PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Randy Couture (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Noriko Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Couture comes to the ring accompanied by Randy Couture. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Couture
vs
Gracie

185 cm
23
220 lbs
10 - 1 - 0

188 cm
23
250 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Experienced

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Determined

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 10 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Randy Couture!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Noriko Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Robert Twigg and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Couture fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Gracie stuffs the takedown.

Couture shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Gracie manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Gracie is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Couture is aware though and is defending well.

Gracie working for a triangle but Couture defends it easily.
Gracie looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Couture trying to control but Gracie is working from the bottom.
Couture wants to pass the guard but Gracie is keeping the position.
Couture won't allow Gracie to sweep him here.
Couture stays in close to Gracie's body and controls the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gracie is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Couture defends well.

Gracie throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Couture escapes and throws Gracie's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Gracie is not content to let Couture control the position.
Couture controls the position.
Couture misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Gracie gets back to half guard.
Gracie is looking for a sweep. Couture is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie works his way to full guard. Good work.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Gracie looks gassed!
Couture is stalling in the full guard.

Gracie throws his legs up looking for a submission but Couture uses it to pass to side control.
Couture is looking to take a break and control but Gracie is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Couture controlling the position from side mount.
Gracie tries to bench press Couture off him but Couture keeps the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Couture scores with a couple of short elbows.
Gracie is not content to let Couture control the position.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Randy Couture just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.

Couture shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Gracie is trying to defend but Couture finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Still in half guard, Couture seems content to control.
Couture wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gracie keeps working.
Couture lands strikes from half guard.
Couture working Gracie over with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Couture in particular looking to stall.
Couture uses his free foot to push down on Gracie's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Gracie.
Gracie taking shots to the head.
Couture scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Gracie?
Couture unloading with bombs!
Couture with good strikes from the mount here!
Gracie is squirming around, avoiding Couture's attempts to control the action.
Couture looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Couture landing punches.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gracie is in all sorts of trouble here.
Couture lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Couture trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Gracie is looking to get to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Randy Couture dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Couture misses with a takedown attempt - Gracie sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Gracie with a hook.
Couture slips a jab and a cross from Gracie.
Couture shoots for a double leg takedown but Gracie sprawls well. He's pushed Couture's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Couture takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Couture.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Randy Couture. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Couture ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Gracie with a nice cross.
Gracie thuds his right hand into Couture's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
A left lands for Couture.
Gracie loads up on a big right hand but Couture slips the punch.
Gracie turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Noriko Gracie is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gracie is breathing heavily.
Couture shoots in but no luck this time.
Gracie displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Couture throws out the jab.
Couture has a takedown stuffed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie connects with a high kick.
Gracie lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Gracie throws a head kick that misses.
Couture throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Gracie's waist but Gracie gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Couture off to one side.
Couture takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Couture.
Couture drops his hands momentarily and Gracie takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Gracie swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Couture.
Couture blocks a head kick by Gracie.
Gracie uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Couture has time to react.
Couture misses with a takedown attempt - Gracie sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Randy Couture seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gracie smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Couture tries to move into range but Gracie moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Couture uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gracie.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Couture has a takedown stuffed.
Gracie misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Gracie, as that shot connected.
Couture closes the distance and clinches up with Gracie, looking for a takedown. Couture pushes Gracie against the ropes but Gracie circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Gracie cracks Couture with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Gracie moves into range and connects with a jab.
Gracie throws a one two combo.
Gracie connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Couture shoots for a double leg takedown but Gracie sprawls well. He's pushed Couture's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Gracie works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Gracie might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Gracie scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gracie rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Couture moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Couture fails to land the takedown.
Gracie connects with a good right hand that stumbles Couture. Couture circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Gracie misses.
The fighters circling - Gracie throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Couture takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Gracie loads up on a big right hand but Couture slips the punch.
Gracie leaves Couture with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Gracie lands a nice shot that snaps Couture's head back.
Nice takedown defense from Gracie. No joy for Couture on that attempt.
Gracie lands a slapping body shot.
Couture ducks right into an uppercut from Gracie.
Couture takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Gracie moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Couture shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Gracie but Gracie pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Couture is pinned up against the ropes taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Couture has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Gracie finds it's way round the side to connect with Couture's head.
Couture fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Gracie misses with an uppercut. Couture saw that one coming.
Couture avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Gracie leaves Couture with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Couture walks into a straight right hand from Gracie.
Couture is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Gracie.
Couture showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gracie.
Noriko Gracie is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gracie ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Couture moves away.
Couture tries to score a power double leg takedown but Gracie sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Couture somewhat.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Couture slips a jab from Gracie.
Couture closes this distance looking for a takedown but Gracie circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Noriko Gracie showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Gracie tests Couture's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Couture.
Couture tries to score a power double leg takedown but Gracie sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Couture somewhat.
Gracie uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Gracie throws a sloppy head kick and Couture moves out of range easily.
Couture throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Couture lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Gracie lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Gracie connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Couture decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Couture is trying to control. Gracie wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Gracie looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Couture is looking to take a break and control but Gracie is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie is trying to get back to full guard.
Couture trying to mount his opponent but Gracie defends it.
Gracie is looking to improve his position.

Couture moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Gracie.
Gracie tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Couture wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Couture slows the pace down.
Gracie is looking to reverse the position.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Couture scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Gracie to see if he's OK.
Gracie is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Gracie is not content to let Couture control the position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Nice takedown defense from Gracie. No joy for Couture on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Randy Couture. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Couture shoots for a takedown but Gracie saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Couture fails with a takedown attempt.
Gracie lands with an uppercut that bounces Couture off the ropes and back into rage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie lands with an overhand left.
Nice sprawl there from Gracie as Couture shoots in.
Gracie connects with a single shot there.
Noriko Gracie seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Couture has a takedown stuffed.
Gracie cracks Couture with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the ropes.
Couture shoots in looking for a takedown. Gracie tries to sprawl out of it but Couture keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Gracie manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Gracie lands a nice shot that snaps Couture's head back.
Gracie scores with a nice head shot.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Couture.
Gracie lands with a right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Gracie lands a with a good body shot.
Couture ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Couture changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Gracie tries to avoid it but Couture manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Gracie to the ground. Gracie escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Gracie moves into range and connects with a jab.
A nice combination there by Gracie.
Couture fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Gracie closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Gracie lands a body shot.
Couture pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Couture throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Gracie's waist but Gracie gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Couture off to one side.
Gracie scores with a jab.
Gracie tries a head kick but it misses.
Couture uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Gracie.
Gracie is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Couture.

And that's the end of the fight!
Noriko Gracie comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Gracie 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 28:29
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 28:29
Judge George Francis scores the fight 28:29

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