PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Francesco Luongo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kimbo Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Luongo comes to the cage accompanied by Alexisonfire - The Northern. Kimbo Gracie has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Luongo
vs
Gracie

185 cm
20
170 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

181 cm
23
170 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Win Nutritional - proof of quality
Win Nutritional - proof of quality

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Francesco Luongo!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kimbo Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Alyssa Summers and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Luongo shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Gracie wants to get back to his feet but Luongo is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Luongo drops back looking for a leg! Gracie is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Gracie manages to kick Luongo off! Luongo jumps back into Gracie's guard.

Luongo thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Luongo pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gracie is keeping the position for now.

Luongo drops back looking for a leg! Gracie is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Gracie manages to kick Luongo off! Luongo jumps back into Gracie's guard.
Gracie is looking to stand up but Luongo isn't so interested in that idea.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Luongo pushing down on Gracie's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Gracie makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Luongo will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Kimbo Gracie is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Luongo misses the jab.
Luongo shoots in for a double leg but Gracie sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Luongo shoots in looking for a takedown. Gracie tries to sprawl out of it but Luongo 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.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Francesco Luongo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Luongo has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Gracie finds it's way round the side to connect with Luongo's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie throws the left hand but Luongo avoids the punch easily.
Luongo throws a wild body kick that Gracie sees coming a mile off.
Luongo shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Gracie defends it nicely.
Luongo misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Luongo takes one to the side of the head.
Luongo takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Luongo looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie throws the left hand but Luongo avoids the punch easily.
Gracie keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Luongo.

Luongo decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Gracie is trying to stand up here but Luongo is controlling him well.

Luongo is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Gracie sees it coming and defends easily.

Gracie makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Gracie leaves Luongo with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Luongo thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie blocks a head kick by Luongo.
Nice sprawl there from Gracie as Luongo shoots in.
Gracie throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Luongo stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Luongo shoots in for a takedown but Gracie shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Gracie moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Gracie blocks a head kick by Luongo.
Gracie throws a nice looking combination but Luongo bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Luongo looks for a takedown but Gracie sprawls well.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Luongo.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Luongo shoots in for a double leg but Gracie sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Luongo throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Gracie's waist but Gracie gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Luongo off to one side.
Gracie cracks Luongo with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Luongo pivots, looking for a leg kick but Gracie is out of range and Luongo settles back down.
Luongo throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Gracie's waist but Gracie gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Luongo off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Francesco Luongo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gracie looks to land a left hand but Luongo moved out of range nicely.
Luongo takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Luongo dives in and grabs Gracie's left leg, looking for a takedown. Gracie pushes down on Luongo's head and hops out.
Gracie bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Luongo's head backwards.
Luongo will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie lands a right hook to the body.
Gracie connects with a jab.
Luongo tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Gracie swivels and escapes.
Luongo fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Gracie bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Gracie throws a body punch but Luongo moves out of range.
Luongo shoots in for a takedown but Gracie shows good takedown defense.
Luongo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Luongo shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Gracie pinned against the cage. Gracie gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Luongo shoots in looking for a takedown. Gracie tries to sprawl out of it but Luongo 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.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie lands a with a good body shot.
Gracie uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Luongo has time to react.
Luongo throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Gracie's waist but Gracie gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Luongo off to one side.
Gracie jabs Luongo right on the nose. Luongo blinks but takes it well.
Luongo moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Gracie comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Luongo shoots in but Gracie avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie scores with the left hand. Luongo knows he should have avoided that one.
Gracie swinging wilding here.
Francesco Luongo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gracie dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Gracie throws a body punch but Luongo moves out of range.
Gracie moves into range and connects with a jab.
Gracie stuffs the takedown.
Luongo falls off balance throwing a combination
and Gracie counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Luongo showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gracie.

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.
Luongo has his takedown stuffed
and Gracie counters with a left to the body.

Luongo bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Gracie is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Luongo is controlling him well.

Luongo is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Gracie knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Gracie is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kimbo Gracie showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Luongo misses with a takedown
and Gracie counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Francesco Luongo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Luongo looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Gracie!

Luongo working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

Luongo is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Gracie has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Gracie!
Gracie wants to control from the top but Luongo keeps moving.
Luongo 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie wants to stand but Luongo has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Gracie gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Gracie with a nice cross.
Gracie throws a right hand that Luongo ducks under and follows up with a left that Luongo also avoids with ease.
Luongo with a poor takedown
and Gracie counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Gracie throws a lazy right hand but Luongo sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Luongo uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Gracie.
A left lands for Gracie.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
A lazy body kick from Luongo
and Gracie counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Luongo misses with a takedown
and Gracie counters with a series of strikes. Luongo will be more careful next time no doubt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Francesco Luongo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Luongo with a poor takedown
and Gracie counters with a left and a right that stings Luongo.
Luongo misses with a takedown
and Gracie counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Luongo looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Gracie throws a nice looking combination but Luongo bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Gracie blocks a head kick by Luongo.
Gracie scores with a jab to the head.
Gracie lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luongo doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Gracie counters with a right hand to the body.

