PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Avers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Roogeri Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters really staring eachother down here, as Roogeri Gracie enters the cage!

Avers
vs
Gracie

191 cm
22
203 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

185 cm
22
200 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Intelligent

Good takedowns
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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, John Avers!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Roogeri Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Avers throws a series of strikes that have Gracie backpedaling.

Gracie shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Avers's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gracie trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Avers manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Gracie has his foot on Avers's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Avers works his way back into a safe position though.
Gracie is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Avers postures up in Gracie's guard and throws a big left but Gracie blocks it.

Gracie looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Gracie looks gassed!

Gracie had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Avers 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 Avers's back instead.
Gracie struggling to land strikes to the head as Avers covers up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Avers breaks Gracie's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Avers slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Gracie tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Gracie sneaks back into half guard.
Gracie keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Avers is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Gracie tries to get to full guard but Avers has control of the leg.
Gracie is trying to control but Avers passes into side control!
Gracie is looking for a sweep.
Avers tries to move to mount but Gracie blocks the move with his legs.
Gracie is looking to reverse the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Avers fails in his attempt to clinch.
Avers scores with the left hand. Gracie knows he should have avoided that one.
Avers throws a half hearted mid kick.
Avers's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Avers duly obliges.

Avers drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Avers slips nicely into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Avers is working away from the top position though.
Gracie gets back to full guard.

Gracie working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Avers has passed into half guard!
Gracie wants to improve his position but Avers is controlling well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Avers dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Avers closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Avers lands in his opponent's guard.
Avers has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Avers chips away with some ground and pound.

Gracie escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Avers gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Gracie wants to sweep but no luck.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gracie looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Avers passes into half guard.
Gracie is breathing heavily.

Avers looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Gracie wants to sweep but Avers has passed to side control!
Avers is working Gracie over with some ground and pound from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Gracie is looking to reverse the position.

Avers wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Gracie, who protects the arm well.
Gracie is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Avers is controlling him well.
Gracie is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Avers grinds an elbow into Gracie's temple.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Avers is working to tighten is grip on Gracie's neck. He's isolated an arm and is working for an arm triangle. Gracie has recognised the danger and is trying to turn with the submission but Avers is really squeezing tight and eventually Gracie passes out! Avers breaks the hold and jumps onto the cage to celebrate! Submission of the night, I'd say!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:32 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). John Avers!