PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rufus Hitzlspergher (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James The Filipino Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Hitzlspergher
vs
The Filipino Gracie

188 cm
25
200 lbs
12 - 9 - 0

175 cm
28
185 lbs
13 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Powerful

GR Design - Elegance and Comfort (Made in Italy)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rufus Hitzlspergher!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, James The Filipino Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Cecil Peabody and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hitzlspergher tries to work over The Filipino Gracie's front leg with a kick but The Filipino Gracie checks it.

The Filipino Gracie clinches with his opponent.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hitzlspergher.
Hitzlspergher swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hitzlspergher lands a right hand that snaps the head of The Filipino Gracie backwards.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hitzlspergher.
Hitzlspergher lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Hitzlspergher lands with a left to the head.
The Filipino Gracie doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Hitzlspergher.
Hitzlspergher throws a head punch that misses.
Hitzlspergher lands with a light punch inside.
Hitzlspergher struggles to land a body shot inside as The Filipino Gracie controls his hands.
Hitzlspergher misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from The Filipino Gracie.
A head punch blocked on the inside by The Filipino Gracie.
The Filipino Gracie tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hitzlspergher softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Hitzlspergher tries a body shot but The Filipino Gracie blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hitzlspergher unloads a knee to the mid-section.
The Filipino Gracie goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hitzlspergher lands a knee to the head.
Hitzlspergher throws a knee to the head but misses.
The Filipino Gracie blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hitzlspergher blocks an uppercut.
The Filipino Gracie blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hitzlspergher tries to work over The Filipino Gracie's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hitzlspergher misses with a knee to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hitzlspergher.
Hitzlspergher lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of The Filipino Gracie backwards.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hitzlspergher throws a head punch that misses.
The Filipino Gracie misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hitzlspergher misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hitzlspergher misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hitzlspergher tries to work over The Filipino Gracie's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short body shot lands from The Filipino Gracie as the two fighters clinch.
Hitzlspergher lands a nice knee to the body.
Hitzlspergher lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Hitzlspergher lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Hitzlspergher misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hitzlspergher misses with a knee strike.
Hitzlspergher lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down The Filipino Gracie.
The Filipino Gracie blocks a punch to the side of the head.
The Filipino Gracie takes a knee right on the jaw!
The Filipino Gracie fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Hitzlspergher fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
The Filipino Gracie misses with the head strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hitzlspergher tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hitzlspergher throws a head punch that misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hitzlspergher.
The Filipino Gracie misses with a punch to the body.
Hitzlspergher swings wildly with an uppercut but The Filipino Gracie uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hitzlspergher lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
The Filipino Gracie goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hitzlspergher lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of The Filipino Gracie backwards.
Hitzlspergher tries a knee to the head but The Filipino Gracie blocks it.
Hitzlspergher lands a nice shot to the body.
Hitzlspergher tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and The Filipino Gracie avoids it.
The Filipino Gracie throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Hitzlsperghers head.
The Filipino Gracie blocks the elbow strike.
The Filipino Gracie tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hitzlspergher lands a shoulder strike.

The Filipino Gracie drags the fight down to the ground.
Hitzlspergher will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

The Filipino Gracie is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Hitzlspergher looking to sit in guard and control but The Filipino Gracie gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The Filipino Gracie wants to control from the top but Hitzlspergher keeps moving.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
The Filipino Gracie looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The Filipino Gracie wants to control from the top but Hitzlspergher keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rufus Hitzlspergher dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

The Filipino Gracie clinches up with Hitzlspergher and pushes him back against the cage.
Hitzlspergher throws a punch but it's blocked by The Filipino Gracie.
Hitzlspergher misses with a knee strike.
A head punch on the inside from Hitzlspergher fails to land.
Hitzlspergher with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
The Filipino Gracie tries to pull guard but Hitzlspergher won't allow it.
The Filipino Gracie misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hitzlspergher working aggressively here.
Still in the clinch, Hitzlspergher scores with a nice short uppercut.
Hitzlspergher lands a shoulder strike.

