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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Gary Player (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ricardo Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Player comes to the cage accompanied by Jeezy - Foul Play. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?
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| 178 cm
33
173 lbs
22 - 8 - 0 |
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175 cm
33
178 lbs
28 - 8 - 1 |
Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
22 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Gary Player!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
28 - 8 - 1, fighting out of London, Ricardo Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Phil Schofield and Colin Fotheringham.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie misses with a kick to the body.
Player lands a head kick. Gracie smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Gracie tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Player is able to avoid easily.
Player loads up on a big right hand but Gracie slips the punch.
Gary Player seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A head kick misses from Player.
Player lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Gracie at a distance.
Player misses with a straight left.
Gracie has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Player.
Player uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Gracie has time to react.
Gracie moves out of range of the body kick.
Gracie moves out of range as Player throws a body kick.
Player buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Player has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Gracie.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gracie connects with a right hand. Player shakes it off.
Gracie on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Gracie throws a head kick that half lands.
Gracie checks a low kick from Player.
Player throws a body punch but Gracie moves out of range.
Nice uppercut there from Player.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Gracie throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Gracie bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Gracie comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Player rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Gracie counters with a takedown into side control.
Player gets back to half guard.
Player is controlling Gracie's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Gracie prevents Player from improving his position.
Player is pressing down on Gracie's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Gracie is looking to work some ground and pound but Player has wrist control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Player has control of Gracie's left arm, preventing Gracie from doing any damage.
Gracie is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Gracie working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Gracie won't allow Player to sweep him here.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Player is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Player is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Gracie has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
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 preventing the sweep.
Gracie pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Player is keeping the position for now.
Player wants to sweep but no luck.
Player is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Player.
Gracie swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A low kick from Player misses
and Gracie counters with a takedown into side control.
Player is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Gracie cracks Player with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Gracie sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Player is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Gracie working the ground and pound but Player is defending the strikes.
Player struggling a bit here.
Who's going to make the next move?
Gracie looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Player is avoiding damage well.
Player holds on to Gracie's head and controls the position momentarily.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Player parries the strikes from Gracie easily there. Gracie is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Player to escape.
Player is looking to regain half guard here but Gracie keeps moving and retains side control.
Player struggling a bit here.
Who's going to make the next move?
Player's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Gracie in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Player is looking for a sweep.
Gracie creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Player sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Player can't do much from the bottom here.
Gracie trying to control the action but Player is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Ricardo Gracie dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
Gracie drops his hands momentarily and Player takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Gracie has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Gracie with a hook.
Player feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Gracie's calf.
Gracie on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Gracie moves out of range of the body kick from Player.
Player misses with a body shot.
Gracie steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Player.
Player comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Player tried to score with a low kick but Gracie checks it.
Decent striking displayed by Gracie there.
Player misses with an uppercut.
Player throws an ugly left hook that misses
so Gracie counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Player 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.
Player is trying to keep Gracie in close.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie being controlled here momentarily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Player is trying to keep Gracie in close.
Gracie trying to control but Player is working from the bottom.
Player tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Player walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Gracie checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Player thows a leg kick but Gracie checks it
so Gracie counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Gracie pushes down on Player's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Player is not content to let Gracie control the position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Player wants to get back to full guard.
Gracie is keen to just control but Player is a slippery customer.
Gracie wants to pass to mount but Player is defending the position.
Gracie missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Player is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Gracie jumps into side control!
Gracie working the body and head with strikes.
Player manages to work his way to half guard, despite Gracie's best efforts.
Player is trying to maintain the position but Gracie is very close to passing his half guard.
Gracie tries to pass the half guard into mount. Player knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Gracie is thwarting Player's attempts to control the position.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie prevents Player from improving his position.
Gracie is trying to control. Player wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Gracie looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Player moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Player pulls Gracie in close to prevent any damage.
Gracie works over Player with some ground and pound from guard.
Gracie slips nicely into half guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is pressing down on Player's thigh, looking to free his foot. Player is holding on for now.
Player looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Player makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Player.
Player pulls Gracie in to control the position.
Player preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Player keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.
Gracie won't allow Player to sweep him here.
Player pulls Gracie in close to prevent any damage.
Gracie working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Ricardo Gracie showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Player's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.
Player pushes Gracie away with a front kick.
Gracie pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Player throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Gracie digs a good hook to Player's body.
Gracie keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A big left from Player misses.
Gracie takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Player throws a nice inside leg kick.
A jab from Gracie finds it's way through Player's defenses.
Player fails in his attempt to clinch.
Gracie lands with a nice body punch.
Gracie takes a swing at Player's ribcage but misses.
Player takes a swing at Gracie's ribcage but misses.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Player.
