PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Renji Abarai (ranked 358 p4p, 355 weight class) and Renoa Gracie (ranked 38 p4p, 37 weight class). Gracie has chosen Apaga Mas Não Bate as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Abarai
vs
Gracie

175 cm
35
150
26 - 10 - 1

166 cm
36
145
24 - 11 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Shadow Realm Apparel
Conquest Nutrition™ (160Q) $89

NARCOS
30th Century Beer Store

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 10 - 1, fighting out of New York, Renji Abarai!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 11 - 1, fighting out of London, Renoa Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, James Glass and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Abarai misses with a wild body shot.

Gracie shoots in and bounces Abarai off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Gracie throws an elbow that misses. Abarai uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Gracie's guard. Nice move by Abarai!

Abarai trying to stand up but can't free himself from Gracie's guard.
Gracie tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Abarai wants to stand but Gracie has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Gracie looking to hit a scissor sweep but Abarai is one step ahead there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

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

Gracie is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Abarai wants to get up but he can't break Gracie's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gracie working for a triangle but Abarai defends it easily.
Abarai trying to stand up but can't free himself from Gracie's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Gracie has his foot on Abarai's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Abarai works his way back into a safe position though.
Abarai has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Gracie is proving hard to escape from.

Gracie working for a triangle but Abarai defends it easily.

Abarai got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gracie has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Abarai has managed to get both his arms back between Gracie's legs - danger averted.
Abarai would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Abarai trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

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.

Gracie working for a triangle but Abarai defends it easily.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Gracie looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Abarai wants to stand but Gracie is controlling his posture from full guard.

Abarai avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Abarai decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Gracie smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Abarai tries to land a leg kick but Gracie saw it coming and moves away.
Gracie darts in looking for a takedown but Abarai gets double underhooks and turns Gracie into the cage.
Abarai swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gracie on the wrong end of a nice jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown but Abarai shows good takedown defense.
Abarai dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Gracie. That did some damage!
Gracie walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Renji Abarai is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gracie dives in for a single leg takedown but Abarai sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Abarai appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Renji Abarai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Renoa Gracie.
Gracie changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Abarai tries to avoid it but Gracie manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Abarai to the ground. Abarai escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Gracie misses with a takedown attempt - Abarai sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Gracie keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Abarai lands a jab to Gracie's midsection.
Abarai buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Gracie just misses with a punch to the body.
Abarai swats away the attempt to clinch by Gracie.
Gracie fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
The fighters circling - Abarai throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Abarai stuffs the takedown attempt from Gracie. Gracie gets slowly back to his feet.
Gracie shoots for a takedown but Abarai saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Gracie avoids the body shot from Abarai.
Gracie blocks a jab.
Abarai dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Abarai lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gracie tries to score a power double leg takedown but Abarai sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Gracie somewhat.
Abarai darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Abarai turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown but Abarai shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Gracie closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Abarai did well to prevent Gracie getting side control.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Gracie connects with a nice short shot to Abarai's temple.
My spies in GAMMA Gym inform me that Gracie has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Gracie is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Abarai won't allow Gracie to pass to mount.
Gracie throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Abarai pushes Gracie off looking to stand but Gracie dives back in and keeps control.
Gracie wants to control but Abarai is keeping him busy.
Gracie missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Abarai trying to control from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Renji Abarai dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Abarai bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Gracie's head backwards.
Abarai throws a solid leg kick but Gracie takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Abarai.

Gracie looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Gracie throwing strikes from guard but Abarai blocks nicely.
Renoa Gracie has got the better of the ground game so far.
Gracie trying to control but Abarai is working from the bottom.
Gracie throws a strike but Abarai rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Abarai preventing the sweep.
Abarai is looking to stand up but Gracie won't let him.
Gracie wants to sweep but no luck.
Abarai has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Gracie is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Abarai gets to his feet - Gracie follows without any prompting.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Abarai avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Abarai is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gracie can do to turn this around?
Abarai misses with a low kick.
Abarai keeps the fight on the outside.
It looked like Abarai wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Abarai throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Gracie tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Abarai steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gracie.

