PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rener Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jim Pounder (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pounder has chosen People in Planes-Last Man Standing as his entrance music. Jim Pounder is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Gracie
vs
Pounder

190 cm
21
186 lbs
4 - 2 - 1

186 cm
39
222 lbs
32 - 20 - 1

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Just Fight (Everything 7$)

Affordable Quality

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 1, fighting out of London, Rener Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 32 - 20 - 1, fighting out of London, Jim Pounder!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Andrew Berry and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Pounder throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Gracie was covering up waiting for the punch and Pounder finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Gracie wants to sweep but no luck.
Pounder looking to pass the guard.
Pounder trying to control the position from guard on top but Gracie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pounder tries to free his leg and advance position but Gracie is retaining full guard.
We've been hearing good reports from Gracie's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Gracie looking to hit a scissor sweep but Pounder is one step ahead there.
Pounder looking to pass the guard.
Pounder advances to half guard.
Gracie moves into full guard.
Pounder must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Pounder looking to pass the guard.
Gracie trying to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pounder looking to pass the guard.
Gracie looking to hit a scissor sweep but Pounder is one step ahead there.
Pounder stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gracie swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Gracie keeping moving, preventing Pounder from controlling successfully.

Pounder drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Gracie dives on top into guard.
Gracie stops Pounder from standing up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Pounder is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Gracie tries to sprawl but Pounder drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Gracie is trying to get back to full guard.

Pounder is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Pounder is trying to control the action in half guard but Gracie is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Gracie looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Pounder is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pounder is pressing down on Gracie's thigh, looking to free his foot. Gracie is holding on for now.
Gracie tries to roll over but Pounder keeps him under control.
Gracie moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Gracie manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Gracie looking for a guillotine from mount but Pounder is having none of it.
Pounder is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pounder is squirming around, avoiding Gracie's attempts to control the action.

Pounder defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Gracie.
Gracie controlling from the full mount.
Pounder is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Pounder is squirming around, avoiding Gracie's attempts to control the action.

Gracie goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Pounder turns into him and now he's in Gracie's guard.
Pounder trying to control but Gracie is working from the bottom.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Gracie trying to keep a closed guard but Pounder is proving a slippery customer.
Pounder slips nicely into half guard.

Pounder is looking for a kimura but Gracie is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Pounder to get the leverage.

Pounder is trying to work for a kimura but Gracie is defending well.
Pounder is looking to take a break and control but Gracie is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Pounder is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

That's six minutes gone in the round.

Gracie looking for submissions off his back.
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.
Pounder 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.
Pounder trying to pass the guard but Gracie defending well.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Pounder wants to control but Gracie is keeping him busy.

Pounder seems to be trying to get a kimura but instead Gracie has recovered full guard.
Pounder stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gracie swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Pounder sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Gracie's guard.
Gracie regains full guard. Nicely done.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pounder tries to free his leg and advance position but Gracie is retaining full guard.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Pounder drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Gracie manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Pounder has Gracie in his guard.
Gracie passes easily into side control. Nice work.

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

Pounder looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Pounder tries for a kimura but Gracie is defending well.

Pounder tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Pounder tries to move into full mount but can't pass Gracie's legs.
Gracie manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Pounder has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Gracie is trying to control the action in half guard but Pounder is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Pounder won't allow Gracie to pass to mount.
Pounder pushes Gracie off looking to stand but Gracie dives back in and keeps control.

Gracie is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Gracie is looking to advance position but Pounder won't allow it.
Gracie is working hard here to advance position.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Gracie seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Pounder does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Gracie is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Gracie wants to control but Pounder is keeping him busy.
Pounder is trying to stand.
Gracie is looking to pass Pounder's guard but actually Pounder recovers to full guard.
Pounder keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jim Pounder will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Pounder shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Pounder was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Gracie wants to control but Pounder postures up.
Gracie tries to buck Pounder off but Pounder is having none of it.
Pounder is looking to take a break and control but Gracie is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Gracie manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Pounder won't allow Gracie to pass to mount.
Gracie is trying to control. Pounder wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Pounder wants to get back to his feet.
Gracie wants to control but Pounder is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie stops Pounder from getting back to his feet.
Gracie is looking to take a break and control but Pounder is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Gracie takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Pounder wants to get back to his feet.
Gracie trying to control from half guard but Pounder is working away.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Rener Gracie.
Gracie tries for a takedown but Pounder sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Gracie goes for a double leg but Pounder avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the ropes as Pounder continues to drive forward.

Pounder has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Gracie uses from the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pounder keeping full guard, as Gracie tries to pass.
Gracie trying to control but Pounder is working from the bottom.
Pounder wants to stand up but Gracie is controlling him.
Gracie advances to half guard.
Pounder wants to get back to his feet.
Gracie passes to side control.
Pounder wants to get back to his feet but Gracie drags him back down.
Pounder gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
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 working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gracie moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Pounder has worked his arm free - good work by Pounder!
Pounder wants to get back to his feet but Gracie drags him back down.
Gracie remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie prevents Pounder from escaping the position.
Pounder is breathing heavily.
Gracie advances to mount.
Pounder tries to buck Gracie off but he can't manage it.
Gracie takes his opponent's back. Perhaps a chance to lock up a rear naked choke here.
Gracie trying to control.
Pounder holding both Gracie 's hands and preventing any damage.
Pounder is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Gracie off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Gracie is looking for the choke from the back position but Pounder is controlling his hands well.
Gracie keeps control of the position easily here as Pounder tries to buck him off.
Rener Gracie overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Pounder is trying to get to his feet but he's left his neck exposed and Gracie manages to sink in a rear naked choke! Great counter grappling by Gracie!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5:45 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Rener Gracie!