PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Maksymilian Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Davy Bauwens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gracie comes to the cage accompanied by Nneka - Heartbeat. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Gracie
vs
Bauwens

194 cm
21
213 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

188 cm
21
210 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Arcticus University: London

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Maksymilian Gracie!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Davy Bauwens!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bauwens throws a shot from downtown. Gracie moves away and avoids it.
Gracie shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Bauwens pinned against the cage. Bauwens gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Bauwens looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Bauwens stuffs the takedown.
Bauwens lands a jab to the nose.
Gracie with a lazy takedown attempt
and Bauwens counters with a straight right hand.

It looks like Maksymilian Gracie has been cut.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maksymilian Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gracie swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Bauwens counters with a nice uppercut.
Gracie wants to clinch but Bauwens slips to the side
and Bauwens connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Bauwens sprawls well. Bauwens wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Gracie gets slowly back to his feet.
Bauwens looks like he wants to counter punch here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Danga de danga de dang - Bauwens scores with a four punch combination!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gracie misses with a looping left.
Bauwens unleashes a big counter combination but Gracie bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Bauwens blocks a jab.
Bauwens looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Gracie moves to clinch but Bauwens breaks away
and Bauwens counters with a nice uppercut.
Bauwens defending well as Gracie loads up on a big left hand.
Gracie fails to land the takedown.
Gracie misses with an attempted mid kick.
Gracie misses the body punch
and Bauwens counters with a nice uppercut.
Gracie throws a jab but it's blocked by Bauwens.
Bauwens uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Gracie.
Gracie throws a body kick that misses
and Bauwens counters with a right hand to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie tries to clinch there but Bauwens circles away.
Gracie misses the body punch
and Bauwens counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Gracie tries for a takedown but Bauwens circles away easily
and Bauwens counters with a straight right hand.
Both fighters circling a little - Gracie finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
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!
Bauwens darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Gracie tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Bauwens connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Gracie with a poor takedown
and Bauwens counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Gracie tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Bauwens counters with a straight right hand.
Gracie shoots in looking for a takedown. Bauwens tries to sprawl out of it but Gracie keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Bauwens manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie misses with a hook to the body
enabling Bauwens to counter with a crisp jab.
Gracie misses the jab.
Bauwens is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Gracie had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Gracie tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Bauwens manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A little jabbing left from Bauwens on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Gracie thows a left - swing and a miss!
Gracie looks to clinch
letting Bauwens counter with a right hand.
Bauwens lands a jab to the nose.
Gracie misses with an uppercut
and Bauwens counters with a nice uppercut.
Davy Bauwens is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bauwens lands a glancing blow to the side of Gracie's head.
Bauwens misses with a body shot

so Gracie counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gracie is looking to pass into half guard but Bauwens pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Bauwens is in guard.

Bauwens avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Gracie throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gracie is looking for a triangle but Bauwens pushes his legs off easily.

Gracie is looking for a triangle but Bauwens pushes his legs off easily.
Bauwens content to stall in guard here.
Bauwens preventing the sweep.

Gracie working for a triangle but Bauwens defends it easily.

Bauwens got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gracie has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Bauwens has managed to get both his arms back between Gracie's legs - danger averted.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Davy Bauwens dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Maksymilian Gracie's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Bauwens loads up on a big right hand but Gracie slips the punch.
Bauwens is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Gracie.
Bauwens slaps away a takedown attempt from Gracie, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Bauwens looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown but Bauwens shows good takedown defense.
Bauwens swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Gracie on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

Gracie closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Bauwens's guard.
Bauwens keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.
Bauwens pulls Gracie in close to prevent any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gracie drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Bauwens manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Gracie has Bauwens in his guard.

