PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Alekos Papadopoulos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hindo Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the fighters buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Papadopoulos
vs
Gracie

165 cm
23
155 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

172 cm
23
155 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Determined

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 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alekos Papadopoulos!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Hindo Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Gwen Towbar and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Papadopoulos looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Papadopoulos fails with a takedown attempt.
Papadopoulos fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alekos Papadopoulos. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A solid leg kick lands there for Gracie.
Papadopoulos has a takedown stuffed.
Papadopoulos shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Gracie as he jumps to the side.

Gracie shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Gracie passes to side control.
Gracie throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

Gracie is trying to get an arm triangle but Papadopoulos is defending well.

Gracie is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Papadopoulos has escaped the position, nice work there.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Papadopoulos avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Gracie.

Gracie thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Gracie is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Papadopoulos is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Papadopoulos is looking for a sweep.
Papadopoulos is breathing heavily.

Gracie wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Papadopoulos, who protects the arm well.
Papadopoulos is trying to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Gracie cracks Papadopoulos with a big elbow.
Papadopoulos can't do much from the bottom here.

Gracie is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Papadopoulos knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Papadopoulos gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Gracie throwing shots but Papadopoulos is blocking nicely.

Papadopoulos is defending against the submission attempts here by Gracie.
Papadopoulos trying to control from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gracie is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Papadopoulos is just riding it out for now. Gracie eventually gives up the hold.

Papadopoulos actively working from the bottom here.
Papadopoulos works his way to full guard. Good work.
Gracie forces his way into half guard.

Gracie is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Papadopoulos doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Gracie.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Papadopoulos is pressing down on Gracie's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gracie thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Gracie passes into half guard.
Papadopoulos missing with punches from the bottom.
Papadopoulos keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Gracie has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Gracie is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Papadopoulos sees it coming and defends easily.
Gracie thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Papadopoulos trying to control but Gracie postures up.
Gracie missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Papadopoulos looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Papadopoulos is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hindo Gracie dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Papadopoulos shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Gracie counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Alekos Papadopoulos is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gracie feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Papadopoulos's calf.
Gracie goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Papadopoulos shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Gracie counters with a takedown into side control.
Gracie looks up at the clock and then as Papadopoulos takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Gracie smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Papadopoulos on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Papadopoulos tries to get out of the position.

Gracie working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Gracie creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Papadopoulos sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Gracie postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Gracie throws a strike aimed at the side of Papadopoulos's head but Papadopoulos avoids it well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Papadopoulos is trying to control Gracie's posture but Gracie avoids it.
Gracie in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The strikes coming from Gracie are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Papadopoulos is trying to get back to half guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Gracie moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Gracie throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Papadopoulos on the side of the head.
Papadopoulos shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Gracie counters with a nice uppercut.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alekos Papadopoulos. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Papadopoulos with a poor takedown

and Gracie counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Gracie pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Papadopoulos is keeping the position for now.
Gracie missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie pushes down on Papadopoulos's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Gracie seems to be working for a kimura but Papadopoulos defends the submission attempt.
Papadopoulos tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Gracie thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Papadopoulos knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Gracie on the ground.
Papadopoulos missing with punches from the bottom.
Papadopoulos tries to get to full guard but Gracie has control of the leg.
Gracie missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Gracie is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Papadopoulos doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Gracie.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Gracie thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

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.
Papadopoulos gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Gracie counters with a lovely straight right hand!
An inside leg kick lands from Gracie.
Gracie works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Papadopoulos on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

Gracie shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Gracie postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Papadopoulos looks a forlorn figure.
Papadopoulos avoids a series of strikes thrown by Gracie.
Papadopoulos is in all sorts of trouble here.
Gracie throws some wild stikes that Papadopoulos manages to avoid easily.
Gracie landing strikes from the mount and Papadopoulos is in trouble!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Papadopoulos avoids a series of strikes thrown by Gracie.
Gracie looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Papadopoulos blocking the ground and pound.
Papadopoulos wants to hold on but Gracie pushes him away.
Hindo Gracie has got the better of the ground game so far.
Gracie throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Papadopoulos because Gracie loaded up on that one.
Gracie landing strikes from the mount and Papadopoulos is in trouble!
Papadopoulos avoids a series of strikes thrown by Gracie.
Papadopoulos wants to control but Gracie is having none of it.

Gracie looking for a guillotine from mount but Papadopoulos is having none of it.
Gracie lands a nice shot to the head.
Papadopoulos is looking to get to half guard.
Papadopoulos is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hindo Gracie showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Gracie moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Papadopoulos has his takedown stuffed
and Gracie counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Gracie drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Gracie looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Gracie misses with the ground and pound.
Gracie working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Papadopoulos is looking for a sweep.
Gracie tries to advance to mount but Papadopoulos denies him.
Gracie sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Papadopoulos is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Papadopoulos manages to get back to half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gracie scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Gracie scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Gracie, right into the meat.
Papadopoulos tries for a takedown but Gracie circles away easily
and Papadopoulos takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Papadopoulos shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Gracie counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Papadopoulos's guard now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alekos Papadopoulos. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gracie postures up.

Gracie is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Gracie in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Gracie drops back looking for a leg! Papadopoulos is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Papadopoulos manages to kick Gracie off! Gracie jumps back into Papadopoulos's guard.
Gracie is working Papadopoulos over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie looking to pass the guard.
Gracie throwing strikes but missing.
Gracie throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Papadopoulos shoots and misses
and Gracie counters with a stiff right hand.
Gracie stalks Papadopoulos and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Papadopoulos's face. Papadopoulos staggers backwards, shaken.
Papadopoulos shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Gracie counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Papadopoulos doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Gracie counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Alekos Papadopoulos seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Gracie, as that shot connected.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Papadopoulos gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Gracie connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Gracie goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Papadopoulos with a poor takedown
and Gracie counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Papadopoulos gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Gracie counters with a two punch combo.
Papadopoulos has his takedown stuffed
and Gracie counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Gracie displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Gracie shoots in looking for a takedown. Papadopoulos tries to sprawl out of it but Gracie keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Papadopoulos manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Papadopoulos shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Gracie counters with a two punch combo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Papadopoulos gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Gracie counters with a left and a right that stings Papadopoulos.
Papadopoulos with a poor takedown
and Gracie counters with a left and a right that stings Papadopoulos.
Gracie stalks Papadopoulos and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Papadopoulos's face. Papadopoulos staggers backwards, shaken.
Papadopoulos looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Papadopoulos fails with the takedown
and Gracie counters with a series of strikes. Papadopoulos will be more careful next time no doubt.

Gracie drives through with a takedown into guard.
Gracie missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Gracie postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Alekos Papadopoulos has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Papadopoulos is on top in guard.
Papadopoulos has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Papadopoulos won't allow Gracie to sweep him here.

Gracie looking for a guillotine here but Papadopoulos defends easily.
Hindo Gracie is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Gracie utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hindo 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 26:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 26:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hindo Gracie!