PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between James La Grande (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Terrence Mitchell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). La Grande comes to the cage accompanied by Gemini Club-Sparklers. 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.

La Grande
vs
Mitchell

186 cm
21
179 lbs
10 - 1 - 0

177 cm
27
170 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Good knees
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Urban Fighter

GREEN!160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, James La Grande!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Terrence Mitchell!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Luis Engracia and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mitchell throws a head kick that misses.
As Mitchell tries to get set, La Grande tries to push him back and clinch up but Mitchell manages to avoid the attempt.
La Grande tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Mitchell swivels and escapes.
La Grande moves out of range as Mitchell throws a body kick.
La Grande lands with an overhand left.

Mitchell drives through with a takedown into La Grande's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Mitchell decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on La Grande, up you get!
La Grande takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
La Grande works over Mitchell's head and body with a nice combination.

Mitchell has managed to clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mitchell tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
La Grande throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Mitchell blocks it with crossed arms.
Mitchell goes for a takedown attempt but La Grande pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Mitchell tries to keep at a distance but La Grande has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

La Grande has Mitchell pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. La Grande pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Mitchell tumbling to the mat - La Grande dives into Mitchell's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Mitchell is looking for a triangle but La Grande pushes his legs off easily.
Mitchell wants to sweep but no luck.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Mitchell holds on and takes a little breather.

La Grande has gone for a leg lock! Mitchell slips out almost immediately though and dives into La Grande's guard.

La Grande has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Mitchell is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for La Grande.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
La Grande is looking for a sweep.

Mitchell stands up and beckons La Grande to his feet.

Mitchell scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

La Grande looking for submissions off his back.
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!
La Grande tries to kick Mitchell off but Mitchell keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Mitchell is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Mitchell not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
La Grande is staying active underneath Mitchell, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Mitchell prevents La Grande from standing back up.

La Grande is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Mitchell pulls his head out easily.
La Grande tries to kick Mitchell off but Mitchell keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

La Grande looking for a kimura from the bottom but Mitchell passes into side control!

La Grande throws Mitchell to one side and escapes!

La Grande moves into the clinch.
La Grande tries to land a knee to the head but Mitchell blocks with his arms.
Mitchell looking for a takedown.
Mitchell drops to a knee looking for a takedown but La Grande gets the underhooks and prevents it.
James La Grande has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Terrence Mitchell.
Mitchell takes a knee to the side of the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
La Grande changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Mitchell fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Mitchell misses with a few strikes there.
Mitchell throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Mitchell throws a right and a left that both miss.
La Grande gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Mitchell.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mitchell misses with the combination.

La Grande darts in and clinches Mitchell up against the cage.
La Grande is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Mitchell is defending well for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Terrence Mitchell will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

La Grande tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Mitchell appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.

La Grande clinches.
La Grande misses with a knee to the head.
Mitchell is trying to push La Grande away but La Grande has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
La Grande connects with a knee to the head.
La Grande blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Mitchell looking to slow down the pace here.
La Grande scores with a knee to the head.
La Grande landing knees to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
La Grande jumps guard but Mitchell stands there with La Grande around his waist. La Grande gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
La Grande misses with a knee strike.
Mitchell has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. La Grande avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mitchell breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Mitchell ducks down and throws a hook to the body but La Grande moves away.
La Grande misses the body punch

and Mitchell decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in La Grande's guard.

Mitchell stands up from La Grande's guard - Mitchell perhaps looking for a knockout.

La Grande drives through and clinches with Mitchell against the cage.
La Grande is looking for a takedown.

