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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mel Gray (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Barry Obomba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.
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| 170 cm
26
150 lbs
10 - 3 - 0 |
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175 cm
22
153 lbs
4 - 2 - 0 |
BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong |
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BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mel Gray!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Barry Obomba!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Leandro Rodrigues and Daniel Cesar.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Obomba throws a front kick aimed at Gray's knee but Gray avoids it well.
Obomba misses with a takedown attempt - Gray sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Obomba avoids a punch combination nicely.
Gray closes the distance and clinches up with Obomba, looking for a takedown. Gray pushes Obomba against the cage but Obomba circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Obomba takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Obomba scores with a three punch combo!
A punch combination from Obomba misses.
Obomba uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Gray.
Gray feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Gray gets to his feet - Obomba follows without any prompting.
Obomba is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Mel Gray seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gray avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Gray fails to land with a series of punches.
Gray with a lazy takedown attempt
and Obomba holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Gray pulls guard successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gray is trying to control the position but Obomba postures up.
Gray can't keep his opponent in guard - Obomba advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Obomba thows a huge punch but Gray dodges it nicely.
Obomba winds up and cracks Gray with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Obomba seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Gray does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Gray wants to control but Obomba is keeping busy.
Obomba blocks the strikes from Gray.
Obomba with the ground and pound but Gray uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Gray keeping moving, preventing Obomba from controlling successfully.
Gray doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Obomba chips away with some ground and pound.
Gray looking to hit a scissor sweep but Obomba is one step ahead there.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Obomba fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gray manages to avoid it.
Gray misses with a double jab
and Obomba counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Obomba.
Gray blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Obomba keeps control of Gray as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Obomba wants a takedown but no success here.
Obomba is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Mel Gray has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Barry Obomba.
Obomba has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Gray is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Obomba looking for a takedown.
Gray blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Obomba tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Gray smiles and moves away.
Obomba tries to clinch but Gray moves out of range.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gray connects with a single shot there.
Obomba gets a clinch.
Obomba drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Gray wants to break free but Obomba has control.
Obomba is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Gray pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nice body punch from Obomba.
Obomba ducks under a wild hook from Gray.
Gray scores with a three punch combo!
Obomba tries to clinch up.
Gray bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Obomba's head.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Gray misses its intended target.
A jab from Gray does it's job there.
Gray fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Obomba manages to avoid it.
Gray with a poor takedown
and Obomba counters with a takedown into side control.
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!
Gray is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Obomba is controlling him well.
Obomba is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Gray has escaped the position, nice work there.
Gray sneaks back into half guard.
Gray is pressing down on Obomba's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Obomba throws a big right hand that misses.
Gray looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Gray keeping moving, preventing Obomba from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Mel Gray dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Obomba swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gray paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Gray misses with a straight left.
Some wild striking there from Gray.
Gray circles away from the clinch attempt.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Obomba is defended easily by Gray.
Gray has his takedown stuffed
and Obomba counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Obomba.
Obomba tries for a takedown. No joy.
Obomba is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Gray gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Mel Gray has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Barry Obomba.
Obomba jumps guard but Gray stands there with Obomba around his waist. Obomba gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Obomba ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Obomba no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Gray stands up over Obomba, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Gray drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Obomba manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Gray has Obomba in his guard.
Obomba won't allow Gray to sweep him here.
Obomba is pushing down on Gray's leg trying to pass to half guard. Gray is fighting to maintain full guard but Obomba has managed to sneak the leg through.
Gray is looking for a sweep. Obomba is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Gray manages to get to full guard.
Gray is striking off his back. Obomba thinks nothing of it though and passes easily into half guard.
Obomba thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Gray's head.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Obomba uses his free foot to push down on Gray's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Gray.
Obomba looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Gray is working to get back to half guard.
Obomba working the ground and pound effectively.
Gray is wriggling around trying to escape.
Obomba lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Gray hang on?
Obomba trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Gray really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Obomba lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gray keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Obomba looking to finish Gray with some ground and pound. This is bad for Gray!
Obomba pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Gray is working to get back to half guard.
Obomba landing strikes, looking to finish!
Obomba tries to control but Gray wriggling away.
Obomba with the ground and pound from mount.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gray tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Obomba punishing his opponent with strikes.
Gray tries to reverse the position but Obomba maintains control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Obomba postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Gray looks a forlorn figure.
Obomba with shots to the head and body - Gray looks very uncomfortable down there.
Obomba with the ground and pound from mount.
Gray tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Obomba lands a big elbow.
Obomba lands a heavy elbow.
Obomba lands with some strikes.
