PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Royce Gracie (ranked 1221 p4p, 190 weight class) and Nqobile Ndlandla (ranked 2311 p4p, 322 weight class). Gracie comes to the cage accompanied by Olha a Explosão. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Gracie
vs
Ndlandla

179 cm
25
210 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

195 cm
25
200 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Very quick

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Royce Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Nqobile Ndlandla!
The judges for this bout are David Hoff, Sandra Marshall and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice takedown defense from Ndlandla. No joy for Gracie on that attempt.
Ndlandla was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Ndlandla throws a hook but Gracie avoids it easily.
Ndlandla avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ndlandla keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Gracie throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gracie dives in and grabs Ndlandla's left leg, looking for a takedown. Ndlandla pushes down on Gracie's head and hops out.
Gracie takes a swing at Ndlandla's ribcage but misses.
Ndlandla will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Gracie blocks a jab.
Gracie moves out of range of the strikes.
Gracie drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Ndlandla's coach down at Yaw-Yan Ardigma was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Ndlandla's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ndlandla misses with an uppercut. Gracie saw that one coming.
Gracie changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Gracie takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Ndlandla tries to land a leg kick but Gracie saw it coming and moves away.
Ndlandla is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Ndlandla throws an overhand right that lands on Gracie's shoulder, as Gracie tries to avoid the shot.
Ndlandla throws a hook but Gracie avoids it easily.
Nqobile Ndlandla is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie slips a jab from Ndlandla.
Gracie waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ndlandla.
Ndlandla misses with a straight right.
Gracie feinted with a counter takedown.
Gracie has been working on his balance at Yaw-Yan Ardigma, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Ndlandla.
Ndlandla paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
A swing and a miss from Gracie.
Ndlandla slips under a jab from Gracie.
Ndlandla misses with a right hand

and Gracie counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Gracie is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Ndlandla has managed to free his arm - good work.

Gracie seems to be working for a kimura but Ndlandla defends the submission attempt.
Ndlandla is looking to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ndlandla has his hands clasped together around Gracie's back. He's all about the action.

Gracie maintaining the dominant position here and is working for a kimura. He's locked it up! Ndlandla could be in real trouble here! He's trying to wriggle out but Gracie has cracked it and Ndlandla is screaming in pain - he's tapped out! Great finish by Gracie!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:40 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Royce Gracie!
An out of breath Royce Gracie thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.