PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Royce Gracier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jeet Bhatt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bhatt has chosen Indestructable as his entrance music. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Jeet Bhatt enters the cage!

Gracier
vs
Bhatt

153 cm
26
138 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

157 cm
25
147 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Determined

KAISER Nutrition (160!/220$)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Royce Gracier!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jeet Bhatt!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Hirohito Nitta and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracier avoids the head kick by Bhatt.
We've been informed that Bhatt has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Bhatt tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Bhatt takes the fight into the clinch.
Gracier lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Bhatt backwards.
Gracier misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Gracier gets through Bhatt's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Bhatt throws a knee to the head but misses.
Gracier works on Bhatt's body with a couple of short punches.
Gracier lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Bhatt backwards.

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

Bhatt clinches with his opponent.
Bhatt looking to throw knees to the head but Gracier is blocking nicely.
Gracier on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Gracier stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Gracier lands a right hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gracier misses with a short punch on the inside.
Gracier lands a body shot in the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Bhatt's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Gracier works on Bhatt's body with a couple of short punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Gracier.
A short right from Gracier.
A short uppercut from Gracier.
Bhatt is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Bhatt slowing the pace effectively.
A short right from Gracier.
Gracier on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Bhatt tries to work over Gracier's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Gracier's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Gracier.

Gracier closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Bhatt's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Bhatt blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Gracier lands with a short punch from the clinch.
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!

Gracier breaks the clinch.
Bhatt throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Gracier blocks a head kick by Bhatt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gracier gets a clinch.
Bhatt is looking to break free of the clinch but Gracier has double underhooks.
Bhatt is looking to break free of the clinch but Gracier has double underhooks.
A head punch on the inside from Gracier fails to land.
Gracier managing to block the knees to the body from Bhatt.
Gracier lands with a light punch inside.

Bhatt's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Bhatt misses with a body kick.

Bhatt has taken the fight to the clinch.
A short uppercut from Gracier.
Gracier pushes Bhatt back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Gracier scores with a shot to the side of Bhatt's head.

Gracier's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Gracier forces Bhatt back against the cage and clinches.
Gracier misses with the head strike.
Bhatt has a couple of punches blocked by Gracier.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gracier escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Bhatt closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Bhatt wants to break the clinch but can't.

Gracier breaks from the clinch.
Gracier tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Bhatt misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bhatt throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Bhatt tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Bhatt throws a sloppy head kick and Gracier moves out of range easily.
Bhatt misses with a head kick.
Bhatt throws a wild body kick that Gracier sees coming a mile off.
Bhatt connects with a solid leg kick.

Bhatt gets a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bhatt has had enough of the clinch but Gracier keeps him there for the moment.
Gracier tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Bhatt tries to break free but Gracier pushes him back against the cage.
Gracier struggles to land a body shot inside as Bhatt controls his hands.
Gracier is working Bhatt over against the cage.

Gracier's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Gracier instigates a clinch.

Bhatt breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Bhatt moves into the clinch successfully.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gracier misses with a hook from the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Bhatt's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Gracier escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Bhatt throws a series of punches but Gracier avoids them all with ease.
Bhatt misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gracier tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Royce Gracier dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Gracier clinches up with Bhatt and pushes him back against the cage.

Gracier escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Bhatt gets a clinch.

Gracier manages to break the clinch.

Bhatt gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Bhatt is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Royce Gracier has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Bhatt takes a shot to the head.

Gracier manages to break the clinch.
Bhatt lands a glancing blow to the side of Gracier's head.
Gracier walks into a stiff left hand from Bhatt.
Bhatt pushes Gracier away with a front kick.

Bhatt drives through and clinches with Gracier against the cage.

Gracier breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bhatt swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Gracier cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gracier clinches up against the cage.
Bhatt tries to work over Gracier's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short right from Gracier.
Bhatt blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Gracier can't find room to land a body shot as Bhatt controls the action.
Gracier throws a head punch that misses.
Bhatt wants to break free but Gracier has control.
Gracier tries to throw a body punch but Bhatt avoids it by throwing Gracier back against the cage.
Bhatt prevents a body shot from Gracier.

Gracier breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Gracier avoids a punch combination nicely.
Gracier is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Bhatt can do to turn this around?
Bhatt throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Gracier.

