PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kenichi Misahawa (ranked 7356 p4p, 642 weight class) and Bas Gracie (ranked 7607 p4p, 658 weight class). 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.

Misahawa
vs
Gracie

183 cm
25
210 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

190 cm
25
210 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
Good knees
Intelligent

BJJ Blue 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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Kenichi Misahawa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Bas Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Dirk Anderson and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie wants to clinch.
Misahawa throws a series of punches but Gracie moves out of range.
Misahawa connects with a single shot there.

It looks like Bas Gracie has been cut.
A jab from Misahawa finds it's way through Gracie's defenses.
We've been informed that Gracie has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Gracie avoids the body shot from Misahawa.

Misahawa drives through and clinches with Gracie against the cage.
Our sources have told us that Misahawa has been working on his elbows in the gym.
Gracie trying to land knees to the body.

Misahawa breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Gracie walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Misahawa will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Gracie throws a fast counter high kick but Misahawa manages to duck under it in time.
Gracie tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Gracie on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Gracie moves out of range of the leg kick from Misahawa.
Gracie tries to close the distance and clinch but Misahawa swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Misahawa looks to land a combination but Gracie avoids it well.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Misahawa dodges an elbow strike from Gracie.
Gracie misses with the head strike.
Gracie's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Misahawa prevents a body shot from Gracie.
Misahawa controlling the action here for a moment.
Gracie swings wildly with an uppercut but Misahawa uses good head movement to avoid it.
Misahawa lands a body punch.
Gracie fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Misahawa takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Gracie.
Misahawa blocks an elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Gracie just misses with a elbow thrown towards Misahawa's brow.
Misahawa effectively controlling the action here.
Misahawa's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Gracie tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Misahawa's elbow.
Gracie presses Misahawa against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Gracie with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Gracie takes a knee to the side of the body.
Gracie is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Misahawa is defending well for now.
Gracie lands a body punch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Misahawa's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Misahawa blocks an elbow strike.
Misahawa on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Gracie doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short right from Misahawa.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie missing with knees to the body.

Misahawa breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Gracie takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Gracie looks to land a combination but Misahawa avoids it well.
Gracie fails with an attempt to clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Gracie looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Misahawa lands a nice looking body shot.
Gracie tries to clinch but Misahawa is having none of it.
Gracie tries to clinch but Misahawa moves out of range.
Gracie tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Gracie is looking to clinch but Misahawa is avoiding it.
Misahawa throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Gracie.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Misahawa slips a jab and a cross from Gracie.
Gracie fails in his attempt to clinch.
Misahawa was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Gracie lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Gracie throws a head kick but Misahawa moves out of range.
Misahawa moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gracie throws a head kick but Misahawa moves out of range.
Gracie misses with a double jab

and Misahawa counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Misahawa.

Misahawa's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Gracie wants to clinch up but Misahawa keeps it at a distance.
Gracie tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Misahawa was well out of range. Poor timing from Gracie.
Gracie fails in his attempt to clinch.
Gracie tries to clinch but Misahawa is having none of it.
Misahawa avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Misahawa throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenichi Misahawa dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Bas Gracie's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Misahawa throws an overhand right that lands on Gracie's shoulder, as Gracie tries to avoid the shot.
Misahawa circles away from the clinch attempt
and Misahawa counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Gracie is looking to clinch but Misahawa is avoiding it.
Gracie tries to clinch but Misahawa moves out of range.
As Gracie tries to get set, Misahawa tries to push him back and clinch up but Gracie manages to avoid the attempt.
The fight stays on the outside here - Gracie looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Gracie tries to keep at a distance but Misahawa has taken the fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Misahawa breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Gracie throws a lazy head kick

and Misahawa counters by moving into the clinch.
Gracie misses with an elbow strike.
Gracie lands with a light punch inside.
Gracie looking to throw knees to the head but Misahawa is blocking nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A bit of stalling here from Misahawa.

Misahawa escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Misahawa swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Gracie tries to close the distance and clinch but Misahawa swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Misahawa throws a good cross that connects.
Kenichi Misahawa is winning the standup battle so far.
Gracie blocks a jab.
Gracie fails in his attempt to clinch.
Gracie moves away from the strike by Misahawa.
Misahawa throws a body shot but no joy.
The fight stays on the outside here - Gracie looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Misahawa moves into the clinch.
Gracie tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Gracie throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Misahawa blocks it with crossed arms.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters up against the cage, Gracie throws an elbow but misses.
Gracie tries to throw a body punch but Misahawa avoids it by throwing Gracie back against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Misahawa.
Misahawa blocks an elbow strike from Gracie.
Misahawa avoiding damage as Gracie throws knees to the body.
Gracie misses with a short punch on the inside.
Gracie tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Misahawa avoids it.
Gracie goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Gracie misses with an elbow over the top.

