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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ricardo Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gary Player (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Player has chosen Jeezy - Foul Play as his entrance music. Man, I cannot wait for this one!
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| 175 cm
33
178 lbs
29 - 9 - 1 |
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178 cm
34
173 lbs
23 - 9 - 0 |
Great wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin |
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Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
29 - 9 - 1, fighting out of London, Ricardo Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
23 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Gary Player!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and .
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Player looks to land a body kick but Gracie moved away.
A low kick from Player misses
and Gracie counters with a single leg into guard. Player didn't expect that.
Player is controlling Gracie's posture.
We've been hearing that Gracie has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Gracie postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Gracie working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Gracie throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie lands a couple of elbows.
Gracie won't allow Player to sweep him here.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Player is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gracie pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Player is keeping the position for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Gracie working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Player looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gracie is one step ahead there.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Gracie misses with a lunging right hand
and Player moves into the clinch.
Player working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Gracie tries to work over Player's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A head punch on the inside from Player fails to land.
Gracie blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Gracie breaks the clinch.
Player ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gracie moves away.
Player avoids a kick to the body.
Player fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Gracie.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie scores with a crisp jab that stopped Player in his tracks.
Player lunges at Gracie with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Gracie's hand.
Player takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Player fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A leg kick checked by Gracie.
Gracie misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Player.
Player scoring well with a low kick there.
Player wants to land a leg kick but Gracie is out of range.
Player throws a lazy uppercut
and Gracie counters with a single leg into guard. Player didn't expect that.
Player keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.
Player 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 missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Gracie has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Player controlling the position.
Player wants to sweep here but Gracie controlling him for the moment.
Player preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Gracie postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Gracie forces his way into half guard.
Player holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Gracie throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Player to regain full guard.
Player wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Player is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Player takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Gracie trying to control but Player postures up.
Player thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Player working the head and body with strikes.
Gracie wants to control but Player is keeping busy.
Gracie is not content to let Player control the position.
Player thows a huge punch but Gracie dodges it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but I would say that Ricardo Gracie will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Gracie wants to land a leg kick but Player is out of range.
Gary Player seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Player connects with a crisp jab.
Player throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Gracie lands a high kick!
A looping hook to the body misses from Gracie. Player does a little dance to reset his feet.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gracie. Player does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gracie tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Gracie fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Player checks it well.
Gracie throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Player moves out of range of the body kick from Gracie.
Gracie has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Player.
Nice straight punches there by Player. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Player.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gracie. Player does a little dance to reset his feet.
Player wants to clinch.
Player doesn't manage to clinch there - Gracie circles away.
Gracie thows a left - swing and a miss!
That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Player.
Player lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Gracie at a distance.
Gracie connects with a jab.
Player thows a leg kick but Gracie checks it
and Gracie counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Player looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gracie is one step ahead there.
Gracie is looking to work some ground and pound but Player has wrist control.
Gracie in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Gracie throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Player works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Gracie tries to free his leg and advance position but Player is retaining full guard.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Player keeps moving.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Player looking for a sweep. Not yet Player, not yet.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Gary Player is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Player throws out a loose jab but Gracie uses good head movement to avoid it.
Player tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Player fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Nice body kick from Gracie.
Gary Player seems to be getting the better of the standup.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Player tries to clinch up but Gracie circles away and keeps his distance.
Player throws a jab but it's blocked by Gracie.
Gracie throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Player is looking to chop away at Gracie's legs.
Player throws a lazy right hand but Gracie sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Player lands a leg kick that knocks Gracie off balance momentarily.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Gracie looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Player blocks a head kick by Gracie.
Player looks to land a body kick but Gracie moved away.
Gracie scores with a head kick. Player tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Gracie checks the leg kick.
Player throws a leg kick but Gracie moved away.
Player throws a leg kick that misses.
Player misses with a straight right.
Player throws a leg kick but Gracie moved away.
Gracie drops his hands momentarily and Player takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Gracie throws the left hand but Player avoids the punch easily.
Player loads up on a big right hand but Gracie slips the punch.
Gracie takes a swing at Player's ribcage but misses.
A head kick misses from Player.
Gracie wants to land a leg kick but Player is out of range.
Gracie tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Player throws a hook but Gracie blocks it.
Player tries to close the distance and clinch but Gracie swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gracie uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Player.
Player tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gracie swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Player tries to land a body kick
and Gracie counters with a nice double leg into side control. Player won't be happy with that.
Gracie tries to move to mount but Player blocks the move with his legs.
Player tries to improve position but can't.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Player sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Gracie works his way into side control.
Gracie goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Player has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Gracie but great work by Player.
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 Ricardo Gracie will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Player is looking to land body kicks.
A left lands for Gracie.
Gracie lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
A nice leg kick lands there from Gracie.
Gracie's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Player connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Gracie scrambles back to his feet.
Gracie jabs at Player's body.
Player tries to score with a low kick but Gracie moves his leg out of the way.
Gracie ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Gracie blocks a head kick by Player.
