PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tua Taamu (ranked 2851 p4p, 21894 weight class) and Holden Gracie (ranked 383 p4p, 664 weight class). Holden Gracie acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Taamu
vs
Gracie

190 cm
31
202
5 - 6 - 0

190 cm
27
196
3 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Brown Belt
World class MT
Good gas tank

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 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tua Taamu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Holden Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Percy O'Donnell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A jab from Gracie misses.
It looked like Taamu wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Gracie looks to score with a jab to the body but Taamu is just out of range.
Gracie tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
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.
Taamu throws a head kick that misses.
Gracie looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Taamu uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gracie.
Jab, jab by Gracie - just one landing.

It looks like Tua Taamu has been cut.
Gracie darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Taamu throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Gracie throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Taamu has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Gracie throws a body shot but no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie misses with a series of wild punches.
Taamu connects with an inside leg kick.
Gracie throws a lazy head kick
and Taamu counters with a nice body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie scores with a jab to the body.
Taamu pivots, looking for a leg kick but Gracie is out of range and Taamu settles back down.

Gracie darts in and clinches Taamu up against the cage.
Taamu tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Taamu pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Taamu takes a jab right on the kisser.
Taamu bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Gracie lands a slapping body shot.
A head kick misses from Gracie.
Gracie fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Taamu looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Taamu walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Gracie checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Gracie misses with a few strikes there.
Gracie tries to close the distance and clinch up but Taamu swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Gracie takes a swing at Taamu's ribcage but misses.
Taamu throws a counter high kick but Gracie was just alert enough to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Taamu.
Taamu thumps Gracie with a low kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Taamu throws a leg kick
and Gracie counters with a straight right hand.
Taamu takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Holden Gracie seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Taamu motions for Gracie to come forward. Taamu throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Gracie tries to clinch but Taamu is having none of it.
Taamu is looking to chop away at Gracie's legs.
Taamu throws a big shot that misses.

Gracie lands a high kick to the side of Taamu's head that stuns him and send him tumbling down to the canvas! Gracie dives into guard, looking to finish.

Taamu is rocked!
Gracie not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Oh Taamu is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Taamu is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Taamu seems to have got his legs back now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taamu controlling the position.
Taamu keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.
Gracie controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Taamu is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Taamu takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Gracie wants to control but Taamu passes into side.
Gracie trying his best to control but Taamu has mounted him.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Holden Gracie dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Tua Taamu's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Nice uppercut there from Gracie.
Taamu pivots, looking for a leg kick but Gracie is out of range and Taamu settles back down.
Taamu tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Taamu misses with a leg kick.
Taamu tries to score with a low kick but Gracie moves his leg out of the way.
Gracie now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Gracie is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Taamu rather than just go for the knockout.

Gracie drops Taamu with a left and a right! Oh, Taamu is hurt - Gracie dives into side control looking to finish!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Taamu is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gracie controls the position from side control.
Gracie's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie in the domination position with Taamu hanging on.
Taamu is looking for a sweep.
Gracie controlling from side mount.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Gracie trying to control the position but Taamu is working away.
Gracie working away.

Gracie tries for a kimura but Taamu is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Taamu regains half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taamu is positioning himself well to prevent Gracie advancing to mount.
Taamu won't allow Gracie to pass to mount.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Taamu uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gracie.
Taamu looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Taamu on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Gracie lands a really nice looking cross but Taamu seems unphased.
Gracie throws a head kick that misses.
Gracie with a jab.
Taamu misses with a leg kick.
Holden Gracie is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A head kick misses from Gracie.
Taamu appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie misses with a wild body shot.
Gracie connects with a good straight punch right through the guard and follows up with a right hook and a left hook! That last one sent Taamu tumbling to the canvas! Gracie pours on the pressure with more strikes and the referee has no hesitation diving in to stop the fight! Taamu was done - good stoppage!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:14 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Holden Gracie!