PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rodrigo Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jake Theodorou (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Gracie
vs
Theodorou

177 cm
27
215 lbs
14 - 5 - 0

185 cm
27
214 lbs
14 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
KO power

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

Perkele!

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 14 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Rodrigo Gracie !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Jake Theodorou!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Steven Brown and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed right hand from Theodorou misses the target.
An attempted straight right counter from Gracie misses the target.
Theodorou fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Gracie throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Theodorou closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Gracie is controlling Theodorou's trapped leg to prevent Theodorou from advancing to side control.
Gracie is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Theodorou's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Theodorou's back!
Theodorou turns into Gracie and is now in his guard.
Theodorou postures up.
Theodorou wants to control from the top but Gracie keeps moving.
Theodorou throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Gracie works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Theodorou distracts Gracie with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Gracie working for a triangle but Theodorou defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Theodorou trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Theodorou throws an elbow that misses. Gracie uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Theodorou's guard. Nice move by Gracie !

Theodorou keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.
Gracie slips nicely into half guard.
Theodorou has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Gracie is working away from the top position though.
Gracie tries to pass to full mount but Theodorou defends it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Theodorou is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Theodorou is still trying to improve position.
Gracie wants to lay and pray for a moment but Theodorou keeps working.
Theodorou is looking to improve his position.
The fighters are battling for position here. Theodorou manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie trying to control but Theodorou is working from the bottom.

Gracie drops back looking for a leg! Theodorou is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Theodorou manages to kick Gracie off! Gracie jumps back into Theodorou's guard.
Gracie wants to pass the guard but Theodorou is keeping the position.
Gracie sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Gracie stopping the sweep attempt from Theodorou.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Theodorou keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Theodorou has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Gracie is landing a low percentage of strikes.

That's four 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.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Theodorou.
Gracie changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Theodorou stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Theodorou wants it to stay on the feet.
Theodorou shoots in but no luck this time.
Rodrigo Gracie has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jake Theodorou.
Theodorou dives in for a single leg takedown but Gracie sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Theodorou looks to land a left hand but Gracie moved out of range nicely.
Gracie half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Theodorou throws a lazy right hand but Gracie sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Gracie throws out a loose jab but Theodorou uses good head movement to avoid it.
Theodorou misses with a wild body shot.
Gracie closes this distance looking for a takedown but Theodorou circles away.
Horrible takedown attempt by Theodorou or perhaps it was just good defense by Gracie , which made it look bad.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Theodorou misses with a takedown attempt - Gracie sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jake Theodorou will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Gracie keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Theodorou scores with a takedown into Gracie 's guard.
Theodorou lands a couple of digs.
Theodorou wants to control from the top but Gracie keeps moving.
Gracie trying to control the position.

Theodorou got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gracie has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Theodorou has managed to get both his arms back between Gracie 's legs - danger averted.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Theodorou trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Theodorou throws a strike but Gracie rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Theodorou manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Gracie manages to get himself to full guard.

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.
Gracie is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Theodorou throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Theodorou postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Theodorou postures up in Gracie 's guard and throws a big left but Gracie blocks it.
Theodorou wants to pass the guard but Gracie is keeping the position.
Gracie wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Theodorou throws an elbow that misses. Gracie uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Theodorou's guard. Nice move by Gracie !

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gracie stopping the sweep attempt from Theodorou.
Gracie stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Theodorou swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Theodorou looking for a sweep. Not yet Theodorou, not yet.
Gracie sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Theodorou's guard.
Theodorou wants to control but Gracie is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Gracie trying to control the action but Theodorou is working from the bottom.
Gracie prevents Theodorou from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie wants to take a breather but Theodorou is having none of it.

Gracie is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Theodorou doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Gracie .
Gracie is trying to control. Theodorou wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Theodorou trying to control here.
Theodorou is trying to get back to full guard.
Theodorou makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Theodorou.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gracie trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Theodorou bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Gracie 's guard.

Gracie throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Theodorou with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Theodorou avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Theodorou trying to control but Gracie is working from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Gracie working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Theodorou doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Theodorou manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Theodorou scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jake Theodorou 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!

Theodorou fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Theodorou shoots in looking for a takedown but Gracie manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Theodorou's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Theodorou with a poor takedown

and Gracie counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Theodorou!
Rodrigo Gracie has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jake Theodorou.
Theodorou is trying to control Gracie 's posture but Gracie avoids it.
Gracie passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Theodorou!
Gracie wants to control the pace but Theodorou is squirming around nicely.

Gracie looking for a guillotine from mount but Theodorou is having none of it.
Theodorou throwing hammer fists to the chest of Gracie . What's that going to do exactly?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Theodorou tries to lock up and control but Gracie gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Gracie trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Theodorou keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie trying to control but Theodorou is having none of it.
Rodrigo Gracie overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Theodorou is in all sorts of trouble here.
Gracie wants to take his opponent's back but Theodorou doesn't allow it.
Theodorou tries to hold on but Gracie postures up.

Gracie looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Theodorou is squirming around, avoiding Gracie 's attempts to control the action.
Rodrigo Gracie has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Theodorou working to try and regain half guard.
Theodorou is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Gracie wants to control the pace but Theodorou is squirming around nicely.
Theodorou is trying to escape the mount.
Theodorou swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Theodorou is controlling an arm, preventing Gracie from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.

Gracie jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Theodorou manages to avoid the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie trying to control the position but Theodorou is working away.
Theodorou gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Theodorou moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Theodorou keeps moving.
Gracie is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Theodorou is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Theodorou wants to sweep but no luck.
Theodorou keeps trying to improve his position.
Theodorou can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Gracie controls the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Theodorou keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.
Theodorou 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 two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Theodorou connects with a nice short shot to Gracie 's temple.
Gracie tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Theodorou is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Theodorou working the head and body with strikes.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Theodorou is looking to take a break and control but Gracie is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Theodorou frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rodrigo Gracie showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Theodorou has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 William Gold scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 29:29
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 28:29

The fight is ruled a draw!