Luongo closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Gracie did well to prevent Luongo getting side control.
Gracie wants to get back to his feet.

Luongo is working for a kimura but Gracie is defending it quite comfortably.
Luongo moves nicely into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Luongo working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Gracie tries to escape but Luongo is in control.

Luongo tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Luongo is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Gracie knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Francesco Luongo did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Luongo shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Gracie counters with a nice uppercut.
Luongo shoots and misses
and Gracie counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Luongo shoots and misses
and Gracie counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Francesco Luongo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Luongo tries for a takedown but Gracie circles away easily
and Gracie counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Gracie ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie lands with a shot to the body.
Luongo misses with a jab, cross combination.
Luongo with a poor takedown
and Gracie counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie lands a nice shot that snaps Luongo's head back.
Nice shot lands for Gracie.
Luongo misses with a takedown attempt
and Gracie counters with a right hand to the body.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Luongo takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Gracie lands a slapping body shot.
Nice body punch from Gracie.
Kimbo Gracie seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Luongo takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Gracie scores with a punch to the head.
Luongo misses with a takedown attempt
and Gracie counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Gracie lands a head shot.
Luongo avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Luongo ducks under a wild hook from Gracie.
Luongo doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Gracie counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Luongo throws a combination that misses
and Gracie counters with a straight right hand.
Gracie lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Luongo backs up against the cage.
Gracie throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Luongo shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Gracie counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Luongo misses with a takedown attempt
and Luongo takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie scores with a shot to the body.
Luongo tries for a takedown but Gracie circles away easily
and Gracie counters with a nice body shot.
Gracie connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Luongo momentarily.
Gracie misses with a two punch combination.
Luongo shoots and misses
and Gracie counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Luongo moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Gracie lands a slapping body shot.
Gracie uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Luongo has time to react.
Luongo shoots and misses
and Gracie counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie jabs at Luongo's body.
A left and a right from Gracie both land. Nice combination.
Luongo shoots and misses
and Gracie counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Luongo doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Gracie counters with a stiff right hand.
Luongo throws a sloppy head kick and Gracie moves out of range easily.
Gracie throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Luongo stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Luongo shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Gracie counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Gracie scores with the left hand. Luongo knows he should have avoided that one.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kimbo Gracie dominated that fourth round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Gracie scores with a jab.
Luongo has his takedown stuffed
and Gracie counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Luongo thinking.
Gracie misses with an uppercut.
Gracie lands with a hook. Luongo tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Gracie lands a right hook to the body.
Gracie lands with an uppercut that bounces Luongo off the cage and back into rage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Luongo shoots and misses
and Gracie counters with a stiff right hand.
Gracie connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Luongo shoots and misses
and Luongo takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Francesco Luongo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gracie connects with the punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Luongo tries for a takedown but Gracie circles away easily
and Gracie counters with a nice body shot.
Gracie throws a good cross that connects.
Luongo uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gracie.
Luongo with a poor takedown
and Gracie counters with a left to the body.
Nice straight punches there by Gracie. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Gracie.
Luongo shoots and misses
and Gracie counters with a three punch combo that has Luongo backing up. Luongo nods at Gracie to acknowledge the strikes.
Luongo misses with the combination.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Luongo drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Luongo shoots and misses
and Gracie cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Gracie scores with a jab.
Gracie paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Gracie throws a shot from downtown. Luongo moves away and avoids it.
Luongo shoots and misses
and Gracie counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Gracie uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Gracie tries to bum rush Luongo with a series of wild strikes but Luongo uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Luongo throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Gracie was covering up waiting for the punch and Luongo finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Gracie scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Kimbo Gracie is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luongo fails with the takedown
and Gracie counters with a nice uppercut.
Gracie lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Gracie bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Luongo's head.
Gracie throws a series of punches but Luongo moves out of range.
Luongo doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Gracie counters with a one-two to the body.
Gracie cracks Luongo with a right hand to the side of the head.
Luongo throws a head kick but Gracie moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Luongo misses with a takedown
and Luongo takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Gracie lands a jab to Luongo's midsection.
Luongo gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Gracie counters with a nice body shot.
Luongo with a lazy takedown attempt
and Gracie connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Gracie looks to throw the jab but Luongo is out of range.
Gracie digs a good body shot into Luongo's ribs.
Gracie takes a swing at Luongo's ribcage but misses.
Francesco Luongo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Luongo is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Gracie's half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kimbo Gracie comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Gracie has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 46:49
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 46:49
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kimbo Gracie!
Kimbo Gracie is the new welterweight champion!