PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mateus Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sam Axe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Mateus Gracie has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Mateus Gracie seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Gracie
vs
Axe

180 cm
22
200 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

185 cm
27
195 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
Counter striker
Cardio machine

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

:: Happy Pills ::
:: Happy Pills ::

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mateus Gracie!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Sam Axe!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, John Mangel and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Axe lands a two punch combo.
Axe works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Axe jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Axe displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Gracie will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Axe looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Axe throws a hook to the side of Gracie's head but Gracie sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Axe leaves Gracie with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Axe lands a glancing blow to the side of Gracie's head.
Gracie shoots in looking for a takedown. Axe tries to sprawl out of it but Gracie keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Axe manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mateus Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A punch combination from Axe misses.
Gracie fails with a takedown attempt.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gracie shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Axe sprawls well. Axe wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Gracie gets slowly back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good shot there by Axe.
Gracie takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Gracie moves out of range as Axe strikes.
Gracie on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Axe connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Gracie momentarily.
Gracie looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Axe is fending him off so far but Gracie persists. Nope, Axe circles away and we're back to standing.
Axe scores with a shot to the body.
Axe throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gracie has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Gracie there as he acknowledges the shot.
Axe swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Gracie is defended easily by Axe.
Axe stuffs the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Axe throws a right hand that Gracie ducks under and follows up with a left that Gracie also avoids with ease.
Gracie throws a leg kick but Axe checks it.
Nice cross by Axe.
Axe connects with a body shot.
Gracie takes one on the chin but seems OK.
No luck for Gracie with that takedown attempt.
Gracie fails with the takedown
and Axe counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Axe might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Gracie is breathing heavily.
Axe misses with a two punch combination.
Axe connects with a body shot.
Gracie shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Axe defends it nicely.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Gracie. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Jab by Axe.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Axe stuffs the takedown attempt from Gracie. Gracie gets slowly back to his feet.
Gracie takes one on the button.
Gracie closes the distance and clinches up with Axe, looking for a takedown. Gracie pushes Axe against the cage but Axe circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Axe tests Gracie's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Axe scores with a three punch combo!
Axe changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Axe lands a nice shot to the body.
Axe scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Axe lands a really nice looking cross but Gracie seems unphased.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Axe closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Sam Axe is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nice sprawl there from Axe as Gracie shoots in.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Axe but Axe pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Axe keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Axe counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Axe lands a really nice looking cross but Gracie seems unphased.
Gracie gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Axe darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

Gracie is rocked!
Axe is working the combinations to good effect here.
Axe uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Oh Gracie is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
No luck for Gracie with that takedown attempt.
Gracie avoids a punch combination nicely.
Gracie seems to have got his legs back now.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Axe misses with a series of wild punches.
Gracie shoots in and drives through. Axe sprawls well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Axe thuds his right hand into Gracie's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Axe bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Gracie's head.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Axe as he avoids it easily.
Donk. Axe catches Gracie right on the button with a cross.

Gracie shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Gracie pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Axe is keeping the position for now.
Axe is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Gracie dives into side control.

Gracie looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Gracie is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Axe is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Axe dodges the ground and pound from Gracie.

Gracie is trying to get an arm triangle but Axe is defending well.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Axe can do anything to dispel that myth.
Gracie creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Axe sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
An elbow from Gracie crashes against the mat.
Gracie working the strikes but Axe uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Axe won't allow Gracie to pass to mount.
Gracie is working hard here to advance position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie works his foot free and advances to mount.
Gracie misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Gracie throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Gracie fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Gracie sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Gracie is in the full mount, landing 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 punishing his opponent with strikes.
Axe really wants to buck Gracie off and get back to his feet.
Axe avoids a series of strikes thrown by Gracie.
Mateus Gracie overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie scoring with strikes but Axe is staying in there.
Gracie throwing strikes here but Axe is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.

Gracie jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Axe manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Gracie postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Gracie working the head with strikes.

Gracie looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Axe taking a bit of punishment here - Gracie scoring with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gracie throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