La Grande escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mitchell swings for the body but La Grande moves out of range.
La Grande tries to counter with a takedown but Mitchell is quick to defend against it.
La Grande fails in his attempt to clinch.
La Grande shoots and misses

and Mitchell counters by clinching up.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James La Grande. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
La Grande throws a knee to the head but misses.
La Grande misses with a knee strike.
Mitchell stops a takedown attempt from La Grande.
James La Grande has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
La Grande misses with a knee to the head.
Mitchell misses with the head strike.
La Grande is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Mitchell is keeping busy.
Mitchell drops down looking for an ankle pick but La Grande pulls his leg out and moves away.
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!
A jab from Mitchell misses.
La Grande doesn't manage to clinch there - Mitchell circles away.
Mitchell tries to counter with a clinch but La Grande shakes him off and moves away.
La Grande doesn't manage to clinch there - Mitchell circles away.
Some wild striking there from Mitchell.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

La Grande has closed the distance and engaged Mitchell in a clinch.
Mitchell struggles to land a body shot inside as La Grande controls his hands.
Mitchell letting La Grande take a breather here.

La Grande ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. La Grande no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Mitchell trying to control but La Grande is working from the bottom.
Mitchell landing some decent shots from guard.
Mitchell forces his way into half guard.
Mitchell tries to pass to full mount but La Grande defends it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mitchell controlling the pace.
La Grande is not content to let Mitchell control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
La Grande wants to get back to his feet.
Mitchell looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks La Grande with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Mitchell perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Mitchell wants to pass the guard but La Grande is defending well.
La Grande wants to get back to full guard but Mitchell has mounted him!
Mitchell trying to control but La Grande is having none of it.
La Grande's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Terrence Mitchell will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

La Grande thows a left - swing and a miss!
A low kick from Mitchell misses

and La Grande decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Mitchell's guard.

Mitchell is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
La Grande connects with a nasty looking knee right to Mitchell's face.

It looks like Terrence Mitchell has been cut.

La Grande breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
La Grande moves in looking to clinch but Mitchell pushes him off.
La Grande doesn't manage to clinch there - Mitchell circles away.
Mitchell swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

Mitchell instigates a clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
La Grande scores with a knee to the head.
La Grande blocks a body shot from Mitchell.
Mitchell takes a knee right on the jaw!
La Grande lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mitchell tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Mitchell wants a takedown.
La Grande with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Mitchell is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
La Grande pressing his opponent against the cage.
La Grande wants to take the fight to the mat but Mitchell manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Mitchell wants to get back to striking at distance but La Grande won't allow it.
La Grande stalling.
La Grande using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Mitchell has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's two 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.
Mitchell tries to score a body lock takedown but La Grande shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Mitchell can't find room to land a body shot as La Grande controls the action.
La Grande throws a knee to the head but misses.
Mitchell is looking for a takedown up against the cage. La Grande gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
James La Grande has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Terrence Mitchell.
La Grande unloads a knee to the mid-section. Mitchell lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Mitchell takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
La Grande displaying some good clinch control by pressing Mitchell up against the cage.
La Grande is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Mitchell is defending well for now.
Mitchell is trying to break the clinch but La Grande has him pressed against the cage.
La Grande manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
La Grande throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Mitchell blocks it with crossed arms.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mitchell swings wildly with an uppercut but La Grande uses good head movement to avoid it.

La Grande pulls guard successfully.
Mitchell wants to control from the top but La Grande keeps moving.
La Grande throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
We've been hearing good reports from La Grande's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

La Grande working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Mitchell doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Mitchell manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
La Grande can't keep his opponent in guard - Mitchell advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Mitchell seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but La Grande does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

La Grande looking for submissions off his back.
Mitchell works his way into full mount!
La Grande squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Mitchell with a couple of short strikes.
Mitchell with the ground and pound from mount.
La Grande looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
La Grande tries to escape the position.

La Grande fending off the submission attempt from Mitchell.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but James La Grande did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Terrence Mitchell's cut.
That's time! La Grande's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

La Grande tries to clinch up but Mitchell circles away and keeps his distance.

