PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Hugo Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Winnipeg Manitoba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Gracie
vs
Manitoba

175 cm
22
185 lbs
3 - 8 - 0

192 cm
22
195 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
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 3 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Hugo Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Winnipeg Manitoba!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Trevor Gratis and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck for Gracie with that takedown attempt.

Gracie closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Manitoba's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gracie tries to free his leg and advance position but Manitoba is retaining full guard.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Manitoba keeps moving.

Gracie avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Manitoba working for a triangle but Gracie defends it easily.
Manitoba looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gracie is one step ahead there.

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.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gracie thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Gracie accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Manitoba escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Gracie gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Gracie might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Gracie pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Manitoba is keeping the position for now.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Manitoba can do anything to dispel that myth.
Manitoba tries to strike from the bottom.

Manitoba working for a triangle but Gracie defends it easily.

Manitoba working for a triangle but Gracie defends it easily.
Manitoba not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

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

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.
Manitoba 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.
Manitoba is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Gracie actively working from the bottom here.
Gracie wants to control but Manitoba is keeping busy.

Gracie looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Gracie actively working from the bottom here.
Gracie is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manitoba controlling the pace.
Gracie wants to control but Manitoba is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Manitoba is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Gracie is trying to get back to full guard.
Manitoba is trying to control. Gracie wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Winnipeg Manitoba hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Manitoba closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Gracie quickly recovers to half guard.

Manitoba seems to be working for a kimura but Gracie defends the submission attempt.
Manitoba wants to take a breather but Gracie is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie wants to improve his position but Manitoba is controlling well.
Manitoba passes the guard and advances to mount!
Gracie is flailing around like a fish out of water, trying to land strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gracie is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Manitoba wants to finish this one by submission but Gracie is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Manitoba.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Manitoba lands a big shot there that rocks Gracie but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Winnipeg Manitoba 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.

Manitoba fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Gracie to the ground. Manitoba is now in Gracie's guard.
Gracie trying to strike off his back.

Gracie is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Manitoba is aware though and is defending well.

Gracie working for a triangle but Manitoba defends it easily.
Manitoba 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.

Gracie looking for a guillotine here but Manitoba defends easily.
Manitoba sitting in guard here, content to control.

Gracie is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manitoba controls from within his opponent's guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Winnipeg Manitoba.
Gracie will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Manitoba looking to score a takedown here. Gracie is defending well but Manitoba drives through and ends up in Gracie's guard.
Gracie is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Manitoba engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Manitoba looking to pass the guard.
Manitoba is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Manitoba must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Manitoba postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Manitoba content to stall in guard here.
Manitoba working some strikes from top position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Manitoba is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Winnipeg Manitoba has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Manitoba feints and as Gracie raises his hands in defense, Manitoba changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Manitoba got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gracie has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Manitoba has managed to get both his arms back between Gracie's legs - danger averted.
Manitoba is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gracie escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Manitoba gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Manitoba makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Manitoba is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Manitoba's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Manitoba trying to control the position from guard on top but Gracie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Winnipeg Manitoba was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Gracie tries to score a power double leg takedown but Manitoba sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Gracie somewhat.

Manitoba fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Gracie sprawls well initially but Manitoba persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Manitoba wants to work for an arm triangle but Gracie is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Manitoba is thwarting Gracie's attempts to control the position.

Manitoba seems like he's working for an arm triangle here. He's freed his trapped foot and he's rotating nicely. Gracie is in big trouble! He's tapping out! This one is aaaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:33 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Winnipeg Manitoba!
Winnipeg Manitoba thanked the fans post fight for their support.