PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mike Tank (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rolando Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mike Tank has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Tank
vs
Gracie

185 cm
27
205 lbs
4 - 8 - 0

188 cm
19
200 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mike Tank!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rolando Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Edson Gomes and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tank looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Gracie!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gracie slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Gracie regains full guard. Nicely done.
Gracie lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Tank!
Gracie looking to finish with strikes here!
Tank wants to get back to his feet.

Tank defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Gracie.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tank is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Tank blocking the ground and pound.
Tank wants to get back to his feet.
Gracie tries to control but Tank wriggling away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Gracie jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Tank manages to avoid the submission attempt.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tank is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Gracie is controlling him well.
Gracie tries to score with some ground and pound. Tank controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tank is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

Gracie is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Tank knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Gracie is trying to get an arm triangle but Tank is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Tank is trying to get back to his feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gracie throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rolando Gracie dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Gracie tries to sprawl but Tank drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Gracie is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Tank pulls his head out easily.
Gracie has hold of Tank's hands but Tank slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Tank is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Tank scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Tank working the head and body with strikes.
Tank lands with a punch from half guard.

Gracie looking for submissions off his back.
Gracie tries to get to full guard but Tank has control of the leg.
Gracie is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Tank scores with a couple of nice shots.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tank is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Tank is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Gracie is breathing heavily.
Gracie on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Tank working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Tank seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Gracie tries to roll over but Tank keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tank winds up and cracks Gracie with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Tank lands strikes from half guard.
Gracie is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Tank scores with a couple of nice shots.
Gracie on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Mike Tank overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Tank slips a nice elbow through Gracie's hands, connecting with Gracie's forehead.
Tank lands strikes from half guard.
Tank is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Tank is nestled in close to Gracie, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Tank lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Tank connects with a nice short shot to Gracie's temple.
Tank is looking to advance position but Gracie won't allow it.
Tank is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Tank winds up and cracks Gracie with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Tank looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Gracie with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Ground and pound from Tank.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tank slips a nice elbow through Gracie's hands, connecting with Gracie's forehead.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Tank lands a nice short elbow.
Tank working over Gracie with some ground and pound. Gracie looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Gracie looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Tank working Gracie over with strikes.
Tank lands strikes from half guard.
Tank looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Tank lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Gracie looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Gracie pushes Tank off looking to stand but Tank dives back in and keeps control.
Tank is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Tank connects with a nice short shot to Gracie's temple.
Tank lands strikes from half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Tank lands a nice short elbow.
Tank working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Ground and pound from Tank.
Tank winds up and cracks Gracie with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Tank scoring with strikes to the body and head.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Tank lands a nice short elbow.
Tank is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Gracie has hold of Tank's hands but Tank slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

Gracie looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Tank working Gracie over with strikes.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Tank lands a nice short elbow.
Tank looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Tank working the head and body with strikes.
Gracie taking some punishment here, with Tank in his half guard.

Gracie looking for submissions off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tank looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tank landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Tank lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Tank takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Tank scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Gracie on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Tank is nestled in close to Gracie, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Tank looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Tank looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Gracie with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Gracie is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Tank scores with a couple of nice shots.
Gracie is looking to improve his position.
Tank looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Tank dominated that second round.
That's time! Tank's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Tank looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Tank looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Gracie with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Tank scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Tank connects with a nice short shot to Gracie's temple.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Tank lands a nice short elbow.
Gracie trying to control here.
Tank winds up and cracks Gracie with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Tank drops an elbow to the side of Gracie's head.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Tank connects with a nice short shot to Gracie's temple.
Gracie wants to control but Tank is keeping busy.

Gracie looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Tank is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gracie can do to turn this around?
Gracie has hold of Tank's hands but Tank slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Gracie takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Gracie on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Tank lands a nice short elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Tank connects with a nice short shot to Gracie's temple.
Tank lands strikes from half guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Ground and pound from Tank.
Tank working Gracie over with strikes.
Tank takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Gracie is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Tank pulls his head out easily.
Tank working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Tank seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Gracie missing with punches from the bottom.

Gracie looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Tank looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Gracie with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Tank is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Tank takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Gracie is looking for a sweep. Tank is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Tank knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Gracie on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tank takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Tank looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Nice strikes from Tank there.
Gracie is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Tank scores with a couple of nice shots.
Gracie won't allow Tank to pass to mount.
Tank working over Gracie with some ground and pound. Gracie looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Tank lands a nice short elbow.
Tank looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Gracie with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
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!
Tank scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Tank takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Tank looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Gracie is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Tank scores with a couple of nice shots.
Tank working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Tank working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Gracie is looking for a sweep. Tank is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie trying to control from the bottom.
Tank slips a nice elbow through Gracie's hands, connecting with Gracie's forehead.
Ground and pound from Tank.
Gracie is trying to get back to full guard.
Gracie is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Tank scores with a couple of nice shots.
Tank working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Tank lands with a punch from half guard.
Tank looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Gracie with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Tank working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

Gracie looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Tank is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Tank looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Ground and pound from Tank.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gracie looking for submissions off his back.
Tank looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Gracie with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Tank scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Tank takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Nice strikes from Tank there.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Tank lands a nice short elbow.
Tank is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Gracie tries to roll over but Tank keeps him under control.
Tank slips a nice elbow through Gracie's hands, connecting with Gracie's forehead.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tank landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Tank scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Tank working the head and body with strikes.
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!

Gracie actively working from the bottom here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Tank showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Tank has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 29:26
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 29:26
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 29:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Tank!