PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kenji Okabe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mateus Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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!

Okabe
vs
Gracie

177 cm
37
181 lbs
35 - 17 - 0

180 cm
33
177 lbs
24 - 14 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

The Big Kabosh
Milwaukee's Best Nutrition

Reaper Combatwear
Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 35 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kenji Okabe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mateus Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Shirou Masuda and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Okabe looks to land a left hand but Gracie moved out of range nicely.
Okabe takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Okabe darts in looking for a takedown but Gracie gets double underhooks and turns Okabe into the cage.
Gracie throws a punch but it's blocked by Okabe.
Okabe has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Gracie is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Gracie fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Gracie prevents Okabe from breaking the clinch.
A bit of stalling here from Gracie.
Gracie tries to work over Okabe's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A frustrated look appears on Okabe's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Gracie swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Gracie misses with some punches.
Gracie can't find room to land a body shot as Okabe controls the action.
Gracie working aggressively here.
Gracie lands a hook to the side of the head.
Gracie presses Okabe against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
I was talking to Okabe's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Gracie working aggressively here.
Gracie working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Gracie looking to slow down the pace here.
Okabe can't break the clinch.
Gracie lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Okabe.
Okabe blocks a body shot from Gracie.
Okabe looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kenji Okabe. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gracie lands a nice uppercut.
Gracie throws a punch but it's blocked by Okabe.
Okabe is trying to push Gracie away but Gracie has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Gracie lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Gracie leaning against his opponent.
Okabe tries for a takedown but Gracie manages to get underhooks.
The referee calls for Gracie to work.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Gracie.
Gracie has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. So far he's outscoring his opponent in the clinch so it seems to have been worthwhile.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie stalling the fight.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gracie misses with the head strike.
Gracie misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Okabe wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Gracie has him pressed against the cage.
Gracie stalling.
Okabe is working for takedown but Gracie is calmly controlling the position for now.
Gracie working aggressively here.
Gracie has Okabe pressed against the cage, preventing Okabe from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Gracie misses with a body punch.
Gracie has Okabe pressed against the cage, preventing Okabe from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Gracie scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Gracie tries to throw a body punch but Okabe avoids it by throwing Gracie back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie can't find room to land a body shot as Okabe controls the action.
Gracie working aggressively here.
Okabe has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Gracie swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Okabe being controlled against the cage.
Okabe is trying to force a seperation but Gracie has the dominant position.
Gracie stalling.
Gracie keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Okabe's efforts to push away.
Okabe wants to break the clinch but can't.
Gracie misses with the head strike.
Okabe tries for a takedown but Gracie manages to get underhooks.
Okabe drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Gracie looking to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Okabe has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Gracie avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Okabe escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Okabe scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Gracie lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Mateus Gracie seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Okabe crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Gracie - the referee stops the clock and Okabe gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Gracie. Okabe manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A chopping leg kick lands by Gracie.
Gracie throws a hook but Okabe avoids it easily.
Gracie throws a front kick that sends Okabe stumbling back into the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gracie lands a nice leg kick that just misses Okabe's sensitive parts.
A slow jab from Okabe misses its intended target.
Okabe misses with a wild combination.
Gracie throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Gracie feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Okabe's calf.
Gracie stuns Okabe with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Okabe bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Both fighters circling a little - Gracie finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Gracie misses with a looping left.
Gracie throws a head kick that Okabe semi-blocks.
Gracie misses with a body kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gracie tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Gracie pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Okabe circles away from the clinch attempt.
Gracie ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Okabe moves away.
Gracie looks for the body kick but Okabe saw that one coming.
Gracie uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Okabe.
Gracie misses with a head kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Gracie, right into the meat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Gracie misses with an attempted mid kick.
Gracie displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Okabe.
Gracie throws a nice looking combination but Okabe bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Gracie thows a left - swing and a miss!
Gracie scores with a nice right hand.
Okabe misses with a straight left.
A telegraphed right hand from Gracie misses the target.
Gracie is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Okabe.