The Filipino Gracie jumps guard and drags Hitzlspergher to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

The Filipino Gracie looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

The Filipino Gracie working for a triangle but Hitzlspergher defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The Filipino Gracie is looking for a triangle but Hitzlspergher pushes his legs off easily.
The Filipino Gracie is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The Filipino Gracie throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
The Filipino Gracie keeping moving, preventing Hitzlspergher from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The Filipino Gracie looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

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

The Filipino Gracie working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hitzlspergher doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hitzlspergher manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Hitzlspergher advances position into side control!
Hitzlspergher cracks The Filipino Gracie with a big right hand but The Filipino Gracie just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hitzlspergher is staying tight to The Filipino Gracie's torso, preventing him from escaping.

Hitzlspergher is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. The Filipino Gracie knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
The Filipino Gracie is trying to control Hitzlspergher's posture but Hitzlspergher avoids it.
The Filipino Gracie gets back to half guard.
The Filipino Gracie is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hitzlspergher wants to free his trapped foot but The Filipino Gracie is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Hitzlspergher seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but The Filipino Gracie does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The Filipino Gracie moves into full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The Filipino Gracie not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The Filipino Gracie throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

The Filipino Gracie had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hitzlspergher defends it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but James The Filipino Gracie will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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. This is the final round!

Hitzlspergher tries to clinch there but The Filipino Gracie circles away.
The Filipino Gracie uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hitzlspergher.
Rufus Hitzlspergher seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The Filipino Gracie connects with a body shot.

The Filipino Gracie moves into the clinch.
Hitzlspergher has a couple of punches blocked by The Filipino Gracie.
Hitzlspergher tried to land a shot to the body but connects with The Filipino Gracie's elbow.
Hitzlspergher with a knee to the head.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Hitzlspergher.
Hitzlspergher misses with a body punch.
A body shot lands from The Filipino Gracie.
Hitzlspergher doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The Filipino Gracie blocks a body shot from Hitzlspergher.
Hitzlspergher doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hitzlspergher can't find room to land a body shot as The Filipino Gracie controls the action.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Hitzlspergher creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
The Filipino Gracie throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The Filipino Gracie blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hitzlspergher misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from The Filipino Gracie.
Hitzlspergher throws a head punch that misses.
Hitzlspergher throws a head punch that misses.
The Filipino Gracie goes for a takedown in the clinch but Hitzlspergher prevents it.
Rufus Hitzlspergher has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Hitzlspergher makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Hitzlspergher pushes The Filipino Gracie back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Hitzlspergher with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Hitzlspergher swings wildly with an uppercut but The Filipino Gracie uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hitzlspergher throws an elbow that misses.
Hitzlspergher misses with a hook to the ribs.
A nice left hand lands by Hitzlspergher.
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!
The Filipino Gracie wants to break free but Hitzlspergher has control.
The Filipino Gracie tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hitzlspergher's elbow.
Hitzlspergher misses with a short punch on the inside.
The Filipino Gracie blocks a body shot from Hitzlspergher.
The Filipino Gracie blocks a body shot from Hitzlspergher.
Hitzlspergher misses with some punches.
Hitzlspergher misses with a punch to the body.
A left hand lands to the body for Hitzlspergher.
Hitzlspergher lands a left hand that snaps the head of The Filipino Gracie backwards.
Good body shot from Hitzlspergher.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hitzlspergher lands a body punch.
Hitzlspergher fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

The Filipino Gracie jumps into guard, dragging Hitzlspergher to the mat.

The Filipino Gracie throws his legs up looking for a submission but Hitzlspergher uses it to pass to side control.
Hitzlspergher wants to lay and pray for a moment but The Filipino Gracie keeps working.
The Filipino Gracie is looking to regain half guard here but Hitzlspergher keeps moving and retains side control.

Hitzlspergher wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by The Filipino Gracie, who protects the arm well.
The Filipino Gracie manages to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The Filipino Gracie actively working from the bottom here.
The Filipino Gracie wants to improve his position but Hitzlspergher is controlling well.
Hitzlspergher takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

The Filipino Gracie looking for submissions off his back.

The Filipino Gracie is working on a guillotine. He's managed to get to full guard and he's really squeezing tight! Hitzlspergher is tapping! Great win for The Filipino Gracie!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:50 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). James The Filipino Gracie!