PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Rollo Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bruce Tripplet (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gracie's entrance music is Jiu Jitsu: Apaga Mas Não Bate. A fine choice. Bruce Tripplet told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Gracie
vs
Tripplet

171 cm
29
154 lbs
8 - 1 - 1

165 cm
22
150 lbs
13 - 4 - 1

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Highland Clothing
M.O. Fight Wear

Russian Bears Nutrition
Anarchy Clothing & Laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rollo Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 4 - 1, fighting out of New York, Bruce Tripplet!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Konstantin Menshow and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie moves out of range as Tripplet strikes.

Gracie clinches up with Tripplet and pushes him back against the cage.
Tripplet scores with a shoulder strike.

Gracie breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Gracie throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Tripplet swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Tripplet throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Gracie counters by clinching up.
A bit of stalling here from Gracie.
Gracie stalling the fight.
We've been hearing reports that Gracie has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Tripplet stops a takedown attempt from Gracie.
Gracie drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Tripplet pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rollo Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tripplet looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Gracie is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Tripplet pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Gracie slows down the pace here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tripplet misses with some punches.
Tripplet can't find room to land a body shot as Gracie controls the action.
Tripplet lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Tripplet scores with a shot to the side of Gracie's head.
Gracie's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Gracie misses with a body punch.
Gracie stalling in the clinch.
Gracie lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Tripplet.

Gracie works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Gracie pushing down on Tripplet's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Tripplet has a hand on Gracie's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Gracie takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Gracie looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tripplet is looking to get to half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gracie controlling his opponent.
Tripplet tries to hold on but Gracie postures up.
Tripplet holds on for dear life, controlling Gracie's posture momentarily.
Gracie wants to take his opponent's back but Tripplet doesn't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie controlling the pace for now.
Gracie trying to control but Tripplet is having none of it.
Tripplet has given up his back. Will we see Gracie going for some submissions?
Gracie avoiding Tripplet 's attempts to control his hands.
Gracie struggling to keep hold of the position.

That's four 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.
Gracie has good solid back control here.

Gracie looking for the choke from the back.
Tripplet is keeping busy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Tripplet showing good submission defense here.

Gracie is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Tripplet knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Tripplet for a finish.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tripplet can't escape the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Tripplet looks to land a combination but Gracie avoids it well.
As Tripplet tries to get set, Gracie tries to push him back and clinch up but Tripplet manages to avoid the attempt.
Gracie on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Tripplet waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Gracie.
Gracie showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Tripplet.
Gracie is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Tripplet.
Tripplet throws a shot from downtown. Gracie moves away and avoids it.

Gracie darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Gracie is working for a kimura but Tripplet is defending it quite comfortably.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie wants to pass the guard but Tripplet is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie controlling the action here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gracie is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Gracie is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Tripplet seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's two 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 advances position into side control!
Gracie in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Gracie is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Tripplet can do to turn this around?
Tripplet stops Gracie from passing to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Tripplet tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Gracie wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Tripplet gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Gracie pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.

That's four 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 trying to control but Tripplet is having none of it.
Tripplet looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!

Tripplet is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Tripplet just trying to survive but Gracie is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rollo Gracie dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Gracie rushes Tripplet and presses him up against the cage.
Gracie misses with a punch to the body.
Tripplet lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Gracie backwards.
Gracie dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Tripplet is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Tripplet tries to stall but Gracie uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Gracie drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Tripplet digs a right hand underneath Gracie's ribcage. Gracie let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Gracie slows down the pace here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gracie gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Gracie is looking to take a break and control but Tripplet is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Tripplet is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie trying to control from half guard but Tripplet is working away.
Gracie works his foot free and advances to mount.
Tripplet really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Gracie. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Tripplet tries to lock up and control but Gracie gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Gracie swings around for an armbar and he's got it! Wow, that came out of nowhere! What a finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Rollo Gracie!
Rollo Gracie decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.
Bruce Tripplet was interviewed post fight and said 'I don't even know right now!'.