PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rogerio Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Doug Robertson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gracie comes into the arena with Amazing entrance! with the theme FORT BATTLE from The Last of the Mohicans blaring out of the sound system. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Doug Robertson was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Gracie
vs
Robertson

185 cm
26
176 lbs
11 - 0 - 1

186 cm
28
178 lbs
12 - 4 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Decent elbows
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Chainsaw Shack - dress for less

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 11 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Rogerio Gracie!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Doug Robertson!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Johanna Lukiainen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A combination from Robertson does no damage.
Robertson takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Robertson will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Robertson throws a head kick that misses.
Robertson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Robertson lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

Gracie gets a double leg takedown into Robertson's guard.
Gracie trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Robertson keeps moving.
Robertson looking for a sweep. Not yet Robertson, not yet.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Robertson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gracie trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Robertson seems keen to control Gracie's posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Robertson throws a looping overhand right but Gracie ducks down to avoid it.
Robertson throws a series of punches but Gracie avoids them all with ease.
Robertson misses with the combination.
Robertson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Robertson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Gracie tries to clinch there but Robertson circles away.
Gracie checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

Gracie shoots in and bounces Robertson off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Robertson wants to stand and escape but Gracie is having none of it.
Gracie looking to pass the guard.
Gracie won't allow Robertson to sweep him here.
Gracie is pushing down on Robertson's leg trying to pass to half guard. Robertson is fighting to maintain full guard but Gracie has managed to sneak the leg through.

Gracie is looking for a kimura but Robertson is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Gracie to get the leverage.
Robertson is refusing to be controlled, as Gracie sits in half guard.
Gracie is looking to stall here but Robertson recovers full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie passes Robertson's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Robertson is looking for a sweep. Gracie is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Gracie trying to pass the guard but Robertson defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Robertson trying to control but Gracie postures up.
Gracie is trying to control. Robertson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Gracie is really struggling to control Robertson but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Gracie wants to pass the guard but Robertson is defending well.
Robertson trying to control but Gracie postures up.
Gracie not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Robertson trying to control here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gracie is trying to control. Robertson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Doug Robertson was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Gracie slips a jab from Robertson.
Robertson misses with a wild combination.
Gracie checks a leg kick.
Robertson lands a nice looking body shot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Robertson attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Robertson misses with a straight left.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rogerio 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.

A telegraphed takedown attempt from Gracie is defended easily by Robertson.
Gracie throws out a loose jab but Robertson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Robertson misses with a hook.
Robertson thows a body shot but no joy.
Gracie takes one on the button.
Gracie staying out of range there.
Robertson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gracie.
Gracie avoids a punch combination nicely.
Gracie dives in and grabs Robertson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Robertson pushes down on Gracie's head and hops out.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Robertson moves into the clinch.
A short body shot lands from Robertson as the two fighters clinch.
Gracie misses with an elbow strike.
Robertson misses with a body punch.
Robertson presses Gracie against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Gracie creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Robertson has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Gracie misses with an elbow strike.
Gracie pushes off an throws an elbow but Robertson leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Robertson lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Gracie backwards.

Robertson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Robertson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gracie moves away.
Robertson misses with a wild body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie misses with a hook.
Robertson loads up on a big right hand but Gracie slips the punch.
Robertson dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Gracie. That did some damage!
Doug Robertson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gracie displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Robertson throws out the jab.
Gracie blocks the body kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Robertson connects with a high kick.
Gracie is looking to clinch but Robertson is avoiding it.
Robertson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gracie avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Robertson misses with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Robertson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gracie avoids the head kick by Robertson.
Gracie avoids the head kick by Robertson.
A clash of legs there as Gracie blocks the low kick.
Gracie ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Robertson throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Gracie counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Robertson throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Robertson misses with a two punch combination.
Robertson slips a straight right by Gracie.
Robertson keeps the fight on the outside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Robertson.
Robertson misses with a two punch combination.
Robertson missing with a left hand there. Gracie was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Robertson throws a solid leg kick but Gracie takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Robertson.
Gracie shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rogerio Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Robertson tried to score with a low kick but Gracie checks it.
No joy there for Robertson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Robertson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gracie.
Robertson throws a lazy right hand but Gracie sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
No luck for Gracie with that takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Doug Robertson 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.

