PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ralapeno Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Ghandi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Matt Ghandi is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Gracie
vs
Ghandi

192 cm
23
142 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

180 cm
21
135 lbs
8 - 6 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Good elbows
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ralapeno Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Matt Ghandi!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Seu Braga and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ghandi throws a head kick but Gracie moves out of range.
Gracie shoots in for a double leg but Ghandi sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Ghandi scores with a leg kick.
Ghandi throws a sloppy head kick and Gracie moves out of range easily.
Gracie really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Gracie closes the distance and clinches up with Ghandi, looking for a takedown. Gracie pushes Ghandi against the cage but Ghandi circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Ralapeno Gracie seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ghandi lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Gracie shoots in for a double leg but Ghandi sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ralapeno Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ghandi looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie has a takedown stuffed.

Ghandi clinches up with Gracie and pushes him back against the cage.
Gracie avoids a wild elbow strike from Ghandi.
Gracie jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Ghandi walks away with a smile on his face. Gracie gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Gracie shoots in looking for a takedown. Ghandi tries to sprawl out of it but Gracie keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Ghandi manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

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.
Gracie changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ghandi tries to avoid it but Gracie manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ghandi to the ground. Ghandi escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Nice sprawl there from Ghandi as Gracie shoots in.

Ghandi rushes Gracie and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Gracie changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ghandi fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Horrible takedown by Gracie or perhaps it was just good defense by Ghandi which made him look bad.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie shoots in and drives through. Ghandi sprawls well.
Ghandi lands with a slapping head kick.

Ghandi pushes Gracie up against the cage in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters up against the cage, Ghandi throws an elbow but misses.
Ghandi lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Ghandi comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Ghandi gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Ghandi lands an elbow inside that Gracie shrugs off.
Ghandi lands a damaging elbow.
Gracie takes an elbow to the forehead.

Gracie is rocked!
Ghandi lands an elbow inside that Gracie shrugs off.
Oh Gracie is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Gracie blocks the elbow strike.
Ghandi pushes off an throws an elbow but Gracie leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Ghandi creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Ghandi throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Ghandi pushes off an throws an elbow but Gracie leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Ghandi throws an elbow but it misses.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Ghandi.
Gracie seems to have got his legs back now.
Ghandi comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Gracie goes for a takedown in the clinch but Ghandi prevents it.
Gracie tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Ghandi just stands there and leans against the cage.
Gracie has Ghandi pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Ghandi manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Ghandi.
Gracie trying to control the position but instead, Ghandi has worked for underhooks and has pushed Gracie into the cage.
Ghandi pushes off an throws an elbow but Gracie leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Ghandi dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Gracie is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ghandi sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Ghandi lands a high kick!
Gracie fails with the takedown.
Ghandi displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Gracie.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ralapeno Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ghandi throws a sloppy head kick and Gracie moves out of range easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ghandi tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gracie swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Gracie fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Ghandi fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Gracie, pushing him back against the cage.
Ghandi lands a nice elbow.
Gracie jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Ghandi walks away with a smile on his face. Gracie gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Gracie shoots in and drives through. Ghandi sprawls well.

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.
Ghandi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ghandi moves in looking to clinch but Gracie pushes him off.

Ghandi has taken the fight to the clinch.
Gracie avoids a wild elbow strike from Ghandi.
Ghandi throws an elbow but it misses.
Gracie fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Ghandi lands an elbow that stopped Gracie in his tracks for a moment.
Gracie takes an elbow to the temple.
Ghandi misses with an elbow strike.
Gracie can't break the clinch.
Ghandi lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Ghandi lands an elbow that stopped Gracie in his tracks for a moment.
Ghandi creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Ghandi looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Gracie blocks an elbow strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie blocks the elbow strike.
Ghandi throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Gracie tries to score a body lock takedown but Ghandi shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Ghandi lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Ghandi creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Gracie dodges an elbow strike from Ghandi.
Gracie blocks the elbow strike.
Ghandi pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Ghandi comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Nice elbow from Ghandi.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Ghandi just misses with a elbow thrown towards Gracie's brow.
Ghandi lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Ghandi gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Gracie has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Ghandi is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Nice elbow from Ghandi.
Ghandi throws an elbow but it's blocked.
With the fighters up against the cage, Ghandi throws an elbow but misses.
Ghandi gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Gracie.
Gracie tries for a takedown but Ghandi manages to get underhooks.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Ghandi just misses with a elbow thrown towards Gracie's brow.
Ghandi throws an elbow that misses.
With the fighters up against the cage, Ghandi throws an elbow but misses.
With the fighters up against the cage, Ghandi throws an elbow but misses.
Gracie is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Ghandi gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

