PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rickson Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Casey Bowman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bowman comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Thousand foot krutch - War of change kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Gracie
vs
Bowman

180 cm
25
191 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

180 cm
26
196 lbs
7 - 7 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Victory! Sports Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Rickson Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Casey Bowman!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Colin Fray and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bowman stuffs the takedown.
Bowman tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gracie swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Gracie closes this distance looking for a takedown but Bowman circles away.
Gracie tries for a takedown but Bowman circles away easily
and Bowman connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rickson Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gracie looks for a takedown but Bowman sprawls well.
Bowman swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Gracie fails to land the takedown.

Gracie gets caught napping as Bowman dives in and scores a takedown. Gracie manages to retain guard.

Gracie is working an open guard so Bowman takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bowman fails with a takedown attempt.

Gracie is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Bowman's half guard.
Bowman is trying to escape back to his feet but Gracie uses the scramble to pass into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gracie thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Gracie wants to control but Bowman is keeping him busy.
Bowman manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Gracie has a closed guard, preventing Bowman from standing up.

Gracie had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Bowman defends it easily.
Gracie seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Gracie is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Bowman wants to get up but he can't break Gracie's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Gracie looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gracie looking for a sweep. Not yet Gracie, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gracie throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Gracie is working an open guard so Bowman takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Nice takedown defense from Bowman. No joy for Gracie on that attempt.
Gracie shoots in looking for a takedown. Bowman tries to sprawl out of it but Gracie keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Bowman manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Bowman with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Gracie leaves Bowman with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Bowman as he avoids it easily.
Bowman tries to close the distance and clinch but Gracie swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Gracie attempts a counter takedown but Bowman avoids it well and moves away.
Bowman throws a head kick but Gracie moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Gracie.
Gracie shoots for a takedown but Bowman saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Bowman stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Bowman wants it to stay on the feet.
Gracie swats away the attempt to clinch by Bowman.
Bowman tries to close the distance and clinch but Gracie swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Bowman tries to close the distance and clinch but Gracie swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Gracie drops down looking for a counter takedown but Bowman sprawls and moves away.
Gracie has a takedown stuffed.
Gracie dives in for a single leg takedown but Bowman sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Bowman shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Bowman showed some decent athleticism there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Bowman stands up out of the half guard.

Bowman drives through and clinches with Gracie against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Casey Bowman dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Gracie shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Bowman counters with a big head kick but Gracie shrugs it off.
Bowman tries to clinch but Gracie moves out of range.
Gracie with a poor takedown
and Bowman counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Rickson Gracie seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Bowman darts in and clinches Gracie up against the cage.

Bowman manages to break the clinch.
Casey Bowman seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Bowman misses with a body kick.
Bowman dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Bowman throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Gracie.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bowman gets back to half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Bowman is trying to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bowman flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Bowman wants to control but Gracie is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Bowman wants to get back to full guard.
Casey Bowman has got the better of the ground game so far.
Bowman controlling the position well.
Gracie missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Gracie wants to lay and pray for a moment but Bowman keeps working.
Ground and pound from Gracie.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Gracie throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Bowman trying to hold on to Gracie's head to control him but Gracie postures up.
Bowman looks like he's trying to stand up.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Gracie seems to be looking for submissions.
Bowman trying to control here.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Gracie shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Bowman counters with a three punch combo that has Gracie backing up. Gracie nods at Bowman to acknowledge the strikes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rickson Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie shoots for a double leg takedown but Bowman sprawls well. He's pushed Gracie's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Gracie tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Bowman swivels and escapes.
Bowman throws a combination. Gracie tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Bowman goes for a double leg but Gracie avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Gracie continues to drive forward.
Bowman cracks Gracie with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Gracie fails with a takedown attempt.

Gracie shoots in and gets a takedown into Bowman's guard.
Bowman has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at SP ICON gym hilo . Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Gracie trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Bowman is trying to keep Gracie in close.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie pushes down on Bowman's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Gracie is trying to control the action in half guard but Bowman is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Gracie tries to pass the half guard into mount. Bowman knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Bowman is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Gracie is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Bowman has managed to free his arm - good work.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bowman is not content to let Gracie control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Casey Bowman showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Bowman misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bowman wants to clinch up but Gracie keeps it at a distance.
Gracie will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
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.
Gracie takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Gracie doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Bowman counters with a straight right hand.
Horrible takedown attempt by Gracie or perhaps it was just good defense by Bowman, which made it look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rickson Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gracie shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Bowman counters with a series of strikes. Gracie will be more careful next time no doubt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie shoots in and drives through. Bowman sprawls well.
Gracie closes the distance and clinches up with Bowman, looking for a takedown. Gracie pushes Bowman against the cage but Bowman circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Bowman moves into the clinch successfully.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bowman misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Bowman wants to get back to striking at distance but Gracie won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie tries for a takedown. No joy.

Bowman breaks from the clinch.
Bowman bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Gracie's head backwards.
Gracie swats away the attempt to clinch by Bowman.
Bowman dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Gracie. That did some damage!
Bowman has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Bowman tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Gracie drives through with a takedown into Bowman's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Bowman had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Gracie defends it easily.
Bowman tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Rickson Gracie has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie throws a strike but Bowman rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Casey Bowman is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Gracie looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Bowman controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Gracie lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gracie wants to control from the top but Bowman keeps moving.
Bowman not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Bowman is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Gracie is controlling him.
Bowman keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Bowman keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.
Gracie pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bowman is keeping the position for now.

Gracie is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Bowman is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Bowman has escaped and now he's on top!

Bowman got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gracie has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Bowman has managed to get both his arms back between Gracie's legs - danger averted.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Gracie is trying to control the position but Bowman postures up.
Bowman wants to get up but he can't break Gracie's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Gracie 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 is trying to control the position but Bowman postures up.

Gracie had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Bowman defends it easily.
Gracie has a closed guard, preventing Bowman from standing up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gracie.

And that's the end of the fight!
Casey Bowman comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Bowman has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Paul Gruel scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Casey Bowman!
Casey Bowman opened up his post fight interview with a scream to camera that he wants a title shot! Whether he deserves the shot will be up to the management of the organization, so I guess he'll have to wait and see.