brown has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Lindell can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Lindell's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Lindell keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Brown's head.

Lindell postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Brown is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Lindell, into his guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lindell throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brown wants to control from the top but Lindell keeps moving.
Lindell trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Brown controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Lindell has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Brown can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Rodney Brown has got the better of the ground game so far.
Brown trying to control but Lindell is working from the bottom.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Brown sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Lindell's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lindell is defending against the submission attempts here by Brown.

Brown is trying to work for a kimura but Lindell is defending well.
Lindell scores with a few weak punches.
Brown throwing shots but Lindell is blocking nicely.
Brown performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Brown tries to pass the half guard into mount. Lindell knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brown is keen to just control but Lindell is a slippery customer.

Brown is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Lindell doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Brown.
Lindell is in trouble now - Brown has advanced to mount!
Lindell is wriggling around trying to escape.
Brown wants to control the pace but Lindell is squirming around nicely.
Lindell sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lindell throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Lindell is looking for a sweep. Brown is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Brown seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Lindell does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Brown blocks the strikes from Lindell.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Brown controlling the action here.
Brown uses his free foot to push down on Lindell's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Lindell.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Brown controlling his opponent.

Brown get's back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rodney Brown showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Lindell's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Lindell misses with a few strikes there.
Brown tries to clinch there but Lindell circles away.
Lindell shoots in but no luck this time.
Brown moves out of range as Lindell strikes.
Brown lands a nice shot to the body.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Brown.
Lindell misses with a strike from the bottom.
Lindell tries to strike from the bottom but misses.
Brown trying to control the position but Lindell is working away.

Brown stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Chuck Lindell is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Brown shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brown takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?

Brown gets tackled into the cage by Lindell. Lindell maintains the clinch.

Brown has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Lindell is trying to keep an underhook but Brown manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Brown takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Lindell looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Lindell tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Brown tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

Lindell looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Lindell has hold of Brown's hands but Brown slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brown wants to control but Lindell is keeping him busy.

Brown looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Lindell on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Lindell tries to get out of the position.
Brown thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Brown prevents Lindell from improving his position.
Brown working the head and body with strikes.
Brown wants to free his trapped foot but Lindell is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brown frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Brown has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Lindell's face.
Brown controlling the position easily from mount.
Brown trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Chuck Lindell has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lindell flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Brown cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Lindell throwing hammer fists to the chest of Brown. What's that going to do exactly?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lindell is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Brown gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Rodney Brown is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Brown.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Brown tries to clinch up but Lindell circles away and keeps his distance.
Brown is looking to clinch.
Brown tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Lindell keeps the fight on the outside.
Lindell takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Brown throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Brown moves into the clinch successfully.
Lindell lands a nice uppercut.
Lindell throws a head punch that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rodney Brown comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Brown winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 27:30
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rodney Brown!
Our winner, Rodney Brown, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.