PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between James Gracie (ranked 2512 p4p, 2728 weight class) and Spiridon Theato (ranked 24 p4p, 93 weight class). Theato has a pretty significant injury - he really shouldn't be fighting right now but he's a warrior and he's here none the less! Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Gracie
vs
Theato

188 cm
25
190
2 - 1 - 0

195 cm
25
285
2 - 0 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Solid chin

PWNAGE

Vegan Gains
PWNAGE

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, James Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Spiridon Theato!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Francis DeMontford and Ron Honeybunn.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Theato closes the distance and clinches.
Theato looks winded!
Gracie wants a takedown but no success here.
Gracie tries to pull guard but Theato won't allow it.
Gracie is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Theato to keep the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Theato throws a head punch that misses.
Theato throws a punch but it's blocked by Gracie.
Gracie tries to score a body lock takedown but Theato shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Theato lands a hook that snaps the head of Gracie backwards.
Gracie tries to pull guard but Theato won't allow it.
Gracie tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Gracie looking for a takedown.
Theato scores with a nice hook to the head.
Gracie is trying to pull guard but Theato has him pressed against the cage.
Theato scores with a hook to the body.
Theato stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Theato is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Theato scores with a shot to the side of Gracie's head.
Theato works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Gracie tries to pull guard but Theato won't allow it.
Gracie fails to pull guard.
Theato throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Theato lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Gracie.
A right handed body shot lands from Theato.
Gracie takes a shot to the head.
We've been hearing reports that Gracie has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Gracie jumps guard but Theato turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Gracie wants to take the fight to the mat but Theato manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Theato lands a right hand that snaps the head of Gracie backwards.
A shot in the inside from Theato.
Theato scores with a nice hook to the head.
Theato gets through Gracie's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Theato is pushing Gracie up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Theato is pressed up against the cage. Gracie has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Theato down to the mat. Theato avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Gracie misses with a few strikes there.
Despite the aggression on Theato's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A body shot lands from Theato.
Gracie has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Theato after a bit of a struggle.
Gracie tries to pull guard but Theato won't allow it.
Gracie is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Theato to keep the fight standing.
Gracie is trying to pull guard but Theato has him pressed against the cage.
Gracie's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Theato is pressed up against the cage. Gracie has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Theato down to the mat. Theato avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Gracie throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Theato's waist but Theato gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Gracie off to one side.
A little jabbing left from Theato on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Gracie fails to land with a series of punches.

Theato gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Gracie blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Gracie has Theato pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Theato manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Gracie is looking to take this one to the mat.
Gracie jumps guard but Theato turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Gracie drops down looking for an ankle pick but Theato pulls his leg out and moves away.

Theato moves into the clinch.
Gracie can't get the takedown.
Theato lands a right hand that snaps the head of Gracie backwards.
Theato works on Gracie's body with a couple of short punches.
Gracie tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Theato.
A left hand lands to the body for Theato.
Theato lands a right hand.
Theato scores with a nice hook to the head.
We've been informed that Theato has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Theato lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Gracie tries to pull guard but Theato holds him up against the cage and eventually Gracie drops back down to his feet.
Gracie has Theato pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Theato manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Gracie drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Theato gets the underhooks and prevents it.
A short uppercut from Theato.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gracie is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Theato gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Gracie wants a takedown but no success here.
A hook to the body from Theato.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Theato creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

Theato manages to break the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Spiridon Theato dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Theato connects with a body shot.
A punch combination from Gracie misses.
Gracie shoots for a double leg takedown but Theato sprawls well. He's pushed Gracie's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Gracie throws a jab but it's blocked by Theato.
It seemed like Theato was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

Theato has managed to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Theato is pressed up against the cage. Gracie has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Theato down to the mat. Theato avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Gracie swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A nice side step and Theato releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
James Gracie seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Theato is breathing heavily.
Gracie lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Theato circles away quickly and effectively.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Theato pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Gracie rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Theato moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Spiridon Theato is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Theato wants to clinch up but Gracie keeps it at a distance.
Gracie loads up on a big right hand but Theato slips the punch.
A little jabbing left from Theato on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Theato has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Gracie tries for a takedown but Theato sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Theato moves into range and clinches up with Gracie.
Gracie has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Theato avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Theato gets through Gracie's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

It looks like James Gracie has been cut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie jumps guard but Theato turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Gracie fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Theato fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Gracie tries for a takedown. No joy.
Gracie tries to pull guard but Theato holds him up against the cage and eventually Gracie drops back down to his feet.
Gracie jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Theato walks away with a smile on his face. Gracie gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Theato closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Theato lands an uppercut.
Spiridon Theato seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Gracie tries to pull guard but Theato forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Gracie tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Theato smiles and moves away.

Gracie tries to keep at a distance but Theato has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stalling in the clinch from Theato.
Gracie changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Theato fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Theato closes the distance and clinches.
Gracie is working for takedown but Theato is calmly controlling the position for now.
Gracie has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Theato avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Gracie has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Theato avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

That's four 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.

The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Theato breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Gracie with a lazy takedown attempt
and Theato counters with a straight right hand.
Gracie has his takedown stuffed
and Theato counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Gracie tries for a takedown but Theato sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Gracie throws an off balance right hand
and Theato counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Theato gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Gracie has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Theato avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Spiridon Theato showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on James Gracie's cut.
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 shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Theato but Theato pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Gracie gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Theato cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Theato doesn't manage to clinch there - Gracie circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Theato is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Gracie with a body shot.
Gracie shoots and misses
and Theato counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie closes this distance looking for a takedown but Theato circles away.
Theato now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Gracie throws a right and a left that both miss.
Theato slips a straight right by Gracie.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.

Gracie is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Theato's half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gracie trying to control the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Gracie connects with a nice short shot to Theato's temple.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gracie prevents Theato from improving his position.
Gracie looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Gracie maintaining the dominant position here and is working for a kimura. He's locked it up! Theato could be in real trouble here! He's trying to wriggle out but Gracie has cracked it and Theato is screaming in pain - he's tapped out! Great finish by Gracie!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). James Gracie!
Our winner, James Gracie, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.