PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Zeus Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bruce Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zeus Gracie had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Gracie
vs
Smith

175 cm
23
180 lbs
11 - 3 - 0

180 cm
22
190 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Zeus Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bruce Smith!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Robert Twigg and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith looks for the body kick but Gracie saw that one coming.

Smith moves into the clinch.
Gracie drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Smith gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Smith will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Gracie up against the cage.
Smith lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Gracie is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Smith gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Gracie is working for takedown but Smith is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zeus Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Smith unloads a knee to the mid-section. Gracie lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Gracie can't get the takedown.
Gracie has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Smith after a bit of a struggle.
Gracie is trying to drag Smith to the mat but Smith just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Gracie drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Gracie is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Smith gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Gracie is working for takedown but Smith is calmly controlling the position for now.
Smith scores with a nice hook to the head.
Smith lands with a light punch inside.
Gracie is looking for a takedown.
Smith working Gracie over with knees to the body.

Smith's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Smith looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Smith sprawls well. Smith wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Gracie gets slowly back to his feet.
Nice sprawl there from Smith as Gracie shoots in.
Gracie is breathing heavily.
Smith lands the left hand.
Smith throws a front kick that sends Gracie stumbling back into the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Smith pushes Gracie up against the cage in a clinch.
A short uppercut from Smith.

Smith breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Smith bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Smith thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Gracie if he has to take too many more of those.
Gracie stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Smith.
Smith connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Gracie's hands.
A head kick from Smith lands but Gracie takes it in his stride.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Gracie is defended easily by Smith.

Smith closes the distance and pushes Gracie back into the cage.

Smith breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Smith throws a nice head kick!
Bruce Smith is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Smith misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Gracie. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Smith swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie shoots in looking for a takedown. Smith tries to sprawl out of it but Gracie keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Smith manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Smith throws a nice inside leg kick.
Smith tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Smith keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Gracie is defended easily by Smith.
Smith connects with a leg kick. Gracie looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gracie.
Smith fakes the leg kick and cracks Gracie in the body.
Gracie shoots in but Smith avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Smith darts in and clinches Gracie up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie drops down looking for an ankle pick but Smith pulls his leg out and moves away.
An inside leg kick lands from Smith.
Smith with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
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 his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Smith has worked on his takedown defense in the runup to this fight and it is paying off so far.
Smith thumps Gracie with a low kick.
Smith tries a head kick but it misses.
Gracie walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Nice takedown defense from Smith. No joy for Gracie on that attempt.
Gracie walks forward, straight into a front kick from Smith.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A thudding body kick lands there by Smith!
Smith closes the distance and lands a one-two.

Gracie is rocked!
A head kick from Smith lands but Gracie takes it in his stride.
Oh Gracie is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Smith and Gracie are patiently standing in front of each other looking for an opening. Smith throws a head kick. It's landed, knocking Gracie into next week! Ooooh that was huge! Smith knows it - he's on the cage flexing is biceps. That's a bit weird considering he won by kick but whatever.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Head Kick). Bruce Smith!