PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Roman Boesku (ranked 19936 p4p, 1881 weight class) and Mateus Gracie (ranked 662 p4p, 237 weight class). Boesku comes to the cage accompanied by Fight Music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Boesku
vs
Gracie

170 cm
37
153
12 - 7 - 0

163 cm
32
153
13 - 9 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
Basic striking
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Conquer

Urban Fighter
Fenrir Fightgear - Anno 2013

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 12 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Roman Boesku!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Mateus Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Hirohito Nitta and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Boesku shoots in but no luck this time.
Boesku takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Nice sprawl there from Gracie as Boesku shoots in.
Boesku has a takedown stuffed.
It seemed like Gracie was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roman Boesku. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Boesku blocks the body kick.
Boesku dives in and grabs Gracie's left leg, looking for a takedown. Gracie pushes down on Boesku's head and hops out.
Gracie throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Boesku darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Boesku trying to advance position but Gracie counters by regaining guard.
Boesku trying to control the position from guard on top but Gracie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Boesku seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Boesku has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.

Boesku drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Gracie manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Boesku has Gracie in his guard.

Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Boesku is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Boesku is pulling down on Gracie's head. It's preventing any offense from Gracie, at least for the moment.
Boesku looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gracie is one step ahead there.
Boesku avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Gracie trying to control but Boesku is working from the bottom.
Boesku is trying to control the position but Gracie postures up.
Boesku has his hands on Gracie's head, controlling the position.
Gracie stopping the sweep attempt from Boesku.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Boesku manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Gracie manages to get himself to full guard.

Gracie pulls Boesku in close to his closed guard and prevents Boesku from doing any damage or advancing position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Boesku trying to control but Gracie is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Boesku is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Boesku drops back, looking for a kneebar! Gracie looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Gracie looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Gracie!

Boesku is trying to get back to half guard.
Boesku gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Gracie drops an elbow to the side of Boesku's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Boesku keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Boesku has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Gracie trying to control from Boesku's half guard. Boesku has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Boesku keeps moving.
Boesku has his hands on Gracie's head, controlling the position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Boesku is on top in guard.

Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Boesku trying to control but Gracie is working from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Mateus Gracie will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Boesku shoots in looking for a takedown but Gracie manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Boesku's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Gracie bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Boesku's head backwards.
Boesku has a takedown stuffed.
Gracie swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Boesku defending well as Gracie loads up on a big left hand.

Boesku closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Boesku is working for a submission of some sort.
Boesku is keen to just control but Gracie is a slippery customer.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Boesku stalling.
Roman Boesku overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Gracie slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie controlling the position.
Boesku wants to control from the top but Gracie keeps moving.
Boesku is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Gracie is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Gracie has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Boesku can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Boesku trying to control the position from guard on top but Gracie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

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.
Boesku fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Gracie avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roman Boesku. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gracie connects with a body shot.
Boesku moves out of range as Gracie throws a body kick.
Gracie slaps away a takedown attempt from Boesku, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Gracie slaps away a takedown attempt from Boesku, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Gracie looks to throw the jab but Boesku is out of range.
Boesku tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Gracie defends well and Boesku ends up having to push Gracie into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Boesku drops down looking for an ankle pick but Gracie pulls his leg out and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Boesku fails to land the takedown.
Boesku shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Mateus Gracie is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gracie scores with a punch to the head.
Gracie scores with a nice body kick.
Boesku moves out of range as Gracie throws a body kick.
Mateus Gracie is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gracie pushes Boesku away with a front kick.
Gracie throws a right and a left that Boesku avoids nicely.
Gracie is breathing heavily.
Gracie leaves Boesku with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Gracie throws a body kick, spinning off balance

and Boesku decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Gracie's guard.

Boesku drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Gracie manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Boesku has Gracie in his guard.

Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Boesku trying to keep a closed guard but Gracie is proving a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Boesku keeps moving.
Boesku is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Gracie is trying to control but can't.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Boesku in particular looking to stall.
Gracie is not content to let Boesku control the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Boesku not doing much here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mateus Gracie showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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.

Gracie's corner calls for a 1-2. Gracie obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Boesku shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Gracie but Gracie pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Gracie clobbers Boesku with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Boesku goes for a double leg but Gracie avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Gracie continues to drive forward.
Boesku can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roman Boesku. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Boesku is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Gracie pulls him back up using the underhooks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gracie has picked Boesku up - he's going for a ride! Gracie dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Gracie thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Boesku's head.
Boesku wants to control but Gracie is keeping busy.
Gracie wants to control but Boesku is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Boesku trying to hold on to Gracie's head to control him but Gracie postures up.
Gracie thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Gracie is trying to control. Boesku wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Gracie takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Boesku moves into full guard.
Gracie stopping the sweep attempt from Boesku.
Boesku is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Gracie trying to control but Boesku is working from the bottom.
Boesku managing to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Boesku is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Boesku trying to pass the guard but Gracie defending well.
Gracie is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Boesku tries to pass to full mount but Gracie defends it.
Boesku wants to control but Gracie is keeping him busy.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Boesku wants to control but Gracie is keeping him busy.
Boesku tries to pass the half guard into mount. Gracie knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Boesku wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gracie keeps working.
Roman Boesku has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gracie trying to hold on to Boesku's head to control him but Boesku postures up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Gracie throws a big shot that misses.
Boesku will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Boesku ducks right into an uppercut from Gracie.
Gracie defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Boesku.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie misses the jab.
No luck for Boesku with that takedown attempt.
Gracie loads up on a big right hand but Boesku slips the punch.
Gracie throws a right and a left that Boesku avoids nicely.
Boesku is trying hard to land a takedown here. Gracie sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Boesku fails with a takedown attempt.
Gracie shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Boesku eats them both and turns towards Gracie to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Gracie has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Boesku takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Boesku changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Gracie tries to avoid it but Boesku manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Gracie to the ground. Gracie escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gracie lands with an uppercut that bounces Boesku off the cage and back into range.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Boesku ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gracie moves away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Boesku is defended easily by Gracie.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mateus Gracie comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Gracie winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 27:30

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