PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rickson Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Casey Ryback (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gracie comes to the cage accompanied by Brazilian national anthem by Ill Nino. Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Gracie
vs
Ryback

186 cm
25
278 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

195 cm
23
280 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
KO power

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rickson Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Casey Ryback!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Marco Blurström and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ryback darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

It looks like Rickson Gracie has been cut.
Ryback clobbers Gracie with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Ryback moves in looking to clinch but Gracie pushes him off.
Ryback throws a jab but it's blocked by Gracie.
Ryback throws an overhand right that lands on Gracie's shoulder, as Gracie tries to avoid the shot.
Ryback fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gracie manages to avoid it.
Ryback swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Gracie slips under a jab from Ryback.
Ryback misses with an uppercut.
Gracie swats away the attempt to clinch by Ryback.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gracie misses with a hook. Ryback ducked under it nicely.
Ryback misses with a two punch combination.
Gracie closes the distance and clinches up with Ryback, looking for a takedown. Gracie pushes Ryback against the cage but Ryback circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Gracie looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Ryback throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ryback looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ryback fails to land with a series of punches.
Gracie scores with a nice strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ryback throws a jab when Gracie was well out of range.

Gracie scores a takedown into full mount!
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Ryback is looking to get to half guard.
Ryback 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 takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Ryback is working to get back to half guard.

Gracie looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ryback is looking to improve his position but Gracie isn't that keen on the idea.

Gracie is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Ryback has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Ryback!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Ryback 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 two minutes gone in the round.
Ryback is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Gracie keeping moving, preventing Ryback from controlling successfully.
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 throws his legs up looking for a submission but Ryback uses it to pass to side control.
Gracie manages to get back to half guard.

Gracie is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ryback pulls his head out easily.
Gracie wants to control but Ryback is keeping busy.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Ryback throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Ryback is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Ryback passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ryback working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Ryback trying to control the position but Gracie is working away.
Gracie is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Ryback off and has taken his back!

Gracie is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

Gracie has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Ryback has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Gracie is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Ryback has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

Gracie is working for the choke. I would put my money on him to finish from this position. He's rolled onto his back and has dragged Ryback with him. Ryback is trying to defend but Gracie has an arm under the chin now! Ryback grimaces and is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Rickson Gracie!
A very excited looking Rickson Gracie made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.