PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Gabriel Gracie (ranked 6638 p4p, 395 weight class) and George Backman (ranked 3772 p4p, 321 weight class). Gabriel Gracie has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Gracie
vs
Backman

175 cm
21
150 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
145 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Dark Knight Nutrition

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Gabriel Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, George Backman!
The judges for this bout are Wagner Zegers, Saam Ante and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie fails with the takedown.
Gracie shoots in for a double leg but Backman sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Gracie showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Backman.
Backman looks to land a combination but Gracie avoids it well.
Nice sprawl there from Backman as Gracie shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gabriel Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Backman ducks right into an uppercut from Gracie.
Gracie loads up on a big right hand but Backman slips the punch.
Gracie swings and misses with a hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
No joy there for Backman, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Gracie darts in looking for a takedown but Backman gets double underhooks and turns Gracie into the cage.
Gracie has his takedown stuffed
and Backman counters with a left to the body.
Gracie slips a jab and a cross from Backman.
George Backman is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slow jab from Backman misses its intended target.
Nice cross by Backman.
Backman looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Backman jabs Gracie to the body, keeping him at a distance.

Backman tries to keep at a distance but Gracie has taken the fight into the clinch.
Gracie keeps control of Backman as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Gracie blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Gracie has Backman pressed against the cage.
Backman wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Gracie misses with the head strike.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Gracie.
Backman prevents the takedown attempt.
Gracie misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Backman leaning his opponent against the cage.
Backman wants to break free but Gracie has control.

Gracie has Backman pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Gracie pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Backman tumbling to the mat - Gracie dives into Backman's guard.

Gracie thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Gracie thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
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!
Backman being controlled here, momentarily.
Gracie slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gracie has an Americana. Backman didn't react quickly enough there and he's in big trouble now! He tries to squirm out but is forced to tap! Gracie is delighted and gyrates in front of the ring girls. They seem to like the attention - it'll be interesting to see if Gracie hooks up with any of them at the after show party.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:22 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Gabriel Gracie!
After the big win, Gabriel Gracie made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Groove Gear and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.