PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Karl Veneracion (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chuck Grace (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Veneracion comes to the cage accompanied by faint. Grace has chosen Swagga Like Us as his entrance music. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Veneracion
vs
Grace

179 cm
23
155 lbs
8 - 9 - 0

182 cm
21
163 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

[CBK] Smashwear Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Karl Veneracion!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Chuck Grace!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Shirou Masuda and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Veneracion throws a hook to the side of Grace's head but Grace sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Veneracion avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Grace is looking to clinch.
Grace darts in trying to clinch
and Veneracion counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Veneracion swats away the attempt to clinch by Grace.
Grace keeps Veneracion at a distance using the push kick.
Grace wants to clinch but Veneracion slips to the side
and Veneracion counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Veneracion misses with a two punch combination.
A chopping leg kick lands by Grace.
Veneracion throws a series of punches but Grace avoids them all with ease.
Veneracion misses with a takedown attempt - Grace sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Grace closes the distance but Veneracion moves to the side

and Veneracion counters with a shoot takedown. Grace fights it but they end up in guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Veneracion preventing the sweep.
Grace can't keep his opponent in guard - Veneracion advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Veneracion seems to be working for a kimura but Grace defends the submission attempt.

Veneracion is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Veneracion is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Grace sees it coming and defends easily.
Veneracion looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Veneracion is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Veneracion thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Grace's head.

Veneracion is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Veneracion is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Grace doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Veneracion.
Grace avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Veneracion.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Veneracion is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Grace pushes Veneracion off looking to stand but Veneracion dives back in and keeps control.
Veneracion wants to free his trapped foot but Grace is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Veneracion looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

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.
Veneracion is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Grace!

Veneracion goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Grace is on top in guard.
Grace throws a big right hand that misses.
Grace must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Grace gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Grace is looking to clinch.
Veneracion avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Grace will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Grace lets loose with a powerful body kick. Veneracion will feel that in the morning.
Good leg kick by Grace there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Veneracion changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Grace tries to avoid it but Veneracion manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Grace to the ground. Grace escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Grace tries to clinch up.
Grace wants to clinch but Veneracion slips to the side

and Veneracion counters with a shoot takedown. Grace fights it but they end up in guard.
Veneracion is looking to advance position but Grace has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Veneracion is breathing heavily.
Veneracion really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Grace wants to control the pace but Veneracion is squirming around nicely.
Veneracion manages to regain half guard. Good work.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Veneracion works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Veneracion is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Veneracion working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Grace doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Grace manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Veneracion is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Grace trying to stand up but can't free himself from Veneracion's guard.
Grace preventing the sweep.
Grace wants to stand but Veneracion is controlling his posture from full guard.
Grace really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Veneracion. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Veneracion is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Grace is aware though and is defending well.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Veneracion escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Grace gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Grace is looking to work some ground and pound but Veneracion has wrist control.
Grace wants to pass the guard but Veneracion is keeping the position.

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

Veneracion working for submissions but it's allowed Grace to get to half guard.

Veneracion actively working from the bottom here.
Grace wants to pass to mount but Veneracion is defending the position.

Veneracion is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Grace pulls his head out easily.

That's eight 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.
Veneracion is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Grace's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Grace's back!

Veneracion has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.

Veneracion patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

Veneracion looking for the choke from the back.

Veneracion has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Grace has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Veneracion is not going to allow Grace to sit and survive in this position.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Grace holding both Veneracion 's hands and preventing any damage.

Grace is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Veneracion gets his way!
Grace trying to get back to his feet but Veneracion is in full control for now.

Veneracion tightening his grip on Grace, looking for the choke.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Karl Veneracion dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Veneracion shoots in looking for a takedown but Grace manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Veneracion's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Grace tries to clinch up but Veneracion circles away and keeps his distance.
Grace tries to clinch but Veneracion moves out of range.
Grace closes the distance but Veneracion moves to the side

and Veneracion counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Veneracion throws a strike but Grace avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Veneracion accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Veneracion drops back looking for a leg! Grace is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Grace manages to kick Veneracion off! Veneracion jumps back into Grace's guard.
Veneracion wants to pass the guard but Grace is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Veneracion has gone for a leg lock! Grace slips out almost immediately though and dives into Veneracion's guard.
Grace has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Veneracion is proving hard to escape from.
Veneracion looking for a sweep. Not yet Veneracion, not yet.

