PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jay Crawford (ranked 691 p4p, 2511 weight class) and Royce Gracie (ranked 9 p4p, 21 weight class). Gracie has chosen Jiu Jitsu by Smoke Serpent as his entrance music. Jay Crawford looks tired to me. Hopefully he has got enough gas left in the tank to put in a good performance.

Crawford
vs
Gracie

190 cm
34
215
9 - 5 - 1

185 cm
34
192
25 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jay Crawford!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Royce Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Edson Gomes and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice defenses there by Gracie.
A looping hook to the body misses from Crawford. Gracie does a little dance to reset his feet.
Crawford misses with a body shot.
Gracie unleashes a big counter combination but Crawford bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Gracie displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Crawford throws out the jab.
Gracie avoids the body shot from Crawford.
Gracie unleashes a big counter combination but Crawford bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Crawford throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Gracie counters with a three punch combo that has Crawford backing up. Crawford nods at Gracie to acknowledge the strikes.
Crawford throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gracie throws a counter combo.
Crawford misses with a right hand
and Gracie counters with a series of strikes. Crawford will be more careful next time no doubt.
Jay Crawford seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Crawford misses the body punch
and Gracie counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Crawford throws a hook but Gracie blocks it.
Crawford throws a body punch but Gracie moves out of range.
Despite the aggression on Gracie's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Gracie defending well as Crawford loads up on a big left hand.
Gracie throws a counter combo.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Crawford throws the left hand but Gracie avoids the punch easily.
As Crawford backs off Gracie throws a huge counter combo but Crawford manages to avoid it all.
Gracie slips under a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crawford looks to throw the jab but Gracie is out of range.
Jay Crawford is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Crawford throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Crawford looks to land a right hand but Gracie moved out of range.
Crawford swinging wildly here.
Crawford is breathing heavily.
Gracie slips a straight right by Crawford.
Crawford throws a body shot but no joy.
The fighters circling - Crawford throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Crawford throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
As Crawford backs off Gracie throws a huge counter combo but Crawford manages to avoid it all.
Crawford misses with a double jab
and Gracie counters with a series of strikes. Crawford will be more careful next time no doubt.
Gracie blocks a jab.
Gracie throws a counter combo.
A swing and a miss from Crawford.
Gracie lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Crawford.
Gracie is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Crawford connects with a right hand. Gracie shakes it off.
Crawford lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Crawford is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Crawford throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
As Crawford backs off Gracie throws a huge counter combo but Crawford manages to avoid it all.
A looping hook to the body misses from Crawford. Gracie does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gracie is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Crawford misses with a two punch combination.
Gracie uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Crawford.
Gracie unleashes a big counter combination but Crawford bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Gracie dodges the punch combination from Crawford.
Gracie unleashes a big counter combination but Crawford bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
The crowd cheers as Crawford lands an impressive looking overhand right. Gracie doesn't seem phased though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crawford throws a lazy right hand but Gracie sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Gracie avoids the body shot from Crawford.
Gracie is looking for the big counter here.
Crawford swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Gracie throws a counter combo.
A shot to the body from Crawford misses
and Gracie counters with a one-two to the body.
Gracie uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Crawford.
Gracie lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Crawford misses with a combination
and Gracie counters with a two punch combo.
Crawford jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Despite the aggression on Gracie's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Crawford throws a hook but Gracie blocks it.
Crawford misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Gracie unleashes a big counter combination but Crawford bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Crawford swings widly with a right hand
and Gracie counters with a two punch combo.
Crawford misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Crawford swings widly with a right hand
and Gracie counters with a left and a right that stings Crawford.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Crawford. Gracie does a little dance to reset his feet.
A big right from Crawford misses.
As Crawford backs off Gracie throws a huge counter combo but Crawford manages to avoid it all.
Crawford misses with a body shot
and Gracie counters with a one-two to the body.
Crawford thows a left - swing and a miss!
Gracie unleashes a big counter combination but Crawford bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Crawford throws a body punch but Gracie moves out of range.
Gracie steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Crawford.
As Crawford backs off Gracie throws a huge counter combo but Crawford manages to avoid it all.
A swing and a miss from Crawford.
Gracie lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Gracie staying out of range there.
