PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between John Equinox (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jeffson Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gracie is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Cliff Richard - Summer Holiday. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Equinox
vs
Gracie

172 cm
42
147 lbs
52 - 27 - 1

160 cm
38
155 lbs
30 - 22 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

//buriedALIVE// Fight Gear

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 52 - 27 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, John Equinox!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 22 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jeffson Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Seu Braga and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A jab from Gracie misses.

Gracie closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Gracie passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Equinox!
Equinox wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Gracie.
Gracie content just to control the position here.
Gracie has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Gracie wants to control the pace but Equinox is squirming around nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie wants to stand but Equinox is holding on to him, trying to stop him posturing up.
Poor strikes thrown by Gracie there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Gracie avoids the attempt from Equinox to control.
Gracie can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Equinox is looking to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gracie goes for an armbar but Equinox turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Equinox.

Gracie looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Equinox has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Equinox tries to stand but Gracie is controlling from the bottom.
Equinox stopping the sweep attempt from Gracie.
Gracie is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Equinox wants to get up but he can't break Gracie's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Equinox wants to control from the top but Gracie keeps moving.
Gracie lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
Equinox keeping full guard, as Gracie tries to pass.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gracie is looking to advance position but Equinox has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Equinox is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Gracie darts in looking for a takedown but Equinox gets double underhooks and turns Gracie into the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie misses with a punch to the body.
Equinox goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Gracie using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Equinox has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Equinox misses with a punch to the body.
Equinox misses with a punch on the inside.
Gracie tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Equinox just stands there and leans against the cage.
John Equinox has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jeffson Gracie.
Gracie blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Gracie wants to break free but Equinox has control.
Equinox tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Gracie scores a nice knee to the body.
Gracie blocks an uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Equinox misses with a punch on the inside.

Gracie's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Equinox takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

Gracie decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
My spies in The Warehouse inform me that Gracie has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gracie trying to mount his opponent but Equinox defends it.
Equinox wants to improve his position but Gracie is controlling well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Gracie fails in his attempt to clinch.
Jeffson Gracie is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Equinox lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Gracie looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Gracie throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Equinox counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Gracie looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Equinox is fending him off so far but Gracie persists. Nope, Equinox circles away and we're back to standing.
Equinox lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Equinox misses with a straight right.
Gracie shoots in looking for a takedown but Equinox manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Gracie's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Equinox closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Equinox swings wildly with an uppercut but Gracie uses good head movement to avoid it.
A short left from Equinox.

Gracie breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Gracie gets tackled into the cage by Equinox. Equinox maintains the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gracie decides to pull guard.
Equinox throws an elbow that misses. Gracie uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Equinox's guard. Nice move by Gracie!
Gracie throws a strike but Equinox rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Equinox wanted to stand there but Gracie had control of the position.
Equinox tries to free his leg and advance position but Gracie is retaining full guard.
Equinox trying to control the position from guard on top but Gracie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Equinox is looking to stand up but Gracie won't let him.
Equinox trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Equinox will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie seems keen to control Equinox's posture.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Equinox ducks under a wild hook from Gracie.
Equinox stuffs the takedown.
John Equinox has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jeffson Gracie.
Gracie throws a series of punches but Equinox avoids them all with ease.
A punch combination from Equinox misses.
Gracie fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Equinox avoids it really well and circles away.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Equinox enables Gracie to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Equinox manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gracie advances to half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Gracie in particular looking to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Equinox wants to control but Gracie is keeping busy.
Equinox tries to get to full guard but Gracie has control of the leg.
Gracie tries to pass to full mount but Equinox defends it.
Equinox controlling the position well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie misses with a head shot. Equinox uses the momentum to regain guard.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Equinox is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Equinox is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gracie sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Equinox's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that John Equinox will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Gracie changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Equinox tries to avoid it but Gracie manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Equinox to the ground. Equinox escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Equinox fails to land with a series of punches.
Gracie swings for the body but Equinox moves out of range.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Equinox as he avoids it easily.
Horrible takedown attempt by Gracie or perhaps it was just good defense by Equinox, which made it look bad.
John Equinox has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jeffson Gracie.
Gracie misses with a takedown attempt
and Equinox counters with a left to the body.
Gracie misses with a wild combination.
Gracie displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Equinox throws out the jab.
Gracie misses with a wild body shot.
Gracie fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Equinox throws a leg kick but Gracie sees it coming and moves out of range.
Gracie slips under a jab from Equinox.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Gracie scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

Equinox gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Gracie to score an easy takedown into full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gracie postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Gracie stands and throws Equinox's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Gracie wants to lay and pray for a moment but Equinox keeps working.
An elbow from Gracie crashes against the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Equinox is trying to get back to half guard.

