PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rashard Moneyman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Royce Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gracie is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: face the pain. Royce Gracie told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Moneyman
vs
Gracie

189 cm
22
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
22
200 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rashard Moneyman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Royce Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Felipe Paraventi and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Moneyman shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Gracie's guard.

Gracie had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Moneyman is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Gracie Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Moneyman's back instead.

Gracie is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Moneyman defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.

Moneyman is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Gracie gets his way!
Gracie is hanging on to Moneyman's back as he tries to escape.

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, Moneyman has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!

Gracie working for a choke but Moneyman is defending well.
Moneyman knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Gracie on the ground.
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 is not going to allow Moneyman to sit and survive in this position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Moneyman holding both Gracie 's hands and preventing any damage.

Gracie is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Moneyman has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Gracie is looking to control Moneyman but Moneyman is wriggling around and keeping busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Moneyman is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Moneyman breaks Gracie's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Gracie is trying to control the position but Moneyman postures up.
Moneyman in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Gracie trying to keep a closed guard but Moneyman is proving a slippery customer.

Gracie is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Moneyman postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Moneyman sitting in guard here, content to control.

Gracie throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Gracie has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think Moneyman should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, Gracie has tightened it up now! Moneyman should have reacted faster there - he's in big trouble and yes, he's tapped out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:41 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Royce Gracie!