PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rafaelo Gracie (ranked 23735 p4p, 2032 weight class) and Leon Hooker (ranked 638 p4p, 257 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Gracie
vs
Hooker

175 cm
22
165
1 - 1 - 0

163 cm
27
163
8 - 8 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Rafaelo Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Leon Hooker!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Anthony Taglia and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hooker looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Gracie throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hooker sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Gracie bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Gracie throws a hook but Hooker blocks it.
Gracie throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hooker sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Gracie lands a nice shot that snaps Hooker's head back.
Rafaelo Gracie seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gracie closes the distance but Hooker moves to the side
and Hooker counters with a lovely straight right hand!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hooker throws a right and a left that both miss.
Gracie throws a hook but Hooker avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gracie manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Hooker on his heels. He'll look to pass Hooker's guard now, I'm sure.
Hooker utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hooker trying to control the position.
Hooker wants to sweep here but Gracie controlling him for the moment.
Gracie postures up.
Gracie throws a big elbow that misses.
Hooker looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Gracie puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Hooker really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Gracie. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Gracie controlling the action here.
Gracie takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Gracie missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hooker wants to improve his position but Gracie is controlling well.
Gracie not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Hooker is looking to control Gracie's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Hooker avoid being mounted?

Hooker is defending against the submission attempts here by Gracie.

Gracie seems to be looking for submissions.
Hooker blocking the ground and pound attempt from Gracie.

Gracie maintaining the dominant position here and is working for a kimura. He's locked it up! Hooker could be in real trouble here! He's trying to wriggle out but Gracie has cracked it and Hooker is screaming in pain - he's tapped out! Great finish by Gracie!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Rafaelo Gracie!