Robertson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A nice leg kick lands there from Robertson.
Gracie checks a leg kick.
Robertson misses with a head kick.
Robertson throws a shot from downtown. Gracie moves away and avoids it.
Gracie moves away from the strike by Robertson.
Gracie uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Robertson.
A head kick misses from Robertson.
Robertson thumps Gracie with a low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Robertson looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Robertson looks for the body kick but Gracie saw that one coming.
Gracie fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Gracie fails with the takedown
and Robertson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Robertson throws a big shot that misses.
Doug Robertson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Gracie keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Robertson swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Gracie counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Good leg kick by Robertson there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Nice uppercut lands for Robertson. That snapped Gracie's head back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Robertson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Robertson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Robertson stuffs the takedown attempt from Gracie. Gracie gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rogerio Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Robertson throws the kick towards the body but Gracie avoids it.
Gracie throws a sloppy body shot
and Robertson counters with a one-two to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gracie avoids a kick to the body.
Robertson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Robertson slaps away a takedown attempt from Gracie, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Robertson as he avoids it easily.
Robertson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gracie manages to avoid it.

Robertson gets in close and instigates a clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Gracie.
Gracie throws a head punch that misses.
Robertson makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Robertson lands a left hand.
Robertson lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A short right from Robertson on the inside.
Robertson avoids the elbow strike from Gracie, against the cage.
Robertson lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A short uppercut from Robertson.

Gracie is rocked!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Robertson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Gracie blocks it with crossed arms.
Oh Gracie is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Robertson scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Robertson.
Gracie fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Gracie misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Robertson.
Gracie lands an elbow inside.
Gracie seems to have got his legs back now.
Robertson throws a knee to the head but misses.
Gracie throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Robertson tries to work over Gracie's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Robertson misses with some punches.
A head punch on the inside from Gracie fails to land.
Gracie lands an uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gracie tries to land knees in the clinch but Robertson avoids the damage to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gracie is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Robertson is defending well for now.
Gracie blocks an elbow strike from Robertson.

Robertson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Robertson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Doug Robertson really dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Gracie slips a straight right by Robertson.
Robertson misses with a two punch combination.
Robertson throws a leg kick but Gracie sees it coming and moves out of range.
Gracie thows a body shot but no joy.
Robertson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Gracie.
Robertson misses with the combination.
Robertson throws a right hand that Gracie ducks under and follows up with a left that Gracie also avoids with ease.
Robertson misses the shot to the body.
Robertson misses with a straight left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Robertson as Gracie shoots in.
Robertson throws a head kick that misses.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Robertson as he avoids it easily.
Robertson throws a jab but it's blocked by Gracie.
Gracie checks a low kick from Robertson.
Robertson throws a hook to the side of Gracie's head but Gracie sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gracie. Robertson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Robertson as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rogerio Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gracie misses with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie fails with a takedown attempt.
Robertson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Robertson lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Gracie shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Robertson pinned against the cage. Robertson gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Gracie scores a takedown into full mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Robertson really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Rogerio Gracie overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Robertson tries to hold on but Gracie pushes him away.
Gracie trying to control but Robertson is having none of it.
Gracie is dominating on the ground here - he's now on his opponent's back, looking to sink in the hooks. Robertson is in real trouble.
Gracie is not going to allow Robertson to sit and survive in this position.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gracie tightening his grip on Robertson, looking for the choke.

Gracie is looking for a rear naked choke here but Robertson reverses the position brilliantly into Gracie's guard!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Robertson stays in close to Gracie's body and controls the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Robertson stopping the sweep attempt from Gracie.

Gracie is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Robertson defends well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Rogerio Gracie will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Gracie keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Robertson misses with an uppercut.
Robertson misses with a body kick.
Robertson lands a nice looking body shot.
Gracie has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Robertson.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Sloppy strikes from Robertson. Those never looked like landing.
Robertson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Gracie takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Robertson is looking to clinch but Gracie is avoiding it.
Robertson throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Gracie counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Gracie works his way into full mount!

Gracie has control of Robertson's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Robertson regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Gracie works his way to his opponent's back.
Gracie lands with a big left hand that may well have hurt his opponent. Can Robertson hold on?!

Gracie is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Robertson has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gracie not allowing Robertson to control his hands.

Gracie 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, Robertson has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Robertson looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.

Robertson defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Gracie's arms.
Robertson manages to reverse the position and now he's in Gracie's guard. Nice work there by Robertson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Robertson wanted to stand there but Gracie had control of the position.
Gracie looking for a sweep. Not yet Gracie, not yet.
Gracie utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Robertson throws a big right hand that misses.
Robertson wants to control from the top but Gracie keeps moving.
Robertson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gracie is keeping the position for now.
Robertson throwing strikes from guard but Gracie blocks nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Robertson postures up.
Robertson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gracie swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Robertson is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Gracie can't keep his opponent in guard - Robertson advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Gracie avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Robertson.

Robertson seems to be looking for submissions.

Robertson is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Gracie sees it coming and defends easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gracie wants to get back to full guard but Robertson has passed into side control.
Gracie manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Doug Robertson.
I think Robertson 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 48:48
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 48:48
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 47:48

The fight is ruled a majority draw!
Oh dear, what a disastrous situation! The belt remains unclaimed and both fighters go home unhappy!