Gracie throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Bauwens escapes and throws Gracie's legs to the side, diving into side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie is looking to reverse the position.
Bauwens remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Gracie is trying to improve his position.
Bauwens is working Gracie over with some ground and pound from side control.
Gracie tries to bench press Bauwens off him but Bauwens keeps the position.
Gracie is working hard here to advance position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Gracie can't do much from the bottom here.
Gracie tries to improve position but can't.
Gracie regains half guard.
Gracie moves into full guard.
Bauwens's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Gracie throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Bauwens escapes and throws Gracie's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Gracie tries to buck Bauwens off but Bauwens is having none of it.
Bauwens is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Gracie is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bauwens happy to just control the position for now.
Gracie tries to improve position but can't.
Gracie sneaks back into half guard.

Gracie looking for submissions off his back.
Gracie is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Gracie wants to sweep but Bauwens has passed to side control!
Bauwens wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gracie keeps working.
Gracie tries to improve position but can't.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gracie is trying to control Bauwens's posture but Bauwens avoids it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gracie tries to bench press Bauwens off him but Bauwens keeps the position.
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 Maksymilian Gracie will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Maksymilian Gracie's cut.
That's time! Gracie's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Gracie ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Gracie misses with a takedown
and Bauwens counters with a stiff right hand.
Gracie with a poor takedown
and Bauwens counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Gracie throws a sloppy body shot
and Bauwens counters with a nice uppercut.
Gracie throws a right hand that misses
and Bauwens counters with a straight right hand.
Bauwens connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Gracie's hands.
Gracie fails with the takedown
and Bauwens counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maksymilian Gracie. 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.
Bauwens throws a jab but it's blocked by Gracie.
Gracie fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Bauwens avoids it really well and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie throws a hook to the side of Bauwens's head but Bauwens sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Decent striking displayed by Bauwens there.
Bauwens throws a right hand that Gracie ducks under and follows up with a left that Gracie also avoids with ease.
Bauwens connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Bauwens throws an overhand right that lands on Gracie's shoulder, as Gracie tries to avoid the shot.
Gracie throws an off balance right hand
and Bauwens counters with a stiff right hand.
Gracie throws a right hand that misses
and Bauwens counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Gracie looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

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.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Bauwens keeps moving.
Bauwens is trying to control the position but Gracie postures up.
Gracie advances to half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bauwens wants to improve his position but Gracie is controlling well.
Bauwens felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bauwens pushes Gracie off looking to stand but Gracie dives back in and keeps control.
Gracie is trying to control. Bauwens wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Gracie is working for a kimura but Bauwens is defending it quite comfortably.
Gracie seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Bauwens does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Bauwens is trying to stand up here but Gracie is controlling him well.
Maksymilian Gracie overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Gracie is looking for a kimura but Bauwens is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Gracie to get the leverage.
Gracie trying to control the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bauwens is refusing to be controlled, as Gracie sits in half guard.

Gracie wants to work for an arm triangle but Bauwens is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Gracie controlling the pace.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Gracie throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Gracie closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gracie is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Bauwens!
Gracie controlling from mount.
Bauwens is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gracie jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Bauwens is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Bauwens and Gracie has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Gracie misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Bauwens is looking to reverse the position.
Gracie wants to control but Bauwens is keeping him busy.

Gracie is trying to get an arm triangle but Bauwens is defending well.
Gracie in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Bauwens isn't going anywhere.
Gracie wants to control but Bauwens is keeping him busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Davy Bauwens really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Maksymilian Gracie's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Gracie tries for a takedown but Bauwens circles away easily
and Bauwens counters with a straight right hand.
Maksymilian Gracie seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gracie loads up on a big right hand but Bauwens slips the punch.
Gracie has his takedown stuffed
and Bauwens counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Gracie shoots in for a takedown but Bauwens shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maksymilian Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gracie tries for a takedown but Bauwens circles away easily
and Bauwens counters with a lovely straight right hand!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bauwens throws a big shot that misses.
Bauwens has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Bauwens uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Gracie.
No joy there for Gracie, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Bauwens throws out a counter right but Gracie avoids it with no problem.
Bauwens defending well as Gracie loads up on a big left hand.
Bauwens throws out a counter right but Gracie avoids it with no problem.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie sizes up Bauwens with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Gracie swings for the body but Bauwens moves out of range.
Gracie tries to land a body kick
letting Bauwens counter with a right hand.

