PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rener Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and George Steele (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Steele comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Cinderella Man kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! George Steele is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Gracie
vs
Steele

190 cm
22
184 lbs
5 - 3 - 1

191 cm
32
219 lbs
15 - 15 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Brawler
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Just Fight (Everything 7$)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 1, fighting out of London, Rener Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, George Steele!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, James Atkins and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Steele dives in and scores a takedown into Gracie's guard.

Steele drops back, looking for a kneebar! Gracie looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Gracie looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Gracie!
Gracie wants to lay and pray for a moment but Steele keeps working.
Steele is trying to get back to half guard.
We've been hearing good reports from Gracie'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.
Steele is not content to let Gracie control the position.
Steele is trying to work for a sweep but Gracie has mounted him!
Steele is looking to improve his position but Gracie isn't that keen on the idea.
Gracie wants to control the pace but Steele is squirming around nicely.
Steele really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Steele is controlling an arm, preventing Gracie from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie manages to capitalize on a mistake by Steele to take his back!
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Gracie trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Steele tries to escape the position.
A lull in the action here.
Steele tries to break free.
Steele breaks Gracie's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Gracie looking for a sweep. Not yet Gracie, not yet.
Steele advances position into side control!

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

Steele tries for a kimura but Gracie is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Gracie is looking to reverse the position.

Steele goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Gracie rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Steele's guard! Nice work there by Gracie!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Steele looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Steele is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Steele throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Steele is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gracie got a little sloppy there for a moment and Steele has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Gracie has managed to get both his arms back between Steele's legs - danger averted.
Gracie controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Steele keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.
Gracie stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Steele swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Gracie is sitting in close to Steele's body. Steele has gone for a guillotine from the bottom. Oh damn, that looks pretty tight! Gracie is panicking - it looks like this one could be all over! Yes, Gracie is tapping! That was a very nice submission by Steele.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). George Steele!
During a confident post fight interview, George Steele thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
Rener Gracie spoke after the fight, saying 'Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamm! '.