PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between King Simbolon (ranked 4499 p4p, 3025 weight class) and Royce Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Simbolon
vs
Gracie

185 cm
21
180
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
176
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, King Simbolon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Royce Gracie!
The judges for this bout are David Hoff, Santiago Holmes and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Horrible takedown attempt by Gracie or perhaps it was just good defense by Simbolon, which made it look bad.
Simbolon closes the distance and clinches up with Gracie, looking for a takedown. Simbolon pushes Gracie against the cage but Gracie circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Simbolon sets himself, and Gracie steps forward looking for the clinch! Simbolon avoids it this time.
Gracie is looking to score with low kicks.
Simbolon changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Gracie throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Gracie slaps away a takedown attempt from Simbolon, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Simbolon fails with a takedown attempt.
Gracie is looking for the big counter here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for King Simbolon. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gracie tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Simbolon swivels and escapes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Simbolon looks for a takedown but Gracie sprawls well.
Gracie follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Simbolon shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Gracie defends it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Simbolon fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Gracie avoids it really well and circles away.
Gracie lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Gracie misses with a head kick.
Simbolon shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Gracie feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Simbolon is breathing heavily.
Simbolon is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Gracie 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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
It looks like Gracie might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gracie stands up from Simbolon's guard - Gracie perhaps looking for a knockout.
Gracie misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gracie misses with a double jab.
Simbolon tries to clinch up but Gracie circles away and keeps his distance.
Horrible takedown attempt by Simbolon or perhaps it was just good defense by Gracie, which made it look bad.
A head kick misses from Simbolon.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Simbolon fails with an attempt to clinch.
Gracie shoots in looking for a takedown but Simbolon manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Gracie's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Simbolon throws a sloppy head kick and Gracie moves out of range easily.
Simbolon tries to clinch up but Gracie circles away and keeps his distance.
Gracie shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Simbolon pinned against the cage. Simbolon gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Simbolon feinted with a counter takedown.
Simbolon wants to clinch.
Simbolon is looking to clinch but Gracie is avoiding it.
Simbolon closes the distance and clinches up with Gracie, looking for a takedown. Simbolon pushes Gracie against the cage but Gracie circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Gracie gets a takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well, if Gracie is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Gracie is looking to advance position but Simbolon won't allow it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Simbolon wants to control but Gracie is keeping busy.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Royce Gracie dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Simbolon fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Gracie shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Simbolon manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Simbolon is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

Simbolon breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Simbolon swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Gracie counters by moving into the clinch.
Gracie is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Simbolon pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Simbolon prevents a takedown attempt there.
Simbolon wants to take the fight to the mat but Gracie manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Simbolon is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Gracie is keeping busy.
Gracie misses with a knee strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Gracie is trying to pull guard but Simbolon has him pressed against the cage.
King Simbolon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Royce Gracie.
Gracie prevents Simbolon from breaking the clinch.
Gracie tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Gracie tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Simbolon smiles and moves away.

Gracie closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Gracie lands in his opponent's guard.

Simbolon has an active guard here but Gracie has managed to pass into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gracie in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Simbolon tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Gracie!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:21 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Royce Gracie!
Royce Gracie bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.