PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rolls Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pierre Bienvenueve (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gracie's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Wu-Tang Clan - The Mystery Of Chessboxin. Bienvenueve has chosen Bahama Mama. Boney M as his entrance music. Rolls Gracie could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Pierre Bienvenueve's chin.

Gracie
vs
Bienvenueve

187 cm
30
183 lbs
18 - 14 - 0

182 cm
31
178 lbs
18 - 15 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 14 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rolls Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 15 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Pierre Bienvenueve!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Fedor Mirinova and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie thows a left - swing and a miss!
Bienvenueve avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Bienvenueve misses with a hook. Gracie ducked under it nicely.
Gracie misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bienvenueve.
Bienvenueve lands with an overhand left.
Bienvenueve lands a right hook to the body.
Bienvenueve scores with a hook to the body. Gracie takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Gracie closes this distance looking for a takedown but Bienvenueve circles away.
Gracie avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Gracie lands a slapping body shot.
Bienvenueve sizes up Gracie with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Bienvenueve misses with a looping right.

Bienvenueve clinches with his opponent.
Bienvenueve is trying to break free.
Bienvenueve wants a takedown but no success here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bienvenueve keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Gracie's efforts to push away.
Gracie misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Bienvenueve blocks a body shot from Gracie.

Bienvenueve manages to break the clinch.
Gracie throws a body punch but Bienvenueve moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A punch combination from Bienvenueve misses.
An inside leg kick lands from Gracie.
Bienvenueve looks to score with a jab to the body but Gracie is just out of range.
Gracie slips under a jab.
Nice sprawl there from Bienvenueve as Gracie shoots in.
Gracie throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Bienvenueve looks to land a right hand but Gracie moved out of range.
Bienvenueve walks forward, straight into a front kick from Gracie.

Bienvenueve has managed to clinch.
Bienvenueve blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Bienvenueve breaks from the clinch.
Gracie throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Bienvenueve sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A jab from Gracie misses.
Gracie throws a hook to the side of Bienvenueve's head but Bienvenueve sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Gracie misses with a hook. Bienvenueve ducked under it nicely.
Bienvenueve misses with a series of wild punches.
Bienvenueve stuns Gracie with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Bienvenueve misses with a body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bienvenueve blocks a jab.
Bienvenueve looks to land a left hand but Gracie moved out of range nicely.
Pierre Bienvenueve seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bienvenueve fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Bienvenueve lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Gracie connects with an inside leg kick.
Gracie keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Bienvenueve.
A left and a right from Bienvenueve both land. Nice combination.
Bienvenueve looks gassed!
Gracie loads up on a big right hand but Bienvenueve slips the punch.
Gracie throws a low kick but Bienvenueve avoids it.
Gracie misses with a hook. Bienvenueve ducked under it nicely.
Gracie takes one on the button.
Gracie swings away with a body shot that misses
and Bienvenueve cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
That kick from Gracie tenderised Bienvenueve's leg. Bienvenueve is trying to keep his angry face on.
Bienvenueve tries to close the distance and clinch but Gracie swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Gracie bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Bienvenueve's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Bienvenueve.
Bienvenueve throws a sloppy head kick and Gracie moves out of range easily.
Gracie takes a swing at Bienvenueve's ribcage but misses.

Gracie fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Bienvenueve to the ground. Gracie is now in Bienvenueve's guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Bienvenueve looking for a sweep. Not yet Bienvenueve, not yet.
Gracie working some strikes from top position.
Bienvenueve bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Gracie's guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Bienvenueve avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Gracie looking to control.

Gracie has his foot on Bienvenueve's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Bienvenueve works his way back into a safe position though.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bienvenueve trying to control the position from guard on top but Gracie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bienvenueve postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Gracie tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bienvenueve postures up in Gracie's guard and throws a big left but Gracie blocks it.
Bienvenueve with a flurry of punches that miss.

Bienvenueve avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gracie 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.
Bienvenueve in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Gracie looking for a sweep. Not yet Gracie, not yet.

Gracie working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Bienvenueve doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Bienvenueve manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Bienvenueve throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Gracie works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bienvenueve slips nicely into half guard.
Gracie manages to get to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Rolls Gracie will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Gracie takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Gracie connects with a body shot that sends Bienvenueve's belly button to the back.
Gracie keeps the fight on the outside.
Gracie takes one on the button.
Gracie misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bienvenueve.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Bienvenueve as he avoids it easily.
Bienvenueve moves in looking to clinch but Gracie pushes him off.
Gracie avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Gracie fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Bienvenueve.

Bienvenueve darts in and clinches Gracie up against the cage.

