PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ricardo Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gary Player (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Player's choice of entrance music: Jeezy - Foul Play. Gary Player acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Gracie
vs
Player

175 cm
32
178 lbs
26 - 7 - 1

178 cm
33
173 lbs
20 - 7 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

KAISER

Heisenberg

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 7 - 1, fighting out of London, Ricardo Gracie!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Gary Player!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Player connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Gracie scrambles back to his feet.
Player moves out of range of the body kick.
Gracie avoids the head kick by Player.
Gracie fails with the takedown.
Gracie avoids the body shot from Player.
Player throws out a leg kick but Gracie moves out of range and Player only half commits.
Gracie throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Gracie comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
We've been hearing reports that Gracie has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Gracie blocks a low kick nicely.
Gracie avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Gracie looks to score with a jab to the body but Player is just out of range.
Player stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Player tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Gracie paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Player throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Player has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Gracie gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Player counters with an inside leg kick.
Gracie lands a high kick!
Gracie fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Player checks it well.
Gracie throws a sloppy head kick and Player moves out of range easily.
Gracie avoids the head kick by Player.
Gracie throws a low kick, looking for Player's leg but Player calmly moves out of range.
Player bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Gracie throws a solid leg kick but Player takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Gracie.
Player 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.

Player clinches with his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Player blocks a body shot from Gracie.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Gracie.
Player blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Gracie has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Player regains guard immediately.
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!
Player is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Player seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Gracie lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Player pulls Gracie in close to prevent any damage.
Gracie throwing strikes but missing.
Player wants to sweep but no luck.
Gracie not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Player manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Player prevents Gracie from getting the reversal.
Player punishing his opponent with strikes.
Player landing strikes, looking to finish!
The referee warns Gracie that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gracie is looking to improve his position but Player isn't that keen on the idea.
Player landing shots from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is wriggling around trying to escape.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Player cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Player can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Gracie is looking to escape.
Gracie can't escape the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Player in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Player lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Player with good strikes from the mount here!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gary Player dominated that round.
That's time! Gracie's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Player throws a lazy right hand but Gracie sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Gracie throws a wild body kick that Player sees coming a mile off.
Gracie connects with a body shot that sends Player's belly button to the back.
Player ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gracie moves away.
Gracie bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Jab, jab by Gracie - just one landing.
Gracie on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Gracie throws the kick towards the body but Player avoids it.
Player pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Player tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Gracie manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Player misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Player.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie throws a head kick that Player semi-blocks.
Player throws a low kick, looking for Gracie's leg but Gracie calmly moves out of range.
Player takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Gracie throws a right hand that misses
and Player counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Gracie throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Gracie circles away from the clinch attempt.
Gracie digs a good hook to Player's body.
Player uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Gracie.
Player keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Player moves into range and connects with a jab.
The fighters circle momentarily. Gracie darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie misses with a jab to the body
and Player counters with an inside leg kick.
Player takes one on the button.
Ricardo Gracie seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Player tries a head kick but it misses.
A cross from Player lands.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Player moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Player ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Gracie takes one on the button.
Gracie tried to score with a low kick but Player checks it.
Player buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Gracie digs a good hook to Player's body.
Player scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Player.
Player throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Gracie throws a leg kick but Player sees it coming and moves out of range.
A jab from Gracie misses.
Gracie scores with a body shot.
Gracie throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Gracie throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Player stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Player lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Gracie ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Player scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Player throws a series of strikes that have Gracie backpedaling.

It looks like Ricardo Gracie has been cut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gracie throws a lazy right hand but Player sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A slow jab from Gracie misses its intended target.
Player is looking to slow Gracie down with leg kicks.
Gracie looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Gracie goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Gracie thuds a left hand into Player's body.
Player throws a leg kick but Gracie sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Player throws a leg kick but Gracie sees it coming and moves out of range.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gracie fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Player.
Player finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Gracie throws a jab when Player was well out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gary Player showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ricardo Gracie's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Gracie gets off balance looking for a body kick
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Gracie fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Player checks it well.
Gracie misses with a straight right.
Player blocks a head kick by Gracie.
Gracie pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Player misses with a low kick as Gracie jumps back.
Gracie throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
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.
Player swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A clash of legs there as Player blocks the low kick.
Player avoids the body shot from Gracie.
Player throws a leg kick but Gracie moved away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Player was well out of range. Poor timing from Gracie.