A clash of legs there as Player blocks the low kick.
Player misses with a head kick.
Player throws a head kick that Gracie semi-blocks.
Gracie pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gracie keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Player.
Player throws a leg kick
and Gracie counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Player!
Player is looking for a sweep.
Both fighters take a look at the clock.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Gracie has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Player is trying to improve his position.
Player regains half guard, as Gracie was trying to land strikes.
Gracie is keen to just control but Player is a slippery customer.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Player manages to get to full guard.
Player utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Gracie accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Gracie pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Player is keeping the position for now.
Player utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Gracie accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Player tries a head kick but it misses.
Gracie keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gracie attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Gracie.
Gracie cracks a nice hook into Player's ribs.
A thudding body kick lands there by Gracie!
Gracie throws a leg kick that misses.
Gracie misses the shot to the body.
Gracie moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Gracie tries a head kick but it misses.
Gracie lands a leg kick that knocks Player off balance momentarily.
Gracie looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Gracie connects with a body shot that sends Player's belly button to the back.
Player wants to clinch.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good leg kick by Gracie there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Player ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Player lands with a nice body kick.
Gracie circles away from the clinch attempt.
Gracie defending well as Player loads up on a big left hand.
Gracie throws a low kick, looking for Player's leg but Player calmly moves out of range.
Gracie looks to land a left hand but Player moved out of range nicely.
Gracie is looking to wear down Player with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Player connects with a leg kick. Gracie looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Player tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Gracie is able to avoid easily.
A left lands for Player.
Gracie on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Player misses with a straight left.
Player ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Gracie is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Player.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Ricardo Gracie clearly takes that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Player is looking to slow Gracie down with leg kicks.
Player thows a left - swing and a miss!
A head kick misses from Player.
A chopping leg kick lands by Gracie.
Player 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 throws a big shot that misses.
Gracie wants to slow Player down by chopping away at his legs.
Gracie walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Gracie closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Player just misses with a punch to the body.
Gracie misses with a body shot
and Player counters by clinching up.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Player.
Gracie prevents a body shot from Player.
Gracie lands a body shot.
Gracie blocks an uppercut.
Gracie is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Gracie swings wildly with an uppercut but Player uses good head movement to avoid it.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie breaks from the clinch.
Gracie shoots in and gets a takedown into Player's guard.
Gracie tries to free his leg and advance position but Player is retaining full guard.
Player is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Player seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Gracie does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Ricardo Gracie overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Gracie has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Player is working away from the top position though.
Player throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie tries to roll over but Player keeps him under control.
Gracie makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Gracie.
Gracie is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Player is aware though and is defending well.
Player controls from within his opponent's guard.
Gracie not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Player wants to control from the top but Gracie keeps moving.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Player is working Gracie over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
A head kick by Gracie misses
and Player counters by moving into the clinch.
Gracie lands a body punch.
Player swings wildly with an uppercut but Gracie uses good head movement to avoid it.
Player stalling in the clinch but Gracie improves position.
Player blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Gracie.
Player working aggressively here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Player.
Player fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Player has Gracie pressed against the cage.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Player is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Player scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Gracie goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Gracie breaks from the clinch.
Gracie misses with a straight right.
Player throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Player throws a low kick but it's checked well by Gracie.
Gracie blocks a leg kick.
Gracie throws a hook but Player blocks it.
Player feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Gracie's calf.
Player throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Gracie takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
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 moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Gary Player dominated that fourth round.
That's time! Gracie's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!
Player misses with a right hand
and Gracie counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Player!
Gracie creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Player sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Gracie sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Player is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Gracie working away.
Gracie fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Player has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Player keeps Gracie under control for a moment.
Gracie controlling the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie working the body and head with strikes.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie in the domination position with Player hanging on.
Player dodges the ground and pound from Gracie.
Gracie laying and praying for a moment but Player takes advantage and regains half guard.
Gracie thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Player's head.
Gracie throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Gary Player has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Player makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Player.
Gracie tries to free his leg and advance position but Player is retaining full guard.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
A shot to the liver by Player. Beautiful body shot.
Gracie fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Player on the side of the head.
Player lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Gracie swings for the body but Player moves out of range.
Gracie looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Player avoids the body shot from Gracie.
Gracie takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Gracie chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Player can pounce on him.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Player misses with a jab to the body
and Gracie counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Gracie.
Player keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.
Player manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Gracie manages to get himself to full guard.
Player throwing strikes but missing.
Gracie being controlled here, momentarily.
Gracie utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Player works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Player is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Player looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Gracie with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Player throwing shots but Gracie is blocking nicely.
Gracie actively working from the bottom here.
Player thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gracie is trying to get back to full guard.
Gracie avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Player.
And that's the end of the fight!
Ricardo Gracie showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Gracie has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 47:48
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 49:46
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 49:46
In favor of your winner, by split decision... Ricardo Gracie!
During a confident post fight interview, Ricardo Gracie thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
50% |
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