PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ricardo Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alvaro Salazar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Salazar is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Don Omar ft Tego Calderon - Bandolero. Ricardo Gracie has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Gracie
vs
Salazar

175 cm
26
178 lbs
14 - 2 - 1

180 cm
26
201 lbs
13 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

ADCC Champion
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

KAISER

ACME-Blood Red Q158 Always $30 (5% Laundry SALE)
Untouchable Fight Nutrition

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 14 - 2 - 1, fighting out of London, Ricardo Gracie!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alvaro Salazar!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Konstantin Menshow and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie misses with a jab to the body
and Salazar counters with a stiff right hand.
Gracie bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Gracie tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in the close the distance. Salazar manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Salazar staying out of range there.
Salazar fails with the takedown.
Gracie throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A swing and a miss from Gracie.
Salazar fails with the takedown
and Gracie connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Gracie slips a jab from Salazar.
Gracie throws a leg kick but Salazar checks it.
Gracie tries a head kick but it misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Salazar.
Ricardo Gracie has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alvaro Salazar.
Salazar closes the distance and clinches up with Gracie, looking for a takedown. Salazar pushes Gracie against the ropes but Gracie circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Salazar fails with the takedown
and Gracie counters with a head kick. That will keep Salazar thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Gracie jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Salazar gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A nice right hand lands inside from Salazar.
Salazar tries to stall but Gracie uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Gracie tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Salazar's elbow.
Gracie trying to stall but Salazar improves his position.
Salazar gets through Gracie's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Salazar tries to throw a body punch but Gracie avoids it by throwing Salazar back against the ropes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Salazar breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Gracie connects with a body shot that sends Salazar's belly button to the back.
Salazar with a lazy takedown attempt
and Gracie counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Salazar feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Salazar preventing the sweep.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Gracie has his foot on Salazar's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Salazar works his way back into a safe position though.
Salazar stands and throws Gracie's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Gracie manages to work his way to half guard, despite Salazar's best efforts.
Gracie gets full guard.
Gracie is trying to keep Salazar in close.
Salazar looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gracie had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Salazar defends it easily.
Gracie keeping moving, preventing Salazar from controlling successfully.
Gracie not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Salazar advances to half guard.
Gracie wants to control but Salazar is keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie wants to get back to full guard but Salazar has passed into side control.
Salazar trying to control the action but Gracie is working from the bottom.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Gracie tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Salazar presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
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.
Salazar cracks Gracie with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
BOOM! Salazar connects with a massive shot to the dome!
This has been an exciting period of action!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Salazar trying to control but Gracie is having none of it.
Gracie is trying to reverse the position but instead Salazar has taken his back - oops!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Alvaro Salazar will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Gracie takes a swing at Salazar's ribcage but misses.
Salazar tries to move into range but Gracie moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Gracie missing with a left hand there. Salazar was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Salazar shoots in looking for a takedown. Gracie tries to sprawl out of it but Salazar 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.
Salazar moves away from the strike by Gracie.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Gracie.

Salazar closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Salazar lands in his opponent's guard.
Salazar trying to control the position from guard on top but Gracie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gracie had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Salazar defends it easily.
Gracie tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Gracie keeping moving, preventing Salazar from controlling successfully.
Salazar preventing the sweep.
Gracie is working hard here to advance position.
Salazar tries to free his leg and advance position but Gracie is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gracie had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Salazar defends it easily.
Salazar passes Gracie's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Gracie gets back to full guard.
Salazar in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Gracie escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Salazar gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Salazar advances position into side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Gracie moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Salazar wants to pass the guard but Gracie is keeping the position.

Gracie has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Salazar can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Gracie wants to sweep here but Salazar controlling him for the moment.
Salazar passes Gracie's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Salazar working Gracie over with strikes.
Gracie is not content to let Salazar control the position.
Alvaro Salazar has got the better of the ground game so far.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Salazar lands a nice short elbow.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Salazar wants to control but Gracie is keeping him busy.

Salazar 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.

Salazar is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Gracie is just riding it out for now. Salazar eventually gives up the hold.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Salazar trying to control from half guard but Gracie is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alvaro Salazar 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.

Salazar misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Nice cross by Salazar.
Salazar fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Gracie misses with an uppercut.

Gracie has Salazar up against the ropes in a clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Salazar fails to land.
Gracie misses with a punch on the inside.
Salazar lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A short uppercut from Gracie.
Gracie misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salazar blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Gracie keeps control of Salazar as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Gracie scores with a hook to the body.

