PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ceaser Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Valentin Hadjiev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Valentin Hadjiev is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Gracie
vs
Hadjiev

185 cm
31
180 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

187 cm
27
185 lbs
10 - 10 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Brawler
Fast

//buriedALIVE// Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ceaser Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Valentin Hadjiev!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, Hugh Johnson and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hadjiev's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Gracie connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Hadjiev scrambles back to his feet.

It looks like Valentin Hadjiev has been cut.

Gracie throws a left that rocks Hadjiev and follows with a right that sends him tumbling to the canvas! Gracie dives into side control, looking to finish! Can Hadjiev regain composure!

Hadjiev is rocked!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Gracie is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Hadjiev is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Hadjiev is still in real trouble! Can Gracie finish him?

Gracie is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Hadjiev has escaped the position, nice work there.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!

Gracie thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Hadjiev is trying to improve his position.

Gracie looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Gracie is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Hadjiev has escaped the position, nice work there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to 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!

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!
Hadjiev is trying to buck Gracie off.
Hadjiev seems to have recovered his senses.

Gracie tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Hadjiev throws a couple of strikes from the bottom.

Gracie thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hadjiev wants to get back to his feet but Gracie drags him back down.

Gracie is trying to get an arm triangle but Hadjiev is defending well.
Hadjiev is looking to reverse the position.

Gracie thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Hadjiev is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Hadjiev manages to work his way to half guard, despite Gracie's best efforts.
Hadjiev tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

Hadjiev manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Gracie keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.

Gracie breaks the clinch.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Hadjiev.
Hadjiev takes one on the chin but seems OK.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Gracie.

Hadjiev explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gracie tries to clinch but Hadjiev moves out of range.
Hadjiev closes the distance and clinches up with Gracie, looking for a takedown. Hadjiev pushes Gracie against the cage but Gracie circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Hadjiev showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gracie.
Hadjiev shoots in for a double leg but Gracie sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Ceaser Gracie has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Valentin Hadjiev.
Gracie misses with a double jab

and Hadjiev counters with a nice double leg into side control. Gracie won't be happy with that.
Gracie manages to get back to half guard.
Hadjiev lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Gracie looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Hadjiev slips a nice elbow through Gracie's hands, connecting with Gracie's forehead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is trying to stand.
Hadjiev lands with a punch from half guard.

Gracie looking for submissions off his back.
Hadjiev working over Gracie with some ground and pound. Gracie looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Nice strikes from Hadjiev there.

Gracie looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Gracie looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gracie is looking for a sweep. Hadjiev is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Gracie is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Netherlands Top Team that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
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. Hadjiev connects with a nice short shot to Gracie's temple.

Hadjiev is looking for a kimura here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hadjiev working over Gracie with some ground and pound. Gracie looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Hadjiev is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Gracie sees it coming and defends easily.

Gracie looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Hadjiev scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Hadjiev winds up and cracks Gracie with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Hadjiev seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Gracie avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hadjiev.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hadjiev thows a huge punch but Gracie dodges it nicely.

Gracie is defending against the submission attempts here by Hadjiev.
Hadjiev seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Gracie throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Hadjiev counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Gracie!

Hadjiev wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Gracie, who protects the arm well.
Gracie is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Hadjiev off and has taken his back!
Hadjiev is trying to break free.
Hadjiev is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Gracie is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Gracie keeps control of the position as Hadjiev tries to break free.

Gracie working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Gracie is working for the choke. It looks like he might have got it... has he...? Yes! Hadjiev is tapping out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Ceaser Gracie!
Ceaser Gracie seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.