PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Nick Chapman (ranked 4395 p4p, 4335 weight class) and Rey Ross (ranked 423 p4p, 416 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Chapman
vs
Ross

172 cm
18
155
0 - 0 - 0

178 cm
18
155
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

FREECH! (free speech clothing inc with REFUNDS!

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Nick Chapman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Rey Ross!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Ryoma Takatsuka and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ross moves into the clinch.
Ross blocks an uppercut.
Ross prevents a takedown attempt there.

Ross tightens his grip and picks Chapman up, before dumping him to the ground. Chapman manages to land in guard.
Ross trying to control the position from guard on top but Chapman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Chapman is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ross defends well.
Ross is looking to work some ground and pound but Chapman has wrist control.

Chapman is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Chapman working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ross doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Ross manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chapman looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Ross missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Ross loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Chapman avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Chapman working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Ross has passed into half guard!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Chapman is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ross pulls his head out easily.
Ross working over Chapman with some ground and pound. Chapman looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Chapman is defending against the submission attempts here by Ross.
Chapman gets full guard.
Ross postures up in Chapman's guard and throws a big left but Chapman blocks it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ross throwing strikes from guard but Chapman blocks nicely.
Chapman looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Ross puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Chapman tries to roll over but Ross keeps him under control.

Ross is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Ross is looking to take a break and control but Chapman is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ross throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Chapman tries to get to full guard but Ross has control of the leg.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Chapman works his way to full guard. Good work.

Chapman is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Ross preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ross advances position into side control!
Chapman parries the strikes from Ross easily there. Ross is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Chapman to escape.

Ross looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Ross working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Ross wants to lay and pray for a moment but Chapman keeps working.
Chapman is looking for a sweep.
Chapman is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Ross off and has taken his back!
Chapman lands a couple of good shots to his opponent's body and a final shot to the head. Good little attack there by Chapman.
Ross covers up after that shot from Chapman.
Ross wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Chapman has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Ross trying to get back to his feet but Chapman is in full control for now.
Chapman is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at Ross. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.
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!
Ross grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
Chapman lands shots from the back.
Ross is trying to get back to his feet but Chapman has full control of the position and if anything, Ross has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Chapman has got his arm under Ross's chin working for the choke… has he got it? It looks pretty tight! Oh! Ross has spun round into Chapman's guard beautifully! Well done that man!

Chapman is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Rey Ross will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Ross moves away from the strike by Chapman.
Ross throws a right and a left that Chapman avoids nicely.
Chapman swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

Ross has Chapman up against the cage in a clinch.

Ross gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Rey Ross has got the better of the ground game so far.
Chapman is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Ross looks like he's trying to stand up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Chapman is looking for a kimura but Ross is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Chapman to get the leverage.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Chapman lands a nice short elbow.
Chapman wants to pass the guard but Ross is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ross kicks off Chapman and gets to his feet.
Ross's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Ross duly obliges.
Ross misses with a head kick.
Chapman is looking to counter the offense by Ross and move into the clinch.
Ross throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Chapman slips a jab and a cross from Ross.
Ross is breathing heavily.
Chapman cracks Ross with an open hand slap.
Ross misses with a wild combination.
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!
Ross looks to land a combination but Chapman avoids it well.
An attempted straight right counter from Chapman misses the target.
Ross uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Chapman.
Chapman looks to land a left hand but Ross moved out of range nicely.
Ross displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chapman showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ross.
Rey Ross seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ross tries to bum rush Chapman with a series of wild strikes but Chapman uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Chapman avoids a punch combination nicely.
Chapman seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Chapman lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ross circles away quickly and effectively.
Ross is looking for the big counter here.
Sloppy strikes from Ross. Those never looked like landing.
Chapman tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Ross manages to circle out of the way.

Chapman scores with a takedown into Ross's guard.
Chapman works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Chapman is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Chapman cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Chapman has hold of Ross's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Ross manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.

Chapman is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Ross has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Chapman with a couple of short strikes.

Chapman swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Ross is now in Chapman's guard. A big mistake from Chapman there, giving up the dominant position!
Chapman manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Ross manages to get himself to full guard.

Chapman works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Chapman looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Chapman uses his free foot to push down on Ross's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Ross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chapman is landing with some decent strikes but Ross is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Chapman punishing his opponent with strikes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Chapman landing strikes, looking to finish!
Chapman is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Chapman scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Chapman landing punches.

Chapman has control of Ross's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Ross regains control of the situation pretty easily.

Chapman wants to finish this one by submission but Ross is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Chapman.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Chapman raining down hammerfists from mount.
Chapman won't let Ross get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Nick Chapman will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Ross closes the distance and pushes Chapman back into the cage.
Chapman working aggressively here.

Ross has clasped his hands together around Chapman's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Chapman is looking to reverse the position.

Ross tries for a kimura but Chapman is defending well.
Chapman is looking for a sweep.
Chapman is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Chapman tries to roll over but Ross keeps him under control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chapman is pressing down on Ross's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Chapman wants to sweep here but Ross controlling him for the moment.
Ross trying to control the position from guard on top but Chapman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Chapman throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chapman wants to sweep here but Ross controlling him for the moment.

Chapman working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ross doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Ross manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Chapman avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Chapman looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Ross is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Chapman has his foot on Ross's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ross works his way back into a safe position though.
Ross postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Chapman 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Ross working some strikes from top position.
Chapman looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Chapman is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Chapman wants to pass the guard but Ross is defending well.
Chapman is nestled in close to Ross, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Chapman is looking to advance position but Ross won't allow it.
Ross wants to get back to his feet.
Chapman is pressing down on Ross's thigh, looking to free his foot. Ross is holding on for now.

Ross pushes Chapman off and gets back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ross swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Chapman counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Ross has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Chapman is trying to keep an underhook but Ross manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Chapman tries to get to full guard but Ross has control of the leg.
Chapman gets back to full guard.
Chapman has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Chapman looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ross is one step ahead there.
Ross wants to control from the top but Chapman keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chapman keeping full guard, as Ross tries to pass.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Chapman is on top in guard.

Chapman is pushing down on Ross's leg trying to pass to half guard. Ross is fighting to maintain full guard but Chapman has managed to sneak the leg through.
Chapman uses his free foot to push down on Ross's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Ross.
Chapman raining down hammerfists from mount.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Chapman jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Ross manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Chapman lands a few punches from side control.
Chapman scores with punches from side control.

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 Nick Chapman.
I think Chapman 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 Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nick Chapman!
Rey Ross spoke after the fight, saying 'He got lucky , i wanna rematch'.