Bienvenueve breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Gracie tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bienvenueve was well out of range. Poor timing from Gracie.
Bienvenueve thows a left - swing and a miss!
A head kick misses from Bienvenueve.
Gracie looks to score with a jab to the body but Bienvenueve is just out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bienvenueve throws a hook to the side of Gracie's head but Gracie sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Pierre Bienvenueve is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bienvenueve throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Gracie on the side of the head.
Bienvenueve throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Gracie scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
The fighters circling - Bienvenueve throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Pierre Bienvenueve seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Gracie avoids the body shot from Bienvenueve.
Gracie keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Bienvenueve.
Bienvenueve is breathing heavily.
Bienvenueve pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Gracie throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Gracie throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bienvenueve checks the leg kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Bienvenueve misses the target.
Gracie blocks a jab.
Gracie misses with a low kick.
Bienvenueve swings for the body but Gracie moves out of range.
Bienvenueve with a hook.
Gracie uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie connects with a good right hand that stumbles Bienvenueve. Bienvenueve circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Bienvenueve jabs Gracie to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Gracie staying out of range there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A jab from Bienvenueve misses.
Bienvenueve throws a hook to the side of Gracie's head but Gracie sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Gracie swings for the body but Bienvenueve moves out of range.
Bienvenueve misses with a looping right.
Bienvenueve blocks a leg kick.
Bienvenueve is looking to clinch but Gracie is avoiding it.
Gracie throws a right and a left that Bienvenueve avoids nicely.
Bienvenueve wants to slow Gracie down by chopping away at his legs.
Nice defenses there by Gracie.
Bienvenueve looks to land a left hand but Gracie moved out of range nicely.
Gracie tries a low kick but Bienvenueve avoids it.
Gracie throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bienvenueve misses the shot to the body.
Gracie throws a hook but Bienvenueve avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bienvenueve uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Gracie.
Bienvenueve checks a leg kick.
Gracie rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Bienvenueve moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Gracie uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bienvenueve.
Bienvenueve tries to clinch but Gracie moves out of range.
Gracie connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Bienvenueve's hands.
Bienvenueve throws a sloppy head kick and Gracie moves out of range easily.

Gracie closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Bienvenueve is working to avoid the ground and pound but Gracie connects with a decent elbow.
Bienvenueve manages to get back to half guard.
Bienvenueve taking some punishment here, with Gracie in his half guard.
Gracie wants to pass to mount but Bienvenueve is defending the position.
Gracie is trying to control. Bienvenueve wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!

Bienvenueve looking for submissions off his back.
Gracie is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Gracie tries to control but Bienvenueve wriggling away.
Gracie dominating with strikes here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bienvenueve keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Gracie putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Gracie has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bienvenueve is desperately trying to improve his position but Gracie has a good base and remains in mount.
Gracie trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Gracie landing strikes from the mount and Bienvenueve is in trouble!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rolls Gracie dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Bienvenueve moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Gracie connects with a single shot there.
Bienvenueve fails with an attempt to clinch.
Gracie misses with a low kick.
Bienvenueve throws an overhand right that lands on Gracie's shoulder, as Gracie tries to avoid the shot.
Gracie takes a swing at Bienvenueve's ribcage but misses.
Gracie throws out a leg kick but Bienvenueve moves out of range and Gracie only half commits.
Gracie looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Gracie throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Gracie avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Gracie throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Gracie blocks a head kick by Bienvenueve.
Gracie blocks a head kick by Bienvenueve.
Gracie misses with a low kick as Bienvenueve jumps back.
Bienvenueve takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Gracie keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Bienvenueve cracks a nice hook into Gracie's ribs.
Bienvenueve takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bienvenueve throws a jab but it's blocked by Gracie.
Gracie misses with a low kick.
Good shot there by Gracie.
Bienvenueve throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Bienvenueve tries a head kick but it misses.
Gracie moves out of range of the strikes.
Bienvenueve jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Gracie connects with a body shot that sends Bienvenueve's belly button to the back.
Gracie with a hook.
Bienvenueve moves out of range as Gracie throws a body kick.
Gracie ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Gracie lands a nice shot to the body.
Gracie walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Gracie scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Bienvenueve doesn't seem bothered though.
Gracie throws a leg kick but Bienvenueve sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Gracie blocks a head kick by Bienvenueve.
Pierre Bienvenueve has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Gracie misses the shot to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bienvenueve misses with a hook. Gracie ducked under it nicely.
Bienvenueve checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Gracie tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Gracie moves away from the strike by Bienvenueve.
A nice inside leg kick there by Gracie. That's going to slow Bienvenueve down.
Bienvenueve pivots, looking for a leg kick but Gracie is out of range and Bienvenueve settles back down.
Gracie throws a nice inside leg kick.
Bienvenueve misses with a head kick.
Gracie fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bienvenueve manages to avoid it.
Bienvenueve throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gracie scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Bienvenueve doesn't seem bothered though.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gracie. Bienvenueve does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gracie takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Bienvenueve throws the left hand but Gracie avoids the punch easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Bienvenueve misses.
Gracie lands a lovely overhand right.
Bienvenueve throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bienvenueve takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Gracie attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Gracie, as that shot connected.
Bienvenueve throws a looping overhand right but Gracie ducks down to avoid it.
No joy there for Bienvenueve, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Gracie closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Bienvenueve quickly recovers to half guard.
Gracie stalling.
Gracie prevents Bienvenueve from improving his position.
Gracie seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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.
Bienvenueve on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Gracie scoring with strikes to the body and head.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Bienvenueve is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Gracie pulls his head out easily.
Ground and pound from Gracie.
Gracie landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Gracie lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Gracie seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Gracie trying to mount his opponent but Bienvenueve defends it.
Gracie seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Bienvenueve does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gracie is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Bienvenueve!
Gracie lands a big shot there that rocks Bienvenueve but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Gracie tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rolls Gracie showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Gracie, 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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 30:27
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:27

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