Crawford feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Gracies jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Crawford throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Gracie defending well as Crawford loads up on a big left hand.
Gracie blocks a jab.
Gracie lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Crawford misses with a wild combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jay Crawford dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Gracie slips a straight right by Crawford.
Gracie unleashes a big counter combination but Crawford bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Crawford throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Jay Crawford is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Crawford misses with a body shot.
Crawford misses the jab.
As Crawford backs off Gracie throws a huge counter combo but Crawford manages to avoid it all.
Crawford misses with a wild body shot.
Crawford connects with a looping right hand.
Crawford swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Gracie is looking for the big counter here.
Crawford throws a hook but Gracie blocks it.
Crawford tests Gracie's chin there with a solid looking shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A telegraphed right hand from Crawford misses the target.
Gracie showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Crawford.
Gracie bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crawford rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Gracie counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Gracie keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Crawford.
Gracie uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Crawford.
Gracie is looking for the big counter here.
Crawford throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
As Crawford backs off Gracie throws a huge counter combo but Crawford manages to avoid it all.
Crawford misses with a wild body shot.
Crawford looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Gracie is looking for the big counter here.
Crawford swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Crawford looks to score with a jab to the body but Gracie is just out of range.
Crawford rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Gracie counters with a three punch combo that has Crawford backing up. Crawford nods at Gracie to acknowledge the strikes.
Crawford loads up on a big right hand but Gracie slips the punch.
A slow jab from Crawford misses its intended target.
Gracie bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Jay Crawford is winning the standup battle so far.
Gracie bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crawford swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Crawford misses with an uppercut
and Gracie counters with a two punch combo.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Crawford throws an overhand right that lands on Gracie's shoulder, as Gracie tries to avoid the shot.
As Crawford backs off Gracie throws a huge counter combo but Crawford manages to avoid it all.
Crawford throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Crawford swings away with a body shot that misses
and Gracie counters with a left and a right that stings Crawford.
Crawford misses with a looping left.
Crawford swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Gracie counters with a two punch combo.
Crawford throws a shot from downtown. Gracie moves away and avoids it.
Crawford misses with an uppercut. Gracie saw that one coming.
Gracie lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Crawford waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Gracie.
Crawford throws an off balance right hand
and Gracie counters with a three punch combo that has Crawford backing up. Crawford nods at Gracie to acknowledge the strikes.
Crawford throws a jab when Gracie was well out of range.
Gracie throws a counter combo.
Gracie is working the combinations to good effect here.
Crawford throws an overhand right that lands on Gracie's shoulder, as Gracie tries to avoid the shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Crawford misses.
Gracie unleashes a big counter combination but Crawford bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Crawford misses the jab.
Crawford misses with a hook.
Despite the aggression on Gracie's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Crawford throws a lazy uppercut
and Gracie counters with a two punch combo.
Gracie avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Crawford misses with an uppercut. Gracie saw that one coming.
Gracie uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Crawford.
Gracie blocks a jab.
Gracie is looking for the big counter here.
Crawford throws a combination that misses
and Gracie counters with a series of strikes. Crawford will be more careful next time no doubt.
Crawford misses with an uppercut.
Gracie is looking for the big counter here.
Crawford throws an overhand right that lands on Gracie's shoulder, as Gracie tries to avoid the shot.
Gracie defending well as Crawford loads up on a big left hand.
Gracie lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Crawford swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Gracie slips under a jab from Crawford.
Despite the aggression on Gracie's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Crawford ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gracie moves away.
Crawford missing with a left hand there. Gracie was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Gracie is looking for the big counter here.
A combination from Crawford does no damage.
Crawford misses with a body punch
and Gracie counters with a series of strikes. Crawford will be more careful next time no doubt.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Crawford throws a jab when Gracie was well out of range.
Gracie is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Gracie avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Gracie lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Crawford looks to score with a jab to the body but Gracie is just out of range.
Crawford tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gracie was well out of range. Poor timing from Crawford.
Crawford misses with a left hand
and Gracie counters with a one-two to the body.
Crawford throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Crawford throws an off balance right hand
and Gracie counters with a one-two to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Royce Gracie will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Crawford tries to bum rush Gracie with a series of wild strikes but Gracie uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Despite the aggression on Gracie's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
No joy there for Crawford, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Crawford looks to score with a jab to the body but Gracie is just out of range.
