PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jacques Cousteau (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hilio Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gracie has chosen AC/DC - Back In Black as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Cousteau
vs
Gracie

173 cm
21
166 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

165 cm
32
168 lbs
12 - 2 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jacques Cousteau!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Hilio Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Frank Dennis and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cousteau moves out of range as Gracie strikes.
Cousteau takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
A jab from Gracie finds it's way through Cousteau's defenses.
Sloppy strikes from Gracie. Those never looked like landing.
Cousteau showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gracie.
Gracie scores with a jab.
Gracie misses with the combination.
Cousteau fails with a takedown attempt.
Cousteau staying out of range there.
Cousteau bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Gracie lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Cousteau fails with the takedown
and Cousteau takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Gracie slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cousteau uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gracie.
We've been told by Cousteau's head coaches at LOD: Top Team that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Gracie connects with the punch.
Cousteau misses with a takedown attempt

and Gracie holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jacques Cousteau. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Gracie's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Gracie misses with a hook. Cousteau ducked under it nicely.
Cousteau shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Gracie pinned against the cage. Gracie gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A jab from Gracie does it's job there.
Gracie swinging wildly here.

Gracie gets caught flat footed, as Cousteau shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cousteau advances to half guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Gracie moves into full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cousteau preventing the sweep.

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

Cousteau is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Gracie has managed to free his arm - good work.

Cousteau wants to work for an arm triangle but Gracie is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Gracie moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Gracie is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Cousteau is controlling him.

Gracie is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Cousteau is aware though and is defending well.
Cousteau pushing down on Gracie's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Cousteau is working away from the top position though.

Cousteau seems to be looking for submissions.

Cousteau is looking for a kimura here.
Gracie tries to roll over but Cousteau keeps him under control.

Cousteau is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Gracie still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Gracie has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!

Gracie stands up and we're back to a striking position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie slaps away a takedown attempt from Cousteau, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Nice body punch from Gracie.
Gracie scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Gracie throws a right and a left that both miss.

Gracie shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Cousteau is trying to defend but Gracie finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
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 is looking for a kimura but Cousteau is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Gracie to get the leverage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gracie seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Cousteau moves into full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hilio Gracie dominated that round.
That's time! Cousteau's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Gracie swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Cousteau shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Gracie scores with a hook to the body. Cousteau takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

Cousteau gets caught napping as Gracie dives in and scores a takedown. Cousteau manages to retain guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gracie working some strikes from top position.

Cousteau is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Cousteau keeping full guard, as Gracie tries to pass.
Cousteau controls Gracie momentarily but Gracie frees himself.
Cousteau keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.
Gracie is looking to pass into half guard but Cousteau pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Cousteau is in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Cousteau on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Cousteau avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Gracie.
Cousteau strikes from the bottom but Gracie passes into mount!
Cousteau keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Gracie punishing his opponent with strikes.
Cousteau is wriggling around trying to escape.
My spies in VENDETTA Elite Gym inform me that Gracie has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Gracie with shots to the head and body - Cousteau looks very uncomfortable down there.
Gracie has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Gracie breaks from Cousteau's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Gracie working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cousteau tries to lock up and control but Gracie gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Gracie landing strikes, looking to finish!
Gracie lands with some strikes.
Cousteau slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Cousteau slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Gracie with a flurry of punches that miss.

Gracie stands up and waves to Cousteau to follow him.
Gracie scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Nice shot by Gracie.
Gracie misses with a jab, cross combination.
Cousteau avoids the head kick by Gracie.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie misses with the combination.
Gracie's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Gracie duly obliges.
Gracie feints a jab promting Cousteau to slip. Gracie then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Cousteau slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Cousteau closes this distance looking for a takedown but Gracie circles away.
Gracie looks to score with a jab to the body but Cousteau is just out of range.
Gracie misses with an uppercut.
Gracie rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Cousteau moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A telegraphed right hand from Gracie misses the target.

Cousteau 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.
Gracie is breathing heavily.

Gracie is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Gracie looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

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!
Cousteau is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Gracie is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Gracie wants to get back to his feet but Cousteau is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Cousteau postures up and lands a big shot to Gracie's brow.
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.
Cousteau content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gracie tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Cousteau controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Gracie has momentary wrist control but Cousteau slips an elbow through the middle.

Cousteau drops back looking for a leg! Gracie is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Gracie manages to kick Cousteau off! Cousteau jumps back into Gracie's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hilio Gracie showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Cousteau fails with the takedown
and Gracie counters with a three punch combo that has Cousteau backing up. Cousteau nods at Gracie to acknowledge the strikes.
Gracie will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Gracie misses with the combination.
Gracie pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Cousteau back to the cage. Gracie follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Gracie swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Gracie throws a looping overhand right but Cousteau ducks down to avoid it.
Cousteau bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Cousteau has a takedown stuffed.
Gracie uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cousteau has his takedown stuffed

and Gracie counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jacques Cousteau. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cousteau is looking to take this one to the mat.
Cousteau misses with the head strike.
Cousteau has Gracie pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Gracie manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Gracie pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Cousteau shoots in and drives through. Gracie sprawls well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cousteau tries to move into range but Gracie moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Gracie lands with a nice body punch.
Cousteau takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Hilio Gracie seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Gracie throws a leg kick but Cousteau checks it.
Gracie throws a right hand that Cousteau ducks under and follows up with a left that Cousteau also avoids with ease.
Cousteau blocks a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown by Cousteau or perhaps it was just good defense by Gracie which made him look bad.
Gracie misses with a straight left.
Gracie moves into range and connects with a jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gracie throws a right and a left that both miss.
Cousteau doesn't succeed with the takedown
enabling Gracie to counter with a crisp jab.
Gracie scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Gracie misses with a few strikes there.
Cousteau gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

Gracie darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cousteau is looking to improve his position.
Gracie missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Gracie lands with a punch from half guard.
Cousteau is looking to improve 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.
Gracie is looking to stall here but Cousteau recovers full guard.
Cousteau wants to sweep here but Gracie controlling him for the moment.
Gracie works over Cousteau with some ground and pound from guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cousteau 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.
Gracie keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Cousteau's head.
Cousteau keeping full guard, as Gracie tries to pass.
Gracie tries to stand but Cousteau is controlling from the bottom.
Gracie has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Cousteau is looking for a triangle but Gracie pushes his legs off easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Cousteau has an active guard here but Gracie has managed to pass into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hilio Gracie comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Gracie has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hilio Gracie!
Hilio Gracie seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.