Mitchell fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with La Grande, pushing him back against the cage.
La Grande misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Mitchell.
La Grande throws a knee to the head but misses.
Mitchell tried to land a shot to the body but connects with La Grande's elbow.
Mitchell tries to break free but La Grande pushes him back against the cage.
La Grande is trying to pull guard but Mitchell turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
A knee to the head by La Grande.
Mitchell looking to slow down the pace here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
La Grande with a knee to the head.
Mitchell prevents a takedown attempt there.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Mitchell wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
La Grande tries to land a knee to the head but Mitchell blocks with his arms.
La Grande is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Mitchell is defending well for now.
Mitchell blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Mitchell wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
La Grande utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
La Grande using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Mitchell has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
La Grande trying to land knees to the body.
Mitchell is looking for a takedown.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from La Grande.
La Grande throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Mitchell blocks it with crossed arms.
La Grande throws a knee to the head but misses.
Mitchell wants to get back to striking at distance but La Grande won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
La Grande tries a knee to the head but Mitchell blocks it.
La Grande stalling in the clinch but Mitchell improves position.
Mitchell throws a punch but it's blocked by La Grande.
La Grande misses with a knee strike.
La Grande tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
La Grande using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Mitchell has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
La Grande prevents Mitchell from breaking the clinch.

La Grande breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Mitchell closes the distance and pushes La Grande back into the cage.
La Grande using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
La Grande tries to land knees in the clinch but Mitchell avoids the damage to the body.
Mitchell tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
La Grande connects with a nasty looking knee right to Mitchell's face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
La Grande lands a knee to the body.
Mitchell misses with a hook from the clinch.

Mitchell pulls guard effortlessly.
La Grande in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
La Grande throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mitchell works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Mitchell has La Grande pulled in close to control his posture.
La Grande stands and throws Mitchell's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Mitchell tries to improve position but can't.

La Grande tries for a kimura but Mitchell is defending well.

La Grande goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Mitchell has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for La Grande but great work by Mitchell.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
La Grande pushes Mitchell away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Mitchell gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
La Grande tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Mitchell is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
La Grande looking for a sweep but Mitchell has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Terrence Mitchell has got the better of the ground game so far.
La Grande working to try and regain half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
La Grande is squirming around, avoiding Mitchell's attempts to control the action.
Mitchell controlling from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James La Grande had his way with Terrence Mitchell in that round.
The cut man is working on Terrence Mitchell's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

La Grande lands a jab-cross combination.
Mitchell pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Mitchell throws a hook but La Grande blocks it.
Terrence Mitchell seems to be getting the better of the standup.
La Grande tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Mitchell paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Mitchell avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

La Grande moves into the clinch successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
La Grande tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
La Grande tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
La Grande lands a nice knee to the body.
Mitchell tries to break free but La Grande pushes him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Mitchell creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
La Grande unloads a knee to the mid-section. Mitchell lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Mitchell is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
La Grande effectively controlling the action here.
La Grande has Mitchell pressed against the cage.
La Grande using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
La Grande scores with a knee to the head.

La Grande manages to break the clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - La Grande looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Mitchell throws a looping overhand right but La Grande ducks down to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mitchell looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Mitchell throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

La Grande instigates a clinch.

La Grande has hold of one of Mitchell's legs. Mitchell is fighting the takedown attempt but La Grande gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
La Grande has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Mitchell is proving hard to escape from.
Mitchell tries to land a sweep but no joy.
La Grande trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
La Grande passes Mitchell's left leg - he's now in half guard.
La Grande not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mitchell trying to hold on to La Grande's head to control him but La Grande postures up.
La Grande missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Mitchell won't allow La Grande to pass to mount.
Mitchell gets full guard.
La Grande pushes down on Mitchell's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Mitchell is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Mitchell wants to control but La Grande is keeping busy.
La Grande tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Mitchell is looking for a sweep. La Grande is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
La Grande trying to mount his opponent but Mitchell defends it.
La Grande thows a huge punch but Mitchell dodges it nicely.
Mitchell is trying to control but can't.

La Grande is looking for a kimura but Mitchell is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for La Grande to get the leverage.

La Grande is trying to work for a kimura but Mitchell is defending well.

La Grande is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Mitchell defends it well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

La Grande wants to work for an arm triangle but Mitchell is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
James La Grande showed his dominance in that final round.
I think La Grande 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 Seu Braga scores the fight 48:47
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 47:48
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 49:47

In favor of your winner, by split decision... James La Grande!
James La Grande retains his welterweight title!
A very excited looking James La Grande made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.