PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Zelios Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jean Claude Van Damme (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Van Damme has chosen Boom! Shake The Room as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Gracie
vs
Claude Van Damme

180 cm
33
201 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

177 cm
27
198 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
Basic striking
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Zelios Gracie!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jean Claude Van Damme!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Steve Smith and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Van Damme defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Gracie.
Van Damme stuffs the takedown.
Gracie has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zelios Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Van Damme tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gracie was well out of range. Poor timing from Van Damme.
Zelios Gracie seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gracie fails to land the takedown.
Van Damme misses with a kick to the body.
Van Damme throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Van Damme stuffs the takedown.
Van Damme will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Van Damme moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Van Damme lands a head kick!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A slow jab from Van Damme misses its intended target.
Gracie shoots in but Van Damme avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Gracie misses with a few strikes there.
Gracie takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Van Damme throws the kick towards the body but Gracie avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Damme misses with a low kick.
Gracie shoots for a takedown but Van Damme saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Gracie shoots in looking for a takedown. Van Damme tries to sprawl out of it but Gracie keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Van Damme manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Gracie throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Gracie has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Gracie there as he acknowledges the shot.
Van Damme scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Gracie is defended easily by Van Damme.
Van Damme waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Gracie.
Van Damme misses with a body kick.
Gracie avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Gracie fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Van Damme avoids it really well and circles away.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gracie fails with a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Van Damme finds it's way round the side to connect with Gracie's head.
Gracie tries to score a power double leg takedown but Van Damme sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Gracie somewhat.

Gracie shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Gracie showed some decent athleticism there.

Gracie is looking for a kimura here.
Gracie uses his free foot to push down on Van Damme's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Van Damme.
Poor strikes thrown by Gracie there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie landing punches.
Van Damme tries to hold on but Gracie postures up.
Gracie prevents Van Damme from getting the reversal.
Van Damme tries to lock up and control but Gracie gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Gracie looking to control but Van Damme is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Van Damme has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.

Gracie looking to secure an arm triangle but Van Damme defends it well.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Gracie throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Van Damme because Gracie loaded up on that one.

Gracie has control of Van Damme's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Van Damme regains control of the situation pretty easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gracie has hold of Van Damme's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Van Damme manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
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 goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Van Damme is on top in guard.

Gracie had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Van Damme defends it easily.
Van Damme must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Gracie has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Van Damme off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jean Claude Van Damme will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Van Damme throws a right and a left that both miss.
Gracie is trying hard to land a takedown here. Van Damme sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Gracie tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Van Damme swivels and escapes.
Gracie avoids the head kick by Van Damme.

Gracie scores with a takedown into Van Damme's guard.
Gracie won't allow Van Damme to get back to his feet.
Gracie wants to pass the guard but Van Damme is keeping the position.
Gracie content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Van Damme keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.
Van Damme tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Van Damme is looking to stand up but Gracie isn't so interested in that idea.
Gracie postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie throws a big right hand that misses.
Van Damme really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Gracie. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Gracie content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Gracie postures up.

Gracie drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Van Damme dives on top into guard.

Gracie has an active guard here but Van Damme has managed to pass into half guard.
Gracie slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Gracie had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Van Damme defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Damme sitting in guard, not really doing much.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Gracie manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gracie goes for a takedown attempt but Van Damme pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zelios Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The fighters circle momentarily. Van Damme darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Van Damme throws a nice looking combination but Gracie bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Gracie shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Van Damme defends it nicely.
Gracie shoots in looking for a takedown but Van Damme manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Gracie's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Damme scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Van Damme misses with a head kick.
Van Damme misses with a head kick.
Gracie looks for a takedown but Van Damme sprawls well.

Gracie bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Gracie landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.

Gracie tries for a kimura but Van Damme is defending well.
Zelios Gracie overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Gracie is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Van Damme knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Gracie is trying to get an arm triangle but Van Damme is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gracie tries for a kimura but Van Damme is defending well.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Who's going to make the next move?
You can see the frustration on Van Damme's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Gracie working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zelios Gracie dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Gracie blocks a head kick by Van Damme.
Van Damme scores with a shot to the body.
A thudding body kick lands there by Van Damme!
Gracie shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Gracie moves out of range of the strikes.
Van Damme lands a jab.
Van Damme ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
A head kick misses from Van Damme.
Nice sprawl there from Van Damme as Gracie shoots in.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Van Damme enables Gracie to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Van Damme manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Van Damme wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gracie won't allow Van Damme to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie preventing the sweep.

