PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Viktor Gragula (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marco Macotti (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Macotti has chosen Drown - Theory of a Deadman as his entrance music. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Gragula
vs
Macotti

188 cm
29
223 lbs
14 - 12 - 0

190 cm
27
205 lbs
19 - 12 - 1

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Good elbows
Good gas tank

GREEN!160
Namunamu Clothing

GREEN!160

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 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Viktor Gragula!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Marco Macotti!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Gwen Towbar and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gragula doesn't manage to clinch there - Macotti circles away.
Gragula is looking to clinch but Macotti is avoiding it.

Macotti clinches.
Macotti pushes Gragula back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Gragula can't get the takedown.
Gragula jumps guard but Macotti stands there with Gragula around his waist. Gragula gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Gragula has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Macotti after a bit of a struggle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Viktor Gragula. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice elbow from Macotti.
Macotti misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Gragula has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Macotti is trying to keep an underhook but Gragula manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Macotti trying to control from the bottom.
Gragula is nestled in close to Macotti, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Macotti is looking for a sweep. Gragula is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Gragula looking for a submission but Macotti manages to get full guard, putting an end to that submission attempt.
Gragula is working Macotti over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Macotti not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Gragula is in close to Macotti's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Gragula wants to control from the top but Macotti keeps moving.
Gragula stopping the sweep attempt from Macotti.

Gragula drops back looking for a leg! Macotti is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Macotti manages to kick Gragula off! Gragula jumps back into Macotti's guard.
Macotti looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gragula is one step ahead there.
Gragula trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two 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.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Gragula accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Gragula trying to control the position from guard on top but Macotti is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gragula throwing strikes but missing.

Gragula has gone for a leg lock! Macotti slips out almost immediately though and dives into Gragula's guard.

Macotti drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Gragula manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Macotti has Gragula in his guard.
Gragula postures up in Macotti's guard and throws a big left but Macotti blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Macotti trying to keep a closed guard but Gragula is proving a slippery customer.
Macotti looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Gragula shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Macotti as he avoids it easily.
Gragula looks to score with a jab to the body but Macotti is just out of range.
Macotti has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Gragula is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Gragula tries to clinch up but Macotti circles away and keeps his distance.

Macotti closes the distance and pushes Gragula back into the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Macotti just misses with a elbow thrown towards Gragula's brow.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Macotti creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Macotti pushes off an throws an elbow but Gragula leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Gragula has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Macotti avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Macotti makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Gragula changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Macotti fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Gragula looks to land a left hand but Macotti moved out of range nicely.
Macotti swats away the attempt to clinch by Gragula.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gragula throws a body shot but no joy.
It seemed like Macotti was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Gragula tries for a takedown but Macotti sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Macotti lands a nice hook to Gragula's body. Gragula takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Gragula is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.