Misahawa escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Misahawa throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Misahawa misses with a series of wild punches.
Gracie takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Misahawa.
Gracie wants to clinch.

Gracie instigates a clinch.
Misahawa blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Gracie trying to land knees to the body.
Misahawa throws a knee to the head but misses.
Gracie pushes off an throws an elbow but Misahawa leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Misahawa.

Misahawa breaks from the clinch.
Gracie lands a head kick. Misahawa smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
A nice combination there by Misahawa.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie scores with a decent looking hook.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Misahawa misses with an uppercut
and Gracie counters with a three punch combo that has Misahawa backing up. Misahawa nods at Gracie to acknowledge the strikes.
Misahawa showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gracie.

Misahawa fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Gracie, pushing him back against the cage.
Misahawa blocks an elbow strike.
Misahawa blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Gracie working aggressively here.
Misahawa lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Gracie or not.
Knees to the body from Misahawa.
Gracie is breathing heavily.
Misahawa lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Gracie goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Misahawa manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Misahawa working some nice short punches in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenichi Misahawa dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Bas Gracie's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Gracie takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Gracie tries to clinch but Misahawa is having none of it.
Gracie tries to clinch there but Misahawa circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Gracie looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Gracie moves in looking to clinch but Misahawa pushes him off.
No joy there for Gracie, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Gracie closes the distance but Misahawa moves to the side
and Misahawa counters with a nice uppercut.
Gracie is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie wants to clinch.
Kenichi Misahawa is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Misahawa clinches up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee is keeping an eye on Misahawa - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Gracie misses with the head strike.
Gracie blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Misahawa manages to break the clinch.
Gracie tries to clinch but Misahawa is having none of it.
Gracie is looking to clinch.
Misahawa misses with a body shot.
Sloppy strikes from Misahawa. Those never looked like landing.
Misahawa misses with a hook. Gracie ducked under it nicely.
Misahawa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gracie moves away.
Gracie tries to clinch up but Misahawa circles away and keeps his distance.
Misahawa went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Gracie keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
As Misahawa backs off Gracie throws a huge counter combo but Misahawa manages to avoid it all.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Misahawa manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Misahawa takes the fight into the clinch.
Misahawa looking to throw knees to the head but Gracie is blocking nicely.
Misahawa managing to block the knees to the body from Gracie.
Gracie throws a knee to the head but misses.
Gracie misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Misahawa.
Gracie tries to land knees in the clinch but Misahawa avoids the damage to the body.
A short right from Misahawa on the inside.
A short body shot lands from Misahawa as the two fighters clinch.
Misahawa content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Misahawa tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Misahawa pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Misahawa throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Gracie tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Misahawa misses with a straight left.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Misahawa misses with a double jab.
Gracie wants to clinch
and Misahawa counters with a nice uppercut.
Gracie wants to clinch up but Misahawa keeps it at a distance.
Gracie wants to clinch up but Misahawa keeps it at a distance.
Gracie throws a left and a right that both miss

and Misahawa counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Misahawa controlling the action here for a moment.
Misahawa prevents a body shot from Gracie.
Misahawa tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Gracie avoids it.
Gracie tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Misahawa avoids it.
Misahawa leaning against his opponent.
Misahawa blocking some punches.
Gracie lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Misahawa backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie missing with knees to the body.
Misahawa prevents a body shot from Gracie.

Misahawa pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Misahawa is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gracie can do to turn this around?
Misahawa swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Misahawa throws a series of punches but Gracie avoids them all with ease.
Misahawa misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Gracie tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Misahawa manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Misahawa shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gracie tries to clinch but Misahawa moves out of range.
Misahawa throws a hook to the side of Gracie's head but Gracie sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Gracie fails in his attempt to clinch.
Gracie tries to clinch but Misahawa is having none of it.
Gracie tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Bas Gracie has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kenichi Misahawa is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Gracie is looking to clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kenichi Misahawa showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Misahawa has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kenichi Misahawa!
Kenichi Misahawa seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.