Gracier clinches with his opponent.
Gracier throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Bhatts head.
Gracier throws a punch but it's blocked by Bhatt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracier lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Bhatt takes a shot 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!
Gracier prevents Bhatt from breaking the clinch.
Gracier makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Gracier here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Gracier lands an uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Bhatt.

Gracier manages to break the clinch.

Gracier gets tackled into the cage by Bhatt. Bhatt maintains the clinch.
Gracier tries to throw a body punch but Bhatt avoids it by throwing Gracier back against the cage.
Bhatt tries a body shot but Gracier blocks it.
Gracier working aggressively here.
Gracier lands with a right to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Gracier.
Bhatt with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Gracier as Bhatt tries to tie him up.
Gracier scores with a shot to the side of Bhatt's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice right hand lands inside from Gracier.
Gracier makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Bhatt wants to stall.
Gracier lands a shoulder strike.
Gracier scores with a shot to the side of Bhatt's head.
A nice left hand lands by Gracier.
Gracier lands an uppercut.

Gracier pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Bhatt closes the distance and clinches.
Gracier tries to work over Bhatt's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Gracier has Bhatt pressed against the cage, preventing Bhatt from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

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

Bhatt gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Bhatt wants to break the clinch but can't.
Gracier lands a nice uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gracier lands a left hand that snaps the head of Bhatt backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gracier manages to break the clinch.
Bhatt misses with a few strikes there.
Jeet Bhatt is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bhatt attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Gracier is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Bhatt.
Bhatt misses with a head kick.
Bhatt lands with a slapping head kick.
Bhatt is breathing heavily.
Gracier wants to clinch.
Gracier avoids a kick to the body.

Bhatt clinches.
Gracier lands a nice uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Royce Gracier dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Gracier misses with a body shot.

Gracier tries to keep at a distance but Bhatt has taken the fight into the clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Gracier keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Bhatt's efforts to push away.
Gracier stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Gracier lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Bhatt backwards.
Gracier struggles to land a body shot inside as Bhatt controls his hands.
A nice right hand lands inside from Gracier.
Bhatt blocking some punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A nice left hand lands by Gracier.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Gracier creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Gracier makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Gracier lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Bhatt wants to get back to striking at distance but Gracier won't allow it.
Gracier scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracier lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Gracier scores with a shot to the side of Bhatt's head.
Gracier lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Bhatt backwards.
Gracier gets through Bhatt's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A nice right hand lands inside from Gracier.
A short left from Gracier.

Gracier escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Bhatt moves into range and clinches up with Gracier.
Gracier working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Gracier lands a hook to the side of the head.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Gracier as Bhatt tries to tie him up.
Gracier lands a left hand.
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!
Gracier lands an uppercut.

Gracier pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Bhatt throws a sloppy head kick and Gracier moves out of range easily.
Bhatt takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bhatt lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Bhatt lands a high kick!
Gracier swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Gracier drives through and clinches with Bhatt against the cage.
Gracier lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Bhatt landing knees to the head.
Bhatt's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Gracier lands a body punch in the clinch.
Gracier swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A body shot lands from Gracier.
Gracier lands an uppercut.
Gracier lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A right hook to the body lands for Gracier.
Gracier digs a right hand into Bhatt's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Bhatt's gas tank.
Gracier lands a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracier has Bhatt pressed against the cage, preventing Bhatt from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Gracier lands a nice uppercut.
Gracier lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Gracier lands a body punch.
Gracier lands with a right to the head.
Gracier lands a left hand.
Gracier works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Gracier is leaning against Bhatt and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Gracier gets through Bhatt's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

Gracier's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Bhatt throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Gracier is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Gracier fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Bhatt on the side of the head.
Bhatt swings away with a leg kick that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Bhatt.
Bhatt blocks a jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bhatt throws a head kick but Gracier moves out of range.

Gracier closes the distance and pushes Bhatt back into the cage.
Gracier works on Bhatt's body with a couple of short punches.

Gracier manages to break the clinch.
Bhatt misses with an attempted mid kick.

Gracier takes the fight into the clinch.
Gracier lands a hook to the side of the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gracier lands a right hand.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Gracier.
Jeet Bhatt has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A nice left hand lands by Gracier.

And that's the end of the fight!
Royce Gracier showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Gracier, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 30:27
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Royce Gracier!
Royce Gracier bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.