Gracie is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Gracie trying to control but Van Damme is working from the bottom.
Gracie works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Gracie is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Van Damme trying to control from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Damme wants to get back to full guard.

Gracie is looking for a kimura but Van Damme is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Gracie to get the leverage.

Gracie is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Van Damme sees it coming and defends easily.

Gracie is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Van Damme is just riding it out for now. Gracie eventually gives up the hold.

Gracie is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Van Damme doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Gracie.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie prevents Van Damme from improving his position.

Gracie is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Van Damme sees it coming and defends easily.
Van Damme wants to get back to full guard.

Gracie 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.
Van Damme regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Gracie.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gracie is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Van Damme is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Van Damme has escaped and now he's on top!
Gracie trying to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Van Damme wanted to stand there but Gracie had control of the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Jean Claude Van Damme just about did enough to take it.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Gracie looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Van Damme is trying to stand back up but Gracie is controlling him
Van Damme gets back to full guard.
Gracie working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Van Damme keeps moving.
Gracie postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Gracie pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Van Damme is keeping the position for now.
Gracie sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Van Damme's guard.

Gracie is looking for a kimura here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Damme looks like he's trying to stand up.
Van Damme is trying to control but can't.

Gracie is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Van Damme doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Gracie.
Van Damme is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gracie wants to work for an arm triangle but Van Damme is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Gracie throwing shots but Van Damme is blocking nicely.

Gracie is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Van Damme trying to control but Gracie postures up.

Gracie is trying to work for a kimura but Van Damme is defending well.
Gracie prevents Van Damme from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie controlling the action here.
Gracie is looking to advance position but Van Damme won't allow it.
Gracie prevents Van Damme from improving his position.

Gracie wants to work for an arm triangle but Van Damme is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Gracie sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Van Damme defending well though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Damme is trying to stand back up but Gracie is controlling him

Gracie is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Van Damme is just riding it out for now. Gracie eventually gives up the hold.

Gracie seems to be working for a kimura but Van Damme defends the submission attempt.
Van Damme is looking for a sweep. Gracie is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Gracie is looking to stall here but Van Damme recovers full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zelios Gracie had his way with Jean Claude Van Damme in that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Van Damme lands a nice looking body shot.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown but Van Damme shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Van Damme stuffs the takedown attempt from Gracie. Gracie gets slowly back to his feet.
Nice sprawl there from Van Damme as Gracie shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zelios Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gracie shoots in looking for a takedown but Van Damme manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Gracie's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Van Damme cracks the inside of Gracie's front leg.

Van Damme moves into range and clinches up with Gracie.
Van Damme gets through Gracie's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Van Damme scores with a nice hook to the head.
Gracie fails to pull the fight into his guard.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Van Damme.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
A nice left hand lands by Van Damme.
Gracie is looking to take this one to the mat.
Van Damme throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Van Damme scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Damme scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A short body shot lands from Van Damme as the two fighters clinch.
A body shot lands from Van Damme.
Van Damme lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Van Damme works on Gracie's body with a couple of short punches.
Van Damme scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A nice left hand lands by Van Damme.
Gracie can't get the takedown.
Van Damme lands with a short head shot on the inside.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Still in the clinch, Van Damme scores with a nice short uppercut.
Van Damme pushes Gracie back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Van Damme lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Van Damme breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Gracie takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

Gracie is rocked!
Van Damme throws a right and a left that Gracie avoids nicely.
Oh Gracie is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Gracie takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Gracie wants to stay close but Van Damme steps back to make room for something. Gracie seems frozen to the spot and bam! huge swing of the leg from Van Damme and Gracie drops like he has been shot! A huge head kick and it's all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:59 of round 5, we have a winner by way of KO (Head Kick). Jean Claude Van Damme!
Jean Claude Van Damme is the new middleweight champion!
A victorious Jean Claude Van Damme thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.