PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Aaron Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Uljas Tossavainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gracie comes to the cage accompanied by Hydraulix 13.5 - D.A.V.E. the Drummer & Alex Calver. Tossavainen has chosen Macho Man Randy Savage Theme Song as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Uljas Tossavainen acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Gracie
vs
Tossavainen

183 cm
28
195 lbs
26 - 20 - 1

180 cm
30
190 lbs
20 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

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 26 - 20 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Aaron Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Uljas Tossavainen!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Frank Dennis and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie connects with a nice looking jab.

It looks like Uljas Tossavainen has been cut.
Tossavainen misses with a wild body shot.
Tossavainen misses with a jab, cross combination.
Gracie misses with a wild combination.
Gracie fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Gracie works Tossavainen's body with a nice hook.
Uljas Tossavainen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tossavainen looks to score with a jab to the body but Gracie is just out of range.
Tossavainen just misses with a punch to the body.
Tossavainen with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Gracie to score with a decent uppercut.
Gracie throws out a powerful jab.
Gracie moves into range and connects with a jab.
Gracie bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Tossavainen's head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tossavainen misses with a body shot.
Tossavainen misses with a body shot
and Gracie counters with a stiff right hand.
Tossavainen thuds a left hand into Gracie's body.
Tossavainen throws a head kick but Gracie moves out of range.
Gracie scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Nice sprawl there from Tossavainen as Gracie shoots in.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tossavainen needs to keep his hands up - Gracie had a free shot at his head there.
Tossavainen is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Gracie rather than just go for the knockout.
Gracie connects with a body shot that sends Tossavainen's belly button to the back.

Gracie changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Tossavainen looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Tossavainen manages to get back to half guard.
Gracie seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Gracie is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Tossavainen reverses the position - he's now on top in Gracie's guard.
Tossavainen wants to stand and escape but instead Gracie has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Tossavainen keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.
Gracie sitting in guard, not really doing much.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tossavainen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Gracie.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Tossavainen looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Gracie works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Gracie is working for a kimura but Tossavainen is defending it quite comfortably.
Gracie wants to lay and pray for a moment but Tossavainen keeps working.
Gracie tries to pass the half guard into mount. Tossavainen knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Gracie thows a huge punch but Tossavainen dodges it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tossavainen is trying to control but can't.
Tossavainen wants to improve his position but Gracie is controlling well.
Tossavainen avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Gracie.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Tossavainen tries to get to full guard but Gracie has control of the leg.
Gracie takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Gracie trying to control the action but Tossavainen is working from the bottom.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Gracie keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gracie slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Tossavainen thows a body shot but no joy.
Tossavainen slips under a jab.
Gracie closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Uljas Tossavainen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Gracie misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tossavainen.
Tossavainen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gracie manages to avoid it.
Tossavainen slips a straight right by Gracie.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tossavainen misses the shot to the body.

Gracie moves into the clinch successfully.

Gracie breaks from the clinch.
Gracie connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Tossavainen walks into a straight right hand from Gracie.
A punch combination from Gracie misses.
Gracie is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Gracie has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Tossavainen finds it's way round the side to connect with Gracie's head.
Gracie keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Tossavainen takes a jab right on the kisser.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gracie moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Gracie fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Tossavainen looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Nice shot lands for Gracie.
Tossavainen connects with an inside leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aaron Gracie dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Uljas Tossavainen's cut.
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.

Tossavainen fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
A swing and a miss from Gracie.
Gracie connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Gracie lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Tossavainen closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Aaron Gracie is winning the standup battle so far.
Gracie is trying hard to land a takedown here. Tossavainen sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Tossavainen keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Gracie scores with the left hand. Tossavainen knows he should have avoided that one.
Gracie tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Gracie misses with a body shot.
Gracie jabs Tossavainen to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Gracie misses with a straight left.
Gracie looks to land a left hand but Tossavainen moved out of range nicely.
Gracie changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
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 misses with a series of wild punches.
Tossavainen is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Gracie.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tossavainen slips a straight right by Gracie.
Tossavainen scores with a nice strike.

