PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Riff McGee (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rollo Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gracie is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Jiu Jitsu: Apaga Mas Não Bate. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

McGee
vs
Gracie

171 cm
25
150 lbs
11 - 0 - 0

171 cm
33
154 lbs
17 - 3 - 2

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Aspire Clothing
Aspire Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Riff McGee!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 3 - 2, fighting out of London, Rollo Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Shigeki Fujiwara and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McGee fails with an attempt to clinch.

Gracie takes the fight into the clinch.
McGee tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Gracie slowing the pace effectively.
A short right from McGee on the inside.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
McGee keeps control of Gracie as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
McGee stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Gracie tries to pull guard but McGee forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Gracie blocks a punch to the side of the head.
McGee misses with a shot to the kidneys.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McGee lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Gracie tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Gracie stalling the fight.
Gracie stalls.
McGee prevents Gracie from breaking the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie tries to pull guard but McGee won't allow it.
Gracie prevents a body shot from McGee.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for McGee.
McGee tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Gracie blocks a punch to the side of the head.
McGee swings wildly with an uppercut but Gracie uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gracie avoiding damage.
Gracie goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A short right from McGee.
McGee misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Gracie is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
McGee misses with a short punch on the inside.
McGee working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Gracie lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Gracie 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Gracie controlling the action here for a moment.
Gracie blocking some punches.
Gracie blocks a body shot from McGee.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Gracie is trying to pull guard but McGee has him pressed against the cage.
Riff McGee has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rollo Gracie.
McGee lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
McGee being controlled against the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
McGee throws a punch but it's blocked by Gracie.
A short uppercut from Gracie.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Gracie.
Gracie goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
McGee misses with a hook from the clinch.
Gracie misses with a hook to the ribs.
Gracie lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
McGee misses with a hook to the ribs.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for McGee.

Gracie breaks from the clinch.
Gracie swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by McGee.
McGee swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gracie with the counter takedown but McGee avoids it easily.
McGee throws a wild body kick that Gracie sees coming a mile off.
McGee tries to work over Gracie's front leg with a kick but Gracie checks it.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with McGee but McGee pushes him off and we're back to square one.
McGee appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGee attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Gracie tries to clinch up
and McGee counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
McGee jabs Gracie right on the nose. Gracie blinks but takes it well.

Gracie tries to keep at a distance but McGee has taken the fight into the clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
McGee working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gracie effectively controlling the action here.

Gracie pulls McGee into guard.
McGee controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Gracie is on top in guard.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Riff McGee dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

McGee is looking to clinch but Gracie is avoiding it.
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 moves out of range of the strikes.
Gracie fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but McGee avoids it really well and circles away.
McGee is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gracie can do to turn this around?
McGee throws a lazy uppercut

and Gracie counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Gracie content to control rather than advance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McGee is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gracie is working for a kimura but McGee is defending it quite comfortably.
McGee is trying to get back to full guard.

Gracie is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so McGee is just riding it out for now. Gracie eventually gives up the hold.
The fighters are battling for position here. McGee manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
McGee seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
McGee keeping full guard, as Gracie tries to pass.
McGee is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Gracie wants to pass the guard but McGee is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Gracie is trying to control the action in half guard but McGee is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Gracie passes to full mount!
McGee tries to control the position but Gracie now has his back.
Gracie avoiding McGee 's attempts to control his hands.
McGee is trying to break free.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gracie tightening his grip on McGee, looking for the choke.
Gracie keeps control of the position as McGee tries to break free.
Gracie tries to keep control of the position but McGee is staying busy.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Gracie looking for the choke from the back.

Gracie looking for the RNC.
McGee is keeping busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rollo Gracie showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

McGee cracks a nice hook into Gracie's ribs.
McGee misses with a body shot.
Gracie feints the counter takedown.
Gracie tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but McGee paws at him with a jab and circles away.
McGee looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
McGee tries to clinch there but Gracie circles away.
Gracie feints the counter takedown.
McGee is looking to clinch but Gracie is avoiding it.
McGee takes a swing at Gracie's ribcage but misses.
Gracie avoids the head kick by McGee.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

McGee drives through and clinches with Gracie against the cage.
McGee doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Gracie tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. McGee smiles and moves away.
McGee finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Gracie tries to counter with a clinch but McGee shakes him off and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGee throws a body shot but no joy.
McGee looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
McGee circles away from the clinch attempt.
Gracie feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits McGees jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Ouch! a nice leg kick from McGee, right into the meat.
McGee dips to his left and cracks Gracie with an uppercut!
McGee throws a hook but Gracie blocks it.

McGee clinches up against the cage.
Gracie is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables McGee to keep the fight standing.
Gracie prevents a body shot from McGee.
McGee misses with some punches.
Gracie struggles to land a body shot inside as McGee controls his hands.
McGee lands a shoulder strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short left from McGee.
McGee struggles to land a body shot inside as Gracie controls his hands.
McGee being controlled against the cage.
McGee tries a body shot but Gracie blocks it.
Gracie blocks an uppercut.
Gracie blocks a body shot from McGee.
McGee misses with a body punch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McGee lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
McGee tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
McGee tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
McGee swings away with an uppercut that misses.
McGee swings wildly with an uppercut but Gracie uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gracie tried to land a shot to the body but connects with McGee's elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGee swings wildly with an uppercut but Gracie uses good head movement to avoid it.
McGee goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Gracie content to slow the pace in the clinch.
McGee lands a left hand.
Gracie is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but McGee is keeping busy.
Gracie is trying to pull guard but McGee turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Riff McGee has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rollo Gracie.
Gracie is stalling here.
McGee working aggressively here.
McGee misses with a body punch.
McGee tries a body shot but Gracie blocks it.
Gracie is trying to pull guard but McGee has him pressed against the cage.
Gracie has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Riff McGee has scored more points in the clinch so far.
McGee lands with a short punch from the clinch.
McGee working aggressively here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie tries to pull guard but McGee holds him up against the cage and eventually Gracie drops back down to his feet.
McGee lands a hook that snaps the head of Gracie backwards.
A right handed body shot lands from McGee.
McGee throws a head punch that misses.
McGee misses with a hook from the clinch.
McGee tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Gracie looking to stall.
Still in the clinch, McGee scores with a nice short uppercut.
Gracie's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Gracie fails to pull the fight into his guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Gracie wants to stall.
Gracie scores with a shoulder strike.
McGee has a couple of punches blocked by Gracie.
McGee lands on the inside with an uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Riff McGee clearly takes that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Gracie checks the leg kick.