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.
Ghandi lands an elbow just above Gracie 's eye.
Ghandi creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Gracie's defenses.
Ghandi gets underhooks to prevent Gracie's takedown attempt.
Gracie wants to get back to striking at distance but Ghandi won't allow it.
Gracie avoids a wild elbow strike from Ghandi.
Ghandi lands an elbow that stopped Gracie in his tracks for a moment.
Ghandi lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Gracie takes an elbow to the forehead.
Ghandi throws an elbow but it misses.
Ghandi lands an elbow inside.
Ghandi lands an elbow inside.
Ghandi pushes off an throws an elbow but Gracie leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Gracie is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Ghandi lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Ghandi lands an elbow inside that Gracie shrugs off.
Gracie blocks the elbow strike.
Gracie avoids a wild elbow strike from Ghandi.
With the fighters up against the cage, Ghandi throws an elbow but misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ghandi gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Ghandi is breathing heavily.
Ghandi creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Gracie's defenses.
Ghandi lands an elbow inside that Gracie shrugs off.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Ghandi.
Nice elbow from Ghandi.
Ghandi creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Ghandi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Gracie shoots in for a takedown but Ghandi shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Ralapeno Gracie is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gracie throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Gracie scores a takedown into full mount!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Gracie goes for an armbar but Ghandi turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Ghandi.

Gracie has his foot on Ghandi's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ghandi works his way back into a safe position though.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gracie throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Ghandi escapes and throws Gracie's legs to the side, diving into side control!

Ghandi decides to stand back up.
Gracie blocks a head kick by Ghandi.
Gracie throws a sloppy head kick

and Ghandi counters by clinching up.
Gracie drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Ralapeno Gracie has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ghandi throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Ghandi lands an elbow just above Gracie 's eye.
Gracie takes an elbow to the forehead.
Gracie avoids the elbow strike from Ghandi, against the cage.
Ghandi gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Ghandi throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Nice elbow from Ghandi.
Gracie tries for a takedown but Ghandi manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ralapeno Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ghandi comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Gracie can't get the takedown.
Gracie avoids the elbow strike from Ghandi, against the cage.
Gracie avoids a wild elbow strike from Ghandi.
Gracie avoids a wild elbow strike from Ghandi.
Ghandi misses with an elbow strike.
Ghandi pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Ghandi.
Ghandi lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Ghandi is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Ghandi lands an elbow inside that Gracie shrugs off.
Ghandi pushes off an throws an elbow but Gracie leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Ghandi lands a nice elbow.
Gracie is working for takedown but Ghandi is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie takes an elbow to the temple.
Gracie goes for a takedown in the clinch but Ghandi prevents it.
Ghandi lands an elbow inside that Gracie shrugs off.
Ghandi creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
With the fighters up against the cage, Ghandi throws an elbow but misses.
Ghandi pushes off an throws an elbow but Gracie leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Ghandi throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Ghandi misses with an elbow strike.
Gracie avoids a wild elbow strike from Ghandi.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Ghandi just misses with a elbow thrown towards Gracie's brow.
Ghandi comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Ghandi gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Gracie.
Ghandi misses with an elbow over the top.
Ghandi lands an elbow that stopped Gracie in his tracks for a moment.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Ghandi.
Ghandi throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Ghandi prevents the takedown attempt.
Ghandi looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Gracie drops down looking for an ankle pick but Ghandi pulls his leg out and moves away.
A head kick misses from Ghandi.

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.
Ghandi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ghandi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matt Ghandi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Ghandi 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 Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 26:30
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matt Ghandi!