PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Rainer Varvaskoukku (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Adam Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Varvaskoukku
vs
Gracie

164 cm
29
147 lbs
21 - 10 - 2

175 cm
29
143 lbs
25 - 10 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

The Big Kabosh

Fury Nutrition Inc.
Hellbent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 10 - 2, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rainer Varvaskoukku!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 10 - 1, fighting out of New York, Adam Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Timothy Bukovac and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Varvaskoukku stuffs the takedown attempt from Gracie. Gracie gets slowly back to his feet.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Gracie has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Gracie fails with a takedown attempt.
Varvaskoukku jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Gracie connects with a single shot there.
No joy there for Varvaskoukku, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Varvaskoukku.
Varvaskoukku checks a low kick from Gracie.
Gracie moves into range and connects with a jab.
Varvaskoukku misses the shot to the body.
Varvaskoukku scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Varvaskoukku fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Gracie on the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gracie.
Rainer Varvaskoukku has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Adam Gracie.
Varvaskoukku leaves Gracie with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Varvaskoukku fails with a takedown attempt.
Varvaskoukku fails to land with a series of punches.
Varvaskoukku thows a body shot but no joy.
A big right from Varvaskoukku misses.
Varvaskoukku keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Varvaskoukku bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Gracie wants to control but Varvaskoukku postures up.
Gracie is looking for a sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie can't do much from the bottom here.
Gracie tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Varvaskoukku working away.
Varvaskoukku working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Check out the look on Varvaskoukku's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
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 trying to control Varvaskoukku's posture but Varvaskoukku avoids it.
Gracie parries the strikes from Varvaskoukku easily there. Varvaskoukku is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Gracie to escape.
You can see the frustration on Gracie's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Gracie tries to buck Varvaskoukku off but Varvaskoukku is having none of it.
Varvaskoukku looks up at the clock and then as Gracie takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Varvaskoukku smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Gracie is looking to regain half guard here but Varvaskoukku keeps moving and retains side control.
You can see the frustration on Gracie's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Gracie manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Varvaskoukku is thwarting Gracie's attempts to control the position.
Varvaskoukku is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
We've been hearing good reports from Varvaskoukku's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Gracie is pressing down on Varvaskoukku's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Varvaskoukku being controlled here momentarily.
Varvaskoukku trying to control the position from guard on top but Gracie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Varvaskoukku preventing the sweep.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Varvaskoukku landing some decent shots from guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Gracie keeping moving, preventing Varvaskoukku from controlling successfully.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Gracie not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Gracie looking to hit a scissor sweep but Varvaskoukku is one step ahead there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Varvaskoukku wants to control from the top but Gracie keeps moving.
Varvaskoukku postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Gracie manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Varvaskoukku manages to get himself to full guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gracie working some strikes from top position.

Varvaskoukku is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Gracie is aware though and is defending well.
Varvaskoukku has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Gracie has passed into side control.
Gracie scoring with punches and elbows.
Varvaskoukku manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gracie has hold of Varvaskoukku's hands but Varvaskoukku slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Gracie tries to get to full guard but Varvaskoukku has control of the leg.
Gracie is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Varvaskoukku scores with a couple of nice shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rainer Varvaskoukku dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Gracie shoots in and gets a takedown into Varvaskoukku's guard.
Varvaskoukku might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Gracie trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Gracie thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Rainer Varvaskoukku overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Gracie loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Varvaskoukku looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Gracie is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Varvaskoukku is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Gracie is aware though and is defending well.

Varvaskoukku looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Gracie sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Varvaskoukku's guard.
Gracie is trying to control the action in half guard but Varvaskoukku is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Varvaskoukku gets full guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Varvaskoukku bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Gracie's guard.
Varvaskoukku lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Gracie keeping full guard, as Varvaskoukku tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Varvaskoukku really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Gracie postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Varvaskoukku looks a forlorn figure.
Varvaskoukku can't escape the position.
Varvaskoukku slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Varvaskoukku tries to get to full guard but Gracie has control of the leg.
Varvaskoukku regains full guard. Nicely done.
Varvaskoukku is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie pushing down on Varvaskoukku's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Varvaskoukku regains full guard. Nicely done.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Varvaskoukku had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Gracie defends it easily.
Gracie trying to control but Varvaskoukku is working from the bottom.
Gracie pushes down on Varvaskoukku's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Gracie trying to control the action but Varvaskoukku is working from the bottom.
Varvaskoukku wants to control but Gracie is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Varvaskoukku taking some punishment here, with Gracie in his half guard.
Varvaskoukku regains full guard. Nicely done.
Varvaskoukku keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Varvaskoukku swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Varvaskoukku trying to control the position.
Varvaskoukku lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Gracie!
Gracie sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Gracie manages to get to full guard.
Varvaskoukku looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie has momentary wrist control but Varvaskoukku slips an elbow through the middle.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Gracie holds on and takes a little breather.
Varvaskoukku throws a strike but Gracie rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Varvaskoukku is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Varvaskoukku utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Gracie passes Varvaskoukku's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Varvaskoukku is trying to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Adam Gracie will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Varvaskoukku swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Varvaskoukku swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Rainer Varvaskoukku seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Gracie looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Gracie postures up and lands a big shot to Varvaskoukku's brow.

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

Gracie drops back looking for a leg! Varvaskoukku is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Varvaskoukku manages to kick Gracie off! Gracie jumps back into Varvaskoukku's guard.
Varvaskoukku 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 is in close to Varvaskoukku's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie works over Varvaskoukku with some ground and pound from guard.
Gracie with a flurry of punches that miss.
Gracie postures up.
Varvaskoukku looking for a sweep. Not yet Varvaskoukku, not yet.
Gracie with a flurry of punches that miss.
Gracie is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Varvaskoukku keeps moving.

Varvaskoukku looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Gracie distracts Varvaskoukku with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Varvaskoukku has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Gracie has passed into side control.
Varvaskoukku is trying to control Gracie's posture but Gracie avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie lands some shots froms side control.
Gracie landing a few strikes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Varvaskoukku regains half guard.

Gracie is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Gracie is looking for a kimura but Varvaskoukku is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Gracie to get the leverage.
Varvaskoukku wants to get back to full guard.
Varvaskoukku regains full guard. Nicely done.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Varvaskoukku is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Varvaskoukku manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Gracie manages to get himself to full guard.
Gracie wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Varvaskoukku is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Gracie escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Varvaskoukku gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Gracie is looking for a triangle here but Varvaskoukku uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Gracie takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Gracie is trying to improve his position.
Gracie takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Varvaskoukku lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Gracie down.

Gracie is rocked!
Varvaskoukku cracks Gracie with a big elbow. Oh, he's hurt! Varvaskoukku immediately mounts and start dropping bombs! Gracie is done! The referee jumps in and saves him from any more punishment - a quick and decisive finish by Varvaskoukku!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Rainer Varvaskoukku!
Rainer Varvaskoukku is the new featherweight champion!
Our winner, Rainer Varvaskoukku, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.