PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jeffson Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Equinox (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gracie kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Cliff Richard - Summer Holiday. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Gracie
vs
Equinox

160 cm
39
155 lbs
31 - 22 - 1

172 cm
43
147 lbs
52 - 28 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

MB Nutrition
VIRAL COMBAT

Dynamo Clothing
//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 31 - 22 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jeffson Gracie!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 52 - 28 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, John Equinox!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Matheus Silva and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A swing and a miss from Equinox.
Equinox throws a hook but Gracie blocks it.
Gracie has been working on his boxing with his coaches at The Warehouse in the buildup to the fight.
Gracie throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Equinox's waist but Equinox gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Gracie off to one side.
Gracie pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Equinox wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
A swing and a miss from Gracie.
Gracie scores with a punch to the head.

Equinox clinches.
Equinox misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Gracie blocking some punches.
Gracie tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Equinox avoids it.
A short uppercut from Equinox.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Equinox misses with the head strike.
Gracie misses with a body punch.
Equinox prevents Gracie from breaking the clinch.
Equinox lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Gracie jumps guard and drags Equinox to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Equinox stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gracie swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Gracie preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Gracie 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.

Gracie throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
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.

Equinox stands and steps away. Gracie gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Gracie tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Equinox swivels and escapes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
The fight stays on the outside here - Equinox looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Gracie throws a looping overhand right but Equinox ducks down to avoid it.
Nice takedown defense from Equinox. No joy for Gracie on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jeffson Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Equinox connects with a crisp jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gracie blocks a leg kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Gracie looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Equinox misses with a body shot
and Gracie counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Equinox cracks Gracie with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Equinox.

Gracie instigates a clinch.
Equinox swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Equinox fails to land.
Equinox misses with some punches.
Gracie tries to pull guard but Equinox forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Gracie pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Gracie misses with an uppercut. Equinox saw that one coming.
John Equinox is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Equinox attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Gracie takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A jab from Gracie misses.

Equinox has taken the fight to the clinch.
Gracie is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Equinox tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Gracie's elbow.
Equinox tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Equinox working aggressively here.
Equinox misses with a hook from the clinch.
Equinox 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.
Gracie misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Equinox.
Equinox lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Gracie blocks an uppercut.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gracie misses with a punch to the body.
Gracie swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Gracie tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Gracie misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Equinox.
Equinox avoiding damage as Gracie throws knees to the body.
Equinox misses with a punch on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Equinox dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Gracie misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Equinox scores with a sloppy right hand. Gracie should have avoided that one.
Gracie waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Equinox.
Equinox pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Equinox cracks Gracie with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Equinox misses with a head kick.
Equinox misses with an uppercut.
Gracie misses with a hook
and Equinox counters with a one-two to the body.
Equinox staying out of range there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Equinox stuffs the takedown attempt from Gracie. Gracie gets slowly back to his feet.
Equinox circles away from the clinch attempt

and Equinox counters by moving into the clinch.
Equinox misses with a short punch on the inside.
Gracie working hard to break the clinch.
Gracie has had enough of the clinch but Equinox keeps him there for the moment.
Equinox misses with a body punch.
Gracie is trying to pull guard but Equinox turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
A short right from Equinox on the inside.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Gracie creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Gracie can't break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Equinox has a couple of punches blocked by Gracie.
A head punch on the inside from Equinox fails to land.
Equinox misses with a punch to the body.
Gracie misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Equinox.
Equinox is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Gracie lands a nice elbow.
Gracie blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Equinox tries a body shot but Gracie blocks it.
Gracie lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Gracie tries to pull guard but Equinox holds him up against the cage and eventually Gracie drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jeffson Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gracie working aggressively here.
Equinox throws a head punch that misses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gracie tries a knee to the head but Equinox blocks it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Gracie.
Equinox lands with a light punch inside.
Equinox scores with a shot to the side of Gracie's head.
John Equinox seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Equinox lands a body punch in the clinch.
Equinox has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

Gracie breaks the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
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 tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Gracie paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Gracie ducks under a wild hook from Equinox.
Gracie stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Equinox throws a hook to the side of Gracie's head but Gracie sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Gracie throws a right hand that misses
enabling Equinox to counter with a crisp jab.
John Equinox seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Equinox lands a jab to the nose.
Gracie takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Equinox.
Gracie darts in looking for a takedown but Equinox gets double underhooks and turns Gracie into the cage.
Gracie tries to circle away but Equinox has him pinned against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Gracie.
Equinox blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Equinox misses with a body punch.
Equinox misses with some punches.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Equinox lands with a short shot to the head.
A short uppercut from Equinox.

Gracie breaks from the clinch.
Equinox tries to clinch there but Gracie circles away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gracie with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Equinox to score with a decent uppercut.
Equinox on the wrong end of a nice jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Equinox showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action!