Gracie breaks the clinch.
Salazar misses with a takedown
and Gracie counters with a stiff right hand.
Gracie throws a shot to the body.
Ricardo Gracie seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gracie. Salazar does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gracie scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Salazar fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Ricardo Gracie has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alvaro Salazar.
Salazar takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Salazar shoots for a takedown but Gracie saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salazar tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Gracie swivels and escapes.
Gracie looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Salazar shoots for a double leg takedown but Gracie sprawls well. He's pushed Salazar's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Gracie lands a slapping body shot.
Gracie throws an overhand right that lands on Salazar's shoulder, as Salazar tries to avoid the shot.
Gracie catches Salazar with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Gracie scores with a hook to the body. Salazar takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Gracie stuns Salazar with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Nice jab there from Gracie.
Gracie uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Salazar has time to react.
Gracie lands a nice looking body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie scores with a hook.
Donk. Gracie catches Salazar right on the button with a cross.
Salazar steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gracie.
Gracie works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Gracie misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Salazar.
Gracie moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

Gracie scores with a takedown into Salazar's guard.

Salazar is looking for a triangle but Gracie pushes his legs off easily.
Gracie scoring with some ground and pound.

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!
Salazar looking for a sweep. Not yet Salazar, not yet.
Gracie pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Salazar is keeping the position for now.
Gracie postures up.
Salazar is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Gracie scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Gracie trying to control but Salazar is working from the bottom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Salazar working for submissions but it's allowed Gracie to get to half guard.
Gracie missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricardo Gracie clearly takes that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Gracie darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Gracie tries to close the distance and clinch but Salazar swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Gracie loads up on a big right hand but Salazar slips the punch.
Salazar doesn't succeed with the takedown
enabling Gracie to counter with a crisp jab.
Gracie looks to land a right hand but Salazar moved out of range.
Salazar shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Gracie as he jumps to the side.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Gracie here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Gracie goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Gracie doesn't manage to clinch there - Salazar circles away.
Gracie bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Salazar's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Salazar.
Ricardo Gracie has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alvaro Salazar.
Gracie with a jab.
Gracie misses with a hook. Salazar ducked under it nicely.
Salazar misses with a looping left.
Salazar fails with the takedown.
Salazar is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Gracie thows a body shot but no joy.

Salazar gets a takedown into half guard.
Salazar trying to control from half guard but Gracie is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salazar thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Salazar seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Gracie does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Salazar wants to work for an arm triangle but Gracie is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Gracie slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Gracie wants to stand but Salazar is controlling the position.

Gracie looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie looking to hit a scissor sweep but Salazar is one step ahead there.

Gracie has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Salazar can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Salazar in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Salazar trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Salazar passes Gracie's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Salazar trying to control the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Salazar wants to advance to full mount but Gracie doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.

Gracie looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Gracie is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Salazar passes Gracie's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Gracie won't allow Salazar to pass to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Ricardo Gracie will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Salazar tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Gracie swivels and escapes.
Salazar drops his hands momentarily and Gracie takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

Salazar gets a double leg takedown into Gracie's guard.
Salazar trying to control but Gracie is working from the bottom.
Salazar missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
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.
Salazar is looking to work some ground and pound but Gracie has wrist control.
Salazar wants to control from the top but Gracie keeps moving.
Salazar trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie keeping moving, preventing Salazar from controlling successfully.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Gracie has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Salazar has passed into side control.
Gracie is not content to let Salazar control the position.
Salazar in side control, just content to control the action for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Salazar.
Salazar looking to control but instead Gracie has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Salazar trying to control from half guard but Gracie is working away.
Gracie keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gracie looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Gracie works his way to full guard. Good work.

Gracie looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Salazar trying to control the position from guard on top but Gracie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Salazar might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Gracie kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Salazar is working Gracie over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Salazar trying to control but Gracie is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Salazar working some strikes from top position.
Salazar trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Salazar prevents Gracie from getting back to his feet.
Salazar trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Gracie looking for a sweep. Not yet Gracie, not yet.
Salazar trying to control but Gracie is working from the bottom.
Salazar 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.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Salazar looking to pass the guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alvaro Salazar comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Salazar 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight for Ricardo Gracie!
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight for Ricardo Gracie!
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight for Ricardo Gracie!

Ricardo Gracie wins by unanimous decision!
Ricardo Gracie retains his middleweight title!
A relieved looking Ricardo Gracie thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.