PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Olin Brennan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Royce Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Royce Gracie has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Brennan
vs
Gracie

159 cm
20
214 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

190 cm
25
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Olin Brennan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Royce Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Mauricio Rocha and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Brennan throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Gracie's waist but Gracie gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Brennan off to one side.
Gracie doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Brennan counters by clinching up.
Gracie is trying to maintain a safe position but Brennan gets an underhook and turns Gracie into the cage.
A bit of stalling here from Brennan.
Gracie tries to pull guard but Brennan won't allow it.
Gracie is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Olin Brennan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Royce Gracie.
Gracie wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Gracie.
Brennan stalling against the cage.
Brennan could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Gracie tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Brennan has Gracie pressed against the cage, preventing Gracie from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Gracie tries a knee to the head but Brennan blocks it.
Gracie tries for a takedown. No joy.
Brennan is working Gracie over against the cage.
Gracie drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Brennan gets the underhooks and prevents it.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brennan has Gracie pressed against the cage, preventing Gracie from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Gracie is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Gracie tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Brennan just stands there and leans against the cage.
Gracie tries to stall but Brennan uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Gracie is looking to break free of the clinch but Brennan has double underhooks.
Gracie looking to slow down the pace here.
Brennan tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Gracie just stands there and leans against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Brennan gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Gracie is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Brennan stops Gracie from standing up.

Gracie has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Brennan has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Gracie wants to break the clinch but can't.
Brennan is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Gracie to keep the fight standing.
Gracie wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Brennan has him pressed against the cage.
Gracie jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Brennan walks away with a smile on his face. Gracie gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gracie pushes Brennan up against the cage in a clinch.
Gracie tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Brennan just stands there and leans against the cage.
Brennan fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Gracie tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Brennan smiles and moves away.
Brennan shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Gracie moves into range and clinches up with Brennan.
Gracie tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Brennan just stands there and leans against the cage.
Brennan leaning his opponent against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Horrible takedown by Brennan or perhaps it was just good defense by Gracie which made him look bad.

Gracie closes the distance and pushes Brennan back into the cage.
Gracie wants a takedown.
Gracie is looking for a takedown.
Gracie tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Olin Brennan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Royce Gracie.
Gracie is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Brennan is defending well.
Gracie tries to pull guard but Brennan forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie is pushing Brennan up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

Gracie ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Gracie no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Brennan decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Olin Brennan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gracie fails with the takedown.
Gracie throws a sloppy head kick and Brennan moves out of range easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brennan fails with a takedown attempt.
Brennan misses with a takedown

and Gracie holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Brennan tries to pull guard but Gracie forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Gracie is trying to force a seperation but Brennan has the dominant position.
Gracie can't break the clinch.
Gracie has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Brennan is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Gracie goes for a takedown attempt but Brennan pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Gracie manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Brennan on his heels. He'll look to pass Brennan's guard now, I'm sure.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gracie is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brennan keeping full guard, as Gracie tries to pass.
Brennan seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Brennan knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Gracie on the ground.

Gracie drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Gracie jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Gracie slips nicely into half guard, despite the strikes coming from Brennan.
Brennan tries to roll over but Gracie keeps him under control.
Brennan might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Brennan has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Gracie is working away from the top position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brennan is trying to control but Gracie manages to pass to mount!
Brennan tries to reverse the position but Gracie maintains control.
Brennan tries to lock up and control but Gracie gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Gracie takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Gracie lands a couple of good shots and Brennan has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Gracie trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Brennan doesn't escape.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Brennan defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Royce Gracie 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. This is the final round!

Gracie closes the distance and clinches.
Gracie fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Brennan is trying to break free.
Gracie is looking for a takedown.
Brennan avoiding damage.
Brennan keeps control of Gracie as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie is trying to stall.
Brennan prevents a takedown attempt there.
Olin Brennan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Royce Gracie.

Brennan manages to break the clinch.
Gracie closes this distance looking for a takedown but Brennan circles away.
Royce Gracie seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice takedown defense from Gracie. No joy for Brennan on that attempt.

Gracie clinches up against the cage.
Gracie wants to get back to striking at distance but Brennan won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brennan dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Brennan is pressed up against the cage. Gracie has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Brennan down to the mat. Brennan avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Gracie looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Brennan is fending him off so far but Gracie persists. Nope, Brennan circles away and we're back to standing.
Gracie with a lazy takedown attempt

and Brennan holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Gracie takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Brennan pulls guard effortlessly.
Gracie looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Gracie wants to get up but he can't break Brennan's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brennan keeping full guard, as Gracie tries to pass.
Brennan trying to keep a closed guard but Gracie is proving a slippery customer.
Gracie trying to control but Brennan is working from the bottom.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Brennan controlling the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Royce Gracie was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Sloppy strikes from Gracie. Those never looked like landing.

Gracie darts in and clinches Brennan up against the cage.
Gracie wants to break the clinch but can't.
Gracie tries to pull guard but Brennan holds him up against the cage and eventually Gracie drops back down to his feet.
Gracie looking to slow down the pace here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Brennan pressing his opponent against the cage.

Brennan successfully pulls guard.
Gracie 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.
Olin Brennan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Royce Gracie is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Brennan isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Gracie stacks Brennan on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Gracie!

And that's the end of the fight!
Royce 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 Emerson Jorge scores the fight 27:30
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Royce Gracie!
A very excited looking Royce Gracie made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.