Equinox loads up on a big right hand but Gracie slips the punch.
Equinox moves in looking to clinch but Gracie pushes him off.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown but Equinox shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
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.
Equinox throws a half hearted mid kick.
Gracie is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Equinox.
Equinox thows a left - swing and a miss!
Equinox lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

That's one minute gone in the round.
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 slips a jab from Equinox.
Equinox misses with an uppercut.
Gracie ducks under a wild hook from Equinox.
Equinox stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Equinox wants it to stay on the feet.
Equinox clobbers Gracie with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

Equinox clinches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Gracie.
Equinox lands with a light punch inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A nice left hand lands by Equinox.
Gracie is looking to break free of the clinch but Equinox has double underhooks.
Gracie trying to land knees to the body.
Gracie doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Gracie scores with a knee to the head.
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 a knee to the head but he's missed.
Equinox swings wildly with an uppercut but Gracie uses good head movement to avoid it.
Equinox fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Gracie tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Equinox works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Gracie blocks an uppercut.
Equinox gets through Gracie's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Equinox creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Equinox lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Gracie backwards.
Gracie creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Equinox.

Gracie's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Equinox lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
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.
Gracie moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

Equinox rushes Gracie and presses him up against the cage.
Equinox misses with a body punch.
A short uppercut from Equinox.
Gracie tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Equinox lands with a right to the head.
Equinox lands a left hand that snaps the head of Gracie backwards.
Gracie tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jeffson Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gracie is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Equinox is defending well.
Equinox on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Gracie ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Gracie no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Equinox stands and throws Gracie's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Equinox decides to stand back up.
Equinox lands a nice hook to Gracie's body. Gracie takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Gracie shoots in looking for a takedown. Equinox tries to sprawl out of it but Gracie keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Equinox manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Equinox lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Equinox throws a nice looking combination but Gracie bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Gracie dives in for a single leg takedown but Equinox sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Equinox really dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Equinox changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

Gracie gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Equinox fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Gracie takes a shot to the head.

Gracie ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Gracie no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Equinox trying to stand up but can't free himself from Gracie's guard.
Gracie looking to hit a scissor sweep but Equinox is one step ahead there.
Equinox postures up.
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.
Equinox must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Equinox forces his way into half guard.
Gracie is not content to let Equinox control the position.
Gracie might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Equinox passes the guard and advances to mount!
Equinox wants to control the pace but Gracie is squirming around nicely.

Equinox is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Equinox has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Equinox misses with a double jab.
Equinox fails in his attempt to clinch.
Equinox steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gracie.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Equinox instigates a clinch.
Equinox keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Gracie's efforts to push away.
Equinox misses with a punch on the inside.
Still in the clinch, Gracie scores with a nice short uppercut.

Gracie jumps guard.
Equinox pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gracie is keeping the position for now.
Gracie looking to control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gracie wants to sweep here but Equinox controlling him for the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Equinox stands up and waves to Gracie to follow him.
A jab from Gracie misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie throws a hook but Equinox avoids it easily.
Equinox lands a jab-cross combination.
Equinox tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Gracie paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Equinox is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Equinox misses with a body shot.
Gracie takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Equinox wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie throws a body shot but no joy.
Gracie on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Gracie keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Equinox.
Gracie throws an off balance right hand
and Equinox counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Equinox misses with a head kick.
Equinox tries to clinch but Gracie is having none of it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gracie throws an overhand right that lands on Equinox's shoulder, as Equinox tries to avoid the shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Equinox dominated that fourth round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Good standup being displayed there by Equinox as he connects with a hook.
Equinox connects with a crisp jab.
Equinox displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Gracie throws out the jab.
Nice defenses there by Equinox.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Gracie is defended easily by Equinox.
Gracie tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gracie moves into the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Gracie.
Gracie tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Equinox just stands there and leans against the cage.

Gracie breaks from the clinch.
Equinox tries to clinch there but Gracie circles away.
Gracie keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Equinox moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Equinox misses with a jab, cross combination.
Equinox pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Jeffson Gracie has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
John Equinox is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gracie feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Equinox tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Gracie drops back, looking for a kneebar! Equinox looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Equinox looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Equinox!
John Equinox has got the better of the ground game so far.
Gracie struggling a bit here.

Equinox stands up and beckons Gracie to his feet.

Gracie tries to keep at a distance but Equinox has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Equinox lands a hook to the side of the head.
Equinox misses with a punch on the inside.
Equinox throws a head punch that misses.
Equinox throws a punch but it's blocked by Gracie.
Gracie blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Gracie unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Equinox lands a nice uppercut.
Equinox lands with a right to the head.
Equinox scores with a shoulder strike.
A short left from Equinox.
Equinox lands a hook that snaps the head of Gracie backwards.
Equinox presses Gracie against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Gracie tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gracie blocks an uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Equinox fails to land.
Equinox scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gracie pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Gracie is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
A decent looking cross lands there for Equinox.
Equinox digs a good body shot into Gracie's ribs.
Gracie misses with a lunging right hand
and Equinox counters with a nice uppercut.
Equinox misses with a jab, cross combination.
Gracie shoots in for a double leg but Equinox sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jeffson Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Equinox has closed the distance and engaged Gracie in a clinch.
Gracie throws a knee to the head but misses.
Equinox trying to stall but Gracie improves his position.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Equinox comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Equinox 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 Seu Braga scores the fight 45:50
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 45:50
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Equinox!
John Equinox is the new featherweight champion!
After winning the bout, John Equinox thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.