Gracie clinches with his opponent.
Gracie is looking to control McGee's arms but McGee gets an underhook and turns him. Now Gracie has his back to the cage.
Gracie is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
A short right hand to the side of the head by McGee.
McGee lands a hook that snaps the head of Gracie backwards.
McGee lands a shoulder strike.
A short right from McGee.
McGee lands with a short punch from the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie tries to work over McGee's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Gracie jumps guard but McGee turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
McGee throws a head punch that misses.
A quick uppercut on the inside from McGee.
Gracie slowing the pace effectively.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGee working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
McGee misses with a short punch on the inside.
Gracie blocks an uppercut.
Gracie jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as McGee walks away with a smile on his face. Gracie gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
McGee is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Riff McGee has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rollo Gracie.
Gracie throws a body shot but no joy.

Gracie rushes McGee and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
A short right from McGee on the inside.

Gracie pulls guard effortlessly.
Rollo Gracie has got the better of the ground game so far.
McGee trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Gracie is trying to keep McGee in close.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie being controlled here, momentarily.
Gracie manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. McGee manages to get himself to full guard.

McGee wants to sweep here but Gracie controlling him for the moment.
Gracie looking to sit in guard and control but McGee gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie keeping moving, preventing McGee from controlling successfully.
McGee passes easily into side control. Nice work.
McGee is looking to take a break and control but Gracie is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

McGee goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Gracie rolls with the submission and now he's on top in McGee's guard! Nice work there by Gracie!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGee looking for a sweep. Not yet McGee, not yet.
McGee controlling the position.
Gracie passes into half guard.
Gracie is looking to stall here but McGee recovers full guard.
McGee trying to keep a closed guard but Gracie is proving a slippery customer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Riff McGee had his way with Rollo Gracie in that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

McGee misses with a wild body shot.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says McGee as he avoids it easily.
McGee tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gracie was well out of range. Poor timing from McGee.

Gracie pushes McGee up against the cage in a clinch.
McGee goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A left hand lands to the body for McGee.
Gracie is trying to stall.
Gracie is looking to control McGee's arms but McGee gets an underhook and turns him. Now Gracie has his back to the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A short uppercut from McGee.
Gracie tries to pull guard but McGee won't allow it.
McGee is leaning against Gracie and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Gracie is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
McGee digs a right hand underneath Gracie's ribcage. Gracie let out a lung full of air as it connected.
McGee lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Gracie backwards.
Gracie wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but McGee has him pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie swings wildly with an uppercut but McGee uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gracie tries to stall but McGee uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
A short uppercut from McGee.
A right handed body shot lands from McGee.
McGee lands with a light punch inside.
McGee throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Gracies head.
Gracie gets through McGee's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Still in the clinch, McGee scores with a nice short uppercut.
McGee tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
McGee has a couple of punches blocked by Gracie.
Still in the clinch, Gracie scores with a nice short uppercut.
McGee takes a shot to the head.
McGee digs a right hand underneath Gracie's ribcage. Gracie let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Gracie taking a breather.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGee tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
McGee lands a nice uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gracie tries to pull guard but McGee holds him up against the cage and eventually Gracie drops back down to his feet.
Riff McGee has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rollo Gracie.
A short right hand to the side of the head by McGee.
McGee lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Gracie backwards.
Gracie goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
McGee misses with a punch to the body.
McGee lands with a light punch inside.
McGee misses with a short punch on the inside.
Gracie is trying to maintain a safe position but McGee gets an underhook and turns Gracie into the cage.
McGee throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Gracies head.
Gracie is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
McGee lands a shoulder strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

Gracie escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
McGee pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A nice inside leg kick there by McGee. That's going to slow Gracie down.
Gracie wants to clinch but McGee slips to the side
and McGee counters with a body kick.
Nice defenses there by Gracie.
Riff McGee is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
McGee tries to throw a body punch but Gracie avoids it by throwing McGee back against the cage.
Gracie takes a shot to the head.
Gracie makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Gracie is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Gracie stalls.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGee tries to work over Gracie's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Gracie is trying to pull guard but McGee turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
McGee blocks a body shot from Gracie.
Gracie misses with a punch on the inside.
McGee gets through Gracie's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
McGee misses with a body punch.
Gracie working aggressively here.
A shot in the inside from McGee.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McGee softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Gracie fails to pull the fight into his guard.
McGee blocks a punch to the side of the head.
McGee goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
McGee lands a body shot in the clinch.
Rollo Gracie has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gracie's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

And that's the end of the fight!
Riff McGee showed his dominance in that final round.
I think McGee 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 49:46
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 49:46
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Riff McGee!
Riff McGee retains his featherweight title!