PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Thiago Leites (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Fratz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). John Fratz is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Leites
vs
Fratz

175 cm
18
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
175 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Very confident

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thiago Leites!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, John Fratz!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Alexandre Firmino and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Fratz closes the distance and pushes Leites back into the cage.

Leites drags the fight down to the ground.
Fratz would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Fratz really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Leites. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Leites looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Fratz has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Leites is proving hard to escape from.
Leites manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Fratz manages to get himself to full guard.
Leites tries to free his leg and advance position but Fratz is retaining full guard.
Fratz is looking to stand up but Leites isn't so interested in that idea.
Leites wants to pass the guard but Fratz is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Leites thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Leites passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Fratz explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!

Fratz clinches with his opponent.

Leites manages to break the clinch.
Fratz with a jab.
Leites is trying hard to land a takedown here. Fratz sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Leites fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Fratz avoids it really well and circles away.
Leites is breathing heavily.
Fratz avoids a punch combination nicely.
Leites tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Fratz holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fratz is trying to break the clinch but Leites is controlling him.
Fratz tries to break free but Leites pushes him back against the cage.
Fratz stops a takedown attempt from Leites.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thiago Leites. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fratz is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Leites tries to score a body lock takedown but Fratz shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Fratz lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Fratz effectively controlling the action here.
Fratz lands a right hand.
Fratz stalls.
Leites can't get the takedown.
Fratz tries to circle away but Leites has him pinned against the cage.
Fratz lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Fratz avoiding damage.
Fratz lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A frustrated look appears on Fratz's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Fratz is trying to force a seperation but Leites has the dominant position.
Leites keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Fratz's efforts to push away.
Fratz scores with a shot to the side of Leites's head.
Leites keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Fratz's efforts to push away.
Leites is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Fratz pushes Leites back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Leites is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Fratz pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fratz wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Leites changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Fratz fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Fratz works over Leites's head and body with a nice combination.

Fratz takes the fight into the clinch.
Leites goes for a takedown attempt but Fratz pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Leites fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Fratz lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Fratz closes the distance and clinches.
Fratz softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A short right from Fratz.
Fratz lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
The referee calls for Fratz to work.
Leites is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Fratz gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fratz wants to break the clinch but can't.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Fratz.
Fratz is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Leites drops down looking for an ankle pick but Fratz pulls his leg out and moves away.
Fratz blocks a head kick by Leites.
Leites throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Leites tries for a takedown but Fratz sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Fratz takes the fight into the clinch.

Fratz breaks from the clinch.
Leites fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Leites.
Leites walks into a left hand.

Fratz has taken the fight to the clinch.
Leites tries to break free but Fratz pushes him back against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Fratz dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Leites throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Fratz counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Fratz tries to circle away but Leites has him pinned against the cage.
Leites drops down looking for an ankle pick but Fratz pulls his leg out and moves away.
Fratz displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

Fratz rushes Leites and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Leites breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Leites fails with a takedown attempt.
Leites showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Fratz.
Fratz tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Leites paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Fratz displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Fratz throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Fratz tries to close the distance and clinch up but Leites swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Leites moves forwards but Fratz connects with a nice, crisp jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leites shoots in looking for a takedown. Fratz tries to sprawl out of it but Leites keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Fratz manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thiago Leites. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fratz lands a jab to the head.

Fratz closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Fratz pushes Leites back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Fratz working hard to break the clinch.
Fratz scores with a nice hook to the head.
Fratz prevents the takedown attempt.
Fratz lands a shoulder strike.
Fratz wants to get back to striking at distance but Leites won't allow it.
Leites being controlled against the cage.
Fratz tries to break the clinch but Leites is controlling the position.
Fratz has had enough of the clinch but Leites keeps him there for the moment.
Leites tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Fratz just stands there and leans against the cage.
Leites looking for a takedown.
The is referee keeping an eye on Fratz - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Fratz tries to circle away but Leites has him pinned against the cage.
Fratz lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Leites breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fratz takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Nice sprawl there from Fratz as Leites shoots in.
Leites fails with the takedown.
Fratz tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Fratz throws a nice looking combination but Leites bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Fratz has taken the fight to the clinch.
Leites tries to pull guard but Fratz holds him up against the cage and eventually Leites drops back down to his feet.
Fratz wants to get back to striking at distance but Leites won't allow it.
Leites tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Leites can't get the takedown.
Leites tries for a takedown but Fratz manages to get underhooks.
Leites looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Fratz prevents Leites from breaking the clinch.
Fratz has had enough of the clinch but Leites keeps him there for the moment.
Leites has Fratz pressed against the cage, preventing Fratz from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Leites jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Fratz walks away with a smile on his face. Leites gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Leites darts in trying to clinch
and Fratz counters with a right hand to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fratz slips a jab and a cross from Leites.
Leites looks to clinch

and Fratz counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Leites is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Fratz looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Leites jumps guard but Fratz stands there with Leites around his waist. Leites gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Fratz breaks the clinch.
Fratz tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Leites paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Fratz darts in and clinches Leites up against the cage.
Fratz working hard to break the clinch.

