PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Solomon Gastador (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Luis Gracia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gracia has chosen Cucurucucu Paloma as his entrance music. The key to victory for Solomon Gastador has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Gastador
vs
Gracia

185 cm
20
215 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

225 cm
29
207 lbs
7 - 9 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Solomon Gastador!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Luis Gracia!
The judges for this bout are Francis DeMontford, Summer Carpenter and Ron Honeybunn.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gastador leaves Gracia with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Gracia has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Gracia keeps the fight on the outside.
Gracia thuds a left hand into Gastador's body.

Gracia 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.

Gracia gets to his feet. Gastador looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Gracia pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Gracia throws a series of punches but Gastador avoids them all with ease.
Gastador seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Gracia throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gracia. Gastador does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gracia throws a sloppy head kick and Gastador moves out of range easily.
Gastador is looking to counter the offense by Gracia and move into the clinch.
Gracia looks for a takedown but Gastador sprawls well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracia fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gastador manages to avoid it.
Gastador is looking to counter the offense by Gracia and move into the clinch.
Gracia throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Solomon Gastador is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gracia pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Gastador is looking to clinch.
Gracia is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Gastador takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Luis Gracia seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gastador tries to close the distance and clinch but Gracia swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Gracia tries to land a front kick but Gastador steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Gracia closes this distance looking for a takedown but Gastador circles away.
Gastador tries to counter by clinching up but Gracia breaks away and moves out of range.
Solomon Gastador has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luis Gracia.
Gracia looks to score with a jab to the body but Gastador is just out of range.
Gracia is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Gracia pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracia thows a left - swing and a miss!
Gracia tries a low kick but Gastador avoids it.
As Gracia tries to get set, Gastador tries to push him back and clinch up but Gracia manages to avoid the attempt.
Gastador wants to clinch up but Gracia keeps it at a distance.
Gracia throws a half hearted mid kick.
Gastador is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Gracia.
Gracia shoots in but Gastador avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Gastador on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Gracia swats away the attempt to clinch by Gastador.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Gracia.
Gastador swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gastador uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Gracia.
As Gracia tries to get set, Gastador tries to push him back and clinch up but Gracia manages to avoid the attempt.
Gastador tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Gracia manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Gracia throws a hook but Gastador avoids it easily.
Gastador is looking to counter the offense by Gracia and move into the clinch.
Gracia misses with a hook.
Gracia goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Gastador is looking to counter the offense by Gracia and move into the clinch.
Gracia pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Gastador tries to counter by clinching up but Gracia breaks away and moves out of range.
Gracia takes a swing at Gastador's ribcage but misses.
Gracia misses with a hook.
Gracia throws a leg kick but Gastador moved away.
Gastador is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Gracia.
Gastador tries to clinch up.
Gracia will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracia fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Gastador tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Gracia manages to circle out of the way.
Gracia keeps the fight on the outside.
Gracia drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Gastador defends it well.
A head kick by Gracia misses
and Gastador counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Gracia throws a head kick but Gastador moves out of range.
Gastador is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Gracia.
Gastador blocks a head kick by Gracia.
Gastador swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Gracia misses the shot to the body.
Gastador fails with an attempt to clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gracia fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Gastador tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gracia swats him away and circles back towards the center.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luis Gracia dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Gastador moves away from the strike by Gracia.
Gastador is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Gracia.
Gastador tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Gracia manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Gastador closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Gastador lands an elbow that stopped Gracia in his tracks for a moment.
Gastador pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Gastador tries to work over Gracia's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Gastador using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Gracia has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
A right hand to the body from Gastador.
Gracia wants to take the fight to the mat but Gastador manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Gracia has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Gastador lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A right hand to the body from Gastador.
Gracia avoids the elbow strike from Gastador, against the cage.
Gastador looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Gracia takes an elbow to the forehead.
Gracia is breathing heavily.
Gastador lands a nice elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gastador throws an elbow but it misses.
Gastador lands a nice elbow.
Gracia avoids the elbow strike from Gastador, against the cage.
Our sources have told us that Gastador has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.
Gastador creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Gastador swings wildly with an uppercut but Gracia uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gracia takes a knee to the side of the body.
Gastador lands an elbow that stopped Gracia in his tracks for a moment.
Gastador misses with a knee strike.
Nice elbow from Gastador.

It looks like Luis Gracia has been cut.
Gracia tries for a takedown but Gastador manages to get underhooks.
Gastador misses with an elbow over the top.
Gastador lands a damaging elbow.
Gracia blocks the elbow strike.
Gracia avoids the elbow strike from Gastador, against the cage.
Gastador throws an elbow but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracia has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Gastador after a bit of a struggle.
Solomon Gastador has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luis Gracia.
Gastador throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Gastador is working Gracia over against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gastador throws an elbow that misses.
Gracia takes a knee to the side of the body.
Gastador creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Gracia's defenses.
A short left from Gastador.
Gastador gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Gracia dodges an elbow strike from Gastador.
Nice elbow from Gastador.
Gastador lands an elbow inside that Gracia shrugs off.

