PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Rikiya Goromaru (ranked 2783 p4p, 1873 weight class) and Mateus Gracie (ranked 297 p4p, 214 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Goromaru
vs
Gracie

170 cm
22
145
3 - 2 - 0

163 cm
27
153
6 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Concrete Clothing (Laundry Re Stock Coming Soon)

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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rikiya Goromaru!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mateus Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Shigeki Fujiwara and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Goromaru slips under a jab.
Goromaru gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Gracie scores with a jab. Goromaru acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

Goromaru clinches.
Goromaru misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Goromaru dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Good body shot from Goromaru.
A shot in the inside from Gracie.
Goromaru doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Gracie 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.
Goromaru tries to pull guard but Gracie won't allow it.
Goromaru wants to stall.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Goromaru's elbow.
Gracie softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Goromaru drags the fight down to the ground.
Gracie sitting in guard, not really doing much.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie with a flurry of punches that miss.
Gracie in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Goromaru is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Gracie trying to control but Goromaru is working from the bottom.

Goromaru looking for a guillotine here but Gracie defends easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Goromaru is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Goromaru is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Goromaru is looking for a triangle here but Gracie uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Gracie wants to lay and pray for a moment but Goromaru keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Gracie throws an elbow but Goromaru slips to the side and avoids it well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gracie working the strikes but Goromaru uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Gracie wants to control but Goromaru is keeping him busy.
Gracie controlling the pace.

Goromaru actively working from the bottom here.
Goromaru is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Gracie's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Gracie's back!
Gracie manages to reverse the position and now he's in Goromaru's guard. Nice work there by Gracie.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie landing with the ground and pound.
Gracie is in close to Goromaru's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Gracie thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Gracie stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Goromaru swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Gracie trying to control but Goromaru is working from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mateus Gracie dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Gracie throws a solid leg kick but Goromaru takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Gracie.
Goromaru doesn't manage to clinch there - Gracie circles away.
Goromaru keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Goromaru is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.

Goromaru drives through and clinches with Gracie against the cage.
Goromaru is struggling to control the position.
Goromaru slowing the pace effectively.
Goromaru trying to stall but Gracie improves his position.

Gracie ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Gracie no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Goromaru content to stall in guard here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie can't keep his opponent in guard - Goromaru advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Goromaru wants to take a breather but Gracie is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Goromaru moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Gracie.
Gracie sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Mateus Gracie has got the better of the ground game so far.
Goromaru trying to mount his opponent but Gracie defends it.

Goromaru is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Gracie has managed to free his arm - good work.
Gracie tries to roll over but Goromaru keeps him under control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Gracie moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Gracie keeping moving, preventing Goromaru from controlling successfully.
Goromaru seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Goromaru trying to control but Gracie is working from the bottom.
Gracie working a defensive guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gracie has his foot on Goromaru's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Goromaru works his way back into a safe position though.
Gracie keeping moving, preventing Goromaru from controlling successfully.

Gracie has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Goromaru can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Goromaru tries to free his leg and advance position but Gracie is retaining full guard.

Gracie working for submissions but it's allowed Goromaru to get to half guard.
Gracie trying to control here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Gracie is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Goromaru's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Goromaru's back!
Gracie misses with an elbow to the head.
I really don't envy Goromaru right now.
Goromaru avoids the strikes from Gracie.
Goromaru covers up after that shot from Gracie.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Goromaru is really stuck here.
Gracie tries to keep control of the position but Goromaru is staying busy.
Good control from Gracie.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mateus Gracie showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

A head kick misses from Gracie.
Gracie throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Goromaru shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Gracie but Gracie pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Good work by Goromaru as he checks the leg kick.
Gracie throws a jab when Goromaru was well out of range.
Gracie has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Goromaru fails to land the takedown.
Gracie tries a quick counter leg kick but Goromaru is wise to it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Goromaru shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rikiya Goromaru. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Goromaru misses with a looping left.
Goromaru misses with a takedown attempt
and Gracie counters with an outside leg kick.
Goromaru avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie swats away the attempt to clinch by Goromaru.
Gracie throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Goromaru counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Goromaru prevents Gracie from improving his position.
Gracie is trying to control but Goromaru passes into side control!
Gracie is looking to regain half guard here but Goromaru keeps moving and retains side control.
Gracie has one of Goromaru's arms on lockdown, trying to prevent him from doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Goromaru tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Goromaru tries for a kimura but Gracie is defending well.
Goromaru has knee on belly and moves into mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is wriggling around trying to escape.

Goromaru jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Gracie is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Gracie and Goromaru has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Gracie sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Gracie is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Goromaru pulls his head out easily.
Goromaru performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Gracie is trying to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Goromaru wants to take a breather but Gracie is having none of it.
Goromaru is thwarting Gracie's attempts to control the position.
Gracie wants to sweep but Goromaru has passed to side control!
Mateus Gracie is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Gracie sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gracie is trying to control but can't.
Rikiya Goromaru has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gracie keeping hold of Goromaru's head, controlling as best he can.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Rikiya Goromaru.
I think Gracie 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 28:29
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 28:29

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