PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Roger Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vincent Assaf (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gracie comes into the arena with Dread Zepellin - Stairway to Heaven blaring out of the sound system. Assaf is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: click click boom. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Gracie
vs
Assaf

185 cm
19
190 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

183 cm
24
190 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Fightworld Formula

Hellbent, Inc. - $500 Sponsorships

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Roger Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Vincent Assaf!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Gwen Towbar and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Gracie tries to bum rush Assaf with a series of wild strikes but Assaf uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Assaf darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Gracie moves into full guard.
Gracie keeping moving, preventing Assaf from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Assaf avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Gracie wants to sweep here but Assaf controlling him for the moment.

Assaf got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gracie has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Assaf has managed to get both his arms back between Gracie's legs - danger averted.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gracie is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Assaf is aware though and is defending well.
Gracie bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Assaf's guard.
Gracie wants to pass the guard but Assaf is keeping the position.
Assaf controls Gracie momentarily but Gracie frees himself.
Gracie throwing strikes from guard but Assaf blocks nicely.
Assaf is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's two 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 postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Assaf is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Gracie, into his guard.
Gracie wants to sweep here but Assaf controlling him for the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Gracie isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Assaf stacks Gracie on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Assaf!
Assaf working the ground and pound but Gracie is defending the strikes.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is trying to improve his position.
Gracie manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Gracie seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Assaf does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Gracie is working for a kimura here but Assaf manages to reverse the position and he's now in Gracie's guard.

Gracie has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Assaf can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

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.
Assaf sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Gracie's guard.
Gracie wants to get back to full guard.

Gracie is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Assaf pulls his head out easily.
Gracie wants to get back to full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Assaf in particular looking to stall.
Gracie slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Vincent Assaf will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Gracie lands a front kick.
Gracie tries for a takedown but Assaf circles away easily

and Assaf counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Gracie trying to control here.
Assaf is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Assaf thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Gracie's head.
Assaf trying to control the action but Gracie is working from the bottom.
Gracie makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Gracie.
Assaf is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie wants to sweep here but Assaf controlling him for the moment.
Gracie is trying to control the position but Assaf postures up.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Gracie throws a left and a right that both miss
and Assaf counters with a stiff right hand.
Gracie thows a body shot but no joy.

Assaf feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Gracie wants to sweep but no luck.
Gracie has his hands on Assaf's head, controlling the position.
Assaf throwing strikes from guard but Gracie blocks nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Assaf wants to control from the top but Gracie keeps moving.
Gracie controlling the position.
Assaf preventing the sweep.
Assaf controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Assaf looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie keeping moving, preventing Assaf from controlling successfully.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Gracie falls off balance throwing a combination

and Assaf counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Assaf stopping the sweep attempt from Gracie.
Assaf sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Gracie's guard.
Gracie is trying to control but Assaf manages to pass to mount!
Gracie manages to regain half guard. Good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Assaf is working for a submission of some sort.
Gracie is looking to improve his position.
Gracie is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Assaf's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Assaf's back!

Gracie has both hooks in and is working for a choke. Assaf is in real trouble here. Gracie gets an arm under the chin and tightens the submission attempt... is this the end? Yes, Assaf is tapping out! Gracie wins by rear naked choke!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Roger Gracie!