PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Thad Fitzgerald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Juan Gracy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Fitzgerald
vs
Gracy

195 cm
22
177 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

175 cm
22
175 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thad Fitzgerald!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Juan Gracy!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Matheus Silva and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Fitzgerald gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Gracy to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Fitzgerald looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gracy is one step ahead there.
Gracy trying to control but Fitzgerald is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fitzgerald can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Gracy controls the pace.
Gracy works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracy stalling.
Fitzgerald is trying to get back to full guard.
Fitzgerald is working hard here to advance position.

Gracy is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Fitzgerald wants to improve his position but Gracy is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Fitzgerald really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Fitzgerald is striking from the bottom but he's now found himself mounted! Oh dear - not enough focus on defense there.
Gracy controlling the position easily from mount.

Gracy is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Fitzgerald has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Fitzgerald is just holding on here. Gracy manages to take his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gracy has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Fitzgerald looking very determined here, making life difficult for Gracy.
I really don't envy Fitzgerald right now.

Gracy is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Fitzgerald trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald prevents Gracy from getting a body triangle.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.

Fitzgerald fending off the submission attempt from Gracy.
Gracy biding his time, looking for the opening.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Juan Gracy dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Gracy closes the distance but Fitzgerald moves to the side
and Fitzgerald counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Fitzgerald tries to sprawl but Gracy drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Fitzgerald is trying to get back to full guard.

Gracy wants to work for an arm triangle but Fitzgerald is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Fitzgerald tries to get to full guard but Gracy has control of the leg.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracy is controlling the pace.
Gracy throws a strike but Fitzgerald avoids it easily and moves to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzgerald is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Fitzgerald is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Gracy is looking to stand up but Fitzgerald won't let him.
Gracy wants to control from the top but Fitzgerald keeps moving.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Fitzgerald wants to sweep here but Gracy controlling him for the moment.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Gracy throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Fitzgerald tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Gracy is in Fitzgerald's guard.
Fitzgerald keeping moving, preventing Gracy from controlling successfully.
Gracy preventing the sweep.
Fitzgerald looking to control.
Gracy has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Fitzgerald throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Gracy is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracy is continuing to stall.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Gracy passes Fitzgerald's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Fitzgerald is not content to let Gracy control the position.
Fitzgerald wants to sweep but Gracy has passed to side control!
Gracy tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Gracy misses with the ground and pound.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.

Gracy is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Fitzgerald is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gracy creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Fitzgerald sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Juan Gracy showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Gracy looking to score a takedown here. Fitzgerald is defending well but Gracy drives through and ends up in Fitzgerald's guard.
Gracy controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Fitzgerald working for submissions but it's allowed Gracy to get to half guard.
Gracy is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

Gracy looking to isolate an arm here. Fitzgerald doesn't see it coming and as Gracy extends the arm, he's forced to tap out! Nice submission by Gracy!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:55 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Juan Gracy!