PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Raul Gracie (ranked 140 p4p, 19 weight class) and Kongchai Phetboonme (ranked 147 p4p, 20 weight class). Gracie kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Jiu Jitsu-Apaga Mas Não Bate. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Gracie
vs
Phetboonme

175 cm
27
165 lbs
10 - 1 - 0

175 cm
28
160 lbs
19 - 7 - 2

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Conviction

UnderGround Clothing Co.
Freebok (85% Laundry)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Raul Gracie!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 7 - 2, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Kongchai Phetboonme!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Timothy Bukovac and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Phetboonme fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gracie manages to avoid it.
Phetboonme throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A big right from Phetboonme misses.
Phetboonme's jab looks to have found its range, popping Gracie under the eye.

Gracie gets the takedown into side control.
Phetboonme can't do much from the bottom here.

Gracie wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Phetboonme, who protects the arm well.
Phetboonme is looking for a sweep.
Gracie is looking to take a break and control but Phetboonme is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Phetboonme felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Gracie tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Gracie throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Gracie is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Phetboonme wanted to stand there but Gracie had control of the position.
Gracie seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie looking for a sweep. Not yet Gracie, not yet.
Phetboonme is stalling in the full guard.
Phetboonme pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gracie is keeping the position for now.

Phetboonme stands up from Gracie's guard - Phetboonme perhaps looking for a knockout.
Kongchai Phetboonme seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice body punch from Phetboonme.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Phetboonme counters with a head kick that drops Gracie to the mat! Gracie scrambles across the canvas and gets back to his feet, still wobbly!
Phetboonme uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gracie.
Phetboonme misses with an uppercut. Gracie saw that one coming.
Gracie avoids the body shot from Phetboonme.
As Phetboonme tries to get set, Gracie tries to push him back and clinch up but Phetboonme manages to avoid the attempt.
Gracie wants to clinch but Phetboonme slips to the side
and Phetboonme counters with an outside leg kick.
Gracie takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

Gracie closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Gracie manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Gracie not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Gracie looking for a sweep. Not yet Gracie, not yet.
Phetboonme wants to get up but he can't break Gracie's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Phetboonme gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A looping hook to the body misses from Phetboonme. Gracie does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gracie changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Phetboonme misses the shot to the body.
Gracie appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Phetboonme takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Phetboonme wants to slow Gracie down by chopping away at his legs.
Gracie has a takedown stuffed.
Phetboonme dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Gracie closes the distance and clinches.
Gracie throws a punch but it's blocked by Phetboonme.
A right hook to the body lands for Phetboonme.
Gracie fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kongchai Phetboonme dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Decent striking displayed by Phetboonme there.
Gracie tries to clinch up.
Phetboonme feints a counter leg kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Gracie.
Gracie tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Phetboonme paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Phetboonme looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Phetboonme misses with a looping left.
Phetboonme scores with a crisp jab that stopped Gracie in his tracks.
Gracie keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gracie feinted with a counter takedown.
Gracie stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Phetboonme.
Phetboonme looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Phetboonme has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Phetboonme jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Gracie throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Phetboonme looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Gracie throws a body punch but Phetboonme moves out of range.
A low kick from Phetboonme misses

and Gracie counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phetboonme wants to get back to full guard.
Phetboonme trying to hold on to Gracie's head to control him but Gracie postures up.
Gracie frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Phetboonme tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Phetboonme is trying to stand.
Gracie pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Gracie scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Phetboonme?

Gracie jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Phetboonme manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Phetboonme gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Phetboonme is trying to get back to full guard.
Gracie trying to control from half guard but Phetboonme is working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Gracie is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Phetboonme has managed to free his arm - good work.
Phetboonme tries to kick Gracie off but Gracie keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Phetboonme wants to control but Gracie is keeping busy.
Gracie moves into full mount! Phetboonme won't be happy about that!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie content just to control the position here.
Phetboonme tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Gracie is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Phetboonme is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Phetboonme tries to hold on but Gracie postures up.
Phetboonme is working to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie looking to control and managing it successfully.
Phetboonme tries to improve his position but instead Gracie has taken his back!

Gracie looking for the RNC.
Gracie lands a couple of good shots to his opponent's body and a final shot to the head. Good little attack there by Gracie.
Gracie controls the action.
Phetboonme rolls, trying to escape but Gracie keeps control of the position.
Phetboonme trying to control but not successfully.