Leites decides to pull guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Leites working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Fratz doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Fratz manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Leites is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Fratz is pressed up against the cage. Leites has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Fratz down to the mat. Fratz avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Fratz moves into the clinch successfully.
Leites tries to pull guard but Fratz holds him up against the cage and eventually Leites drops back down to his feet.
Leites keeps control of Fratz as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Fratz can't break the clinch.
Fratz is pressed up against the cage. Leites has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Fratz down to the mat. Fratz avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Fratz blocks a head kick by Leites.
Fratz with a body punch. A glancing blow.

Fratz drives through and clinches with Leites against the cage.
Leites keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Fratz's efforts to push away.

Leites breaks from the clinch.
Leites throws a head kick that misses.
Leites swats away the attempt to clinch by Fratz.
Thiago Leites is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Leites circles away from the clinch attempt.
John Fratz is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Fratz keeps the fight on the outside.
Fratz scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Fratz circles away from the clinch attempt

and Fratz moves into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Fratz showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Leites tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Fratz swivels and escapes.
Leites fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Fratz fails in his attempt to clinch.

Fratz gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Leites wants to get back to striking at distance but Fratz won't allow it.
Fratz can't break the clinch.

Leites breaks the clinch.
Leites has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

Fratz has managed to clinch.
Fratz tries to break free but Leites pushes him back against the cage.
Fratz is trying to force a seperation but Leites has the dominant position.
Leites is working for takedown but Fratz is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thiago Leites. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fratz is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Fratz breaks from the clinch.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Fratz.
Fratz's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Fratz duly obliges.
Fratz is looking to clinch.
Fratz moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Thiago Leites seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Leites closes the distance looking to clinch
and Fratz counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fratz wants to clinch up but Leites keeps it at a distance.
Fratz wants to clinch up but Leites keeps it at a distance.
Leites works over Fratz's head and body with a nice combination.
Fratz lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Leites drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Leites tries to score a power double leg takedown but Fratz sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Leites somewhat.
Leites fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Fratz lands a nice shot to the body.
Leites moves in looking to clinch but Fratz pushes him off.

Fratz gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Fratz scores with a shot to the side of Leites's head.
Leites tries for a takedown but Fratz manages to get underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fratz is working Leites over against the cage.
Fratz is looking to break free of the clinch but Leites has double underhooks.
John Fratz seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Leites drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Fratz lands a right hand that snaps the head of Leites backwards.

Leites breaks from the clinch.
Fratz keeps the fight on the outside.
Fratz misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Leites swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Fratz moves into the clinch.
Fratz lands a left hand that snaps the head of Leites backwards.
Leites tries to break free but Fratz pushes him back against the cage.
Fratz is trying to maintain a safe position but Leites gets an underhook and turns Fratz into the cage.
Fratz tries to break the clinch but Leites is controlling the position.
Leites goes for a takedown in the clinch but Fratz prevents it.
Fratz displaying some good clinch control by pressing Leites up against the cage.
Fratz is trying to break the clinch but Leites is controlling him.
Leites has Fratz pressed against the cage, preventing Fratz from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Leites pulls guard.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leites bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Fratz's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fratz keeping moving, preventing Leites from controlling successfully.

Fratz is working an open guard so Leites takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Leites throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
enabling Fratz to counter with a crisp jab.
Leites closes this distance looking for a takedown but Fratz circles away.
Leites misses with a takedown attempt - Fratz sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Leites takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Leites clinches but Fratz breaks the clinch
and Fratz cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Fratz throws a wild body kick that Leites sees coming a mile off.
Leites avoids the head kick by Fratz.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leites shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Fratz as he jumps to the side.
Leites looks to clinch
and Fratz connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Fratz closes the distance and clinches.

Leites pulls guard effortlessly.
Fratz wants to get up but he can't break Leites's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Leites had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Fratz is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Leites Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Fratz's back instead.

Fratz defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Leites's arms.
Leites throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
Fratz is trying to stand back up.
Thiago Leites has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
John Fratz is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to John Fratz.
I've got Fratz 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 Daniel Cesar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Fratz!