Gracie closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Tossavainen's guard.
Tossavainen keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.
Tossavainen seems keen to control Gracie's posture.
Gracie pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tossavainen is keeping the position for now.
Gracie is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Aaron Gracie just wasn't active enough.
Gracie dives in and grabs Tossavainen's left leg, looking for a takedown. Tossavainen pushes down on Gracie's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aaron Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tossavainen throws a sloppy body shot
and Gracie counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Tossavainen tries to work over Gracie's front leg with a kick but Gracie checks it.
Gracie blocks a head kick by Tossavainen.
Gracie tries for a takedown but Tossavainen sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gracie paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Gracie avoids a punch combination nicely.
Gracie takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Gracie with a nice cross.
Tossavainen just misses with a punch to the body.

Gracie darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Gracie connects with a nice short shot to Tossavainen's temple.
Gracie passes the guard and advances to mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie punishing his opponent with strikes.
Gracie pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Gracie looking to control but Tossavainen is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Gracie is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Tossavainen is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Tossavainen wants to control but Gracie is having none of it.
Gracie lands with some strikes.
Tossavainen is in all sorts of trouble here.
Gracie tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tossavainen gets back to half guard.
Tossavainen is not content to let Gracie control the position.
Aaron Gracie overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Gracie wants to pass to mount but Tossavainen is defending the position.
Gracie slows the pace down in half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gracie missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Tossavainen wants to get back to full guard but Gracie has passed into side control.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Tossavainen stops Gracie from passing to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aaron Gracie dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Uljas Tossavainen's cut.
That's time! Gracie's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

The crowd cheers as Gracie lands an impressive looking overhand right. Tossavainen doesn't seem phased though.
Tossavainen misses with a low kick.
Gracie scores with a nice strike.
Tossavainen throws a quick inside leg kick.
Gracie is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Tossavainen can do to turn this around?
Gracie keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tossavainen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Tossavainen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Tossavainen has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Tossavainen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gracie manages to avoid it.
Gracie lands with a cross.
Gracie changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Tossavainen has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Tossavainen there as he acknowledges the shot.
Tossavainen walks into a stiff left hand from Gracie.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gracie darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Tossavainen slips under a jab from Gracie.
Gracie lands a jab to Tossavainen's midsection.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie lands with a cross.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Gracie tries for a takedown but Tossavainen circles away easily
and Tossavainen counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Gracie blocks a head kick by Tossavainen.
Tossavainen scores with a hook to the body. Gracie takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Gracie throws a right and a left that both miss.
Good shot there by Tossavainen.
Tossavainen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Gracie.
A telegraphed right hand from Gracie misses the target.
Gracie fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aaron Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gracie tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tossavainen was well out of range. Poor timing from Gracie.
Tossavainen misses with a wild body shot.
Tossavainen misses with a hook.

Gracie closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Tossavainen did well to prevent Gracie getting side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Gracie is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Tossavainen is just riding it out for now. Gracie eventually gives up the hold.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tossavainen trying to hold on to Gracie's head to control him but Gracie postures up.
Uljas Tossavainen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gracie sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Tossavainen looks like he's trying to stand up.
Gracie seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Tossavainen does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Gracie is nestled in close to Tossavainen, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie misses with a head shot. Tossavainen uses the momentum to regain guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Gracie accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Gracie pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tossavainen is keeping the position for now.
Gracie sitting in guard here, content to control.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Gracie trying to control but Tossavainen is working from the bottom.
Gracie slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Aaron Gracie wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Tossavainen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gracie.
Tossavainen just misses with a punch to the body.
Tossavainen does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Gracie keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gracie looks to land a combination. Tossavainen sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

That has opened up Uljas Tossavainen's cut even more.
Gracie keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tossavainen misses with a looping left.
Tossavainen throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Gracie closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Gracie lands in his opponent's guard.
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 working some strikes from top position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gracie wants to control from the top but Tossavainen keeps moving.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aaron 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 George Francis scores the fight for Aaron Gracie!
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight for Aaron Gracie!
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight for Aaron Gracie!

Aaron Gracie wins by unanimous decision!
Aaron Gracie thanked the fans post fight for their support.