Gracie thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Axe really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Gracie. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Gracie tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Gracie working the body and head with strikes.
Axe avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Gracie.
Gracie lands a nice forearm strike.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
The strikes coming from Gracie are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Gracie scoring with punches and elbows.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mateus Gracie dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Gracie shoots for a takedown but Axe saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Gracie on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Gracie takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Axe moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Axe scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Axe's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Axe duly obliges.
Axe lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Axe.
Axe scores with a jab to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gracie changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Axe tries to avoid it but Gracie manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Axe to the ground. Axe escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Gracie takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Axe misses with a straight left.
Axe connects with a body shot.
Horrible takedown by Gracie or perhaps it was just good defense by Axe which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mateus Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gracie misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Axe thows a body shot but no joy.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gracie.
Axe swinging wildly here.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Axe as he avoids it easily.
Gracie closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Axe misses with a double jab.
Axe defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Gracie.
A combination from Axe does no damage.
Axe lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Gracie at a distance.
Axe scores with a hook.
Axe comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Axe scores with a sloppy right hand. Gracie should have avoided that one.
Axe lands a jab to the nose.
A combination from Axe does no damage.
Gracie takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Axe lands a nice shot to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Axe works the jab nicely.
Axe stuns Gracie with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Axe lunges at Gracie with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Gracie's hand.
Axe throws a series of punches but Gracie moves out of range.
Axe looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Axe getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Nice uppercut there from Axe.
Nice takedown defense from Axe. No joy for Gracie on that attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Axe lands a head shot.
Axe comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Axe lands a jab-cross combination.
Axe catches Gracie with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Mateus Gracie is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Gracie is defended easily by Axe.
Gracie fails to land the takedown.
Gracie on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Gracie fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Jab by Axe.
Gracie avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Axe getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
A looping hook to the body misses from Axe. Gracie does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gracie takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Axe lands with a good body shot.
The crowd cheers as Axe lands an impressive looking overhand right. Gracie doesn't seem phased though.
Axe lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gracie circles away quickly and effectively.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A jab lands there for Axe.
Axe throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Gracie on the side of the head.
Gracie tries to score a power double leg takedown but Axe sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Gracie somewhat.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gracie shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Axe defends it nicely.
Gracie takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Axe really dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Axe defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Gracie.
Axe lands a nice shot that snaps Gracie's head back.
Gracie changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Axe tries to avoid it but Gracie manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Axe to the ground. Axe escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Sam Axe seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Axe fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Gracie on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Axe scores with a jab to the body.
Axe lands the left hand.
Gracie misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mateus Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Axe ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Axe scores with a nice strike.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Axe!
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Axe with a hook.
Axe scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Axe leaves Gracie with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Axe stuffs the takedown.
Axe fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Axe throws a one two combo.
Gracie misses with a low kick.
Gracie dives in and grabs Axe's left leg, looking for a takedown. Axe pushes down on Gracie's head and hops out.
Sam Axe seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Axe fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Gracie takes one to the chin there.
Axe looks to land a combination. Gracie sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Gracie has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Axe finds it's way round the side to connect with Gracie's head.
Gracie takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Good exchange - Axe coming out on top.
Axe with a nice cross.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gracie slips a jab and a cross from Axe.
Gracie fails with a takedown attempt.
Gracie takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Gracie walks into a straight right hand from Axe.
Gracie fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Axe avoids it really well and circles away.
Axe lunges at Gracie with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Gracie's hand.
Gracie takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Axe pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Axe scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Axe scores with a nice right hand.
Axe lands a right hook to the body.
Gracie walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Gracie looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Axe lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Gracie showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Axe.
Decent striking displayed by Axe there.
Axe has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Axe fails to land with a series of punches.
Axe listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Axe throws a right and a left that both miss.
Axe looks to score with a jab to the body but Gracie is just out of range.
Axe throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Gracie fails with the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Axe throws a one two combo.
Axe connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Axe throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Axe misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sloppy strikes from Axe. Those never looked like landing.
Axe will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Gracie shoots in for a double leg but Axe sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gracie moves out of range as Axe strikes.
Gracie shoots in looking for a takedown but Axe manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Gracie's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Axe sprawls well. Axe wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Gracie gets slowly back to his feet.
Axe throws a shot from downtown. Gracie moves away and avoids it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Axe dominated that fourth round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Axe clobbers Gracie with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Gracie slips under a jab from Axe.
Gracie fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Axe avoids it really well and circles away.
Gracie walks into a jab.
Gracie walks into a left hand.
Nice shot lands for Axe.
Axe's jab looks to have found its range, popping Gracie under the eye.
Axe lands with an overhand left.
A combination from Axe does no damage.
Axe with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Gracie shoots in looking for a takedown but Axe manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Gracie's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
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.
Axe scores with a sloppy right hand. Gracie should have avoided that one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie dodges the punch combination from Axe.
Axe lands a right hook to the body.
Gracie walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Axe misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gracie.
Gracie shoots for a double leg takedown but Axe sprawls well. He's pushed Gracie's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mateus Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sloppy strikes from Axe. Those never looked like landing.
Gracie throws a leg kick but Axe sees it coming and moves out of range.
Gracie needs to keep his hands up - Axe had a free shot at his head there.
A left lands for Axe.
Axe lands a jab to Gracie's midsection.
Axe with a jab.
Gracie closes this distance looking for a takedown but Axe circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Gracie.
Axe swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Axe.
Gracie shoots in looking for a takedown but Axe manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Gracie's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Axe scores with a one two! Gracie had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice uppercut there from Axe.
Axe misses with a series of wild punches.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gracie.
Axe lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Gracie showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Axe.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Axe swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Gracie closes the distance and clinches up with Axe, looking for a takedown. Gracie pushes Axe against the cage but Axe circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Gracie fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Gracie looks for a takedown but Axe sprawls well.
Axe thuds a left hand into Gracie's body.
Axe scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Gracie doesn't seem bothered though.
Axe throws a nice looking combination but Gracie bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Axe swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Axe scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Gracie doesn't seem bothered though.
Axe lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Gracie at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Axe cracks Gracie with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Axe is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Gracie.
Nice uppercut lands for Axe. That snapped Gracie's head back.
Gracie shoots in looking for a takedown but Axe manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Gracie's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Axe lands a right hook to the body.
Gracie looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Axe is fending him off so far but Gracie persists. Nope, Axe circles away and we're back to standing.
Axe looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A jab from Axe finds it's way through Gracie's defenses.
Mateus Gracie has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Axe fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Axe misses with a double jab.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Axe takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Axe lands a nice looking body shot.
Sam Axe is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Axe lands a jab to the nose.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sam Axe comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Axe 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 Steve Erwin scores the fight 46:49
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 46:49
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sam Axe!
Sam Axe is the new middleweight champion!