Gracie working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Gracie trying to control the position but Equinox is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is trying to move to mount but Equinox reverses beautifully and ends up in Gracie's guard.
Equinox sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Gracie's guard.
Equinox tries to pass to full mount but Gracie defends it.
Gracie is looking for a sweep. Equinox is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Equinox decides to stand up.
Gracie shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Equinox pinned against the cage. Equinox gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Equinox lands a nice looking body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Equinox tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Gracie paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Gracie is trying hard to land a takedown here. Equinox sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Equinox lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Equinox throws a big shot that misses.
Gracie looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Equinox is fending him off so far but Gracie persists. Nope, Equinox circles away and we're back to standing.

Equinox moves into the clinch successfully.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Equinox tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Equinox.
Equinox lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Gracie backwards.
Gracie with a knee to the head.
Equinox misses with a hook from the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but John Equinox did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Some wild striking there from Gracie.
The fight stays on the outside here - Gracie looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Equinox tries to close the distance and clinch but Gracie swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Equinox throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Gracie sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Equinox throws a right and a left that both miss.
Gracie shoots in looking for a takedown but Equinox manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Gracie's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Decent striking displayed by Equinox there.
Equinox leaves Gracie with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
John Equinox has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jeffson Gracie.
Equinox connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Equinox fails in his attempt to clinch.
John Equinox is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gracie thuds a left hand into Equinox's body.
No luck for Gracie with that takedown attempt.
John Equinox is winning the standup battle so far.

Equinox gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Gracie wants to break free but Equinox has control.
Gracie blocks an uppercut.
Equinox throws a punch but it's blocked by Gracie.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Gracie.
Equinox fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Gracie tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Equinox avoids it.

Gracie turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Equinox tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Equinox struggling a bit here.
Equinox gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Gracie wants to stand but Equinox is holding on to him, trying to stop him posturing up.
Equinox tries to get back to half guard but can't.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gracie looking to control but Equinox is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Gracie throws some wild stikes that Equinox manages to avoid easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie lands with some strikes.
Equinox is squirming around, avoiding Gracie's attempts to control the action.
Gracie is looking to take Equinox's back but instead Equinox gets back to half guard. Nice work.
Gracie wants to pass the guard but Equinox is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

Equinox decides to stand back up.

Gracie clinches.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A head punch on the inside from Equinox fails to land.
Gracie blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Equinox misses with some punches.
Equinox tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Equinox struggles to land a body shot inside as Gracie controls his hands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Jeffson Gracie will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Gracie moves into the clinch.
Gracie tries to land a knee to the head but Equinox blocks with his arms.

Gracie has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Equinox clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Equinox trying to control the position but Gracie manages to sink in the hooks.
Gracie wants to control the position but Equinox frees himself and scrambles - Gracie manages to regain control in side control.
Gracie trying to control the action but Equinox is working from the bottom.
Gracie working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Equinox is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Equinox stops Gracie from passing to mount.
You can see the frustration on Equinox's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Gracie advances to full mount.
Gracie wants to stand but Equinox is holding on to him, trying to stop him posturing up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Equinox is working to get back to half guard.
Gracie controlling from mount.
Gracie throwing strikes here but Equinox is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Gracie landing strikes, looking to finish!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Equinox is wriggling around trying to escape.
Gracie tries to take his opponent's back but Equinox turns with him and manages to move into guard on the top. Nice work.
Equinox tries to free his leg and advance position but Gracie is retaining full guard.
Gracie looking for a sweep. Not yet Gracie, not yet.
Equinox tries to stand but Gracie is controlling from the bottom.

Equinox decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Equinox 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Equinox misses with a body punch
and Gracie counters with a stiff right hand.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown but Equinox shows good takedown defense.
Equinox keeps the fight on the outside.
Gracie lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Equinox tries to close the distance and clinch but Gracie swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Gracie changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Equinox looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gracie trying to control the action but Equinox is working from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Gracie thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jeffson Gracie comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Gracie has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Matheus Silva scores the fight 47:48
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 47:48
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 47:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jeffson Gracie!
Jeffson Gracie is the new featherweight champion!
A victorious Jeffson Gracie thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.