PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mateus Gracie (ranked 2973 p4p, 2355 weight class) and Chester Drawers (ranked 306 p4p, 255 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Gracie
vs
Drawers

163 cm
27
153
5 - 4 - 0

169 cm
33
146
11 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mateus Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Chester Drawers!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Shigeki Sano and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Gracie lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A swing and a miss from Gracie.
And Drawers tries to counter it with a takedown but Gracie pushes his down on his head and steps out.

Gracie fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Drawers, pushing him back against the cage.
Gracie looking to throw knees to the head but Drawers is blocking nicely.
Gracie manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Drawers has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Gracie tries to pull guard but Drawers forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie tries to pull guard but Drawers won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mateus Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie throws a head punch that misses.
Gracie throws a head punch that misses.
Drawers fails to pull guard.

Drawers jumps into guard, dragging Gracie to the mat.
Gracie tries to free his leg and advance position but Drawers is retaining full guard.
Drawers keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.

Drawers looking for a guillotine here but Gracie defends easily.

Drawers had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Gracie defends it easily.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Drawers is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Drawers is looking for a triangle but Gracie pushes his legs off easily.

Drawers looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Drawers working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Gracie doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Gracie manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Gracie trying to control but Drawers is working from the bottom.
Gracie is working Drawers over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Drawers looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Gracie controls from within his opponent's guard.
Gracie looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Drawers is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Drawers looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Gracie trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Gracie avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Gracie working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Drawers is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Drawers is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Gracie is stalling in the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Drawers looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Drawers looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Drawers keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Drawers looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Gracie passes into half guard.
Drawers is not content to let Gracie control the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gracie moves nicely into side control.
Gracie tries to advance to mount but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mateus Gracie dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Gracie throws out a leg kick but Drawers moves out of range and Gracie only half commits.
Drawers with the counter takedown but Gracie avoids it easily.
Gracie throws out a loose jab but Drawers uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gracie scores with a body shot.

Gracie scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Drawers wants to control but Gracie is keeping busy.

Drawers actively working from the bottom here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Drawers actively working from the bottom here.

Drawers is defending against the submission attempts here by Gracie.
Gracie is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Drawers can do to turn this around?
Drawers is trying to maintain the position but Gracie is very close to passing his half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie wants to take a breather but Drawers is having none of it.
We've been hearing good reports from Gracie's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Gracie content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Gracie is working for a submission of some sort.
Drawers gets full guard.
Gracie postures up and lands a big shot to Drawers's brow.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Drawers is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Drawers is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Gracie defends well.

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.

Drawers looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Drawers trying to control the position.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Drawers is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Drawers looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Drawers looking for a guillotine here but Gracie defends easily.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Drawers keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drawers is trying to control the position but Gracie postures up.

Drawers has his foot on Gracie's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Gracie works his way back into a safe position though.
Gracie looking to pass the guard.

Drawers looking for a guillotine here but Gracie defends easily.

Drawers is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Drawers is breathing heavily.
Gracie controls from within his opponent's guard.
Gracie lands a couple of elbows.

Gracie drops back looking for a leg! Drawers is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Drawers manages to kick Gracie off! Gracie jumps back into Drawers's guard.
Gracie trying to control but Drawers is working from the bottom.

That's four 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.
Gracie stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Drawers swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Gracie is working hard here to advance position.
Gracie slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Drawers is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Drawers working for submissions but it's allowed Gracie to get to half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Gracie is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Gracie is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Drawers defends it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mateus Gracie dominated that second round.
That's time! Gracie's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Gracie tries to land a leg kick but Drawers saw it coming and moves away.
A low kick from Gracie is predictable there

and Drawers decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Gracie's guard.
Gracie working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Drawers.
Drawers passes into half guard.
Drawers uses his free foot to push down on Gracie's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Gracie.
Drawers wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.
Drawers lands with some strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie wants to hold on but Drawers pushes him away.

Drawers working for a guillotine from mount but Gracie is in no mood to give up.

Drawers looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Gracie tries to hold on but Drawers pushes him away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drawers trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Gracie working to try and regain half guard.
Gracie takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Drawers looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Gracie is in all sorts of trouble here.
Gracie prevents Drawers from taking his back.
Drawers looking to control but Gracie is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Drawers tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Drawers lands a heavy elbow.
Chester Drawers has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Drawers is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Gracie to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Gracie shrugs it off.
Gracie manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Drawers wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gracie keeps working.

Drawers is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Gracie doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Drawers.

Gracie looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Gracie looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Drawers trying to pass the guard but Gracie defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Drawers trying to pass the guard but Gracie defending well.
Drawers keeps trying to improve his position.

Gracie actively working from the bottom here.
Gracie wants to control but Drawers is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Gracie won't allow Drawers to pass to mount.
Chester Drawers has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Gracie trying to control here.

Drawers is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Gracie is just riding it out for now. Drawers eventually gives up the hold.

Drawers is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Mateus Gracie is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Gracie makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Gracie.
Drawers trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Drawers working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Gracie looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

Drawers got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gracie has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Drawers has managed to get both his arms back between Gracie's legs - danger averted.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chester Drawers comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Gracie has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 29:28
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mateus Gracie!