Gray is looking to improve his position but Obomba isn't that keen on the idea.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Obomba connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Barry Obomba showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Gray with a lazy takedown attempt
and Obomba counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Obomba.
Obomba swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Gray is pressed up against the cage. Obomba has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Gray down to the mat. Gray avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Obomba takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Gray swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Obomba counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Gray's guard now.
Obomba with a flurry of punches that miss.
Obomba postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gray not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Obomba postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Gray is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Obomba, into his guard.
Gray scoring with punches to the head and body.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Obomba has his foot on Gray's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Gray works his way back into a safe position though.
Gray landing with the ground and pound.
Obomba takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Gray passes Obomba's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Obomba wants to get back to full guard.
Gray seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Gray is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Gray throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Gray is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Obomba doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Gray.
Obomba is looking to get back to full guard here but Gray has managed to pass to side control instead.
Obomba has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee warns Obomba that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Obomba manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Gray scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Obomba avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Gray.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Obomba moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Obomba looking for a guillotine here but Gray defends easily.
Gray with a nice head shot there.
Gray in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Obomba is looking for a triangle but Gray pushes his legs off easily.
Gray throws a strike but Obomba rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Obomba missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Obomba with a flurry of punches that miss.
Obomba pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gray is keeping the position for now.
Gray trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Gray is on top in guard.
Gray postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Obomba is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Gray, into his guard.
Obomba postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close third round but Barry Obomba just about did enough to take it.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.
Gray connects with a right hand. Obomba shakes it off.
Obomba on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Gray fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Obomba manages to avoid it.
Obomba tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Gray paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Obomba tries to clinch up.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Obomba is defended easily by Gray.
Obomba shoots and misses
and Gray makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Gray scores with the left hand. Obomba knows he should have avoided that one.
Obomba gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Gray works over Obomba with some ground and pound from guard.
Obomba is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Gray throws a big right hand that misses.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Gray with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Obomba has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Gray can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Obomba utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Gray scoring with some ground and pound.
Gray thows a big elbow that misses.
Gray is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Gray working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Gray is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Gray postures up.
Gray with a nice head shot there.
Gray working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Obomba's head.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Obomba is on top in guard.
Gray working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Obomba.
Obomba trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Gray is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Obomba is aware though and is defending well.
Obomba trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Obomba postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Obomba scoring with some ground and pound.
Barry Obomba has got the better of the ground game so far.
Obomba advances to half guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gray looking for submissions off his back.
Obomba scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Gray gets back to full guard.
Gray trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Obomba pushes down on Gray's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Obomba seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Gray slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Obomba throws and elbow that misses. Gray uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Obomba's guard. Nice move by Gray!
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Obomba is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Obomba looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Gray passes into side control.
Obomba takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Gray scoring with punches from side control.
Gray landing strikes.
Obomba dodges the ground and pound from Gray.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Mel Gray had his way with Barry Obomba in that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!
Gray fails to land with a series of punches.
Obomba tries to clinch up
and Gray counters with a takedown into side control.
Gray throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Obomba works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Gray thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Gray throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Gray throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Gray thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Obomba is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Gray scores with a couple of nice shots.
Gray missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Obomba kicks off Gray and gets to his feet.
Danga de danga de dang - Gray scores with a four punch combination!
Obomba leaves Gray with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Obomba tries to clinch up.
Obomba tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gray swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Obomba jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Obomba moves away from the strike by Gray.
Obomba tries to clinch up
enabling Gray to counter with a crisp jab.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Obomba tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gray swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Gray misses with a double jab
and Obomba counters with a single leg into guard. Gray didn't expect that.
Gray striking off his back but it's not causing Obomba any problems.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Obomba's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Gray utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Obomba is looking to work some ground and pound but Gray has wrist control.
Gray manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Gray getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Gray throws a right hand that Obomba ducks under and follows up with a left that Obomba also avoids with ease.
Obomba shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
so Gray counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gray throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Obomba utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Obomba working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Gray.
Obomba wants to sweep here but Gray controlling him for the moment.
Gray thows a big elbow that misses.
Gray throwing strikes but missing.
Obomba looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
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.
Gray works over Obomba with some ground and pound from guard.
Gray postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Obomba is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Gray is controlling him.
Obomba has momentary wrist control but Gray slips an elbow through the middle.
Gray postures up and lands a big shot to Obomba's brow.
Obomba throws his legs up looking for a submission but Gray uses it to pass to side control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gray lands a decent elbow from side control.
And that's the end of the fight!
Mel Gray showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Gray 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 48:47
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 48:47
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 48:47
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mel Gray!
Mel Gray retains his featherweight title!
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
100% |
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