PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Leland Palmer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rolex Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Palmer comes to the cage accompanied by Portishead - Roads. Gracie has chosen Flying Submissions as his entrance music. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Rolex Gracie enters the cage!

Palmer
vs
Gracie

186 cm
21
200 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

180 cm
27
191 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
KO power

Good takedowns
Excellent boxer
Knockout power

SNC Suplementos

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Leland Palmer!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rolex Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Paulo Santos and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Palmer looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Palmer with a lazy takedown attempt

and Gracie counters with a nice double leg into side control. Palmer won't be happy with that.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Palmer tries to bench press Gracie off him but Gracie keeps the position.
Gracie creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Palmer sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Gracie trying to control the position but Palmer is working away.
Palmer is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Gracie sitting and controlling from the half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Palmer looking for submissions off his back.
Palmer tries to get to full guard but Gracie has control of the leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie is looking to take a break and control but Palmer is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Gracie takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Gracie is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Palmer works his way to full guard. Good work.
Gracie is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Palmer escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Gracie gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Gracie trying to control but Palmer is working from the bottom.
Palmer looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Gracie accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Palmer is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Gracie is aware though and is defending well.
Gracie looking to pass the guard.
Gracie stands and throws Palmer's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Palmer tries to get back to half guard but can't.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Gracie tries for a kimura but Palmer is defending well.

Gracie tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Palmer is being controlled here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Palmer manages to work his way to half guard, despite Gracie's best efforts.
Gracie works his foot free and advances to mount.

Gracie working for a submission but Palmer is keeping him at bay.
Palmer really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Gracie controlling from the full mount.
Gracie working Palmer over with strikes here.
Palmer regains half guard.
Palmer is trying to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palmer is working hard here to advance position.
Gracie is trying to control the action in half guard but Palmer is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Gracie is working for a submission of some sort.
Palmer is trying to get back to full guard.

Palmer looking for a kimura from the bottom but Gracie passes into side control!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Palmer is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Gracie throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Palmer moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rolex Gracie 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.

Palmer shoots in looking for a takedown but Gracie manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Palmer's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Gracie keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Palmer shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Gracie uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Palmer.
Gracie misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Palmer misses with a takedown attempt

and Gracie counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Palmer's guard now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Leland Palmer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Palmer keeps moving.
Palmer being controlled here, momentarily.
Gracie trying to control but Palmer is working from the bottom.

Palmer 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.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Gracie engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's one minute gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Rolex Gracie hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Gracie throws a series of punches but Palmer moves out of range.
Palmer with a poor takedown
and Gracie counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Palmer defending well as Gracie loads up on a big left hand.

Gracie shoots in and bounces Palmer off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Palmer is looking to sweep but instead, Gracie has passed into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Gracie controlling the action here.
Gracie seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Palmer does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Gracie not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Gracie tries to pass to full mount but Palmer defends it.
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!

Palmer looking for submissions off his back.

Palmer looking for submissions off his back.
Palmer wants to improve his position but Gracie is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Palmer looking for submissions off his back.
Gracie trying to control the pace.
Palmer is trying to get back to full guard.
Well, if Gracie is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

Gracie is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Palmer doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Gracie.
Well, if Gracie is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is trying to control the action in half guard but Palmer is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Gracie is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Palmer tries to roll over but Gracie keeps him under control.
Gracie is taking a breather. Palmer says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Rolex Gracie wasn't active enough on the ground.

Gracie drives through with a takedown into Palmer's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Palmer throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
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!

Palmer is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Gracie is aware though and is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rolex 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.

Palmer looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Gracie rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Palmer moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Gracie on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Palmer gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Gracie counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Gracie misses with a wild combination.
Gracie lands with a straight right. Palmer didn't see that one coming.
Palmer shoots in for a takedown but Gracie shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Leland Palmer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Palmer has his takedown stuffed

and Gracie counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Gracie.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Palmer looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Palmer keeps moving.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Palmer throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Gracie escapes and throws Palmer's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Palmer taking a bit of punishment here - Gracie scoring with strikes.

Gracie tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Gracie staying calm.
Gracie wants to lay and pray for a moment but Palmer keeps working.
Gracie is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gracie working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Palmer is trying to improve his position.
Palmer manages to get back to half guard.
Gracie moves nicely into side control.
Gracie in side control, throwing shots but Palmer defends.
Palmer manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gracie is positioning himself well to prevent Palmer advancing to mount.
Rolex Gracie has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Gracie manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Palmer pushing down on Gracie's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Palmer is looking to stall here but Gracie recovers full guard.
Palmer wants to control from the top but Gracie keeps moving.
Palmer throws an elbow that misses. Gracie uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Palmer's guard. Nice move by Gracie!
Gracie wants to control from the top but Palmer keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Gracie lands a couple of digs.

Palmer working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Gracie has passed into half guard!

Gracie seems to be looking for submissions.
Palmer blocking the ground and pound attempt from Gracie.
Palmer is trying to get back to full guard.

Gracie is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Palmer regains full guard. Nicely done.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rolex Gracie really dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

A combination from Palmer does no damage.

Gracie drives through with a takedown into Palmer's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Palmer keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gracie sitting in guard here, content to control.
Palmer working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Gracie.
Gracie passes Palmer's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Palmer blocking the ground and pound attempt from Gracie.
Palmer wants to improve his position but Gracie is controlling well.
Gracie trying to control from half guard but Palmer is working away.

Gracie moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Palmer.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Palmer is letting Gracie control him for a moment.
Palmer tries to buck Gracie off but Gracie is having none of it.
Gracie landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Gracie is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Palmer is trying to get back to half guard.
Palmer gets back to half guard.
Gracie controlling the action here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gracie seems to be looking for submissions.
Gracie wants to lay and pray for a moment but Palmer keeps working.
Palmer slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Palmer 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.

Palmer looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Gracie passes into half guard.

Palmer looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Palmer looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Palmer wants to get back to full guard but Gracie has passed into side control.

Gracie is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Palmer is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Gracie in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Palmer tries to buck Gracie off but Gracie is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie trying to control the action but Palmer is working from the bottom.

Gracie is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Palmer has escaped the position, nice work there.
Palmer is looking to regain half guard here but Gracie keeps moving and retains side control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gracie in side control lands a decent elbow.
Palmer is looking to reverse the position.
Palmer is not content to let Gracie control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rolex Gracie dominated that fourth round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Gracie drives through with a takedown into Palmer's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Palmer is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Gracie must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Palmer is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Gracie looking to pass the guard.
Gracie slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Palmer throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie trying to control but Palmer is working from the bottom.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

Gracie avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Gracie controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Palmer is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a triangle but Gracie frees his head nicely. Oh but Palmer has switched to an armbar! Gracie is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:04 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Leland Palmer!
Leland Palmer retains his middleweight title!
Leland Palmer was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.