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

Veneracion is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Grace tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Veneracion avoids it.
Grace crunches a lovely knee into Veneracion's ribcage.
Veneracion tries to break the clinch but Grace is controlling the position.
Grace putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Veneracion in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Grace is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Veneracion is defending well for now.
Grace with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Veneracion takes an elbow to the forehead.
Grace unloads a knee to the mid-section. Veneracion lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Grace scores a nice knee to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Grace.
Grace lands a nice elbow.
Grace comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Veneracion takes a knee right on the jaw!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grace lands an elbow inside.
Grace putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Veneracion in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Grace lands a nice knee to the body.
Grace working Veneracion over with knees to the body.
Grace holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Grace is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Veneracion is defending well for now.
Grace unloads a knee to the mid-section. Veneracion lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Grace gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Grace with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Grace avoiding damage.
Grace lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Grace's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Grace lands a nice knee to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grace is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Veneracion is defending well for now.
Grace tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Veneracion avoids it.
Grace holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Grace is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Veneracion is keeping busy.
Grace dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Grace landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Grace is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Veneracion is defending well for now.
The referee is keeping an eye on Grace - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Grace throws a knee to the head but misses.
Veneracion wants to get back to striking at distance but Grace won't allow it.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Grace with a knee to the head.
Grace is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Grace looking to throw knees to the head but Veneracion is blocking nicely.
Grace is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Veneracion is defending well for now.
Veneracion tries to break the clinch but Grace is controlling the position.
Veneracion is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Grace tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Veneracion avoids it.
Veneracion has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Grace with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Grace has Veneracion pressed against the cage, preventing Veneracion from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Veneracion blocks an elbow strike.
Grace is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Veneracion is keeping busy.
Grace seems frustrated at his inability to get double underhooks.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Veneracion has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Grace looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Veneracion can't break the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Veneracion's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Grace lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Grace looking to stall.
Grace lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Veneracion managing to block the knees to the body from Grace.
Veneracion blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Veneracion is trying to break the clinch but Grace is controlling him.
Grace blocks an elbow strike.
Grace scores a nice knee to the body.
Grace is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Grace creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Veneracion's defenses.
Grace keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Veneracion's efforts to push away.
Grace connects with a knee to the head.
Grace missing with knees to the body.
Grace lands an elbow that stopped Veneracion in his tracks for a moment.
Knees in the clinch landing for Grace.
Grace with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A knee to the head by Grace.
Grace unloads a knee to the mid-section. Veneracion lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Veneracion is looking to control Grace's arms but Grace gets an underhook and turns him. Now Veneracion has his back to the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Grace.
Veneracion looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Grace missing with knees to the body.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Grace putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Veneracion in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Grace trying to control the position but instead, Veneracion has worked for underhooks and has pushed Grace into the cage.
Veneracion managing to block the knees to the body from Grace.
Veneracion is trying to force a seperation but Grace has the dominant position.
Grace utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Grace lands a nice elbow.
Grace lands an elbow just above Veneracion 's eye.
Grace using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Veneracion has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Veneracion escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Grace wants to clinch up but Veneracion keeps it at a distance.

Veneracion closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Veneracion is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Grace sees it coming and defends easily.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Veneracion is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Grace is just riding it out for now. Veneracion eventually gives up the hold.

Veneracion is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Grace defends it well.

Veneracion is looking for a kimura here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chuck Grace showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Grace is looking to clinch.
Grace moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Veneracion throws a body kick that misses.
Veneracion shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Grace counters with a solid body kick.
Grace scores with a kick to the body.
Grace lands with a kick to the temple. Veneracion shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Grace tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Grace wants to clinch up but Veneracion keeps it at a distance.