Gracie fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Player looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Player missing with a left hand there. Gracie was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie takes one to the side of the head.
Gracie is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Player rather than just go for the knockout.
Gracie throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Player misses with a head kick.
Player throws a lazy head kick
and Gracie counters with a takedown into side control.
A control attempt from Player but he's now mounted!
Gracie dominating with strikes here.
Gracie avoids the attempt from Player to control.
Player is wriggling around trying to escape.
Gracie lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
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 postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Player looks a forlorn figure.
Player manages to regain half guard. Good work.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Player wants to improve his position but Gracie is controlling well.
Player is trying to control but can't.
Player wants to get back to full guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Player trying to control from the bottom.
Player avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Gracie.
Player is trying to control but Gracie manages to pass to mount!
Gracie landing strikes, looking to finish!
Player really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Gracie landing strikes from the mount.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Player is wriggling around trying to escape.
Player sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Gracie controlling the action here.
Gracie working over Player with some ground and pound. Player looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Player controlling the position for now.
Player trying to control from the bottom.
Gracie trying to pass the guard but Player defending well.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Player is looking to get back to full guard here but Gracie has managed to pass to side control instead.
Gracie working away.
Player holds on tight, trying to prevent any damage.
Gracie throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Gracie trying to control the action but Player is working from the bottom.
Gracie tries to advance to mount but Player denies him.
Player manages to work his way to half guard, despite Gracie's best efforts.
Gracie trying to mount his opponent but Player defends it.
Gracie wants to take a breather but Player is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Ricardo Gracie really dominated that round.
That's time! Player's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.
Gracie keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Nice body kick from Player.
Gracie works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Player feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Gracie's calf.
Player misses with an uppercut
and Gracie decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Player's guard.
Player has control of Gracie's left arm, preventing Gracie from doing any damage.
Gracie trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Gracie loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Player looking for a sweep. Not yet Player, not yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Player's head.
Gracie forces his way into half guard.
Player wants to improve his position but Gracie is controlling well.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Player is working hard here to advance position.
Player won't allow Gracie to pass to mount.
Player is trying to maintain the position but Gracie is very close to passing his half guard.
Player is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Player is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Gracie is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Player wants to get back to full guard but Gracie has passed into side control.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Player is trying to get back to half guard.
Player takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Gracie is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Player will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Player can't do much from the bottom here.
Gracie throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Gracie creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Player struggling a bit here.
Player takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Player's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Gracie is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Player knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Who's going to make the next move?
Gracie is looking to take a break and control but Player is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Gracie in side control lands a decent elbow.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Player is looking to regain half guard here but Gracie keeps moving and retains side control.
Player gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Gracie looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Gracie missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Gracie not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Gracie prevents Player from improving his position.
Gracie is thwarting Player's attempts to control the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Player is looking for a sweep. Gracie is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Gracie tries to pass the half guard into mount. Player knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Gracie trying to control from half guard but Player is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Ricardo Gracie dominated that fourth round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!
Gracie on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Gracie takes one to the chin there.
Gary Player is winning the standup battle so far.
Player throws a head kick that misses.
Gracie looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Gracie throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Gracie dips to his left and cracks Player with an uppercut!
Player darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Gracie keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Gracie connects with a crisp jab.
Gracie checks a leg kick nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A low kick from Player is predictable there
and Gracie counters with a shoot takedown. Player fights it but they end up in guard.
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!
Player trying to control the position here.
Player is trying to keep Gracie in close.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie advances position into side control!
Gracie in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
An elbow from Gracie crashes against the mat.
Gracie trying to control the position but Player is working away.
Player is trying to improve his position.
Gracie tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Player tries to improve position but can't.
Gary Player has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Player manages to get back to half guard.
Gracie prevents Player from improving his position.
Player is refusing to be controlled, as Gracie sits in half guard.
Gracie thows a huge punch but Player dodges it nicely.
Gracie is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Player sees it coming and defends easily.
Player tries to roll over but Gracie keeps him under control.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Player with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Player makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Player.
Player keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.
Gracie postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Player wants to sweep here but Gracie controlling him for the moment.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Player is trying to control the position but Gracie postures up.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Gracie throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Player tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Gracie is in Player's guard.
Gracie postures up.
Player looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Ricardo Gracie has got the better of the ground game so far.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Player is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Player 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.
Gracie working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Player's head.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Player is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Player is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gracie wants to improve his position but Player is controlling well.
Player not landing any meaningful shots this time.
And that's the end of the fight!
Ricardo Gracie comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Gracie winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Andrew Berry scores the fight 45:50
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 45:50
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 45:50
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ricardo Gracie!
Ricardo Gracie is the new welterweight champion!
A very excited looking Ricardo 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.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
22% |
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