PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Xavier David (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryan Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). David's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Bring The Pain. Ryan Gracie told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

David
vs
Gracie

190 cm
36
185 lbs
26 - 20 - 2

191 cm
34
186 lbs
24 - 22 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

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 26 - 20 - 2, fighting out of New York, Xavier David!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 22 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Ryan Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, John Roberts and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie connects with an inside leg kick.
David lands with an overhand left.
Gracie misses with a takedown attempt - David sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Gracie scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
David is trying to control Gracie's posture but Gracie avoids it.
David is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Gracie misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
David parries the strikes from Gracie easily there. Gracie is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable David to escape.
Gracie fails to land a wild elbow strike.
David stuck in half guard on the bottom here.
David is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Gracie has just dragged him back down to the mat.
This has been an exciting period of action!
David is looking for a sweep.
David takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
David is trying to control Gracie's posture but Gracie avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gracie wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by David, who protects the arm well.

Gracie is trying to get an arm triangle but David is defending well.
David is trying to buck Gracie off.
Gracie looking to punish the body of his opponent here but David is avoiding damage well.
David is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Gracie has just dragged him back down to the mat.
David is trying to control Gracie's posture but Gracie avoids it.
Gracie trying to control the action but David is working from the bottom.
David is trying to control Gracie's posture but Gracie avoids it.
What's David going to do here then? He's in a bit of a pickle.
David is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Gracie asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
David tries to buck Gracie off but Gracie is having none of it.

Gracie working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Gracie in side control lands a decent elbow.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Gracie scoring with punches from side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Gracie is trying to get an arm triangle but David is defending well.
Gracie looking to punish the body of his opponent here but David is avoiding damage well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
David is looking to reverse the position.
David is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Gracie is controlling him well.
Gracie tries to score with some ground and pound. David controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes there by Gracie.
David is looking for a sweep.

Gracie working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Gracie misses with the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The strikes coming from Gracie are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

Gracie tries for a kimura but David is defending well.
Gracie in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Sloppy strikes there by Gracie.
Gracie working the ground and pound.
David can't do much from the bottom here.

Gracie wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by David, who protects the arm well.
Gracie cracks David with a big right hand but David just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
David is pushing Gracie's head away, looking to escape. Gracie manages to hold on to the position though.
David struggling a bit here.
Gracie throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
David gets back to half guard.
Gracie is pressing down on David's thigh, looking to free his foot. David is holding on for now.

David is defending against the submission attempts here by Gracie.
Gracie missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
David is looking to improve his position.
Gracie winds up and cracks David with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
David is refusing to be controlled, as Gracie sits in half guard.
David is trying to stand back up but Gracie is controlling him
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Gracie dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

David slips under a jab from Gracie.
We've been told by David's head coaches at Philly Dawgz MMA - PIT Inc that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Gracie lands a nice shot that snaps David's head back.
Gracie moves out of range of the body kick.
Gracie lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
David cracks Gracie with a right hand to the side of the head.
Gracie throws a shot from downtown. David moves away and avoids it.
Gracie throws a looping overhand right but David ducks down to avoid it.
Gracie loads up on a big right hand but David slips the punch.
David avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with David but David pushes him off and we're back to square one.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Gracie.

That's one minute gone in the round.
David moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
David jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Gracie blocks the body kick.
Gracie on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Gracie misses with a straight right.
Gracie lands a head shot.
Gracie steps to the side to avoid the strikes from David.
Gracie scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
David takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
David throws a nice outside leg kick.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gracie.
Xavier David has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ryan Gracie.
David jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
David scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Xavier David is winning the standup battle so far.
Gracie swings widly with a right hand
and David counters with a thumping low kick.
David with a jab.
David keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
David tests Gracie's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie misses with a shot to the body

and David counters with a nice double leg into side control. Gracie won't be happy with that.
Ryan Gracie has got the better of the ground game so far.
David tries to move to mount but Gracie blocks the move with his legs.
Gracie tries to bench press David off him but David keeps the position.
Gracie keeps trying to improve his position.

David stands up.
Ryan Gracie seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
David stuffs the takedown attempt from Gracie. Gracie gets slowly back to his feet.
A telegraphed right hand from Gracie misses the target.
Gracie throws a shot to the body.

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!
Gracie throws a combination but it was largely blocked by David.
Gracie fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Gracie slips a straight right by David.
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.
David feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Gracie's calf.
Gracie fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
David tries to land a leg kick but Gracie saw it coming and moves away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
David takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Gracie throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck David on the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xavier David dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Gracie throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Gracie looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Gracie scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
David is trying to stand back up but Gracie is controlling him
Gracie has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Gracie is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Gracie not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Gracie prevents David from standing back up.
David is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Gracie's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Gracie's back!
Gracie is in bad spot here.
Gracie wants to get back to his feet.
David controlling the position well here. Gracie rolled but David kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
David has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Gracie is in bad spot here.
David controls the position.
David keeps control of the position as Gracie tries to break free.
David is riding his opponent, not letting Gracie buck him off.
Gracie is trying to stand back up.
David is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
David trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Xavier David.
Gracie connects with a body shot that sends David's belly button to the back.
A jab from David does it's job there.
David lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Gracie backs up against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
David scores with a jab to the jaw.
Gracie connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Gracie throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gracie rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Gracie takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie avoids the body shot from David.
David moves away from the strike by Gracie.
David scores with a leg kick.
Gracie lands with a good body shot.
Gracie blocks a leg kick.
David slaps away a takedown attempt from Gracie, before circling back to the center of the mat.
David ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gracie moves away.
Gracie keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from David.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
David misses with an uppercut. Gracie saw that one coming.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with David but David pushes him off and we're back to square one.
David paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
David shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
David stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and David wants it to stay on the feet.
Xavier David has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ryan Gracie.
Gracie will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Gracie takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
David throws a sloppy head kick and Gracie moves out of range easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from David, right into the meat.
David keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Gracie.

And that's the end of the fight!
Xavier David showed his dominance in that final round.
I think David has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 29:28
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Xavier David!
Xavier David gave a mention to TFP Graphics - Pit Inc in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).