PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Adam Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Genki Dama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Gracie
vs
Dama

175 cm
29
143 lbs
23 - 10 - 1

157 cm
32
156 lbs
29 - 13 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Fury Nutrition Inc.
CEC Nutrition Q160

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 23 - 10 - 1, fighting out of New York, Adam Gracie!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 29 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Genki Dama!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, James Ackerman and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Dama stuns Gracie with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Dama displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Gracie.
Gracie bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Dama misses with a head kick.
Dama on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Gracie tries for a takedown but Dama sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Dama scores with a jab to the jaw.
Dama defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Gracie.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Adam Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gracie avoids the body shot from Dama.
Gracie walks forward, straight into a front kick from Dama.
Dama throws a leg kick

so Gracie counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Gracie will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gracie postures up and lands a big shot to Dama's brow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dama pulls Gracie in close to prevent any damage.
Dama looking for a sweep. Not yet Dama, not yet.
Gracie is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Dama is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gracie throws a big elbow that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dama looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Gracie fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Dama scores with a punch to the head.
Gracie checks a leg kick.
Dama wants to clinch up but Gracie keeps it at a distance.
Gracie checks a leg kick.

Gracie gets the takedown into side control.
Gracie wants to control but Dama is keeping him busy.
Gracie creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Dama is trying to control Gracie's posture but Gracie avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie throws a strike aimed at the side of Dama's head but Dama avoids it well.
Dama is looking for a sweep.
Dama 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.
Dama is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Gracie throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Gracie lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Gracie has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Gracie throws a strike aimed at the side of Dama's head but Dama avoids it well.
Dama struggling a bit here.
Gracie misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie tries to score with some ground and pound. Dama controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

Gracie swings around for an armbar but Dama sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Gracie's guard.

Gracie has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Dama is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Gracie.
Dama trying to control the action but Gracie is working from the bottom.
Gracie is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Disciples Top Team , so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Gracie sneaks back into half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Dama prevents Gracie from improving his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Adam Gracie dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

A telegraphed right hand from Dama misses the target.
Gracie just misses with a punch to the body.
A shot to the liver by Gracie. Beautiful body shot.
Gracie keeps the fight on the outside.
A bone on bone clash there as Gracie blocks the leg kick.
Gracie throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Dama stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Dama moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Dama changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Gracie tries to avoid it but Dama manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Gracie to the ground. Gracie escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Dama lands with a nice body punch.
Dama moves out of range of the strikes.
Gracie on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dama with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

Gracie gets the takedown into side control.
Gracie has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Dama!
Gracie trying to control but Dama is having none of it.
Gracie lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Gracie dominating with strikes here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dama is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Gracie connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Dama is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Gracie landing strikes from the mount and Dama is in trouble!
Gracie scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Gracie can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Dama is looking to escape.
Gracie in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dama taking shots to the head.

Gracie moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Dama has worked his arm free - good work by Dama!
Gracie working away.
Dama parries the strikes from Gracie easily there. Gracie is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Dama to escape.
Dama is trying to control Gracie's posture but Gracie avoids it.
The strikes coming from Gracie are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie wants to control but Dama is keeping him busy.
Gracie throws an elbow but Dama slips to the side and avoids it well.
Gracie scoring with punches from side control.
Gracie works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.

Gracie goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Dama rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Gracie's guard! Nice work there by Dama!

Gracie throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Dama escapes and throws Gracie's legs to the side, diving into side control!
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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gracie looking for a sweep but Dama has passed into full mount! Oh no!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Adam Gracie dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Dama takes a swing at Gracie's ribcage but misses.
Dama throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Dama misses with a body punch

and Gracie counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Gracie working the head and body with strikes.
Gracie is nestled in close to Dama, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

Dama looking for submissions off his back.

Gracie is looking for a kimura but Dama is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Gracie to get the leverage.
Dama tries to roll over but Gracie keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dama is looking to control Gracie's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Dama avoid being mounted?
Dama is looking for a sweep. Gracie is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Gracie missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Dama on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Gracie is looking for a kimura here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dama is looking to control Gracie's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Dama avoid being mounted?

Gracie is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Dama still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Dama has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
Gracie is looking to regain half guard here but Dama keeps moving and retains side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dama landing a few strikes.
Gracie can't do much from the bottom here.
Gracie is looking to reverse the position.
Dama is looking to take a break and control but Gracie is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Gracie manages to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dama has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Gracie is trying to escape the mount.
Gracie tries to hold on but Dama pushes him away.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gracie is squirming around, avoiding Dama's attempts to control the action.
Gracie is in all sorts of trouble here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Adam Gracie clearly takes that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Gracie circles away from the clinch attempt.
Gracie checks a low kick from Dama.
Dama fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Gracie avoids it really well and circles away.
Dama moves out of range as Gracie strikes.
Dama uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Gracie.
Gracie tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Dama defends well and Gracie ends up having to push Dama into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Gracie wants a takedown.
Gracie is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dama utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Dama has a couple of punches blocked by Gracie.
A right hook to the body lands for Dama.
Dama swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Gracie lands a nice uppercut.
Dama has a couple of punches blocked by Gracie.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dama misses with a hook from the clinch.
Dama throws a head punch that misses.
Dama misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Gracie is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Dama to keep the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Adam Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dama slows down the pace here.
Gracie tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Gracie blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dama swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Dama lands with a light punch inside.
Dama misses with a hook from the clinch.
Gracie tries for a takedown. No joy.
Dama working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Dama swings wildly with an uppercut but Gracie uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gracie tries to score a body lock takedown but Dama shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Dama doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dama working aggressively here.
Dama tries to work over Gracie's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Dama makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Dama working aggressively here.
Gracie content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Gracie has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Dama avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Dama.
Gracie is trying to pull guard but Dama has him pressed against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Genki Dama dominated that fourth round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Gracie slips a straight right by Dama.
Gracie shoots for a takedown but Dama saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Dama scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Dama connects with an inside leg kick.
Dama does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gracie.
Dama throws a leg kick but Gracie sees it coming and moves out of range.
Gracie misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Adam Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A combination from Dama does no damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dama throws a shot to the body.
Dama fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Gracie.
Gracie dives in and grabs Dama's left leg, looking for a takedown. Dama pushes down on Gracie's head and hops out.
Dama lands a leg kick that knocks Gracie off balance momentarily.
Dama throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

Dama darts in and clinches Gracie up against the cage.
Dama lands a nice uppercut.
Dama tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A head punch on the inside from Dama fails to land.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dama breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Dama misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gracie.
Dama misses the jab.
Dama misses with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Dama misses with a looping right.
Gracie fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Gracie misses with a takedown attempt

and Dama counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Dama.
Dama scores with a shot to the side of Gracie's head.
Gracie blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Dama working aggressively here.
A short right from Dama.
Gracie blocking some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Dama.
Gracie wants to stall.
Genki Dama has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gracie tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Dama just stands there and leans against the cage.
Adam Gracie is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Dama keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Gracie's efforts to push away.
Dama misses with a hook from the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Gracie ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Gracie no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Gracie utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Genki Dama comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Gracie has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 48:47
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 48:47
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Adam Gracie!
Adam Gracie retains his featherweight title!
During a confident post fight interview, Adam Gracie thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.