|
|
TWG 38 (205lbs, D2): London Qualifier - Round 1 PBP Commentary |
This TWGC bout is 1 fifteen minute round in the light heavyweight division. Introducing today's competitors. In the red corner, competing out of London, with a TWGC record of 0 wins and 0 losses; Hoyce Gracias! And in the blue corner, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, with a TWGC record of 4 wins and 4 losses; Stephan Letter!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, James Glass and Steven Brown.
The fighters connect hands in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
Letter gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Letter has Gracias pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Letter pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Gracias tumbling to the mat - Letter dives into Gracias's guard. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Gracias (0) vs (2) Letter
Gracias is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Gracias working for a triangle but Letter defends it easily.
Letter's corner is telling him to maintain position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracias wants to hit a sweep here but Letter passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Gracias there! Score +3 for passing guard: Gracias (0) vs (5) Letter
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracias sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Gracias wants to improve his position but Letter is controlling well.
Letter content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Letter trying to mount his opponent but Gracias defends it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracias looking for submissions off his back.
Gracias gets back to full guard.
Letter must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Gracias throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Letter slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Gracias has his foot on Letter's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Letter works his way back into a safe position though.
Letter really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Gracias. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Letter showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Letter won't allow Gracias to sweep him here.
Letter pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gracias is keeping the position for now.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Gracias is on top in guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Gracias (2) vs (5) Letter
Gracias looking to pass the guard.
Gracias drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Letter manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Gracias has Letter in his guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Gracias (2) vs (7) Letter
Gracias looking for a guillotine here but Letter defends easily.
Gracias wants to sweep but no luck.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Gracias has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Letter has passed into side control.
Score +3 for passing guard: Gracias (2) vs (10) Letter
Gracias trying to remain calm as Letter controls from the top position.
Gracias tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Letter wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Gracias is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Letter off and has taken his back! Score +4 for clean sweep to past guard: Gracias (6) vs (10) Letter
Letter showing good submission defense here.
Letter trying to control the hands but Gracias won't let him.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Letter might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Gracias haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Gracias working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Gracias is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Gracias is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Letter is defending well though. Gracias let's go of the attempt for now.
Letter is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Gracias gets his way!
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Letter wants to escape the position but for the time being he's just trying to control the pace.
Letter trying to control but not successfully.
Gracias looking for the choke but no joy.
Letter is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Gracias gets his way!
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Gracias patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Gracias is hanging on to Letter's back as he tries to escape.
Gracias is not going to allow Letter to sit and survive in this position.
Letter tries to roll but Gracias sticks to his back.
Gracias is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Gracias is persistently looking for the submission but Letter is defending it well.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Letter is trying to break free.
Letter defends a prolonged rear naked choke attempt and turns nicely into his opponent's guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Gracias (6) vs (12) Letter
Gracias looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Gracias looking for a guillotine here but Letter defends easily.
Gracias looking for subs off his back but Letter has passed one foot through into half guard.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Gracias has hold of a guillotine but he's not going to be able to crank on it really with only half guard, so it's no trouble for Letter. Oh but Gracias has got full guard now! Oh boy! This one could be over very soon! Letter goes limp - he's gone! Gracias jumps up and celebrates with the crowd - fantastic submission finish!
Ladies and gentlemen, after 10:35 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Hoyce Gracias!
A very excited looking Hoyce Gracias 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. |
|
|
|
|
|
