PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Billy Joe Saunders (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Renato Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Renato Gracie is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Joe Saunders
vs
Gracie

178 cm
25
192 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

178 cm
25
197 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

Island Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Billy Joe Saunders!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Renato Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Peter Branson, Dirk Anderson and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie throws a body punch but Saunders moves out of range.
Gracie goes for a double leg but Saunders avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Saunders continues to drive forward.
Saunders has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Gracie after a bit of a struggle.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Gracie looking to stall.
Saunders is working for takedown but Gracie is calmly controlling the position for now.
Gracie tries to land knees in the clinch but Saunders avoids the damage to the body.
Saunders jumps guard but Gracie turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Billy Joe Saunders. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

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.

Gracie is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Gracie throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie is trying to keep Saunders in close.

Gracie working for a triangle but Saunders defends it easily.

Gracie is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Saunders defends well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Saunders wants to stand but Gracie is controlling the position.
Saunders knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Gracie on the ground.
Gracie pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Saunders is keeping the position for now.
Gracie advances position into side control!
Saunders is pushing Gracie's head away, looking to escape. Gracie manages to hold on to the position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gracie tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Gracie tries to move to mount but Saunders blocks the move with his legs.
Saunders is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

Gracie wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Saunders, who protects the arm well.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Saunders is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Gracie asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Saunders sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Gracie creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Saunders sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Gracie looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Saunders is avoiding damage well.
Gracie is looking to take a break and control but Saunders is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Renato Gracie dominated that round.
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.

Saunders shoots in looking for a takedown. Gracie tries to sprawl out of it but Saunders keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Gracie manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Gracie goes for a double leg but Saunders avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Saunders continues to drive forward.
Gracie will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Saunders up against the cage.

Saunders manages to break the clinch.

Gracie closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Gracie lands in his opponent's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saunders keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.
Gracie pushing down on Saunders's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie is trying to control. Saunders wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Renato Gracie has got the better of the ground game so far.

Gracie is looking for a kimura but Saunders is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Gracie to get the leverage.
Saunders is not content to let Gracie control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gracie passes the guard and advances to mount!

Gracie jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Saunders manages to avoid the submission attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saunders tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.

Gracie quickly switches position and commits to an armbar! It's a big risk for Gracie but it's paid off an Saunders is forced to tap! Nice work by Gracie.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:43 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Renato Gracie!