PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Helder Gracies (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Daniel Saballa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Gracies
vs
Saballa

176 cm
19
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
21
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Self confident

Dangerous GnP
Brawler
Inexperienced

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Helder Gracies!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Daniel Saballa!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Leandro Rodrigues and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Saballa gets the takedown into side control.
Gracies tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Gracies manages to work his way to half guard, despite Saballa's best efforts.
Saballa really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Gracies. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Gracies looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Gracies gets full guard.

Gracies working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Saballa doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Saballa manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Gracies looking for a guillotine here but Saballa defends easily.
Gracies is breathing heavily.
Saballa controls from within his opponent's guard.
Saballa pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gracies is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracies is trying to keep Saballa in close.
Gracies being controlled here, momentarily.

Gracies is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Saballa sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Gracies has his foot on Saballa's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Saballa works his way back into a safe position though.
Gracies might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Saballa looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
I looks like Saballa might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Despite being in the dominant position, Daniel Saballa just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Saballa drives through and clinches with Gracies against the cage.
A short left from Saballa.
Gracies changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Saballa fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Saballa closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Saballa sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Saballa drops an elbow to the side of Gracies's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saballa controlling the action here.

Gracies is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Saballa pulls his head out easily.
Saballa sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Gracies wants to get back to full guard.

Gracies is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Saballa pulls his head out easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daniel Saballa 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.

Saballa feints and as Gracies raises his hands in defense, Saballa changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Gracies not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Saballa's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Gracies is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Saballa trying to control but Gracies is working from the bottom.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Gracies looking for a sweep. Not yet Gracies, not yet.
Saballa controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Despite being in the dominant position, Daniel Saballa just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Saballa drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Saballa trying to control but Gracies is working from the bottom.
Gracies 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.

Gracies escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Saballa gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Gracies had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Saballa is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Gracies Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Saballa's back instead.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gracies looking for the choke from the back.

Saballa defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Gracies's arms.
Daniel Saballa has got the better of the ground game so far.
Saballa trying to control the action but Gracies just sinks the hooks in.
Saballa holding on to Gracies's left wrist, preventing the choke.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gracies has the rear naked choke here! This is very bad for Saballa! Can he survive? No! He's out! Gracies gets to his feet and celebrates with his cornermen. He looks absolutely delighted. In the post fight interviews he takes time to thank his parents and everyone who has believed in him from the start. How sweet.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:21 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Helder Gracies!