PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kingsley Ciprut (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ricardo Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gracie has chosen Boris Brejcha - Openminded as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Ciprut
vs
Gracie

186 cm
25
215 lbs
9 - 2 - 1

194 cm
27
212 lbs
16 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 1, fighting out of New York, Kingsley Ciprut!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ricardo Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Dean Styles and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ciprut tries to close the distance and clinch but Gracie swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Gracie swings and misses with a hook to the body.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ciprut looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Gracie shoots in but no luck this time.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Ciprut misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ciprut throws a knee to the head but misses.
Gracie is trying to pull guard but Ciprut has him pressed against the cage.
Gracie drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kingsley Ciprut has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ricardo Gracie.
Gracie tries to score a body lock takedown but Ciprut shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Gracie is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Ciprut to keep the fight standing.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Gracie.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ciprut landing knees to the body.
Gracie on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Gracie is trying to pull guard but Ciprut has him pressed against the cage.
Gracie blocks a body shot from Ciprut.
Ciprut creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Ciprut tries a knee to the head but Gracie blocks it.
Ciprut misses with a hook to the ribs.

Gracie jumps guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Ciprut is looking to stand up but Gracie won't let him.
Gracie tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Ciprut wants to get up but he can't break Gracie's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Ciprut has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Gracie is looking to sweep but instead, Ciprut has passed into half guard.
Ciprut seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gracie wants to sweep here but Ciprut controlling him for the moment.

Gracie working for a triangle but Ciprut defends it easily.
Gracie looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Gracie is trying to control the position but Ciprut postures up.
Ciprut won't allow Gracie to sweep him here.

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

Gracie working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ciprut doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Ciprut manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ciprut stands up and waves to Gracie to follow him.
Ciprut tries to close the distance and clinch but Gracie swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Gracie misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Gracie throws a right and a left that Ciprut avoids nicely.
Ciprut is looking to clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ciprut looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Ciprut moves into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ciprut landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Gracie jumps guard but Ciprut stands there with Gracie around his waist. Gracie gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Gracie changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ciprut fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Ciprut tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Gracie paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kingsley Ciprut is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ciprut moves in looking to clinch but Gracie pushes him off.
Ciprut staying out of range there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ciprut tries to clinch but Gracie moves out of range.
Ricardo Gracie seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gracie circles away from the clinch attempt.

Gracie has closed the distance and engaged Ciprut in a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kingsley Ciprut dominated that round.
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.

Gracie tries a head kick but it misses.

Ciprut clinches up against the cage.
Ciprut lands a shot to the body.
Ciprut is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Ciprut tries a body shot but Gracie blocks it.
Ciprut landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Ciprut can't find room to land a body shot as Gracie controls the action.
Ciprut looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Ciprut is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Ciprut tries to work over Gracie's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Gracie jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Ciprut walks away with a smile on his face. Gracie gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Ciprut stops a takedown attempt from Gracie.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ciprut is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Gracie is defending well for now.
Gracie is trying to pull guard but Ciprut has him pressed against the cage.
Kingsley Ciprut has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ricardo Gracie.
Ciprut is trying to stall.
Gracie avoiding damage as Ciprut throws knees to the body.
Ciprut tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Gracie avoids it.
Ciprut prevents a takedown attempt there.
Gracie is trying to pull guard but Ciprut turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
A bit of stalling here from Ciprut.
Gracie wants a takedown but no success here.
Ciprut's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

Gracie ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Gracie no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie wants to sweep but no luck.

Ciprut gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Ciprut moves in looking to clinch but Gracie pushes him off.

Ciprut clinches with his opponent.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Gracie tries to pull guard but Ciprut holds him up against the cage and eventually Gracie drops back down to his feet.
Gracie is trying to drag Ciprut to the mat but Ciprut just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gracie drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Ciprut gets the underhooks and prevents it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ciprut misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Gracie pulls guard successfully.
Ciprut is looking to stand up but Gracie won't let him.
Gracie wants to sweep but no luck.
Gracie is looking to sweep but instead, Ciprut has passed into half guard.
Gracie wants to improve his position but Ciprut is controlling well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gracie moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Gracie is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie has a closed guard, preventing Ciprut from standing up.
Gracie looking for a sweep. Not yet Gracie, not yet.
Gracie is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Gracie manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Ciprut manages to get himself to full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Ciprut keeps moving.
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!
Ciprut wants to stand and escape but Gracie is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kingsley Ciprut dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Ciprut fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Gracie, pushing him back against the cage.
Gracie takes a knee to the side of the body.
Gracie can't get the takedown.
Ciprut tries to work over Gracie's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ciprut lands an elbow that stopped Gracie in his tracks for a moment.

It looks like Ricardo Gracie has been cut.
Kingsley Ciprut has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Gracie prevents a body shot from Ciprut.
Gracie tries to pull guard but Ciprut holds him up against the cage and eventually Gracie drops back down to his feet.

Gracie jumps guard and drags Ciprut to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Ciprut stopping the sweep attempt from Gracie.

Gracie has his foot on Ciprut's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ciprut works his way back into a safe position though.

Ciprut stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ciprut tries to clinch up but Gracie circles away and keeps his distance.
Ciprut lands a nice looking kick to the body. Gracie takes a step back to recover.
Ciprut tries to close the distance and clinch but Gracie swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nice takedown defense from Ciprut. No joy for Gracie on that attempt.
Kingsley Ciprut has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ricardo Gracie.
Gracie takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Ciprut. Gracie shrugs it off though.
Ciprut tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Gracie manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Gracie shoots for a double leg takedown but Ciprut sprawls well. He's pushed Gracie's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Ciprut moves into the clinch successfully.
Ciprut tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Gracie goes for a takedown in the clinch but Ciprut prevents it.
Gracie wants to take the fight to the mat but Ciprut manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Ricardo Gracie has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ciprut lands a nice elbow.
Ciprut lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Ciprut scores with a nice hook to the head.
Gracie managing to block the knees to the body from Ciprut.
Ciprut using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Gracie has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Gracie tries to pull guard but Ciprut forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stalling in the clinch from Ciprut.
Ciprut lands a right hand.
Gracie tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Ciprut smiles and moves away.
Ciprut wants to clinch.
Gracie takes a swing at Ciprut's ribcage but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ciprut forces Gracie back against the cage and clinches.
Ciprut swings wildly with an uppercut but Gracie uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ciprut just leaning against Gracie, taking a breather.
Gracie fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Gracie has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Ciprut avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Gracie has Ciprut pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Ciprut manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Ciprut lands an elbow inside.
Gracie tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Ciprut smiles and moves away.

Gracie pushes Ciprut up against the cage in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gracie jumps guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Gracie is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Gracie working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Ciprut has passed into half guard!
Kingsley Ciprut is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Ciprut decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Gracie circles away from the clinch attempt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ciprut slips a jab and a cross from Gracie.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kingsley Ciprut showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ciprut, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Reed Andrews scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 30:27
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kingsley Ciprut!
After the fight, Kingsley Ciprut 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.