Gracie is looking for a rear naked choke here but Phetboonme reverses the position brilliantly into Gracie's guard!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raul Gracie dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Gracie tries to clinch up.
Phetboonme throws out a counter right but Gracie avoids it with no problem.
Phetboonme connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Gracie momentarily.
Gracie scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Phetboonme doesn't seem bothered though.
Kongchai Phetboonme seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Phetboonme takes a swing at Gracie's ribcage but misses.
Gracie half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Phetboonme dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Gracie misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Phetboonme.
Gracie blocks a jab.

Gracie moves into range and clinches up with Phetboonme.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Phetboonme tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Gracie stalls.
Gracie lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Phetboonme backwards.
Phetboonme scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A head punch on the inside from Phetboonme fails to land.
Gracie tries a body shot but Phetboonme blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phetboonme can't find room to land a body shot as Gracie controls the action.
Gracie is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Phetboonme is keeping busy.
Phetboonme throws a punch but it's blocked by Gracie.
Gracie keeps control of Phetboonme as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Phetboonme cracks Gracie with a nice body shot.
Gracie is trying to maintain a safe position but Phetboonme gets an underhook and turns Gracie into the cage.
Phetboonme lands a left hand that snaps the head of Gracie backwards.
A short right from Gracie on the inside.
Phetboonme struggles to land a body shot inside as Gracie controls his hands.
Gracie has a couple of punches blocked by Phetboonme.
Phetboonme lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Phetboonme tries to stall but Gracie uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Phetboonme can't find room to land a body shot as Gracie controls the action.
Phetboonme doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Phetboonme tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Phetboonme lands a nice uppercut.
Phetboonme tries to throw a body punch but Gracie avoids it by throwing Phetboonme back against the cage.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Phetboonme fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Phetboonme lands with a light punch inside.
Gracie looking to slow down the pace here.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Phetboonme.
Gracie taking a breather.
Gracie just leaning against Phetboonme, taking a breather.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Raul Gracie.
Gracie avoids the body shot from Phetboonme.
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!
Phetboonme looks to land a right hand but Gracie moved out of range.
Gracie slips a jab from Phetboonme.
A leg kick checked by Gracie.
Gracie uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Phetboonme.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phetboonme misses with a straight left.
The fight stays on the outside here - Gracie looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Phetboonme misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gracie.
Gracie drops down looking for a counter takedown but Phetboonme sprawls and moves away.
Phetboonme's jab looks to have found its range, popping Gracie under the eye.
Phetboonme looks to score with a jab to the body but Gracie is just out of range.

Gracie drives through with a takedown into Phetboonme's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Phetboonme preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Gracie stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Phetboonme swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Phetboonme working a defensive guard here.
Gracie landing with the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie being controlled here momentarily.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Phetboonme is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gracie scoring with some ground and pound.
Phetboonme 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.
Gracie in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kongchai Phetboonme really dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Phetboonme swings for the body but Gracie moves out of range.
Gracie wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Phetboonme walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Phetboonme looks to score with a jab to the body but Gracie is just out of range.
Gracie changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

Gracie has closed the distance and engaged Phetboonme in a clinch.
Gracie working aggressively here.
Gracie blocks a body shot from Phetboonme.
Gracie blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Phetboonme softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Stalling in the clinch from Phetboonme.
Phetboonme throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Gracies head.
Phetboonme scores with a hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Phetboonme scores with a hook to the body.
Good body shot from Phetboonme.
Nice body punch from Phetboonme - that landed with a thud.
Phetboonme tries to throw a body punch but Gracie avoids it by throwing Phetboonme back against the cage.
Gracie misses with the head strike.
Gracie jumps guard but Phetboonme turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Gracie.
Phetboonme lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Gracie tries to stall but Phetboonme uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Gracie looking to stall.
Gracie misses with a hook to the ribs.

Phetboonme breaks from the clinch.
Gracie avoids the body shot from Phetboonme.
Gracie drops down looking for a counter takedown but Phetboonme sprawls and moves away.
Phetboonme displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Gracie.
The fight stays on the outside here - Gracie looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Phetboonme swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Gracie looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Phetboonme is fending him off so far but Gracie persists. Nope, Phetboonme circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Raul Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Phetboonme throws a poor cross that misses

and Gracie moves into the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Gracie.
Phetboonme tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A short body shot lands from Phetboonme as the two fighters clinch.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Phetboonme misses with a hook to the ribs.
Gracie has Phetboonme pushed against the cage.
Phetboonme fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A short uppercut from Phetboonme.
Gracie pushes Phetboonme back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gracie is trying to maintain a safe position but Phetboonme gets an underhook and turns Gracie into the cage.
Phetboonme lands a body punch in the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Phetboonme creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Phetboonme lands with a short shot to the head.

