PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rob McKenzie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McKenzie's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Flower Of Scotland. Gracie comes into a darkened arena with his song building. ..Imagine Dragons - Radioactive kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

McKenzie
vs
Gracie

175 cm
27
182 lbs
13 - 5 - 0

181 cm
32
182 lbs
19 - 23 - 1

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
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 13 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Rob McKenzie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 23 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Matt Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Albert Achterberg and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie misses with the combination.
Gracie slaps away a takedown attempt from McKenzie, before circling back to the center of the mat.
McKenzie shoots in looking for a takedown but Gracie manages to keep the fight standing, pushing McKenzie's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
No luck for Gracie with that takedown attempt.

Gracie shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Gracie was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Gracie works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
McKenzie can't do much from the bottom here.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Gracie throws an elbow but McKenzie slips to the side and avoids it well.
McKenzie is looking to reverse the position.
McKenzie defending against the ground and pound.
Gracie tries to stand but McKenzie is controlling his head.
McKenzie tries to strike but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McKenzie manages to get back to half guard.
McKenzie trying to control here.
Gracie not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Gracie is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Gracie thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Gracie is looking for a kimura but McKenzie is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Gracie to get the leverage.
McKenzie wants to control but Gracie is keeping busy.
McKenzie punching from the bottom.
McKenzie throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

Gracie seems to be looking for submissions.
McKenzie is refusing to be controlled, as Gracie sits in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McKenzie flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
McKenzie tries to get to full guard but Gracie has control of the leg.
McKenzie punching from the bottom.
McKenzie tries to roll over but Gracie keeps him under control.
Gracie trying to pass the guard but McKenzie defending well.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
McKenzie is looking to improve his position.
McKenzie wants to sweep but Gracie has passed to side control!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McKenzie manages to work his way to half guard, despite Gracie's best efforts.
McKenzie wants to control but Gracie is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Gracie connects with a nice short shot to McKenzie's temple.
McKenzie makes his way to full guard. A much better position for McKenzie.
Gracie has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Gracie accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
McKenzie utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Gracie preventing the sweep.
Gracie is in close to McKenzie's body, working some short punches and elbows.
McKenzie wants to sweep here but Gracie controlling him for the moment.
McKenzie keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.
McKenzie lands a couple of shots from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McKenzie looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
McKenzie lands a good elbow from the bottom.
McKenzie 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.
Gracie wants to control from the top but McKenzie keeps moving.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gracie wanted to stand there but McKenzie had control of the position.
McKenzie looking to control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McKenzie striking off his back, scoring a few points.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Matt Gracie will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Gracie closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into McKenzie's guard.
McKenzie avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Gracie engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Gracie is looking to pass into half guard but McKenzie pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now McKenzie is in guard.
McKenzie keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Gracie's head.
McKenzie landing some decent shots from guard.
McKenzie distracts Gracie with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gracie preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McKenzie controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
McKenzie trying to control the position from guard on top but Gracie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McKenzie throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
McKenzie is stalling in the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Gracie scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Gracie slips a nice elbow through McKenzie's hands, connecting with McKenzie's forehead.
Gracie is nestled in close to McKenzie, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
McKenzie has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Gracie is working away from the top position though.
Gracie not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gracie controlling the pace.
Gracie seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but McKenzie does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
McKenzie moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
McKenzie manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Gracie manages to get himself to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McKenzie throwing strikes from guard but Gracie blocks nicely.
Gracie keeping moving, preventing McKenzie from controlling successfully.
Gracie looking to hit a scissor sweep but McKenzie is one step ahead there.
McKenzie connects with a couple of short punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McKenzie is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Gracie can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as McKenzie controls the pace.
Gracie working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from McKenzie.
McKenzie lands a couple of elbows.
Gracie avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McKenzie won't allow Gracie to sweep him here.
McKenzie throws a big right hand that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rob McKenzie dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

McKenzie tries to score a power double leg takedown but Gracie sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten McKenzie somewhat.
Gracie stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Gracie wants it to stay on the feet.
Gracie stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Gracie wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rob McKenzie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gracie uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by McKenzie.
Gracie showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from McKenzie.
McKenzie misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
McKenzie scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

McKenzie scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
McKenzie wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gracie keeps working.
McKenzie not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McKenzie seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
McKenzie not landing any meaningful shots this time.
McKenzie drops an elbow to the side of Gracie's head.
McKenzie winds up and cracks Gracie with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
McKenzie not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
McKenzie controlling the action here.
McKenzie is looking to take a break and control but Gracie is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McKenzie is nestled in close to Gracie, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
McKenzie throwing shots but Gracie is blocking nicely.
McKenzie working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Gracie's thigh. Gracie counters though and makes it back to full guard.
McKenzie throws an elbow that misses. Gracie uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in McKenzie's guard. Nice move by Gracie!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McKenzie has Gracie pulled in close to control his posture.
McKenzie's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
McKenzie striking off his back but it's not causing Gracie any problems.
Gracie pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. McKenzie is keeping the position for now.
Gracie is pushing down on McKenzie's leg trying to pass to half guard. McKenzie is fighting to maintain full guard but Gracie has managed to sneak the leg through.
McKenzie wants to control but Gracie passes into side.
McKenzie gets back to half guard.
Gracie is thwarting McKenzie's attempts to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McKenzie is doing well to control the position and prevent Gracie from advancing to side control.
McKenzie trying to control but Gracie postures up.
McKenzie misses with some strikes from the bottom.
McKenzie is looking to improve his position.
McKenzie tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Gracie missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Gracie is trying to work for a kimura but McKenzie is defending well.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McKenzie missing with punches from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rob McKenzie showed his dominance in that final round.
Well McKenzie has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Nard Betker scores the fight 30:28
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 30:28
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rob McKenzie!
A very excited looking Rob McKenzie 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.