PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Reinaldo Gracie (ranked 309 p4p, 1188 weight class) and Boris Bors (ranked 35 p4p, 137 weight class). Gracie comes to the cage accompanied by Apaga Mas Não Bate. Boris Bors will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Gracie
vs
Bors

175 cm
23
155
9 - 2 - 0

175 cm
23
147
7 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)
Urban Fighter

Brooklyn Apothecary
Brooklyn Threads

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Reinaldo Gracie!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Boris Bors!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Lou da Vinci and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bors.
A punch lands to the side of Gracie 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Gracie blocks a low kick nicely.
Bors wants to slow Gracie down by chopping away at his legs.
Bors throws a hook to the side of Gracie's head but Gracie sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Bors sprawls well. Bors wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Gracie gets slowly back to his feet.
Bors throws a body shot but no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bors misses with a hook

and Gracie counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Bors can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Gracie controls the pace.
Gracie distracts Bors with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bors controlling Gracie's posture.
Gracie throws a big right hand that misses.
Gracie showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

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

Gracie is trying to keep Bors in close.
Bors would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

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.
Bors looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

Bors stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Gracie paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Bors misses with a looping left.
A chopping leg kick lands by Bors.
Gracie shoots and misses
and Bors connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Gracie throws a hook but Bors avoids it easily.
Bors misses with an uppercut. Gracie saw that one coming.
Gracie appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

Gracie shoots in and gets a takedown into Bors's guard.
Gracie keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Bors's head.
Gracie works over Bors with some ground and pound from guard.
Gracie working some strikes from top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bors can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Gracie controls the pace.
Gracie trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Gracie forces his way into half guard.
Gracie has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Gracie thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Gracie not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Gracie looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Gracie is looking to advance position but Bors won't allow it.
Gracie throwing shots but Bors is blocking nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Bors trying to hold on to Gracie's head to control him but Gracie postures up.
Gracie landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Gracie seems to be working for a kimura but Bors defends the submission attempt.
Gracie is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Bors reverses the position - he's now on top in Gracie's guard.

Bors gets to his feet - Gracie follows without any prompting.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Reinaldo Gracie will probably get the nod.
That's time! Gracie's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

A nice inside leg kick there by Bors. That's going to slow Gracie down.
Gracie shoots in but Bors avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Bors let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Boris Bors seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bors fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Gracie on the side of the head.
Gracie walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Gracie fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Bors looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Bors attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie avoids the body shot from Bors.
Gracie with a jab.
Gracie changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Bors tries to avoid it but Gracie manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Bors to the ground. Bors escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Reinaldo Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gracie checks the leg kick nicely there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bors throws out a loose jab but Gracie uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gracie doesn't manage to clinch there - Bors circles away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bors. Gracie does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bors throws a body punch but Gracie moves out of range.
Bors misses with a body shot.
Gracie feinted with a counter takedown.
Gracie throws a jab when Bors was well out of range.
Gracie tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Gracie takes one to the chin there.
Bors getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Gracie throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Bors stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Gracie scores with a nice head shot.
Bors lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Gracie at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Bors misses.
Bors moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gracie lands a really nice looking cross but Bors seems unphased.
Gracie lunges at Bors with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Bors's hand.
A swing and a miss from Gracie.
Gracie looks to score with a jab to the body but Bors is just out of range.
A clash of legs there as Gracie blocks the low kick.
Gracie fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bors manages to avoid it.
Gracie walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Bors throws a leg kick but Gracie checks it.
Gracie wants to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie slips a jab from Bors.
Gracie takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Bors scores with the left hand. Gracie knows he should have avoided that one.
Bors throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Gracie sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Boris Bors is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bors tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nice cross by Bors.
Gracie is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Gracie checks a low kick from Bors.
A shot to the liver by Gracie. Beautiful body shot.
A jab from Bors misses.
Gracie appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head kick by Bors misses
letting Gracie counter with a right hand.
Bors misses with a double jab

and Gracie counters by clinching up.
Gracie misses with a punch on the inside.
Gracie goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Gracie can't find room to land a body shot as Bors controls the action.
I was talking to Gracie's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Gracie works on Bors's body with a couple of short punches.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bors throws a head punch that misses.
Gracie fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Gracie swings wildly with an uppercut but Bors uses good head movement to avoid it.
A frustrated look appears on Bors's face as he tries to break the clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

Bors manages to break the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Boris Bors 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!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Gracie displaying some good clinch control by pressing Bors up against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Gracie.

Gracie gets control of Bors's arms and successfully pulls guard. Gracie will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Bors tries to stand but Gracie is controlling from the bottom.
Bors preventing the sweep.
Bors is looking to stand up but Gracie won't let him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Gracie looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bors is one step ahead there.

