PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Andy Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Phillip McKracken (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gracie comes to the cage accompanied by eye of the tiger. Andy Gracie has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Gracie
vs
McKracken

186 cm
20
170 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
171 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Andy Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Phillip McKracken!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, John Mangel and Winston Howard.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gracie closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into McKracken's guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Gracie drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Gracie jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Gracie looking to pass the guard.
McKracken is looking to stand up but Gracie isn't so interested in that idea.
McKracken wants to sweep but no luck.

Gracie drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Gracie jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
McKracken keeping full guard, as Gracie tries to pass.

Gracie thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Gracie wants to control from the top but McKracken keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Gracie is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! McKracken is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! McKracken has escaped and now he's on top!
McKracken trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Gracie working for a triangle but McKracken defends it easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Gracie is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. McKracken is aware though and is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McKracken cracks Gracie with a solid left hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McKracken wants to control from the top but Gracie keeps moving.

Gracie is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and McKracken defends well.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Gracie has a closed guard, preventing McKracken from standing up.

Gracie working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. McKracken doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. McKracken manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
McKracken trying to control the position from guard on top but Gracie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gracie looking to control.
Gracie keeping moving, preventing McKracken from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gracie is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and McKracken defends well.
McKracken trying to control but Gracie is working from the bottom.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Gracie is on top in guard.
Gracie wants to control from the top but McKracken keeps moving.

Gracie stands and steps away. McKracken gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

McKracken shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Gracie manages to get to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

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

Gracie had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. McKracken defends it easily.

Gracie is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. McKracken is aware though and is defending well.
Gracie is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
McKracken tries to roll over but Gracie keeps him under control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

McKracken shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Gracie manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Gracie seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Gracie keeping moving, preventing McKracken from controlling successfully.

Gracie has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes McKracken off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
McKracken wants to clinch but Gracie slips to the side

and Gracie counters with a takedown into side control.

Gracie is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. McKracken knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McKracken is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Gracie's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McKracken trying to control but Gracie postures up.
McKracken controlling the position for now.

Gracie is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Gracie is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
McKracken 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 is working for a kimura but McKracken is defending it quite comfortably.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McKracken is staying active underneath Gracie, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
McKracken is looking for a sweep. Gracie is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
McKracken is looking to control Gracie's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can McKracken avoid being mounted?

Gracie is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, McKracken has managed to free his arm - good work.
Gracie is looking to pass McKracken's guard but actually McKracken recovers to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gracie is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Gracie thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Gracie wants to pass the guard but McKracken is keeping the position.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but McKracken is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gracie prevents McKracken from getting back to his feet.
Gracie advances position into side control!
Andy Gracie overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on McKracken's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
McKracken tries to get back to half guard but can't.

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!
McKracken tries to get back to half guard but can't.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Gracie working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andy Gracie dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Gracie looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Gracie pushes down on McKracken's leg and manages to get into half guard.
McKracken is looking to improve his position.
McKracken trying to control but Gracie postures up.
Gracie passes the guard and advances to mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gracie is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but McKracken is surviving well by controlling Gracie's body position as best he can.
Gracie can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as McKracken is looking to escape.

Gracie is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But McKracken has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from McKracken!
Gracie keeping moving, preventing McKracken from controlling successfully.
McKracken is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McKracken wants to pass the guard but Gracie is keeping the position.
Andy Gracie is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
McKracken takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Gracie controlling the position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Gracie shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches McKracken napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Gracie wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by McKracken, who protects the arm well.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gracie controls the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie trying to control the position but McKracken is working away.

Gracie wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by McKracken, who protects the arm well.
Gracie wants to lay and pray for a moment but McKracken keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here as Gracie stalls from top position.
McKracken is looking for a sweep.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Andy Gracie.
Gracie misses with a series of wild punches.
McKracken closes the distance but Gracie moves to the side

and Gracie counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for McKracken!
Phillip McKracken has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gracie controlling the pace for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andy Gracie showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Gracie 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 Steve Erwin scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 30:27
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andy Gracie!
After the fight, Andy Gracie was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.