PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Torkel Bystrom (ranked 2457 p4p, 2657 weight class) and Chozen Gracie (ranked 292 p4p, 321 weight class). Chozen Gracie will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Bystrom
vs
Gracie

202 cm
41
255
24 - 18 - 0

190 cm
35
227
9 - 9 - 1

Great wrestler
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 24 - 18 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Torkel Bystrom!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Chozen Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Gracie shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Bystrom manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Gracie sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Bystrom's guard.

Gracie is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Bystrom doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Gracie.
Bystrom wants to get back to full guard.

Bystrom looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Gracie wants to pass to mount but Bystrom is defending the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gracie is working for a submission of some sort.

Gracie is working for a kimura but Bystrom is defending it quite comfortably.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bystrom looking for submissions off his back.
Bystrom is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Gracie is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Bystrom doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Gracie.

Gracie is trying to work for a kimura but Bystrom is defending well.

Bystrom is defending against the submission attempts here by Gracie.
Bystrom has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Bystrom looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Gracie is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Gracie looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Gracie is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Bystrom has managed to free his arm - good work.

Gracie seems to be working for a kimura but Bystrom defends the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bystrom gets full guard.

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

Gracie postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Bystrom is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Gracie, into his guard.

Bystrom trying to stand up but can't free himself from Gracie's guard.
Bystrom trying to control but Gracie is working from the bottom.

Gracie is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Bystrom is aware though and is defending well.
Bystrom will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gracie had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Bystrom defends it easily.
Bystrom is looking to stand up but Gracie won't let him.
Gracie working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bystrom.

Gracie had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Bystrom defends it easily.
Bystrom trying to control the position from guard on top but Gracie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Bystrom avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Gracie has a closed guard, preventing Bystrom from standing up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bystrom in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Gracie had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Bystrom defends it easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bystrom trying to control the position from guard on top but Gracie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Chozen Gracie dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Bystrom showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gracie.
Gracie connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Bystrom momentarily.
Bystrom tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A little jabbing left from Gracie on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Gracie circles away from the clinch attempt.
Bystrom swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bystrom paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Gracie dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Bystrom wants to clinch up but Gracie keeps it at a distance.
Gracie dives in for a single leg takedown but Bystrom sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bystrom. Gracie does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gracie shoots in but no luck this time.
Gracie swats away the attempt to clinch by Bystrom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gracie shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Gracie showed some decent athleticism there.

Bystrom kicks Gracie off and gets back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Bystrom has taken the fight to the clinch.
Gracie on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Gracie blocks a body shot from Bystrom.

Bystrom gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Gracie looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Gracie is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Bystrom pulls his head out easily.

Bystrom is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Gracie sees it coming and defends easily.
It looks like Bystrom is going to stand back up.

Gracie looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Bystrom wants to work for an arm triangle but Gracie is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is looking to improve his position.
Gracie has hold of Bystrom's hands but Bystrom slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

Bystrom is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Gracie sees it coming and defends easily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gracie is trying to get back to full guard.
Bystrom trying to control the action but Gracie is working from the bottom.

Gracie looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Bystrom is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Gracie sees it coming and defends easily.
Bystrom not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Bystrom is working for a kimura but Gracie is defending it quite comfortably.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bystrom wants to stand up but Gracie is controlling the position.
Bystrom not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Gracie is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Bystrom pulls his head out easily.

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

Gracie looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Gracie has hold of Bystrom's hands but Bystrom slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Bystrom is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.

Gracie looking for subs from the bottom but Bystrom mounts him!
Bystrom raining down hammerfists from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is trying to escape the mount.

Bystrom looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Gracie regains half guard.
Gracie regains full guard. Nicely done.

Gracie looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Gracie keeping moving, preventing Bystrom from controlling successfully.

Gracie is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Bystrom is aware though and is defending well.
Gracie is breathing heavily.
Bystrom trying to control but Gracie is working from the bottom.
Gracie has a closed guard, preventing Bystrom from standing up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Torkel Bystrom dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Gracie circles away from the clinch attempt.
Gracie fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Gracie blocks a head kick by Bystrom.
Bystrom throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Gracie sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Bystrom is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gracie can do to turn this around?
Gracie throws the left hand but Bystrom avoids the punch easily.

Bystrom has taken the fight to the clinch.
Bystrom tries to land knees in the clinch but Gracie avoids the damage to the body.
Bystrom looking for a takedown.
Gracie on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Bystrom pulls guard effortlessly.

Gracie avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Gracie passes Bystrom's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bystrom is looking to improve his position.

Gracie is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Bystrom doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Gracie.

Gracie is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gracie is looking for a kimura here.

Gracie is working for a submission of some sort.
Bystrom looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Bystrom looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Gracie is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Bystrom defends it well.
Bystrom wants to get back to his feet.

Gracie is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Bystrom is trying to control but can't.
Bystrom is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Gracie is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Gracie prevents Bystrom from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gracie is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

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

Bystrom looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Bystrom tries to kick Gracie off but Gracie keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Bystrom moves into full guard.

Gracie drops back, looking for a kneebar! Bystrom looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Bystrom looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Bystrom!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is not content to let Bystrom control the position.
Gracie tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Bystrom wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Gracie gets back to half guard.
Bystrom is trying to control the action in half guard but Gracie is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Gracie looking for submissions off his back.
Gracie takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Gracie looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Bystrom pushes past his half guard into mount!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Bystrom is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Gracie works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Torkel Bystrom.
I think Bystrom has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Chozen Gracie!
In defeat, Torkel Bystrom stepped up to the mic, saying 'Well back to the gym.'.