Gracia is rocked!
Gastador lands a damaging elbow.
Gracia is still on wobbly legs! Can Gastador finish him?
Gastador pushes off an throws an elbow but Gracia leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Gastador misses with an elbow strike.
Gracia seems to have recovered his senses.
Gastador creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracia wants a takedown but no success here.
Gastador creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Gracia's defenses.
Gastador is leaning against Gracia and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Gastador misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Gracia tries to pull guard but Gastador forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Gastador misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Gastador misses with a knee strike.
Gastador creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Gracia's defenses.
Gastador lands a nice elbow.
Gracia blocks an elbow strike.
Gracia avoids the elbow strike from Gastador, against the cage.
Gastador lands a nice elbow.
Gastador throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Gracia blocks it with crossed arms.
Gracia takes an elbow to the temple.
Gastador lands an elbow inside that Gracia shrugs off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracia prevents a body shot from Gastador.
Gastador prevents the takedown attempt.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gracia changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Gastador fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Gracia looks to score with a jab to the body but Gastador is just out of range.
Gastador tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Gracia manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Gracia feints the counter takedown.
Gastador moves out of range of the body kick from Gracia.
Gracia throws a wild body kick that Gastador sees coming a mile off.
Gracia shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Gastador defends it nicely.
Gastador seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Gracia misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gastador tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Gracia manages to circle out of the way.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Solomon Gastador dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Luis Gracia's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Gastador blocks the body kick.
Gastador keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gastador wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Gracia misses with a leg kick
and Gastador connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Gracia throws a head kick that misses.
Gracia tries to land a body kick
and Gastador counters with a nice uppercut.
Gracia throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Gracia avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracia looks for a takedown but Gastador sprawls well.
As Gracia tries to get set, Gastador tries to push him back and clinch up but Gracia manages to avoid the attempt.
Gracia misses with a body kick.
Gastador tries to counter by clinching up but Gracia breaks away and moves out of range.
Gracia misses with a shot to the body
and Gastador counters with a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracia throws a body shot but no joy.
Gastador stuffs the takedown attempt from Gracia. Gracia gets slowly back to his feet.
Gastador is looking to counter the offense by Gracia and move into the clinch.
Gracia takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The fight stays on the outside here - Gastador looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Gracia changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Gastador ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Gastador tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Gracia manages to circle out of the way.
Gastador blocks a head kick by Gracia.
Gracia throws a big shot that misses.
A leg kick checked by Gastador.
Gastador wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Gastador tries to clinch but Gracia is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gastador takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Gastador tries to counter by clinching up but Gracia breaks away and moves out of range.
Gracia shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Gastador as he jumps to the side.
Gastador tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Gracia manages to circle out of the way.
Solomon Gastador has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luis Gracia.
Gastador fails with an attempt to clinch.
Gracia misses with a takedown attempt - Gastador sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Gastador tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Gracia manages to circle out of the way.
Gracia misses with a head kick.
Gracia tries a head kick but it misses.
Gastador fails with an attempt to clinch.
Gracia with the counter takedown but Gastador avoids it easily.
Nice sprawl there from Gastador as Gracia shoots in.
Gastador seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Gracia misses with a hook. Gastador ducked under it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gastador tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Gracia paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Gracia is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

Gracia gets a takedown into half guard.
Gastador tries to kick Gracia off but Gracia keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Gastador is refusing to be controlled, as Gracia sits in half guard.
Gastador is trying to stand back up but Gracia is controlling him
Gastador trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Gastador might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Gracia is looking for a kimura but Gastador is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Gracia to get the leverage.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Gracia lands a nice short elbow.

Gracia is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Gastador sees it coming and defends easily.
Gastador is trying to stand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gracia wants to work for an arm triangle but Gastador is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Gastador is trying to stand.
Gastador has hold of Gracia's hands but Gracia slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Gastador tries to kick Gracia off but Gracia keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Gracia looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Gracia missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Gracia has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Gastador looks like he's trying to stand up.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gracia looks for the body kick but Gastador saw that one coming.
Gastador tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Gracia manages to circle out of the way.
No joy there for Gracia, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Gastador wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Luis Gracia comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Gracia 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Francis DeMontford scores the fight 28:28
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 28:28
Judge Ron Honeybunn scores the fight 28:28

The fight is ruled a draw!