PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jack Rackham (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zelios Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Jack Rackham has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Rackham
vs
Gracie

182 cm
27
193 lbs
16 - 9 - 0

180 cm
36
201 lbs
16 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Red Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jack Rackham!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Zelios Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Robert Douchet and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rackham misses with a series of wild punches.
Rackham lands a right hook to the body.
Gracie with a lazy takedown attempt
and Rackham counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Gracie blocks a head kick by Rackham.
Gracie shoots for a double leg takedown but Rackham sprawls well. He's pushed Gracie's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Rackham has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Montreal Fighter's Gym in the buildup to the fight.
Rackham 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.
Rackham wants to clinch up but Gracie keeps it at a distance.
Rackham swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Rackham pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nice body punch from Rackham.
Rackham throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Gracie.
Gracie misses with a takedown
and Rackham counters with a head kick.
Jack Rackham has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zelios Gracie.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gracie looks for a takedown but Rackham sprawls well.
Gracie goes for a double leg but Rackham avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Rackham continues to drive forward.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie is trying to drag Rackham to the mat but Rackham just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Rackham misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Rackham lands a shoulder strike.
A short uppercut from Rackham.
Rackham lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Gracie works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Rackham is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Rackham looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Gracie is in close to Rackham's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Gracie drops back looking for a leg! Rackham is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Rackham manages to kick Gracie off! Gracie jumps back into Rackham's guard.
Gracie postures up in Rackham's guard and throws a big left but Rackham blocks it.
Gracie throws a big right hand that misses.
Gracie throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gracie drops back looking for a leg! Rackham is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Rackham manages to kick Gracie off! Gracie jumps back into Rackham's guard.
Gracie working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Rackham's head.
Rackham 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 drops back for a leg here. A bit of a high risk move... He's looking for a kneebar by the looks of things. Now both of them are looking for submissions. Gracie seems to have locked his on tight now - Rackham screams in pain and taps out furiously! It certainly was a high risk move but it's paid off for Gracie, as he picks up the win!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:54 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kneebar). Zelios Gracie!
Zelios Gracie is the new middleweight champion!