Okabe closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Gracie's guard.
Okabe won't allow Gracie to sweep him here.
Gracie is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Okabe loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Okabe keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Gracie's head.
Okabe pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gracie is keeping the position for now.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Okabe passes Gracie's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Gracie is trying to maintain the position but Okabe is very close to passing his half guard.

Gracie looking for submissions off his back.
Gracie wants to improve his position but Okabe is controlling well.
Okabe wants to control but Gracie is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is looking to improve his position.
Okabe thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Okabe is thwarting Gracie's attempts to control the position.
Gracie tries to get to full guard but Okabe has control of the leg.
Okabe wants to control but Gracie is keeping him busy.

Gracie looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Okabe is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Gracie reverses the position - he's now on top in Okabe's guard.
Okabe pulls Gracie in close to his closed guard and prevents Gracie from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Okabe is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Okabe can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Gracie controls the pace.
Okabe tries to land a sweep but no joy.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Okabe keeps moving.
Okabe pulls Gracie in close to prevent any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mateus Gracie showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Okabe takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Gracie throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Okabe lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Gracie scores with a leg kick.
Gracie throws a body punch but Okabe moves out of range.
Okabe tries to bum rush Gracie with a series of wild strikes but Gracie uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Okabe looks to land a left hand but Gracie moved out of range nicely.
Gracie connects with a leg kick. Okabe looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
That kick from Gracie tenderised Okabe's leg. Okabe is trying to keep his angry face on.
Okabe moves out of range as Gracie strikes.
Gracie lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Gracie scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gracie fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Okabe 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.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gracie looks to land a right hand but Okabe moved out of range.
Okabe defending well as Gracie loads up on a big left hand.
Okabe thuds his right hand into Gracie's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Mateus Gracie seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Gracie instigates a clinch.
Mateus Gracie seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Gracie lands a nice uppercut.
Gracie lands a hook to the side of the head.
Okabe is trying to break the clinch but Gracie has him pressed against the cage.
Gracie misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Gracie keeps control of Okabe as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Gracie misses with a hook from the clinch.
Gracie misses with the head strike.
Gracie leaning his opponent against the cage.
Okabe wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Gracie has him pressed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie scores with a shot to the side of Okabe's head.

Okabe breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Okabe looks to land a left hand but Gracie moved out of range nicely.
Okabe is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Okabe takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Gracie with a nice cross.
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 moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Kenji Okabe has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Okabe scores with a hook to the body. Gracie takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Okabe looks to land a left hand but Gracie moved out of range nicely.
Gracie connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Gracie throws the left hand but Okabe avoids the punch easily.
Gracie is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Okabe.
Gracie buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Okabe crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Gracie - the referee stops the clock and Okabe gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Gracie. Okabe manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Gracie throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Gracie throws a leg kick which misses Okabe's front leg but catches the back leg as Okabe tries to avoid it.
Okabe throws a jab when Gracie was well out of range.
Gracie buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Gracie misses with a combination
and Gracie takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Gracie lands a nice looking kick to the body. Okabe takes a step back to recover.
Okabe will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Okabe swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Gracie counters with a nice uppercut.
Gracie throws a looping overhand right but Okabe ducks down to avoid it.
Gracie feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Okabe's calf.
Gracie works Okabe's body with a nice hook.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gracie moves into range and lands a nice body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is looking to clinch.
Okabe shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Gracie misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Okabe.
Okabe throws a looping overhand right but Gracie ducks down to avoid it.
Gracie keeps Okabe at a distance using the push kick.
Gracie lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Mateus Gracie is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Okabe drops his hands momentarily and Gracie takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Gracie dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Okabe. That did some damage!
Gracie throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Okabe on the side of the head.
Gracie lands with a thumping leg kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Gracie clinches with his opponent.
Okabe working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Gracie lands with a short head shot on the inside.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mateus Gracie comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Gracie winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 27:30
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mateus Gracie!
Mateus Gracie thanked the fans post fight for their support.