PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Lewis Pendragon (ranked 350 p4p, 647 weight class) and Reinaldo Gracie (ranked 39 p4p, 74 weight class). Gracie has chosen Apaga Mas Não Bate as his entrance music. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Pendragon
vs
Gracie

173 cm
23
150
8 - 3 - 0

175 cm
23
155
8 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Conquer
Voodoo Nutrition

Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)
Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Lewis Pendragon!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Reinaldo Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Anthony Taglia and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie connects with a body shot.
Gracie ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Pendragon moves away.
Pendragon looks to throw the jab but Gracie is out of range.
Pendragon takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Gracie swings for the body but Pendragon moves out of range.
Pendragon scores with a jab to the head.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Pendragon, as that shot connected.
Pendragon ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pendragon throws the left hand but Gracie avoids the punch easily.
Gracie is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Gracie throws a hook to the side of Pendragon's head but Pendragon sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Pendragon thinks about countering with a head kick.
A big left from Pendragon misses.
Pendragon looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gracie has taken the fight to the clinch.

Gracie manages to pull guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gracie is pulling down on Pendragon's head to control his posture.

Gracie is looking for a triangle but Pendragon pushes his legs off easily.
Gracie trying to control the position.
Gracie might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Pendragon haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Pendragon controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Pendragon trying to control the position from guard on top but Gracie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pendragon 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is pulling down on Pendragon's head. It's preventing any offense from Pendragon, at least for the moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
A big left from Pendragon misses.
Gracie looks to land a left hand but Pendragon moved out of range nicely.
Gracie uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Pendragon.
Pendragon gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Gracie.

Gracie has taken the fight to the clinch.
Gracie scores with a shoulder strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pendragon is looking to break free of the clinch but Gracie has double underhooks.

Pendragon's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Gracie throws an off balance right hand
letting Pendragon counter with a right hand.
Gracie misses the shot to the body.

Gracie moves into the clinch.
Pendragon blocks an uppercut.
Pendragon has Gracie pushed against the cage.
Gracie throws a head punch that misses.
Gracie misses with a body punch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Gracie creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Pendragon takes a shot to the head.

Pendragon breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Gracie swings for the body but Pendragon moves out of range.
Pendragon misses with a looping right.
Gracie with the counter takedown but Pendragon avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie tries to clinch
and Pendragon counters with a straight right hand.
Gracie throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Pendragon was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Pendragon stuffs the takedown attempt from Gracie. Gracie gets slowly back to his feet.
Gracie uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Pendragon.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Pendragon throws an overhand right that lands on Gracie's shoulder, as Gracie tries to avoid the shot.
Pendragon needs to keep his hands up - Gracie had a free shot at his head there.
Pendragon misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gracie.
Gracie wants to counter the offense by Pendragon and move into the clinch position.
Pendragon throws a shot to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Reinaldo Gracie dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

A jab from Pendragon does it's job there.
Gracie swings and misses with a shot to the body
enabling Pendragon to counter with a crisp jab.

Gracie scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Pendragon is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Pendragon taking a bit of punishment here - Gracie scoring with strikes.
Gracie throws a strike aimed at the side of Pendragon's head but Pendragon avoids it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie is looking to take a break and control but Pendragon is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Gracie creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Pendragon sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pendragon is trying to get back to half guard.
Gracie in side control lands a decent elbow.
Gracie working the body and head with strikes.
Gracie trying to control the position but Pendragon is working away.

Gracie thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Pendragon trying to remain calm as Gracie controls from the top position.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Gracie looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Pendragon is avoiding damage well.
Gracie working the strikes but Pendragon uses the opportunity to regain half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie wants to lay and pray for a moment but Pendragon keeps working.
Pendragon tries to kick Gracie off but Gracie keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Pendragon manages to get to full guard.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Pendragon is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pendragon utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Gracie throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Gracie is pushing down on Pendragon's leg trying to pass to half guard. Pendragon is fighting to maintain full guard but Gracie has managed to sneak the leg through.
Pendragon avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Gracie.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie throws a strike but Pendragon avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Pendragon controls Gracie momentarily but Gracie frees himself.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Pendragon keeps moving.
Gracie works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Gracie lands with a punch from half guard.
Pendragon looks like he's trying to stand up.
Gracie is keen to just control but Pendragon is a slippery customer.
Gracie missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Gracie looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie works his way into side control.
Pendragon is trying to buck Gracie off.
Pendragon is not content to let Gracie control the position.
Pendragon is looking for a sweep.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gracie wants to control but Pendragon is keeping him busy.

Gracie is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Pendragon knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Reinaldo Gracie showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Pendragon's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Pendragon looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Gracie ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Pendragon moves away.
An attempted straight right counter from Pendragon misses the target.
Pendragon missing with a left hand there. Gracie was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Gracie throws a big shot that misses.
Pendragon is looking to counter punch.
Gracie tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Pendragon swivels and escapes.
Pendragon is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Gracie has his takedown stuffed
enabling Pendragon to counter with a crisp jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie wants to clinch up but Pendragon keeps it at a distance.
Gracie fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie swings widly with a right hand
and Pendragon counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Pendragon throws an overhand right that lands on Gracie's shoulder, as Gracie tries to avoid the shot.
Pendragon steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gracie.
Gracie connects with a crisp jab.
Gracie tries to clinch up but Pendragon circles away and keeps his distance.
Lewis Pendragon is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gracie ducks under a wild hook from Pendragon.
Pendragon is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Gracie on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Pendragon throws a hook but Gracie blocks it.
Gracie throws a hook to the side of Pendragon's head but Pendragon sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pendragon fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gracie manages to avoid it.
Pendragon moves out of range of the strikes.
Gracie jabs Pendragon to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Pendragon tries a head kick but it misses.

