PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Riza Rakija (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thiago Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rakija comes to the ring accompanied by Rakija. Gracie is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by 9pm (Till I Come). Thiago Gracie has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Riza Rakija's chin.

Rakija
vs
Gracie

174 cm
23
167 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

172 cm
22
165 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

KAISER Nutrition - Q160/$250
Big Bear Nutrition 160Q

V-Mask Clothing (10%)
GREEN!160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Riza Rakija!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Thiago Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Albert Achterberg and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A head kick misses from Rakija.
Gracie misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rakija.
Rakija connects with an inside leg kick.

Gracie shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Gracie was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Gracie in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
The strikes coming from Gracie are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Rakija dodges the ground and pound from Gracie.
Rakija regains half guard, as Gracie was trying to land strikes.
Gracie is trying to control the action in half guard but Rakija is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rakija tries to get to full guard but Gracie has control of the leg.
Gracie throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Rakija controlling the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rakija is trying to get back to full guard.
Rakija has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Gracie is working away from the top position though.
Rakija tries to get to full guard but Gracie has control of the leg.
Rakija is staying active underneath Gracie, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Gracie connects with a nice short shot to Rakija's temple.
Gracie scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Gracie is keen to just control but Rakija is a slippery customer.

Gracie is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Rakija defends it well.
Rakija manages to get to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rakija not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Gracie advances to half guard.
Gracie not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Gracie is looking to advance position but Rakija won't allow it.
Rakija regains full guard. Nicely done.
Rakija is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Gracie trying to control but Rakija is working from the bottom.
Gracie is looking to work some ground and pound but Rakija has wrist control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rakija working for a triangle but Gracie defends it easily.
Gracie is looking to work some ground and pound but Rakija has wrist control.

Rakija has his foot on Gracie's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Gracie works his way back into a safe position though.
Gracie makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Gracie controlling from the top position.
Gracie looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Rakija has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Gracie can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Gracie passes easily into side control. Nice work.

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!
Rakija is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Gracie wants to control but Rakija is keeping him busy.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gracie works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Rakija has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Gracie working the ground and pound.

Rakija is rocked!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thiago Gracie dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Rakija takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Gracie tries to move into range but Rakija moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Gracie throws a right and a left that Rakija avoids nicely.
Rakija lands with a kick to the ribs.
Rakija connects with an inside leg kick.
Gracie has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Gracie.
Gracie working the ground and pound.
Oh Rakija is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Gracie working away.
Rakija seems to have got his legs back now.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Gracie looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Rakija is avoiding damage well.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gracie works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Rakija is trying to get back to half guard.
Gracie lands a decent elbow from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big shot lands for Gracie! That's hurt Rakija! Will he recover? Gracie fires away with more strikes and the referee has to step in to stop the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:19 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Thiago Gracie!
An out of breath Thiago Gracie thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.