Phetboonme breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Phetboonme's jab looks to have found its range, popping Gracie under the eye.
Phetboonme slaps away a takedown attempt from Gracie, before circling back to the center of the mat.
A little jabbing left from Phetboonme on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Phetboonme swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Phetboonme misses with a low kick.
Phetboonme misses with a low kick as Gracie jumps back.
Gracie shoots for a double leg takedown but Phetboonme sprawls well. He's pushed Gracie's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Phetboonme lands a right hook to the body.
Phetboonme is looking to land body kicks.
Phetboonme keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Phetboonme fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Gracie checks it well.
Phetboonme thows a left - swing and a miss!
Gracie feinted with a counter takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phetboonme wants to slow Gracie down by chopping away at his legs.
Gracie throws a solid leg kick but Phetboonme takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Gracie.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Phetboonme! But no joy.
Phetboonme scores with a jab to the body.
Gracie throws a leg kick but Phetboonme sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Kongchai Phetboonme is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Phetboonme connects with a body shot that sends Gracie's belly button to the back.
Phetboonme stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Gracie.
Gracie misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Phetboonme.
Phetboonme throws a front kick that sends Gracie stumbling back into the cage.
Phetboonme misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gracie.
Gracie feinted with a counter takedown.
Some bone on bone action there as Phetboonme checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Gracie is looking to wear down Phetboonme with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Phetboonme keeps the fight on the outside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kongchai Phetboonme dominated that fourth round.
That's time! Gracie's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Phetboonme lands a leg kick that knocks Gracie off balance momentarily.
Horrible takedown attempt by Gracie or perhaps it was just good defense by Phetboonme, which made it look bad.
Phetboonme let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Phetboonme lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Gracie chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Phetboonme can pounce on him.
Nice defenses there by Phetboonme.
Phetboonme misses with a hook to the body

and Gracie counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Gracie.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

Phetboonme pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Gracie scores with a leg kick.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Gracie.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie closes the distance looking to clinch
letting Phetboonme counter with a right hand.
Phetboonme looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Good exchange - Phetboonme coming out on top.
Phetboonme keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kongchai Phetboonme is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Phetboonme.
Phetboonme fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Gracie.
Phetboonme throws a solid leg kick but Gracie takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Phetboonme.
Phetboonme throws a shot from downtown. Gracie moves away and avoids it.
Raul Gracie has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Phetboonme misses with a wild body shot.
Phetboonme misses with a kick to the body.
An inside leg kick from Phetboonme misses.
Gracie feinted with a counter takedown.
A low kick from Phetboonme is predictable there

and Gracie counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Phetboonme has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Gracie off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gracie tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Phetboonme flicks out a counter leg kick but Gracie steps away.
Decent striking displayed by Phetboonme there.
Phetboonme takes a swing at Gracie's ribcage but misses.
Gracie checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Gracie seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.

Gracie pushes Phetboonme up against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie tries to stall but Phetboonme uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Gracie.
Phetboonme lands a hook to the side of the head.
Gracie struggles to land a body shot inside as Phetboonme controls his hands.
Gracie scores with a shot to the side of Phetboonme's head.
Gracie misses with a punch to the body.
Phetboonme lands with a right to the head.
Phetboonme prevents a body shot from Gracie.
Gracie lands a hook to the side of the head.
Gracie fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Gracie lands a shot to the body.
Phetboonme lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Gracie is trying to pull guard but Phetboonme turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Raul Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gracie taking a breather.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is struggling to control the position.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Phetboonme.
Phetboonme throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Gracies head.
Gracie pushes Phetboonme back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A nice left hand lands by Gracie.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Phetboonme doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Gracie tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Phetboonme just stands there and leans against the cage.
Gracie tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Phetboonme smiles and moves away.
A low kick from Gracie misses
and Phetboonme makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Phetboonme cracks a nice hook into Gracie's ribs.
Gracie misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Phetboonme.
Phetboonme turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kongchai Phetboonme comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Phetboonme has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 46:49
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 46:49
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kongchai Phetboonme!
Kongchai Phetboonme is the new lightweight champion!
A less than humble Kongchai Phetboonme misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.