PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between JB Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and AW Stevens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stevens has chosen The Root Beer Song by Joeshmauer as his entrance music. AW Stevens will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Gracie
vs
Stevens

190 cm
22
190 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

185 cm
23
185 lbs
0 - 5 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Nemesis Cage Clothing
Bad Newz Kennelz Supplementz

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, JB Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, AW Stevens!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Yukihiro Shimada and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stevens throws out a loose jab but Gracie uses good head movement to avoid it.
AW Stevens seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Gracie looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Stevens is trying to stand up here but Gracie is controlling him well.

Gracie is looking for a kimura here.

Gracie wants to work for an arm triangle but Stevens is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Stevens is trying to stand.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Gracie is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Stevens defends it well.
Gracie missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Stevens pushes Gracie off looking to stand but Gracie dives back in and keeps control.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Gracie is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Stevens is just riding it out for now. Gracie eventually gives up the hold.

Gracie is looking for a kimura but Stevens is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Gracie to get the leverage.
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.

Gracie is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Stevens trying to control from the bottom.

Gracie is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Gracie is breathing heavily.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Stevens looks to land a left hand but Gracie moved out of range nicely.
Stevens misses with an uppercut. Gracie saw that one coming.
Gracie defending well as Stevens loads up on a big left hand.
Gracie uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Stevens.
Stevens throws a shot from downtown. Gracie moves away and avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Stevens misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Stevens pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Stevens thows a left - swing and a miss!
Stevens throws a shot from downtown. Gracie moves away and avoids it.
Stevens throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Gracie keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Stevens.
Gracie moves out of range as Stevens strikes.
Stevens thows a left - swing and a miss!
Stevens jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Gracie drives through with a takedown into guard.

Gracie thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Gracie drops back looking for a leg! Stevens is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Stevens manages to kick Gracie off! Gracie jumps back into Stevens's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gracie drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Stevens dives on top into guard.

Gracie throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Gracie is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Stevens trying to control but Gracie is working from the bottom.

Gracie is looking for a triangle but Stevens pushes his legs off easily.
Stevens is looking to stand up but Gracie won't let him.
Stevens postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

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.
Stevens is looking to stand up but Gracie won't let him.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Stevens lands a jab.
Gracie uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Stevens.
Gracie ducks under a wild hook from Stevens.
Stevens misses with a looping right.
Gracie ducks under a wild hook from Stevens.
Stevens throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Gracie sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Stevens with a jab.
Gracie uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Stevens.
Stevens misses with an uppercut. Gracie saw that one coming.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

JB Gracie dominated 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.

Nice defenses there by Gracie.
Stevens misses with a jab, cross combination.
The fighters circling - Stevens throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Gracie closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Stevens to the mat! Stevens manages to get full guard.
Gracie's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Gracie thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Gracie drops back looking for a leg! Stevens is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Stevens manages to kick Gracie off! Gracie jumps back into Stevens's guard.
Stevens trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Gracie drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Stevens manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Gracie has Stevens in his guard.
Stevens is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens postures up in Gracie's guard and throws a big left but Gracie blocks it.
Stevens must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Gracie working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Stevens doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Stevens manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Gracie is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Gracie working for a triangle but Stevens defends it easily.
Stevens wants to stand but Gracie has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Stevens stands and throws Gracie's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Gracie tries to improve position but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Stevens wants to stand but Gracie has his arm trapped.
Gracie avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Stevens.
Gracie is looking to reverse the position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Gracie bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Gracie looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Gracie is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Stevens doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Gracie.
Stevens looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevens tries to roll over but Gracie keeps him under control.
Gracie is looking to take a break and control but Stevens is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Gracie is working for a kimura but Stevens is defending it quite comfortably.
Stevens makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Stevens.
Stevens is looking to stand up but Gracie isn't so interested in that idea.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Gracie.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevens is looking to regain half guard here but Gracie keeps moving and retains side control.

Gracie is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Stevens knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Gracie is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Stevens has escaped the position, nice work there.

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!
Stevens can't do much from the bottom here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

JB Gracie dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Gracie moves out of range of the strikes.
AW Stevens has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Stevens throws a jab but it's blocked by Gracie.
Stevens misses with a wild body shot.

Gracie closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Stevens to the mat! Stevens manages to get full guard.

Gracie drops back looking for a leg! Stevens is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Stevens manages to kick Gracie off! Gracie jumps back into Stevens's guard.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Stevens is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stevens wants to stand up but Gracie is controlling him.

Gracie is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Stevens wants to get back to his feet but Gracie is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
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.

Gracie drops back looking for a leg! Stevens is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Stevens manages to kick Gracie off! Gracie jumps back into Stevens's guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Stevens fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Stevens throws a jab when Gracie was well out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Stevens tries a head kick but it misses.

Gracie scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Stevens wants to get back to full guard.
Stevens wants to get back to his feet.
Gracie trying to control the action but Stevens is working from the bottom.
Stevens slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Stevens keeps moving.
Gracie controlling from the top position.
JB Gracie is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Stevens really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Gracie. 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.
Stevens wants to stand but Gracie is controlling the position.

Stevens had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Gracie is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Stevens Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Gracie's back instead.
JB Gracie overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Stevens not allowing Gracie to control his hands.
Gracie controlling Stevens 's hands.
Gracie manages to reverse the position and now he's in Stevens's guard. Nice work there by Gracie.

Stevens is looking for a triangle but Gracie pushes his legs off easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Gracie won't allow Stevens to sweep him here.
Gracie is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Gracie has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

Stevens is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Gracie controls from within his opponent's guard.

Stevens escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Gracie gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

And that's the end of the fight!
JB Gracie showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Gracie, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 30:27
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... JB Gracie!