PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Royce Gracie (ranked 2861 p4p, 3205 weight class) and Gamzat Gamzatov (ranked 388 p4p, 425 weight class). Gracie comes to the cage accompanied by Jiu Jitsu by Smoke Serpent. The crowd seem to be enjoying Gamzatov's choice of entrance music: Entrance Song. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Gracie
vs
Gamzatov

185 cm
38
186
32 - 21 - 0

188 cm
33
203
20 - 19 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Vegan Gains

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 32 - 21 - 0, fighting out of New York, Royce Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Gamzat Gamzatov!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Gamzatov.

Gamzatov is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Gracie is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Gamzatov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gracie keeps working.

Gamzatov thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Gamzatov tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Gamzatov has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Gracie sneaks back into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gamzatov is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Gamzatov is trying to work for a kimura but Gracie is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gamzatov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Gracie does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Gamzatov not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Gracie actively working from the bottom here.
Gamzatov wants to pass the guard but Gracie is defending well.

Gracie looking for submissions off his back.

Gamzatov is actively looking for submissions here but good counter grappling here from Gracie as he works his way to full guard.
Gamzatov trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Gracie manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gamzatov looking for a sweep. Not yet Gamzatov, not yet.
Gamzatov trying to control the position.
Gracie wants to pass the guard but Gamzatov is keeping the position.
Gamzatov has Gracie pulled in close to control his posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gamzatov looking for a sweep. Not yet Gamzatov, not yet.
Gamzatov keeps trying to improve his position.
Gamzatov is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gracie stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gamzatov swivels though and keeps the full guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown but Gamzatov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Gamzatov tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Gamzatov but Gamzatov pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Gamzatov sprawls well. Gamzatov wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Gracie gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Royce Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gracie fails with the takedown

and Gamzatov counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Gracie!
Gamzatov wants to control but Gracie is keeping him busy.

Gamzatov tries for a kimura but Gracie is defending well.
Gamzatov trying to control the action but Gracie is working from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Gamzat Gamzatov dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Gracie will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Gamzatov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Gracie pinned against the cage. Gracie gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Gamzatov manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Gracie on his heels. He'll look to pass Gracie's guard now, I'm sure.
Gamzatov throws a strike but Gracie rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Gracie forces his way into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gamzatov is trying to control but can't.
Gamzatov moves into full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gamzatov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gracie is one step ahead there.
Gracie won't allow Gamzatov to get back to his feet.
Gamzatov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Gracie pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gamzatov is keeping the position for now.
Gracie sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Gamzatov's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Gamzatov moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Gracie stands and throws Gamzatov's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Gamzat Gamzatov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Gamzatov is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Gracie's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Gamzatov won't allow Gracie to pass to mount.
Gamzatov is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.

Gamzatov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gamzatov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Gracie pulls his head out easily.
Gamzatov is trying to get back to full guard.
Gracie trying to mount his opponent but Gamzatov defends it.
Gracie works his way into side control.

That's four 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.
Gamzatov is trying to control Gracie's posture but Gracie avoids it.

Gracie wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Gamzatov, who protects the arm well.
Gamzatov is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Gracie off and has taken his back!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Gamzat Gamzatov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Gracie looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Gracie definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

Gracie drives through with a takedown into Gamzatov's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Gracie slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Gamzatov is trying to control Gracie's posture but Gracie avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gracie looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Gracie swings around for an armbar but Gamzatov sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Gracie's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gamzatov landing with the ground and pound.
Gamzatov looking to sit in guard and control but Gracie gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Gracie looking to pass the guard.
Gracie won't allow Gamzatov to get back to his feet.
Gamzatov tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Gracie looking to pass the guard.
Gamzatov is trying to keep Gracie in close.
Gracie is fighting to break Gamzatov's control of his arms but Gamzatov is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Gracie slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gamzatov reaches up around Gracie's neck trying to control. But Gracie takes advantage instantly and he's locked on an arm triangle! Big trouble for Gamzatov! Oh that looks nasty! A human being's head is not meant to turn that color! Gamzatov is out! He's gone limp! The ref steps in to break the fighters up and Gracie celebrates the victory with the fans!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:32 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Royce Gracie!
A very excited looking Royce Gracie made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.