Gracie unleashes a big counter combination but Crawford bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Crawford misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Gracie unleashes a big counter combination but Crawford bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Crawford throws an overhand right that lands on Gracie's shoulder, as Gracie tries to avoid the shot.
Gracie is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Crawford falls off balance throwing a combination
and Gracie counters with a series of strikes. Crawford will be more careful next time no doubt.
Crawford misses with a lunging right hand
and Gracie counters with a series of strikes. Crawford will be more careful next time no doubt.
Crawford misses with a double jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Crawford throws a poor cross that misses
and Gracie counters with a two punch combo.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Crawford misses with a jab, cross combination.
Gracie is looking for the big counter here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Crawford throws out a loose jab but Gracie uses good head movement to avoid it.
Crawford loads up on a big right hand but Gracie slips the punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A punch combination from Crawford misses.
Gracie throws a counter combo.
No joy there for Crawford, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Gracie lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Crawford throws a poor cross that misses
and Gracie counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Crawford swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Gracie avoids a punch combination nicely.
Crawford falls off balance throwing a combination
and Gracie counters with a two punch combo.
Crawford looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Crawford falls off balance throwing a combination
and Gracie counters with a one-two to the body.
Gracie ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Gracie is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Crawford throws an off balance right hand
and Gracie counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Crawford misses with a looping right.
Despite the aggression on Gracie's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Crawford throws a nice looking combination but Gracie bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A combination from Crawford does no damage.
Crawford jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Gracie is looking for the big counter here.
Gracie ducks under a wild hook from Crawford.
Gracie displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Crawford throws out the jab.
As Crawford backs off Gracie throws a huge counter combo but Crawford manages to avoid it all.
Gracie slips a jab and a cross from Crawford.
Crawford misses the shot to the body.
Crawford misses with an uppercut.
Gracie avoids the body shot from Crawford.
Gracie throws a counter combo.
Crawford misses with a body shot
and Gracie counters with a left and a right that stings Crawford.
Crawford misses with a hook
and Gracie counters with a three punch combo that has Crawford backing up. Crawford nods at Gracie to acknowledge the strikes.
Crawford ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gracie moves away.
As Crawford backs off Gracie throws a huge counter combo but Crawford manages to avoid it all.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crawford throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Gracie counters with a series of strikes. Crawford will be more careful next time no doubt.
Crawford throws an off balance right hand
and Gracie counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Crawford throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Crawford misses with a looping left.
Gracie displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Crawford throws out the jab.
Gracie throws a counter combo.
Crawford misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gracie.
Gracie is looking for the big counter here.
Crawford looks to land a left hand but Gracie moved out of range nicely.
Gracie throws a counter combo.
Gracie slips a jab from Crawford.
As Crawford backs off Gracie throws a huge counter combo but Crawford manages to avoid it all.
Gracie ducks under a wild hook from Crawford.
Gracie lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Crawford throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
As Crawford backs off Gracie throws a huge counter combo but Crawford manages to avoid it all.
A jab from Crawford misses.
Despite the aggression on Gracie's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Crawford throws a hook but Gracie avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Crawford throws a combination that misses
and Gracie counters with a one-two to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Crawford jabbing away but nothing is landing.
As Crawford backs off Gracie throws a huge counter combo but Crawford manages to avoid it all.
Crawford swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Gracie unleashes a big counter combination but Crawford bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Crawford misses the body punch
and Gracie counters with a two punch combo.
Gracie uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Crawford.
Gracie bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Gracie throws a counter combo.
Gracie displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Crawford throws out the jab.
Despite the aggression on Gracie's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Crawford misses with a looping right.
As Crawford backs off Gracie throws a huge counter combo but Crawford manages to avoid it all.
Gracie showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Crawford.
Gracie is looking for the big counter here.
Crawford throws a body shot but no joy.
Crawford throws an overhand right that lands on Gracie's shoulder, as Gracie tries to avoid the shot.
Gracie is looking for the big counter here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Royce Gracie comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Gracie has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Emerson Jorge scores the fight 29:28
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Royce Gracie!
A victorious Royce Gracie thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.