PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Fantinaz Del Norte (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jeffson Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Del Norte kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is La Coka Nostra - Malverde Market. Gracie has chosen Cliff Richard - Summer Holiday as his entrance music. Fantinaz Del Norte had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Del Norte
vs
Gracie

165 cm
40
141 lbs
26 - 19 - 1

160 cm
46
155 lbs
39 - 35 - 4

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Powerful

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 26 - 19 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Fantinaz Del Norte!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 39 - 35 - 4, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jeffson Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Mauricio Rocha and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Del Norte cracks the inside of Gracie's front leg.
Del Norte ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gracie moves away.
A punch combination from Del Norte misses.
Gracie swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Gracie slips under a jab from Del Norte.
A little jabbing left from Gracie on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Del Norte will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Del Norte thows a left - swing and a miss!
Gracie is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Del Norte with a body shot.
Gracie dodges the punch combination from Del Norte.
Gracie changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Del Norte enables Gracie to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Del Norte manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie wants to pass the guard but Del Norte is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Del Norte 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 sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Del Norte's guard.
Gracie looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Gracie is looking to take a break and control but Del Norte is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Del Norte makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Del Norte.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Del Norte is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Del Norte working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Gracie doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Gracie manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gracie looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Gracie throwing strikes from guard but Del Norte blocks nicely.

Del Norte is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Gracie stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Del Norte swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Del Norte thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Del Norte seems keen to control Gracie's posture.

Del Norte looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Del Norte keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.
Gracie tries to free his leg and advance position but Del Norte is retaining full guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Del Norte catches Gracie with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Del Norte scores with a shot to the body.
Del Norte throws a hook to the side of Gracie's head but Gracie sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A shot to the liver by Del Norte. Beautiful body shot.
Nice straight punches there by Del Norte. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Del Norte.
Del Norte fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Del Norte thows a left - swing and a miss!
Del Norte misses with an attempted mid kick.
Del Norte looks to land a right hand but Gracie moved out of range.
Del Norte with a poor takedown
and Gracie counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Del Norte feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Gracies jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Del Norte fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Gracie has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Del Norte tests Gracie's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Del Norte misses with a body shot.
Del Norte scores with a shot to the body.
Del Norte misses with a looping right.
Nice takedown defense from Del Norte. No joy for Gracie on that attempt.
Del Norte with a hook.
Del Norte lands a nice shot that snaps Gracie's head back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fantinaz Del Norte dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Del Norte misses with a hook

and Gracie counters by moving into the clinch.
Gracie tries to pull guard but Del Norte forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Gracie breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Del Norte here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Del Norte blocks a jab.
Del Norte misses with a jab to the body
letting Gracie counter with a right hand.
A swing and a miss from Del Norte.

Gracie has taken the fight to the clinch.
Gracie tries a knee to the head but Del Norte blocks it.
Gracie tries to land a knee to the head but Del Norte blocks with his arms.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Del Norte is trying to force a seperation but Gracie has the dominant position.
Gracie misses with a knee strike.

Del Norte is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Gracie can't fight it off and eventually Del Norte manages to take the fight to the floor. Gracie looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Del Norte is looking to work some ground and pound but Gracie has wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Del Norte controlling from the top position.
Del Norte scoring with some ground and pound.
Gracie wants to sweep here but Del Norte controlling him for the moment.
Gracie is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Del Norte moves into full guard.
Gracie missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Del Norte looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gracie throws a big right hand that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Del Norte keeping full guard, as Gracie tries to pass.
Del Norte is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gracie can do to turn this around?
Del Norte bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Gracie's guard.

Del Norte got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gracie has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Del Norte has managed to get both his arms back between Gracie's legs - danger averted.
Del Norte throws a big right hand that misses.
Del Norte throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Gracie wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Del Norte manages to pass to side control.

Del Norte seems to be looking for submissions.
Del Norte throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Del Norte is trying to control the action in half guard but Gracie is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Del Norte takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Del Norte is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Del Norte is nestled in close to Gracie, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Gracie tries to get to full guard but Del Norte has control of the leg.
Gracie is trying to stand up here but Del Norte is controlling him well.
Gracie trying to hold on to Del Norte's head to control him but Del Norte postures up.
Gracie is not content to let Del Norte control the position.

Del Norte is working for a kimura but Gracie is defending it quite comfortably.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Del Norte lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Gracie is looking to improve his position.
Gracie is staying active underneath Del Norte, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Del Norte is working for a kimura but Gracie is defending it quite comfortably.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gracie is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Del Norte's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Del Norte's back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jeffson Gracie will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Del Norte cracks Gracie with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Nice straight punches there by Del Norte. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Del Norte.
Gracie slips a straight right by Del Norte.
Gracie unleashes a big counter combination but Del Norte bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
A big left from Del Norte misses.
Del Norte looks to score with a jab to the body but Gracie is just out of range.
Gracie tries for a takedown but Del Norte sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Gracie with a nice cross.
Del Norte throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Gracie stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Gracie scores with a jab to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Del Norte finds it's way round the side to connect with Gracie's head.
Fantinaz Del Norte seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A nice combination there by Del Norte.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gracie takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

Del Norte shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Gracie napping and manages to drive through into side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Del Norte has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Del Norte in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Fantinaz Del Norte overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Gracie is trying to get back to half guard.
Del Norte wants to control for a moment but Gracie uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Del Norte seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Gracie does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Del Norte is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Gracie is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Del Norte uses his free foot to push down on Gracie's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Gracie.
Del Norte controlling the position easily from mount.
Gracie can't escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Gracie is trying desperately to improve position.

Del Norte looking to secure an arm triangle but Gracie defends it well.
Del Norte lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Gracie hang on?
Gracie can't escape the position.

Del Norte looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Gracie tries to lock up and control but Del Norte gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Del Norte thowing shots but they're missing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is wriggling around trying to escape.
Del Norte can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Gracie is looking to escape.

Del Norte is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Gracie is surviving well by controlling Del Norte's body position as best he can.
Gracie is working to get back to half guard.
Del Norte lands a heavy elbow.
Del Norte can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Gracie is looking to escape.
Gracie is wriggling around trying to escape.
Del Norte has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Del Norte lands a heavy elbow.
Gracie is wriggling around trying to escape.
Gracie sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Del Norte looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Gracie with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Gracie is refusing to be controlled, as Del Norte sits in half guard.
Gracie tries to roll over but Del Norte keeps him under control.
Gracie is not content to let Del Norte control the position.
Gracie is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Del Norte prevents Gracie from improving his position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Fantinaz Del Norte showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Del Norte has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 29:28
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Fantinaz Del Norte!
A very excited looking Fantinaz Del Norte rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.