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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Renoa Gracie (ranked 82 p4p, 62 weight class) and Braynas Hlervu (ranked 6 p4p, 4 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Gracie might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Apaga Mas Não Bate. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!
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| 166 cm
29
145
16 - 5 - 1 |
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168 cm
37
137
25 - 14 - 0 |
Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 5 - 1, fighting out of London, Renoa Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Braynas Hlervu!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Shigeki Fujiwara and Taro Takaoka.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie ducks under a wild hook from Hlervu.
Hlervu scores with a kick to the midsection.
Gracie tries to clinch but Hlervu moves out of range.
Hlervu finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Gracie gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A left hand lands to the body for Gracie.
Gracie takes a shot to the head.
Hlervu tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Gracie blocks a body shot from Hlervu.
Hlervu looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Hlervu scores with a hook to the body.
Hlervu fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hlervu misses with a hook from the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hlervu misses with a hook from the clinch.
Gracie working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Gracie blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hlervu can't find room to land a body shot as Gracie controls the action.
Hlervu misses with a hook from the clinch.
Gracie misses with a hook to the ribs.
Gracie gets through Hlervu's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Hlervu misses with a hook from the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Gracie creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A short left from Gracie.
Gracie working aggressively here.
Hlervu fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nice body punch from Gracie.
I was talking to Gracie's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Gracie lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Hlervu or not.
Gracie prevents a body shot from Hlervu.
Gracie lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Hlervu misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hlervu breaks from the clinch.
Hlervu has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Gracie finds it's way round the side to connect with Hlervu's head.
Hlervu throws a leg kick
and Gracie decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Hlervu's guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Hlervu controlling Gracie's posture.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gracie lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Gracie thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Gracie passes Hlervu's left leg - he's now in half guard.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie works his foot free and advances to mount.
Hlervu wants to get back to his feet.
Hlervu wants to control but Gracie is having none of it.
Gracie is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Hlervu working to try and regain half guard.
Gracie has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Gracie with a couple of short strikes.
Gracie is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Hlervu can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Hlervu can't escape the position.
Gracie in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Hlervu is trying to escape the mount.
Gracie landing shots from mount.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Hlervu looks a forlorn figure.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Gracie lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Gracie scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Hlervu tries to hold on but Gracie pushes him away.
Hlervu is desperately trying to improve his position but Gracie has a good base and remains in mount.
Hlervu wants to hold on but Gracie pushes him away.
Hlervu is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Gracie with shots to the head and body - Hlervu looks very uncomfortable down there.
Hlervu wants to control but Gracie is having none of it.
Gracie working the ground and pound effectively.
Hlervu keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Gracie cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gracie controlling the pace for now.
Hlervu is trying to escape the mount.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
BOOM! Gracie connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Hlervu is desperately trying to improve his position but Gracie has a good base and remains in mount.
Hlervu wants to hold on but Gracie pushes him away.
Gracie dominating with strikes here.
Gracie controlling his opponent.
Gracie trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Gracie is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Gracie trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Gracie is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Hlervu is surviving well by controlling Gracie's body position as best he can.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gracie trying to control but Hlervu is having none of it.
Hlervu is looking to improve his position but Gracie isn't that keen on the idea.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Renoa Gracie dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Gracie walks into a stiff left hand from Hlervu.
Gracie scores with a jab to the body.
Hlervu attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Hlervu misses with an uppercut
and Gracie counters by moving into the clinch.
Gracie lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Gracie throws a punch but it's blocked by Hlervu.
Good body shot from Hlervu.
Gracie misses with the head strike.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Hlervu as Gracie tries to tie him up.
Gracie misses with a short punch on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie blocks a body shot from Hlervu.
Gracie is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Hlervu is keeping busy.
Renoa Gracie has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Gracie taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Hlervu lands a nice shot to the body.
Gracie misses with a punch on the inside.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Hlervu lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A head punch on the inside from Hlervu fails to land.
Gracie wants to stall.
Gracie prevents a body shot from Hlervu.
