PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tupac Saulnier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Captain Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Saulnier
vs
Gracie

188 cm
20
215 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

200 cm
18
210 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tupac Saulnier!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Captain Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, Robert Douchet and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saulnier shoots in looking for a takedown. Gracie tries to sprawl out of it but Saulnier keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Gracie manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Nice takedown defense from Saulnier. No joy for Gracie on that attempt.
Saulnier misses with a head kick.
Saulnier has his takedown stuffed

and Gracie counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Gracie slows the pace down in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Let's hope that Gracie has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Saulnier wants to improve his position but Gracie is controlling well.
Gracie tries to pass to full mount but Saulnier defends it.
Gracie prevents Saulnier from standing back up.
Gracie is figuring out what he wants to do next.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Saulnier actively working from the bottom here.

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.
Gracie looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Saulnier regains full guard. Nicely done.
Gracie 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.

Despite being in the dominant position, Captain Gracie just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Saulnier tries to clinch but Gracie moves away

and Gracie counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Saulnier's guard now.
Gracie content to stall in guard here.
Gracie stopping the sweep attempt from Saulnier.
Gracie pushing down on Saulnier's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie content to control rather than advance.
Saulnier tries to get to full guard but Gracie has control of the leg.
Saulnier might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Saulnier is breathing heavily.
Gracie is taking a breather. Saulnier says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Saulnier punching from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gracie not doing much here.
Saulnier trying to control here.
Gracie stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Despite being in the dominant position, Captain Gracie just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Gracie walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Saulnier as he jumps to the side.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Captain Gracie dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Saulnier misses with a takedown attempt

and Gracie counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Gracie content to control rather than advance.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Saulnier is trying to maintain the position but Gracie is very close to passing his half guard.
Gracie content to control rather than advance.
Saulnier tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Saulnier flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Gracie controlling the action here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saulnier trying to control but Gracie postures up.
Well, if Gracie is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Captain Gracie has got the better of the ground game so far.
Saulnier has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Gracie is working away from the top position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Saulnier is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Saulnier misses with some strikes from the bottom.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Saulnier throws a lazy right hand but Gracie sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Gracie changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Saulnier looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Gracie staying calm.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saulnier wants to control but Gracie postures up.
Gracie staying calm.
Saulnier tries to improve position but can't.
Gracie working away.

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.
Gracie is staying tight to Saulnier's torso, preventing him from escaping.

Despite being in the dominant position, Captain Gracie just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Saulnier shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Gracie counters with a shoot takedown. Saulnier fights it but they end up in guard.
Gracie controls from within his opponent's guard.
Saulnier tries to strike from the bottom.
Gracie slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Captain Gracie showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Saulnier misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Saulnier scores with a punch to the head.
Saulnier fails with the takedown

and Gracie counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Gracie.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie controlling from the top position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Saulnier striking off his back but it's not causing Gracie any problems.
Gracie looking to pass the guard.
Gracie is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Gracie sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Saulnier's guard.
Gracie passes the guard and advances to mount!
Gracie looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saulnier is trying to escape the mount.
Tupac Saulnier has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gracie controlling the position easily from mount.
Feeble punches landing from Saulnier - he's mounted - they can't hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saulnier is wriggling around trying to escape.
Gracie controlling from the full mount.

Despite being in the dominant position, Captain Gracie just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Saulnier fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Gracie changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Saulnier looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Saulnier trying to remain calm as Gracie controls from the top position.
Saulnier tries to improve position but can't.
The referee asks Gracie politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Gracie prefers to stall for the moment though.

And that's the end of the fight!
Captain 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 Dillan Fox scores the fight 26:30
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 26:30
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 26:30

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