PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Hoyce Gracias (ranked 4303 p4p, 2634 weight class) and Stu Redman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Redman's choice of entrance music: Smke a Little Smoke - Eric Church. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Stu Redman was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Gracias
vs
Redman

190 cm
26
185
1 - 2 - 1

185 cm
28
184
11 - 13 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Powerful

Stoner's Killer Apparel
30th Century Beer Store

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 1, fighting out of London, Hoyce Gracias!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Stu Redman!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Colin Fotheringham and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Redman drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Gracias is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Redman off and has taken his back!
Gracias controls the position.
Gracias continues to stall.
Redman tries to break free.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Gracias controlling the positon.
Redman just trying to survive but Gracias is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Gracias controlling the positon.
Redman tries to escape the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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.
Gracias is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.

Gracias working for the choke.
Redman can't escape the position.
Redman looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Redman trying to get back to his feet but Gracias is in full control for now.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Gracias's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Gracias is hanging on to Redman's back as he tries to escape.
Gracias really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Redman.
Gracias keeps control of the position as Redman tries to break free.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gracias not allowing Redman to control his hands.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Hoyce Gracias dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Redman on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Gracias shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Redman eats them both and turns towards Gracias to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Gracias connects with the punch.
Redman takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Gracias is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Redman.

Gracias tries to sprawl but Redman drives through with a takedown into half guard.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Gracias trying to control here.
Gracias is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Jed's Gym, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Redman trying to control the action but Gracias is working from the bottom.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Gracias looking for submissions off his back.
Redman looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Gracias wants to get back to full guard.
Gracias is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Redman jumps into side control!
Redman landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracias is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Redman's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Gracias looking for submissions off his back.
Gracias taking some punishment here, with Redman in his half guard.

Gracias looking for submissions off his back.
Redman lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Gracias makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Gracias.
Redman connects with a couple of short punches.
Redman must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Redman scoring with some ground and pound.
Redman scoring with punches to the head and body.
Redman stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gracias swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Gracias had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Redman defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracias utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Gracias is looking for a triangle but Redman pushes his legs off easily.
Gracias can't keep his opponent in guard - Redman advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Gracias tries to get to full guard but Redman has control of the leg.
Redman is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Gracias tries to get to full guard but Redman has control of the leg.
Redman really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Gracias. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Redman looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Gracias with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Redman seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Gracias does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Redman lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Redman slips a nice elbow through Gracias's hands, connecting with Gracias's forehead.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Redman connects with a nice short shot to Gracias's temple.
Gracias moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Redman landing some decent shots from guard.

Gracias is rocked!
Redman working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Gracias's head.
Oh Gracias is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Redman wants to control from the top but Gracias keeps moving.

Gracias had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Redman defends it easily.
Gracias keeping moving, preventing Redman from controlling successfully.
Redman working some strikes from top position.
Gracias bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Redman's guard.

Gracias is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Redman looking for a sweep. Not yet Redman, not yet.
Gracias seems to have got his legs back now.
Gracias sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracias preventing the sweep.
Gracias slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Further stalling from Gracias.
Redman is adopting a defensive guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Hoyce Gracias will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Gracias lands a lovely overhand right.

Redman feints and as Gracias raises his hands in defense, Redman changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Redman passes Gracias's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Gracias is refusing to be controlled, as Redman sits in half guard.
Redman lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Gracias taking some punishment here, with Redman in his half guard.
Gracias is looking for a sweep. Redman is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Stu Redman has got the better of the ground game so far.
Redman is pressing down on Gracias's thigh, looking to free his foot. Gracias is holding on for now.
Redman trying to control the action but Gracias is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Redman is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Gracias!
Redman landing shots from mount.
Redman lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Gracias really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracias wants to control but Redman is having none of it.
Redman breaks from Gracias's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Gracias keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Gracias tries to hold on but Redman pushes him away.
Redman working the ground and pound effectively.
Gracias sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Gracias makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Gracias.
Redman won't allow Gracias to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Redman trying to control the position from guard on top but Gracias is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gracias looking for a sweep. Not yet Gracias, not yet.
Redman throws a big elbow that misses.

Gracias escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Redman gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Gracias is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Redman is aware though and is defending well.
Gracias looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Gracias is looking for a triangle but Redman pushes his legs off easily.
Redman wants to pass the guard but Gracias is keeping the position.
Redman keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Gracias's head.
Redman landing with the ground and pound.
Redman looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracias is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Gracias wants to sweep but no luck.
Redman lands a couple of decent looking shots.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Redman accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Redman wants to control from the top but Gracias keeps moving.
Gracias keeping full guard, as Redman tries to pass.
Gracias is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Redman trying to hold on to Gracias's head to control him but Gracias postures up.
Gracias is controlling the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracias trying to mount his opponent but Redman defends it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

And that's the end of the fight!
Stu Redman comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Gracias 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 29:28
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hoyce Gracias!
A very excited looking Hoyce Gracias made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.