Gragula rushes Macotti and presses him up against the cage.
Macotti is working Gragula over against the cage.
Macotti lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Macotti pushes Gragula back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Gragula blocks an uppercut.
Gragula fails to pull the fight into his guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Macotti dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Macotti misses with a body punch.
Macotti throws an elbow but it misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marco Macotti dominated that round.
That's time! Gragula's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Gragula takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Nice sprawl there from Macotti as Gragula shoots in.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Gragula misses with a punch to the body.
Macotti throws an elbow that misses.
Macotti holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Gragula has Macotti pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Macotti manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Macotti lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Gragula backwards.
Macotti lands with a short punch from the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gragula is working for takedown but Macotti is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Viktor Gragula. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Macotti misses with an elbow over the top.
Gragula blocks the elbow strike.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Macotti.
Gragula dodges an elbow strike from Macotti.
A short right from Macotti on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gragula takes an elbow to the temple.
Macotti pushes off an throws an elbow but Gragula leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Macotti lands a shoulder strike.
Macotti is looking to control Gragula's arms but Gragula gets an underhook and turns him. Now Macotti has his back to the cage.
Gragula is looking for a takedown.
Gragula looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Macotti misses with an elbow over the top.
Macotti misses with a hook from the clinch.
Gragula tries for a takedown. No joy.
Gragula misses with the head strike.
Gragula's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Macotti has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Still in the clinch, Macotti scores with a nice short uppercut.
Gragula looking to throw knees to the head but Macotti is blocking nicely.
Macotti misses with an elbow strike.
Gragula is trying to pull guard but Macotti turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Gragula goes for a takedown attempt but Macotti pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Macotti has closed the distance and engaged Gragula in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gragula tries to pull guard but Macotti forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Macotti pushes off an throws an elbow but Gragula leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Macotti lands a left hand that snaps the head of Gragula backwards.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Macotti misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Gragula fails to pull guard.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Macotti just misses with a elbow thrown towards Gragula's brow.
Gragula blocks a punch to the side of the head.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Macotti just misses with a elbow thrown towards Gragula's brow.
Gragula misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Macotti misses with an elbow strike.
Gragula wants a takedown but no success here.
Macotti tries a body shot but Gragula blocks it.
Macotti throws an elbow that misses.
Macotti misses with a punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Macotti letting Gragula take a breather here.
Gragula dodges an elbow strike from Macotti.
Marco Macotti seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Gragula lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Gragula passes to full mount!
Macotti is wriggling around trying to escape.
Macotti is squirming around, avoiding Gragula's attempts to control the action.

Gragula moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Macotti has worked his arm free - good work by Macotti!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gragula is looking to take a break and control but Macotti is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gragula tries for a kimura but Macotti is defending well.
Macotti is looking to regain half guard here but Gragula keeps moving and retains side control.

Gragula working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Gragula goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Macotti rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Gragula's guard! Nice work there by Macotti!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marco Macotti 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!

Gragula fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Gragula misses with a takedown attempt
and Macotti counters with a right hand to the body.
Macotti dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A jab from Macotti finds it's way through Gragula's defenses.
Macotti is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Viktor Gragula is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gragula tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Macotti defends well and Gragula ends up having to push Macotti into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Viktor Gragula. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Macotti pushes Gragula up against the cage in a clinch.
Gragula blocks the elbow strike.
Gragula tries to pull guard but Macotti won't allow it.
Gragula blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
The referee is keeping an eye on Macotti - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Macotti lands an elbow inside that Gragula shrugs off.
Gragula blocks an uppercut.
Gragula looking for a takedown.
Gragula is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gragula is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Macotti pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Gragula jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Macotti walks away with a smile on his face. Gragula gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Gragula tries to clinch up
and Macotti counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Marco Macotti seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Macotti cracks a nice hook into Gragula's ribs.

Macotti closes the distance and clinches.

Gragula pulls guard successfully.
Gragula throws some shots to the body, keeping his opponent honest.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gragula working a defensive guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Macotti trying to control but Gragula is working from the bottom.

Macotti drops back looking for a leg! Gragula is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Gragula manages to kick Macotti off! Macotti jumps back into Gragula's guard.
Viktor Gragula has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

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

Gragula escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Macotti gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Macotti working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Macotti lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Marco Macotti is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Macotti working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Gragula has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Macotti can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Viktor Gragula overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Gragula lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Gragula has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Macotti controls Gragula momentarily but Gragula frees himself.

Gragula has gone for a leg lock! Macotti slips out almost immediately though and dives into Gragula's guard.
Macotti is stalling in the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Macotti is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Macotti got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gragula has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Macotti has managed to get both his arms back between Gragula's legs - danger averted.
Gragula bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Macotti's guard.

Macotti looking for a guillotine here but Gragula defends easily.
Macotti is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marco Macotti comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Macotti 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marco Macotti!
Marco Macotti decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.
Viktor Gragula was interviewed post fight and said 'I hate werewolves'.