Grace pushes Veneracion up against the cage in a clinch.
Grace is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grace lands a knee to the body.
Grace putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Veneracion in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Grace pressing his opponent against the cage.
Grace is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Grace landing knees to the head.
Grace scores with a knee to the head.
Grace has Veneracion pressed against the cage.
Grace connects with a knee to the head.
Knees to the body from Grace.
Grace misses with a knee strike.
Grace lands a good knee to the midsection. Veneracion won't want to take too many of those.
Chuck Grace seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Grace scores a nice knee to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grace lands an elbow that stopped Veneracion in his tracks for a moment.
Grace putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Veneracion in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Veneracion takes an elbow to the forehead.
Grace using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Veneracion has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Grace taking a breather.
Grace is trying to stall.
Veneracion managing to block the knees to the body from Grace.
Grace keeps control of Veneracion as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Grace lands a knee to the body.
Grace missing with knees to the body.
Veneracion avoids the elbow strike from Grace, against the cage.
Veneracion blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Veneracion has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grace misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Veneracion.
Grace missing with knees to the body.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Grace as Veneracion tries to tie him up.
Veneracion tries to break free but Grace pushes him back against the cage.
Veneracion on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Grace lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Grace unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Grace tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Veneracion avoids it.
Grace crunches a lovely knee into Veneracion's ribcage.
Grace lands an elbow just above Veneracion 's eye.
Grace trying to stall but Veneracion improves his position.
Grace misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Veneracion.
Veneracion is trying to break free.
Grace has Veneracion pressed against the cage, preventing Veneracion from circling away and getting back to striking at 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.

Veneracion breaks the clinch.

Veneracion closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Veneracion stands up and beckons Grace to his feet.
Chuck Grace is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Grace tries to clinch

and Veneracion counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Grace!

Veneracion working for a guillotine from mount but Grace is in no mood to give up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Veneracion swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Grace is now in Veneracion's guard. A big mistake from Veneracion there, giving up the dominant position!

Grace decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Veneracion, up you get!

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Grace tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Veneracion counters with a takedown into side control.
Veneracion in side control lands a decent elbow.

Veneracion stands up.
Grace darts in trying to clinch
and Veneracion counters with a nice uppercut.
Grace connects with a solid leg kick.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Veneracion.
Grace fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Veneracion closes the distance and clinches up with Grace, looking for a takedown. Veneracion pushes Grace against the cage but Grace circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Karl Veneracion. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Veneracion blocks a head kick by Grace.
Veneracion shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Veneracion sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Veneracion takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Grace pushes Veneracion away with a front kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Grace tries to close the distance and clinch up but Veneracion swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Grace blocks a jab.
Grace wants to clinch up but Veneracion keeps it at a distance.
Grace tries to close the distance and clinch but Veneracion swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Grace tries to clinch there but Veneracion circles away.
Grace closes the distance but Veneracion moves to the side

and Veneracion counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Grace keeping full guard, as Veneracion tries to pass.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Veneracion drops back, looking for a kneebar! Grace looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Grace looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Grace!

Grace decides to take the fight back to the feet.

Grace moves into the clinch.
Grace landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Grace stalling in the clinch.
Veneracion working hard to break the clinch.
Grace tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Veneracion avoids it.
Veneracion has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Veneracion is trying to break the clinch but Grace is controlling him.
Veneracion will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Veneracion blocks an elbow strike.
Veneracion wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Grace.
Grace missing with knees to the body.
Grace using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Veneracion has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Veneracion is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Grace throws an elbow but it misses.
Grace using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Veneracion has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Veneracion is trying to push Grace away but Grace has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Grace crunches a lovely knee into Veneracion's ribcage.
Grace working Veneracion over with knees to the body.
Grace is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
A bit of stalling here from Grace.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Grace creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Veneracion's defenses.
Veneracion blocks an elbow strike from Grace.
Grace tries to land knees in the clinch but Veneracion avoids the damage to the body.
Grace with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Grace lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Veneracion managing to block the knees to the body from Grace.
Grace throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Grace landing knees to the body.
Grace lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Grace is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Veneracion is defending well for now.
Veneracion wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Grace has him pressed against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Grace stalling the fight.
Grace tries to land knees in the clinch but Veneracion avoids the damage to the body.
Grace lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Grace missing with knees to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chuck Grace comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Grace 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight for Chuck Grace!
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight for Chuck Grace!
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight for Chuck Grace!

Chuck Grace wins by unanimous decision!