PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Optimus Prime (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Viorel Gradea (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gradea has chosen bag pula-n lume si v-o fac cadou as his entrance music. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Prime
vs
Gradea

180 cm
21
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

173 cm
22
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Optimus Prime!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Viorel Gradea!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Konstantin Menshow and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Prime displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Gradea throws out the jab.
Gradea fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Prime scores with a takedown into Gradea's guard.

Prime gets to his feet - Gradea follows without any prompting.
Prime doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Gradea counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Gradea connects with a right hand. Prime shakes it off.

It looks like Optimus Prime has been cut.

Prime fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Gradea sprawls well initially but Prime persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Gradea trying to control but Prime postures up.
Prime wants to pass to mount but Gradea is defending the position.
Gradea wants to control but Prime is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gradea wants to improve his position but Prime is controlling well.
Prime wants to take a breather but Gradea is having none of it.
Gradea blocking the ground and pound attempt from Prime.
Prime wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gradea keeps working.
Prime prevents Gradea from improving his position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Gradea has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Prime finds it's way round the side to connect with Gradea's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Prime closes the distance and pushes Gradea back into the cage.

Prime manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Gradea won't allow Prime to sweep him here.
Prime controls Gradea momentarily but Gradea frees himself.
Gradea is looking to work some ground and pound but Prime has wrist control.
Gradea won't allow Prime to sweep him here.

Prime looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Gradea wants to control from the top but Prime keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Prime changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Gradea tries to avoid it but Prime manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Gradea to the ground. Gradea escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Gradea wants to clinch.

Prime shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Gradea manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Prime is breathing heavily.
Gradea keeping full guard, as Prime tries to pass.
Gradea has Prime pulled in close to control his posture.
Prime wants to stand and escape but instead Gradea has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gradea wants to control from the top but Prime keeps moving.

Gradea stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Prime tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Gradea swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Optimus Prime. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A head kick misses from Gradea.
Prime shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Gradea as he jumps to the side.
Gradea tries to clinch but Prime moves away

and Prime counters with a shoot takedown. Gradea fights it but they end up in guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Prime pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gradea is keeping the position for now.
Prime throws and elbow that misses. Gradea uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Prime's guard. Nice move by Gradea!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Optimus Prime dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Optimus Prime's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Gradea tries to clinch but Prime is having none of it.
Prime shoots in and drives through. Gradea sprawls well.
Gradea tries to clinch up

and Prime counters with a nice double leg into side control. Gradea won't be happy with that.
Gradea wants to control but Prime postures up.
Gradea tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Gradea is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gradea wants to control but Prime postures up.
Gradea tries to strike but it doesn't land.

Prime decides to stand up, so the ref orders Gradea to his feet.
Prime keeps the fight on the outside.

Prime shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Prime thowing shots but they're missing.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Prime avoids the attempt from Gradea to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Prime lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Prime can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Gradea is looking to escape.
Gradea is wriggling around trying to escape.
BOOM! Prime connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Prime misses with a head shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Prime looking to control but Gradea is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Gradea wants to control but Prime is having none of it.
Prime scoring with strikes but Gradea is staying in there.
Prime tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Gradea tries to lock up and control but Prime gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Prime controlling the position easily from mount.
Gradea avoids a series of strikes thrown by Prime.

Prime is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Gradea has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Gradea!
Gradea wants to control from the top but Prime keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Optimus Prime dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Optimus Prime's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Gradea tries to close the distance and clinch up but Prime swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Optimus Prime is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gradea keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gradea with a lazy takedown attempt

and Prime counters with a nice double leg into side control. Gradea won't be happy with that.
Prime tries to advance position but instead Gradea slips a leg back in to half guard.
Prime slows the pace down in half guard.
Gradea is pressing down on Prime's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Gradea takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Prime looking to pass the guard.
Prime throws a big right hand that misses.
Prime has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Prime wanted to stand there but Gradea had control of the position.
Prime wants to pass the guard but Gradea is keeping the position.
Prime controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Prime with a flurry of punches that miss.
Gradea keeping moving, preventing Prime from controlling successfully.
Gradea is looking to stand up but Prime isn't so interested in that idea.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Gradea doesn't manage to clinch there - Prime circles away.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Prime.
Gradea looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Prime is fending him off so far but Gradea persists. Nope, Prime circles away and we're back to standing.

Prime closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Prime decides to stand back up. Prime steps back and let's Gradea get back to his feet.

Prime closes the distance and clinches.
A frustrated look appears on Prime's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Prime lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Gradea.
Gradea fails to pull guard.
Optimus Prime has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Viorel Gradea.
Prime is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Gradea breaks the clinch.
Gradea tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Prime counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Prime tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Gradea fails to pull guard.

Prime breaks the clinch.
Gradea tries to clinch but Prime is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Prime tries to score a power double leg takedown but Gradea sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Prime somewhat.
Gradea has his takedown stuffed

and Prime counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Gradea's guard now.
Gradea looking to hit a scissor sweep but Prime is one step ahead there.
Prime trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Prime working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Viorel Gradea has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Optimus Prime is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Prime gets to his feet - Gradea follows without any prompting.

And that's the end of the fight!
Optimus Prime showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Prime, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Optimus Prime!