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SSG 338 Gabenagus vs Soderberg PBP Commentary |
This TWGC bout is 1 fifteen minute round in the middleweight division. Introducing today's competitors. In the red corner, competing out of London, with a TWGC record of 5 wins and 7 losses; Hoyce Gracias! And in the blue corner, fighting out of St Petersburg, with a TWGC record of 35 wins and 24 losses; Lamban Gaul!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Bruno Lombardi and Eddie Farnsworth.
The fighters bow as they face eachother in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
Gracias closes the distance and clinches up with Gaul, looking for a takedown. Gracias pushes Gaul against the cage but Gaul circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Gracias seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Gaul throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Gracias tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Gaul is in Gracias's guard. Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Gracias (0) vs (2) Gaul
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gaul not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Gaul must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Let's hope that Gaul has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Gaul trying to control but Gracias is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gaul content to stall in guard here.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Gaul wants to control from the top but Gracias keeps moving.
Gaul trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Gaul sitting in guard, not really doing much.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gracias keeping moving, preventing Gaul from controlling successfully.
That's two 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 (2) Gaul
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Gaul holds on and takes a little breather.
Gracias's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Gaul is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Gracias defends well.
Gracias won't allow Gaul to sweep him here.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracias 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.
Gaul trying to keep a closed guard but Gracias is proving a slippery customer.
Gaul tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Gaul looking to control.
Gracias preventing the sweep.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracias wants to control from the top but Gaul keeps moving.
Gaul has Gracias pulled in close to control his posture.
Gaul wants to hit a sweep here but Gracias passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Gaul there! Score +3 for passing guard: Gracias (5) vs (2) Gaul
Gaul is in all sorts of trouble here.
Gaul keeps trying to improve his position.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Gracias controlling the pace for now.
Gaul really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Gaul is still trying to improve position.
Gaul tries to lock up and control but Gracias gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Gracias trying to control but Gaul is having none of it.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Gracias takes Gaul's back. Score +3 for taking back: Gracias (8) vs (2) Gaul
Gaul tries to roll but Gracias sticks to his back.
Gaul looking very determined here, making life difficult for Gracias.
You can see the frustration on Gaul's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Gracias really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Gaul.
Gaul trying to control the action but Gracias just sinks the hooks in.
Gracias doesn't have the hooks in and Gaul manages to turn into his guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Gracias (8) vs (4) Gaul
Gracias seems keen to control Gaul's posture.
Gaul wants to pass the guard but Gracias is keeping the position.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Gaul is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Gaul is stalling in the full guard.
Gaul looking to pass the guard.
Gaul controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Gaul drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Gracias manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Gaul has Gracias in his guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Gracias (10) vs (4) Gaul
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Gaul working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Gracias doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Gracias manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Gracias wants to control from the top but Gaul keeps moving.
Gaul working a defensive guard here.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Gaul looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Gaul is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Gracias trying to control but Gaul is working from the bottom.
Gaul working a defensive guard but Gracias manages to pass into side control anyway.
Score +3 for passing guard: Gracias (13) vs (4) Gaul
Gracias is looking to take a break and control but Gaul is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Gaul tries to control but end up mounted... ooooh, that's bad. Score +2 for reaching mount: Gracias (15) vs (4) Gaul
Gaul tries to improve his position but instead Gracias has taken his back! Score +3 for taking back: Gracias (18) vs (4) Gaul
Gaul trying to control the hands but Gracias won't let him.
Gaul is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Gracias off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.
Gracias is hanging on to Gaul's back as he tries to escape.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Gaul trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Gracias is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Gracias is not going to allow Gaul to sit and survive in this position.
Gaul defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Gaul trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Gracias doesn't have the hooks in and Gaul manages to turn into his guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Gracias (18) vs (6) Gaul
Gaul 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.
Gracias keeping full guard, as Gaul tries to pass.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Gracias is controlling Gaul's posture.
Gaul trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Gaul trying to control the position from guard on top but Gracias is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gracias trying to keep a closed guard but Gaul is proving a slippery customer.
Gaul tries to free his leg and advance position but Gracias is retaining full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gracias can't keep his opponent in guard - Gaul advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Gaul wants to pass to mount but Gracias is defending the position.
And that's the end of the fight!
Gracias takes the fight on points by 18 to 6.
During a confident post fight interview, Hoyce Gracias thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him. |
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