PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Nikita Kotoski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marcos Jose Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Kotoski
vs
Jose Gracie

187 cm
22
185 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

184 cm
18
180 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Tends to cut

Dark Storm Performance

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Nikita Kotoski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Marcos Jose Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Edson Gomes and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kotoski is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kotoski tries to close the distance and clinch but Gracie swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kotoski looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Gracie doesn't manage to clinch there - Kotoski circles away.
Gracie is looking to clinch.

Kotoski drives through and clinches with Gracie against the cage.
Gracie is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Kotoski is keeping busy.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Kotoski.
Kotoski makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Kotoski lands a nice uppercut.
Kotoski lands with a left to the head.
Kotoski lands an uppercut.
Kotoski tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Gracie just stands there and leans against the cage.
Kotoski softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Kotoski works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Kotoski.
Nice body punch from Kotoski - that landed with a thud.
Kotoski has Gracie pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Gracie manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
A right hook to the body lands for Kotoski.
Kotoski lands a body punch.
Gracie is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Kotoski is keeping busy.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Kotoski.
Gracie looks gassed!
Kotoski working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
A body shot lands from Kotoski.
Kotoski digs a right hand into Gracie's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Gracie's gas tank.
A short uppercut from Kotoski.
Kotoski lands a body shot.
Kotoski lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Gracie stalls.
Gracie pushes off an throws an elbow but Kotoski leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Gracie trying to land knees to the body.
Kotoski lands a right hand that snaps the head of Gracie backwards.

Gracie is rocked!
Nice body punch from Kotoski - that landed with a thud.
Gracie is still on wobbly legs! Can Kotoski finish him?
A short uppercut from Kotoski.
Kotoski lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kotoski lands with a light punch inside.
A body shot lands from Kotoski.

Gracie is fighting off a takedown attempt but Kotoski is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Gracie to the mat. Gracie regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.

Kotoski thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Kotoski slips nicely into half guard.

Kotoski seems to be looking for submissions.

Kotoski is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kotoski wants to free his trapped foot but Gracie is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Gracie seems to have recovered his senses.
Gracie wants to get back to his feet.
Gracie trying to control but Kotoski postures up.

Kotoski is looking for a kimura here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kotoski seems to be looking for submissions.

Kotoski is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Gracie defends it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kotoski 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.
Kotoski is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Gracie!
Gracie is controlling an arm, preventing Kotoski from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.

Kotoski working for a guillotine from mount but Gracie is in no mood to give up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kotoski mounts Gracie! Really nice guard pass there!

Kotoski jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Gracie is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Gracie and Kotoski has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

Kotoski swings around for an armbar but Gracie sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Kotoski's guard.

Kotoski working for a triangle but Gracie defends it easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kotoski tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikita Kotoski dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Gracie tries to clinch up.
Kotoski looks to clinch

and Gracie holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
A short body shot lands from Kotoski as the two fighters clinch.
Gracie misses with a knee to the head.
A left hand lands to the body for Kotoski.
Kotoski digs a right hand into Gracie's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Gracie's gas tank.
Kotoski lands a nice shot to the body.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Kotoski.
Kotoski lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Gracie tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kotoski scores with a nice hook to the head.
Knees to the body from Gracie.
Gracie lands a nice knee to the body.
Gracie lands a nice elbow.

It looks like Nikita Kotoski has been cut.
Gracie with a knee to the head.
Gracie crunches a lovely knee into Kotoski's ribcage.
Gracie is trying to stall.
Kotoski throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Gracies head.
Gracie slows down the pace here.
Kotoski lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Gracie is breathing heavily.
Kotoski is working Gracie over against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kotoski lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Gracie backwards.
Kotoski lands a hook that snaps the head of Gracie backwards.
Kotoski lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Gracie.

Kotoski turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

Kotoski goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Gracie has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Kotoski but great work by Gracie.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kotoski sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Kotoski looking for submissions off his back.
Kotoski is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Gracie perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Kotoski is looking to improve his position.
Gracie works his way into side control.
Kotoski tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kotoski gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kotoski looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Gracie is trying to control the action in half guard but Kotoski is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Gracie looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Kotoski is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Gracie jumps into side control!
Kotoski is looking to reverse the position.
Kotoski manages to work his way to half guard, despite Gracie's best efforts.
Kotoski tries to roll over but Gracie keeps him under control.

Kotoski looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kotoski moves into full guard.

Kotoski is looking for a triangle here but Gracie uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Kotoski tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Gracie presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Kotoski tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Gracie looking to secure an arm triangle but Kotoski defends it well.
Kotoski tries to reverse the position but Gracie maintains control.

That's four 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 controlling his opponent.
Kotoski regains half guard.
Kotoski works his way to full guard. Good work.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Kotoski looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Kotoski wants to hit a switch here but Gracie passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Kotoski there!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikita Kotoski dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Nikita Kotoski's cut.
That's time! Kotoski's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Gracie closes the distance looking to clinch

and Kotoski counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Kotoski.
Kotoski dodges an elbow strike from Gracie.
Gracie throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Kotoski working some nice short punches in the clinch.

It looks like Marcos Jose Gracie has been cut.
Kotoski lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Kotoski lands a nice uppercut.
Kotoski lands with a right to the head.

Kotoski manages to pull guard.
Kotoski lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Gracie!
Gracie has given up his back.

Gracie defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

Kotoski looking for the RNC.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kotoski is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Kotoski is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Gracie manages to reverse the position and now he's in Kotoski's guard. Nice work there by Gracie.
Kotoski lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Gracie!

Kotoski is working for a guillotine from mount but Gracie frees his head quite easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kotoski moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Gracie has worked his arm free - good work by Gracie!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Kotoski passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Gracie!

Kotoski goes for an armbar but Gracie turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Gracie.

Kotoski has his foot on Gracie's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Gracie works his way back into a safe position though.
Kotoski is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Kotoski looking for a guillotine here but Gracie defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kotoski has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Gracie can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Kotoski wants to improve his position but instead Gracie has moved into half guard.
Kotoski wants to get back to full guard.

Kotoski looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Nikita Kotoski overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kotoski gets full guard.

That's four 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.

Kotoski looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Gracie passes into half guard.
Kotoski is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Kotoski is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Gracie jumps into side control!
Kotoski manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Kotoski makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Kotoski.
Kotoski tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Marcos Jose Gracie has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Kotoski isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Gracie stacks Kotoski on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Gracie!

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Nikita Kotoski showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kotoski has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 30:27
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 30:27
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nikita Kotoski!