PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Khal Drago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Randsome Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Drago comes to the cage accompanied by We Steady Mobbin!. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the fighters buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Drago
vs
Gracie

193 cm
28
205 lbs
15 - 5 - 0

188 cm
29
215 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Khal Drago!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Randsome Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Jonathan Paton and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Drago throws a left and a right that both miss
and Gracie cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Drago moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Gracie shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Drago counters by clinching up.

Drago breaks the clinch.
Drago is looking to clinch but Gracie is avoiding it.
Drago tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gracie swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Drago instigates a clinch.

Drago gets control of Gracie's arms and successfully pulls guard. Drago will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Drago throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Drago looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drago pulls Gracie in close to prevent any damage.
Drago keeping full guard, as Gracie tries to pass.
Drago looking to control but Gracie passes into half guard.
Gracie trying to control from half guard but Drago is working away.

Drago looking for submissions off his back.
Gracie is controlling the pace.
Drago wants to control but Gracie is keeping busy.

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.
Gracie looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Drago is staying active underneath Gracie, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Drago keeping hold of Gracie's head, controlling as best he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Drago wants to control but Gracie is keeping busy and won't allow it.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Khal Drago has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Drago lands a two punch combo.
Gracie with a poor takedown
and Drago counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Drago counters with a one-two to the body.
Khal Drago has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Randsome Gracie.
Drago tries to clinch but Gracie is having none of it.
Drago wants to clinch.
Drago circles away from the clinch attempt

and Drago counters by moving into the clinch.

Drago escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Gracie shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Drago counters with a left and a right that stings Gracie.
Drago wants to clinch up but Gracie keeps it at a distance.
Gracie has his takedown stuffed

and Drago counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Gracie looks gassed!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Drago breaks the clinch.

Drago rushes Gracie and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Gracie working hard to break the clinch.

Drago's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Gracie tries for a takedown but Drago circles away easily

and Drago moves into the clinch.

Drago breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Drago lands with a nice combination. Gracie backs away looking to recover.
Gracie is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Drago.
Drago lands a two punch combo.
Gracie throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Drago counters by clinching up.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Drago gets control of Gracie's arms and successfully pulls guard. Drago will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Khal Drago dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Gracie is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Drago.
Gracie wants to clinch but Drago slips to the side
and Drago counters with a three punch combo that has Gracie backing up. Gracie nods at Drago to acknowledge the strikes.
Gracie with a lazy takedown attempt

and Drago counters by moving into the clinch.

Drago turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Drago manages to end up in side control.
Drago with the ground and pound but Gracie regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Drago throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Nice strikes from Drago there.
Drago is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Gracie is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Drago pulls his head out easily.
Gracie is breathing heavily.
Gracie blocking the ground and pound attempt from Drago.
Gracie keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Drago thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Gracie's head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drago throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Drago is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Drago lands a nice short elbow.
Drago looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Drago thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Gracie's head.
Gracie has hold of Drago's hands but Drago slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Gracie wants to get back to full guard.
Gracie is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Drago scores with a couple of nice shots.
Drago is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Drago thows a huge punch but Gracie dodges it nicely.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Drago missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Drago missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Drago not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Drago lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Drago landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Gracie on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Ground and pound from Drago.
Drago thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Gracie's head.

Gracie makes his way to full guard, as Drago worked for a kimura.
Drago trying to control the position from guard on top but Gracie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drago working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Drago throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Drago throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Gracie keeping moving, preventing Drago from controlling successfully.

Gracie throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Drago postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Drago lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Drago throwing strikes but missing.

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.
Drago is looking to work some ground and pound but Gracie has wrist control.
Gracie has momentary wrist control but Drago slips an elbow through the middle.
Drago lands a couple of digs.

Gracie is looking for a triangle but Drago pushes his legs off easily.
Drago is looking to work some ground and pound but Gracie has wrist control.
Gracie keeping moving, preventing Drago from controlling successfully.

Drago is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Gracie is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Gracie has escaped and now he's on top!
Drago knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Gracie on the ground.
Drago is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Gracie is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Khal Drago dominated that second round.
That's time! Drago's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Drago pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Gracie back to the cage. Drago follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Drago throws a combination. Gracie tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Drago is looking to clinch.
Gracie shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
enabling Drago to counter with a crisp jab.
Drago closes the distance looking to clinch

and Gracie counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Drago has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Gracie is working away from the top position though.

Drago looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Gracie takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drago throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Drago wants to control but Gracie is keeping busy.
Drago is refusing to be controlled, as Gracie sits in half guard.
Drago wants to control but Gracie passes into side.
Drago tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Drago struggling a bit here.

That's two 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.

Gracie tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Gracie has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Gracie tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Drago is trying to control Gracie's posture but Gracie avoids it.
Drago wants to get back to his feet but Gracie drags him back down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Drago's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Gracie tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Gracie has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Drago struggling a bit here.
Drago is trying to get back to half guard.

That's four 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 has control of an arm but Drago manages to advance to Gracie's back!
Watch the back of the head! Comes the shout from the referee towards Drago.
Gracie rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Drago wants to take a breather but Gracie is having none of it.
Gracie keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Drago thows a huge punch but Gracie dodges it nicely.
Drago working Gracie over with strikes.
Gracie is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Drago scores with a couple of nice shots.
Khal Drago overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Drago throws a strike but Gracie avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Drago has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Gracie keeping moving, preventing Drago from controlling successfully.

Gracie looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Drago passes into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Randsome Gracie really dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Drago gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Gracie lands a takedown into guard.

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

Drago is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Drago keeps moving.
Drago looking to control.
Gracie is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

Drago throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Drago looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Gracie has picked Drago up and slammed him! Drago can't keep hold of the triangle and Gracie manages to pass to side control!
Drago is letting Gracie control him for a moment.
Drago sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Drago is not content to let Gracie control the position.

Gracie is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Drago sees it coming and defends easily.

Drago looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Drago wants to improve his position but Gracie is controlling well.
Gracie wants to lay and pray for a moment but Drago keeps working.

Gracie is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Drago is just riding it out for now. Gracie eventually gives up the hold.
Drago is trying to maintain the position but Gracie is very close to passing his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drago has his hands clasped together around Gracie's back. He's all about the action.
Drago misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Drago trying to control here.

Drago looking for submissions off his back.
The fighters are battling for position here. Drago manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Drago is trying to control the position but Gracie postures up.

Drago looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Gracie postures up.
Drago has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Gracie has passed into side control.
Gracie wants to lay and pray for a moment but Drago keeps working.
You can see the frustration on Drago's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Gracie has hold of Drago's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! Drago tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - Gracie cranks the arm and Drago screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from Drago, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Randsome Gracie!
Randsome Gracie is the new light heavyweight champion!