PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Roberto Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shefki Kuqi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Gracie
vs
Kuqi

180 cm
25
181 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

172 cm
19
178 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Determined

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 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Roberto Gracie!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Shefki Kuqi!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Richard Clark and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fight stays on the outside here - Kuqi looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Gracie avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Gracie fails with a takedown attempt.
Gracie swats away the attempt to clinch by Kuqi.
Kuqi takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
A combination from Kuqi does no damage.
Roberto Gracie seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Kuqi gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Gracie lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kuqi makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Kuqi wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Gracie has him pressed against the cage.

Gracie breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Gracie keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Kuqi fails in his attempt to clinch.

Kuqi clinches with his opponent.
Kuqi keeps control of Gracie as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Kuqi manages to break the clinch.
Gracie throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kuqi.
Gracie misses with a series of wild punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kuqi sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Gracie fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Gracie scores with a one two! Kuqi had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Kuqi rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Gracie moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Gracie lands with a nice body punch.
Gracie's corner calls for a 1-2. Gracie obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Gracie fails to land with a series of punches.
Kuqi slips under a jab.

Gracie closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Kuqi did well to prevent Gracie getting side control.
Kuqi is looking to escape.
Gracie is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Kuqi!
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Kuqi can do anything to dispel that myth.
Kuqi is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kuqi looks gassed!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Gracie working for a submission but Kuqi is keeping him at bay.
Gracie tries to control but Kuqi wriggling away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Gracie throws some shoulder strikes here and then postures up. Oh, he's gone for an armbar! Kuqi has his hands clasped together but Gracie breaks the hold and Kuqi is forced to tap! This one is aaaaaaaaaaall over! That was lightning fast by Gracie!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:44 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Roberto Gracie!
Roberto Gracie is the new welterweight champion!