Gracie fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Player to the ground. Gracie is now in Player's guard.
Player manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Player lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Gracie really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Player landing strikes, looking to finish!
Gracie is desperately trying to improve his position but Player has a good base and remains in mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Player landing punches.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Player working the ground and pound effectively.
Player working Gracie over with strikes here.
Player landing shots from mount.
Player looking to control but Gracie is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Player working the ground and pound effectively.
Player with the ground and pound from mount.
Player is in the full mount, landing strikes.

Gracie is rocked!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Player breaks from Gracie's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Oh Gracie is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Player lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Gracie taking shots to the head.
Gracie is working to get back to half guard.
Player connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Player can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Gracie is looking to escape.
Gracie seems to have got his legs back now.
Player landing punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Player takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Gracie is looking to improve his position but Player isn't that keen on the idea.
Gary Player has got the better of the ground game so far.
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 tries to lock up and control but Player gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Gracie really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Player has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Gracie is working hard here to advance position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gracie is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gary Player really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ricardo Gracie's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Gracie throws a leg kick that is checked

and Player counters with a flying knee that drops Gracie!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gracie looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Player puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Gracie wants to control but Player is keeping busy.
Gracie is trying to get back to full guard.
Gracie is not content to let Player control the position.
Player not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Player seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Gracie does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie trying to control from the bottom.
Player sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Gracie defending well though.
Player with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Player working over Gracie with some ground and pound. Gracie looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Player working over Gracie with some ground and pound. Gracie looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Gracie moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Player is looking to work some ground and pound but Gracie has wrist control.
Player works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie tries to get to full guard but Player has control of the leg.
Player thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Gracie's head.
Player is stalling here. Gracie is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Player seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Gracie has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Player struggling a bit here.
Gracie trying to control the position but Player is working away.
Gracie tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gracie working away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Player is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Player manages to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Player holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Player works his way to full guard. Good work.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Player keeps moving.
Player is pulling down on Gracie's head to control his posture.
Gracie throws a big elbow that misses.
Player wants to sweep but no luck.
Player keeps trying to improve his position.
Player is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Gracie throws a big elbow that misses.
Gracie is working Player over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Player working a defensive guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Player looking for a sweep. Not yet Player, not yet.
Gracie sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Gracie looking to pass the guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gracie scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Player is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Gracie throwing strikes from guard but Player blocks nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gracie is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Player trying to control the position.
Player is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gary Player dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Ricardo Gracie's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Gracie misses with a low kick.
Gracie is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Player moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Gracie loads up on a big right hand but Player slips the punch.
Gracie on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Player cracks Gracie with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Player misses with a hook to the body

and Gracie counters with a nice double leg into side control. Player won't be happy with that.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gracie working away.
Player is not content to let Gracie control the position.
Player is trying to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Player is still trying to improve position.
Player takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Player tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Player manages to work his way to half guard, despite Gracie's best efforts.
Gracie prevents Player from improving his position.
Gracie is nestled in close to Player, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Gracie seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Player trying to control from the bottom.
Ricardo Gracie has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Player won't allow Gracie to pass to mount.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Player is trying to maintain the position but Gracie is very close to passing his half guard.
Player wants to control the action here but instead Gracie manages to pass to full mount!
Player manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Player is looking to control Gracie's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Player avoid being mounted?
Gracie looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Gracie wants to control but Player is keeping him busy.
Player is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Gracie's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Gracie's back!
Player trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Gracie is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie breaks Player's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Gracie missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Player pulls Gracie in close to prevent any damage.
Gracie prevents Player from getting back to his feet.
Player wants to control the position but Gracie says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Player is doing well to control the position and prevent Gracie from advancing to side control.
Player is looking to improve his position.
Gracie passes to full mount!
Player wants to hold on but Gracie pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Player is looking to improve his position but Gracie isn't that keen on the idea.
Gracie lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Gracie is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Player can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Player is working to get back to half guard.
Gracie landing strikes from the mount and Player is in trouble!
Gracie lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Gracie pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Gracie throwing strikes here but Player is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Player sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gracie thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Player's head.
Gracie throwing shots but Player is blocking nicely.
Player trying to hold on to Gracie's head to control him but Gracie postures up.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Ricardo Gracie.
Well Player has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 46:49
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 46:49
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gary Player!
Gary Player is the new welterweight champion!
After the fight, Gary Player was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.