Bors gets to his feet - Gracie follows without any prompting.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bors bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Gracie misses with a wild body shot.
Bors tried to score with a low kick but Gracie checks it.
A jab from Bors misses.
Boris Bors seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Bors.
Bors moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
A left lands for Gracie.
Bors throws the left hand but Gracie avoids the punch easily.

Gracie moves into range and clinches up with Bors.
Bors prevents a body shot from Gracie.
Gracie tries a body shot but Bors blocks it.
Bors struggles to land a body shot inside as Gracie controls his hands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bors breaks the clinch.
Bors throws a lazy uppercut

and Gracie counters with a nice double leg into side control. Bors won't be happy with that.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bors can't do much from the bottom here.
Gracie is looking to take a break and control but Bors is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Gracie working the ground and pound but Bors is defending the strikes.

Gracie is trying to get an arm triangle but Bors is defending well.
Gracie in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gracie is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Bors knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Bors tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gracie fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Bors tries to improve position but can't.
Gracie cracks Bors with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Gracie is looking to take a break and control but Bors is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Gracie is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Bors is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Bors taking a bit of punishment here - Gracie scoring with strikes.
You can see the frustration on Bors's face as Gracie controls the position.
Gracie grinds an elbow into Bors's temple.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gracie just content to control the position.
Gracie wants to control but Bors is keeping him busy.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Reinaldo Gracie clearly takes that round.
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.

Bors turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Bors misses with a leg kick

and Gracie counters with a single leg into guard. Bors didn't expect that.

Bors has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Gracie is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Gracie is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Bors to keep the fight standing.
Gracie is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Gracie is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Gracie goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

Bors breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bors swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bors ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gracie moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bors looks to throw the jab but Gracie is out of range.
Gracie misses with a takedown attempt - Bors sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Gracie uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bors.
Gracie connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Donk. Gracie catches Bors right on the button with a cross.
Bors scores with a head kick.
Gracie throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Bors stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
A big right from Bors misses.
Gracie listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Bors throws a quick inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bors lands a body shot.
Bors misses with a hook.
Gracie keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Bors.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gracie loads up on a big right hand but Bors slips the punch.
Bors misses with a left hand

and Gracie decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Bors's guard.
Gracie keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Bors's head.
Gracie throws a big elbow that misses.
Bors being controlled here, momentarily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gracie postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gracie is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Bors is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Bors has escaped and now he's on top!

Gracie is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Gracie is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Gracie is trying to keep Bors in close.
Bors trying to stand up but can't free himself from Gracie's guard.

That's four 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.

Gracie is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Bors defends well.

Gracie is working an open guard so Bors takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Gracie looking to score a takedown here. Bors is defending well but Gracie drives through and ends up in Bors's guard.
Gracie is looking to work some ground and pound but Bors has wrist control.
Gracie with a flurry of punches that miss.
Gracie cracks Bors with a solid left hand.
Bors keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Boris Bors 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! This is the final round!

Bors misses the shot to the body.
Gracie staying out of range there.
Gracie tries to counter by clinching up but Bors breaks away and moves out of range.

Gracie closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Gracie lands in his opponent's guard.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Bors is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gracie wants to pass the guard but Bors is keeping the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie connects with a couple of short punches.
Gracie throws an elbow that misses. Bors uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Gracie's guard. Nice move by Bors!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Bors gets to his feet. Gracie looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Bors looks to score with a jab to the body but Gracie is just out of range.
Gracie uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Bors.
Bors tries a head kick but it misses.
Gracie appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Bors misses with a lunging right hand
and Gracie cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Gracie moves out of range as Bors strikes.
Bors uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gracie.
A chopping leg kick lands by Bors.
Bors ducks under a wild hook from Gracie.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Bors is predictable there

and Gracie decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Bors's guard.
Gracie throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Bors utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Gracie distracts Bors with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Gracie lands a couple of elbows.
Gracie working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Gracie trying to control but Bors is working from the bottom.
Gracie showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Bors pulls Gracie in close to his closed guard and prevents Gracie from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Bors works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Bors working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Gracie.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Gracie postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Bors is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Gracie, into his guard.

Gracie is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

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.
Gracie has a closed guard, preventing Bors from standing up.
Gracie controls Bors momentarily but Bors frees himself.
Bors preventing the sweep.
Bors is looking to stand up but Gracie won't let him.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Gracie swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Bors.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gracie moves out of range of the body kick from Bors.
Bors ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gracie moves away.
Bors moves out of range as Gracie strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Reinaldo Gracie.
I think Gracie 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 David Schapiro scores the fight 48:47
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 48:48
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 49:47

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Reinaldo Gracie!
Reinaldo Gracie retains his featherweight title!
After winning the bout, Reinaldo Gracie thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.
In defeat, Boris Bors stepped up to the mic, saying 'Back to the gym.'.