Gracie gets a clinch.
Abarai is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Gracie has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Abarai after a bit of a struggle.
Abarai blocks a body shot from Gracie.
Gracie has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Abarai after a bit of a struggle.
Renji Abarai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Renoa Gracie.
Gracie tries to pull guard but Abarai won't allow it.
Good body shot from Abarai.
Still in the clinch, Abarai scores with a nice short uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Gracie fails to land.
Abarai misses with a punch on the inside.
A hook to the body from Abarai.
Gracie is breathing heavily.
Abarai throws a punch but it's blocked by Gracie.
Abarai blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Gracie jumps guard but Abarai turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Abarai.
Abarai working aggressively here.
Abarai gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Gracie.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Abarai lands a left hand.
Abarai works on Gracie's body with a couple of short punches.
Abarai lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Abarai lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Abarai lands with a right to the head.
Gracie tries to score a body lock takedown but Abarai shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Abarai breaks the clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Gracie goes for a takedown in the clinch but Abarai prevents it.
Abarai scores with a shot to the side of Gracie's head.
Gracie tries to pull guard but Abarai won't allow it.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Abarai.
Abarai throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Abarai is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Gracie is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Abarai pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Abarai working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Abarai.
A right hook to the body lands for Abarai.
Abarai lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Abarai lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Abarai lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Abarai breaks the clinch.
Abarai scores with a hook to the body. Gracie takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Gracie doesn't manage to clinch there - Abarai circles away.
Gracie's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Abarai connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Gracie scrambles back to his feet.
Abarai chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Nice takedown defense from Abarai. No joy for Gracie on that attempt.
Abarai cracks Gracie with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Gracie fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Abarai avoids it really well and circles away.
Abarai throwing a counter right hand but Gracie manages to avoid it.
Abarai scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Abarai swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gracie swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Abarai scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Abarai misses the shot to the body.
Abarai connects with an inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie misses with a takedown attempt - Abarai sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Gracie takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Abarai lands a jab to the nose.
Abarai tries a low kick but Gracie avoids it.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown but Abarai shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Abarai lands with a shot to the body.
Gracie tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Abarai paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Abarai jabs at Gracie's body.
Gracie takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Nice straight punches there by Abarai. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Abarai.
Gracie slips under a jab from Abarai.
Gracie uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Abarai.
Gracie takes one to the side of the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gracie stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Abarai.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Abarai.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gracie.
Gracie on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Renji Abarai dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Abarai with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Renji Abarai is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Abarai throws a lazy right hand but Gracie sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Abarai tries to bum rush Gracie with a series of wild strikes but Gracie uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Gracie misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Abarai lands a leg kick that knocks Gracie off balance momentarily.
Gracie looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Abarai is fending him off so far but Gracie persists. Nope, Abarai circles away and we're back to standing.
Gracie connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Abarai throws the left hand but Gracie avoids the punch easily.
Abarai dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Gracie shoots in but no luck this time.
Renji Abarai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Renoa Gracie.
A chopping leg kick lands by Abarai.
Good standup being displayed there by Gracie as he connects with a hook.
Abarai connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Abarai misses the shot to the body.
Gracie looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Abarai misses with a wild body shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gracie tries to score a power double leg takedown but Abarai sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Gracie somewhat.
Gracie takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abarai cracks Gracie with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Gracie tries for a takedown but Abarai sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Renji Abarai is winning the standup battle so far.
Gracie walks into a jab.
Gracie tries to score a power double leg takedown but Abarai sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Gracie somewhat.
Gracie goes for a double leg but Abarai avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Abarai continues to drive forward.
Abarai feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Abarai punishes Gracie's body with a nice straight punch.
Abarai lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Gracie tries to clinch but Abarai moves out of range.
Gracie fails to land the takedown.
Abarai scores with a jab to the body.
Gracie takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Gracie is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Abarai.
Abarai uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Gracie has time to react.
Gracie blocks a leg kick.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Gracie shoots in looking for a takedown but Abarai manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Gracie's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Renoa Gracie has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gracie fails in his attempt to clinch.
Gracie looks for a takedown but Abarai sprawls well.
Abarai lands with a nice body punch.
Gracie moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
A nice leg kick from Abarai, right into the meat of the thigh.
Gracie throws a looping overhand right but Abarai ducks down to avoid it.
Abarai moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Abarai throws a leg kick which misses Gracie's front leg but catches the back leg as Gracie tries to avoid it.
Gracie is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Abarai leaves Gracie with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Abarai fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Abarai sprawls well. Abarai wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Gracie gets slowly back to his feet.
Abarai lands an overhand right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abarai lands a jab to the head.
Gracie takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Gracie drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Abarai connects with a body shot that sends Gracie's belly button to the back.
Gracie walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Abarai drops his hands momentarily and Gracie takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Gracie has a takedown stuffed.
Abarai scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Gracie closes this distance looking for a takedown but Abarai circles away.
Abarai keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Abarai connects with a looping right hand.
Gracie on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Abarai. Abarai obviously looking to wear him down.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Good shot there by Abarai.
Abarai lands a nice hook to Gracie's body. Gracie takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Abarai fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Gracie shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Abarai pinned against the cage. Abarai gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Abarai fires out a quick counter leg kick but Gracie just manages to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie fails with a takedown attempt.
Abarai connects with the punch.
Abarai turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Gracie drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Abarai throws a quick inside leg kick.
Gracie on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Gracie has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Abarai cracks Gracie with an open hand slap.
Abarai lands a jab to Gracie's midsection.
Abarai scores with a jab to the body.
Abarai throws a series of strikes that have Gracie backpedaling.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown but Abarai shows good takedown defense.
Abarai changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gracie doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Gracie misses with a looping left.
Abarai lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gracie circles away quickly and effectively.
Abarai scores with a leg kick.
Abarai lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

And that's the end of the fight!
Renji Abarai showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Abarai, 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Glass scores the fight 30:27
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Renji Abarai!
Renji Abarai thanked the fans post fight for their support.