Gracie jumps guard but Hlervu stands there with Gracie around his waist. Gracie gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Gracie jumps guard and drags Hlervu to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Gracie had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hlervu defends it easily.
Gracie trying to keep a closed guard but Hlervu is proving a slippery customer.
Hlervu passes into half guard.
Hlervu is controlling the pace.
Gracie tries to get to full guard but Hlervu has control of the leg.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is staying active underneath Hlervu, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Gracie tries to roll over but Hlervu keeps him under control.
Hlervu trying to control the action but Gracie is working from the bottom.
Gracie is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hlervu can do to turn this around?
Gracie is controlling Hlervu's trapped leg to prevent Hlervu from advancing to side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hlervu tries to stand and escape but Gracie is controlling the position.
Hlervu is pressing down on Gracie's thigh, looking to free his foot. Gracie is holding on for now.
Hlervu has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Gracie tries to get back to half guard but can't.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hlervu controlling from mount.
Hlervu works his way to his opponent's back.
Hlervu tries to keep control of the position but Gracie is staying busy.
Gracie looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Hlervu is hanging on to Gracie's back as he tries to escape.
Hlervu just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here.
Gracie trying to control but not successfully.
Gracie looking very determined here, making life difficult for Hlervu.
Hlervu trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Gracie doesn't escape.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Braynas Hlervu showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.
Gracie avoids the body shot from Hlervu.
Gracie has closed the distance and engaged Hlervu in a clinch.
Gracie tries to pull guard but Hlervu won't allow it.
Gracie is looking to control Hlervu's arms but Hlervu gets an underhook and turns him. Now Gracie has his back to the cage.
Hlervu softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Gracie blocks an uppercut.
Hlervu swings away with an uppercut that misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Gracie.
Gracie swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hlervu lands with a short shot to the head.
Hlervu lands with a left to the head.
Hlervu lands a left hand that snaps the head of Gracie backwards.
Gracie is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie misses with the head strike.
A right handed body shot lands from Gracie.
Gracie is trying to maintain a safe position but Hlervu gets an underhook and turns Gracie into the cage.
Gracie manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Hlervu stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gracie swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Gracie 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.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Hlervu looking to pass the guard.
Gracie is pulling down on Hlervu's head. It's preventing any offense from Hlervu, at least for the moment.
Gracie keeping moving, preventing Hlervu from controlling successfully.
Hlervu content to stall in guard here.
Hlervu postures up.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Hlervu controlling from the top position.
Hlervu won't allow Gracie to sweep him here.
Gracie not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Hlervu connects with a leg kick.
Gracie scores with a nice head shot.
Braynas Hlervu is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hlervu throws a big shot that misses.
Hlervu throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Gracie missing with a left hand there. Hlervu was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hlervu tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Gracie was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Gracie controls the position.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hlervu is looking to regain half guard here but Gracie keeps moving and retains side control.
Hlervu struggling a bit here.
Gracie tries to advance to mount but Hlervu denies him.
Hlervu is trying to control Gracie's posture but Gracie avoids it.
Gracie tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Gracie has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Gracie is putting a hurting on Hlervu here, landing some big shots from side control.
Gracie wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hlervu keeps working.
Hlervu is trying to control Gracie's posture but Gracie avoids it.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hlervu takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Gracie is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Hlervu has escaped the position, nice work there.
Gracie wants to control but Hlervu is keeping him busy.
Hlervu sneaks back into half guard.
Renoa Gracie overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Gracie working Hlervu over with strikes.
Hlervu has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Gracie is working away from the top position though.
Gracie scoring with strikes to the body and head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gracie trying to control the action but Hlervu is working from the bottom.
The fighters are battling for position here. Hlervu manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but Renoa Gracie did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Hlervu misses with a leg kick
and Gracie counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Hlervu!
Hlervu wants to get back to his feet but Gracie is dominant here and he's now got Hlervu's back!
Gracie connects with a big shot to the side of Hlervu's head.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Gracie's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Gracie controlling well, preventing Hlervu from escaping the position.
Hlervu defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Gracie's arms.
I really don't envy Hlervu right now.