Gracie rushes Bauwens and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Bauwens lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Bauwens misses with a punch on the inside.
Bauwens working aggressively here.

Gracie pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Bauwens connects with a nice looking jab.
Gracie tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bauwens was well out of range. Poor timing from Gracie.
Gracie misses with a hook
letting Bauwens counter with a right hand.
Bauwens moves out of range as Gracie strikes.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Bauwens! But no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bauwens throws a jab but it's blocked by Gracie.
Gracie connects with a nice looking jab.
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 lunges at Bauwens with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Bauwens's hand.
Bauwens throws a hook but Gracie blocks it.
Gracie misses with a lunging right hand
letting Bauwens counter with a right hand.
Gracie defending well as Bauwens loads up on a big left hand.
Gracie ducks under a wild hook from Bauwens.
Bauwens uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Gracie.
Bauwens throws a big shot that misses.
Gracie tries to counter with a takedown but Bauwens is quick to defend against it.
Gracie closes the distance looking to clinch
letting Bauwens counter with a right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bauwens on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Gracie moves out of range as Bauwens strikes.
Gracie is looking to counter the offense by Bauwens and move into the clinch.
Gracie has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Bauwens finds it's way round the side to connect with Gracie's head.

Gracie shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Bauwens is trying to maintain the position but Gracie is very close to passing his half guard.
Gracie is looking to take a break and control but Bauwens is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Gracie trying to control the pace.
Gracie is pressing down on Bauwens's thigh, looking to free his foot. Bauwens is holding on for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bauwens trying to control from the bottom.
Gracie tries to pass to full mount but Bauwens defends it.
Bauwens is not content to let Gracie control the position.
Gracie tries to pass to full mount but Bauwens defends it.
Gracie is thwarting Bauwens's attempts to control the position.
Gracie is trying to control. Bauwens wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Davy Bauwens will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Maksymilian Gracie's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Gracie shoots in but no luck this time.
A nice side step and Bauwens releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Davy Bauwens seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Gracie throws a right and a left that Bauwens avoids nicely.
Bauwens misses with a jab, cross combination.

Gracie scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Gracie moves into full mount! Bauwens won't be happy about that!
Bauwens wants to hold on but Gracie pushes him away.
Gracie wants to control the pace but Bauwens is squirming around nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gracie goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Bauwens turns into him and now he's in Gracie's guard.
Gracie tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bauwens stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Gracie shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Bauwens manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Bauwens is adopting a defensive guard.
Bauwens looking for a sweep. Not yet Bauwens, not yet.
Gracie content to stall in guard here.
Gracie trying to control but Bauwens is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie looking to sit in guard and control but Bauwens gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Gracie looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Gracie controls Bauwens momentarily but Bauwens frees himself.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Gracie shoots in but Bauwens avoids the takedown attempt easily.
A big left from Bauwens misses.
It looked like Gracie wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Gracie wants to clinch
and Bauwens counters with a straight right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie throws an overhand right that lands on Bauwens's shoulder, as Bauwens tries to avoid the shot.
Gracie misses with a wild combination.
Bauwens throws out a counter right but Gracie avoids it with no problem.
Bauwens throws a jab when Gracie was well out of range.
An attempted straight right counter from Gracie misses the target.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Bauwens as he avoids it easily.
Davy Bauwens is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maksymilian Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gracie throws a poor cross that misses
and Gracie takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Bauwens just misses with a punch to the body.
Gracie tries to counter with a takedown but Bauwens is quick to defend against it.
Gracie looks to clinch
and Bauwens counters with a nice uppercut.
Gracie tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Bauwens paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown but Bauwens shows good takedown defense.

Gracie gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is trying to pull guard but Bauwens has him pressed against the cage.
Bauwens throws a head punch that misses.
Gracie jumps guard but Bauwens stands there with Gracie around his waist. Gracie gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Maksymilian Gracie.
I think Bauwens has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 48:47
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 48:48
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 46:50

The fight is ruled a draw!
Maksymilian Gracie retains his title. It's always disappointing when a championship fight ends as a draw but that's what happens when you leave the fight in the judges hands!