Pendragon gets caught napping as Gracie dives in and scores a takedown. Pendragon manages to retain guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pendragon controls Gracie momentarily but Gracie frees himself.
Gracie keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Pendragon's head.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Gracie accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Gracie looking to sit in guard and control but Pendragon gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie trying to keep a closed guard but Pendragon is proving a slippery customer.
Pendragon tries to free his leg and advance position but Gracie is retaining full guard.
Gracie keeping moving, preventing Pendragon from controlling successfully.
Gracie manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Pendragon manages to get himself to full guard.

Gracie keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Pendragon's head.
Gracie landing some decent shots from guard.
Gracie throwing strikes but missing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pendragon working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Gracie.
Gracie advances to half guard.
Pendragon wants to control but Gracie is keeping busy.
Gracie has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Gracie working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Gracie tries to pass the half guard into mount. Pendragon knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gracie is trying to control the action in half guard but Pendragon is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Gracie thows a huge punch but Pendragon dodges it nicely.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Reinaldo Gracie just about did enough to take it.
That's time! Back to the action!

Gracie closes the distance and clinches.

Pendragon's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Gracie closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Pendragon uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gracie.
It looked like Pendragon wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Gracie slips under a jab.
And Gracie tries to counter it with a takedown but Pendragon pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Pendragon misses the jab.
Pendragon throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie throws an ugly left hook that misses
letting Pendragon counter with a right hand.
Pendragon moves forwards but Gracie connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Gracie tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Pendragon was well out of range. Poor timing from Gracie.
Pendragon appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie connects with a looping right hand.
Gracie with a lazy takedown attempt
and Pendragon counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Pendragon scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Pendragon avoids the body shot from Gracie.
Pendragon keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
It looked like Pendragon wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Gracie moves out of range of the strikes.
Gracie scores with a jab to the jaw.
Gracie throws an ugly left hook that misses
enabling Pendragon to counter with a crisp jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Gracie gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Pendragon counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Gracie misses with a takedown
enabling Pendragon to counter with a crisp jab.
Lewis Pendragon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Reinaldo Gracie.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gracie misses with a straight left.
Pendragon throws a big counter combination but Gracie scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Pendragon darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Lewis Pendragon is winning the standup battle so far.
Pendragon misses with a straight right.
Gracie with the counter takedown but Pendragon avoids it easily.
Gracie ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Pendragon moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Pendragon.
Gracie is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Gracie connects with a body shot that sends Pendragon's belly button to the back.
Pendragon missing with a left hand there. Gracie was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Gracie waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Pendragon.
Gracie jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Gracie darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Gracie throws the left hand but Pendragon avoids the punch easily.
Pendragon slips a straight right by Gracie.
A counter left hand to the body from Pendragon misses its target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Pendragon throws a nice looking combination but Gracie bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Gracie waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Pendragon.
Gracie scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Pendragon doesn't seem bothered though.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Pendragon as he jumps to the side.
Gracie fails with the takedown
and Pendragon connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Lewis Pendragon had his way with Reinaldo Gracie in that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Gracie uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Pendragon.
Gracie fails with an attempt to clinch.
Gracie misses with a body shot
and Pendragon counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Pendragon slips a jab from Gracie.
Pendragon swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Pendragon misses with the combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pendragon keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Gracie.
A little feinted left hand from Pendragon on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Gracie jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Pendragon throws a hook but Gracie blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pendragon with a hook.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown but Pendragon shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Gracie.
You can see the frustration on Pendragon's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Gracie is working Pendragon over with some ground and pound from side control.
Gracie tries to advance to mount but Pendragon denies him.
Pendragon is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Gracie has just dragged him back down to the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pendragon tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Gracie wants to control but Pendragon is keeping him busy.
Pendragon is looking to regain half guard here but Gracie keeps moving and retains side control.
Gracie throwing strikes but Pendragon manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Pendragon working away.
Gracie is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Pendragon is staying active.
Gracie manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie gets back to full guard.
Pendragon trying to stand up but can't free himself from Gracie's guard.
Gracie looking to control.
Gracie has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Pendragon has passed into side control.
Gracie gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Gracie is looking to improve his 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 is concentrating on defense, preventing Pendragon from advancing position.
Pendragon wants to stand up but Gracie is controlling the position.
Pendragon is controlling the pace.
Gracie is looking for a sweep. Pendragon is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lewis Pendragon showed his dominance in that final round.
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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 47:48
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 47:48
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Reinaldo Gracie!
Reinaldo Gracie is the new featherweight champion!
Reinaldo Gracie decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.