Gracie is trying to stick to Hlervu's back but Hlervu is turning into Gracie. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Gracie's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Hlervu.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hlervu wants to pass the guard but Gracie is keeping the position.
Hlervu sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Gracie's guard.
Gracie tries to roll over but Hlervu keeps him under control.
The fighters are battling for position here. Gracie manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Hlervu trying to control the position from guard on top but Gracie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hlervu tries to free his leg and advance position but Gracie is retaining full guard.
Gracie wants to sweep here but Hlervu controlling him for the moment.
Hlervu trying to control the position from guard on top but Gracie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hlervu might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Gracie haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Hlervu wanted to stand there but Gracie had control of the position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Hlervu stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gracie swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Gracie managing to control the position.
Hlervu trying to stand up but can't free himself from Gracie's guard.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Hlervu looks to land a body kick but Gracie moved away.
Gracie tries to counter with a takedown but Hlervu is quick to defend against it.
Hlervu takes a swing at Gracie's ribcage but misses.
Gracie tries to counter with a takedown but Hlervu is quick to defend against it.
Gracie works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Hlervu bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Gracie lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Jab by Gracie.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gracie. Hlervu does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hlervu lands with a good body shot.
Gracie misses with a left hand
and Hlervu counters with a stiff right hand.
Gracie shoots in and drives through. Hlervu sprawls well.
Hlervu just misses with a punch to the body.
Gracie shoots for a takedown but Hlervu saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Hlervu lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Gracie fails in his attempt to clinch.
Hlervu lands a lovely overhand right.
Hlervu misses with an uppercut.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hlervu thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hlervu avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Gracie throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hlervu sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Hlervu misses the shot to the body.
Gracie takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Hlervu tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Hlervu moves forwards but Gracie connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gracie blocks a low kick nicely.
A low kick from Hlervu is predictable there
and Gracie counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Gracie.
Hlervu manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Gracie scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Hlervu tries to work over Gracie's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
A close fourth round but Braynas Hlervu will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!
Gracie moves to clinch but Hlervu breaks away
and Hlervu counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Gracie thinking.
Gracie rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Hlervu counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Gracie misses with an uppercut. Hlervu saw that one coming.
Hlervu throws a body shot but no joy.
Gracie appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Hlervu pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A bone on bone clash there as Gracie blocks the leg kick.
Hlervu throws the left hand but Gracie avoids the punch easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hlervu tries to score with a low kick but Gracie moves his leg out of the way.
Hlervu takes a swing at Gracie's ribcage but misses.
Hlervu misses the jab.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie checks a leg kick.
Gracie ducks under a wild hook from Hlervu.
Gracie lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hlervu sprawls well. Hlervu wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Gracie gets slowly back to his feet.
Braynas Hlervu seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Gracie takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
A left lands for Gracie.
Braynas Hlervu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hlervu thumps Gracie with a low kick.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A momentary lapse in concentration from Hlervu enables Gracie to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Hlervu manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Hlervu looking for a sweep. Not yet Hlervu, not yet.
Gracie stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hlervu swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hlervu is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Hlervu trying to control the action but Gracie is working from the bottom.
Hlervu frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Gracie tries to reverse the position but Hlervu maintains control.
Hlervu sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie regains half guard.
Well, if Hlervu 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 trying to control but Hlervu postures up.
Hlervu stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Gracie to get to his feet.
Hlervu throws a right hand that misses
and Hlervu takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Good leg kick by Hlervu.
Gracie throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Gracie takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hlervu will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Gracie checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Hlervu takes one to the chin there.
Hlervu scores with a spinning back kick!
Gracie moves out of range as Hlervu strikes.
Hlervu uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Gracie.
Gracie lands a glancing blow to the side of Hlervu's head.
Gracie takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hlervu circles away from the clinch attempt.
Gracie clinches with his opponent.
And that's the end of the fight!
Braynas Hlervu comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Hlervu 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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 47:48
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 47:48
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 47:48
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Braynas Hlervu!
After winning the bout, Braynas Hlervu thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
53% |
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