PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Maksymilian Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexey Juravlev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gracie comes to the cage accompanied by Iggy Pop - The Passenger. Alexey Juravlev told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Gracie
vs
Juravlev

194 cm
29
248 lbs
14 - 6 - 1

182 cm
37
240 lbs
27 - 14 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

THE END 32

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Maksymilian Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 14 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexey Juravlev!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Ren Mimura and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Juravlev throws a right hand that misses
and Gracie counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Gracie throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Juravlev counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Juravlev misses with a hook
and Gracie counters with a straight right hand.
Gracie bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Juravlev bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Gracie's head.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Juravlev enables Gracie to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Juravlev manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Juravlev manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Juravlev told us before the fight that he's been working on his elbows. An under utilised technique these days - let's see if it can sway the outcome of the fight.
Juravlev tries to work over Gracie's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Juravlev looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Gracie has Juravlev pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Juravlev manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
A frustrated look appears on Gracie's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Juravlev tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Gracie tries to pull guard but Juravlev won't allow it.
Juravlev lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Gracie is looking to take this one to the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maksymilian Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Juravlev prevents the takedown attempt.
Juravlev tries to throw a body punch but Gracie avoids it by throwing Juravlev back against the cage.
Juravlev comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

It looks like Maksymilian Gracie has been cut.

Gracie has Juravlev pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Gracie pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Juravlev tumbling to the mat - Gracie dives into Juravlev's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Juravlev is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Gracie will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Gracie trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Juravlev has his hands on Gracie's head, controlling the position.
Gracie trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Gracie throws an elbow that misses. Juravlev uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Gracie's guard. Nice move by Juravlev!

Juravlev has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Gracie is proving hard to escape from.
Juravlev looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Juravlev must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Gracie controlling Juravlev's posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Juravlev stands and throws Gracie's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Gracie has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Gracie is letting Juravlev control him for a moment.
Gracie is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Juravlev's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Juravlev controlling the action here.
Gracie makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Gracie.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie wants to sweep here but Juravlev controlling him for the moment.

Gracie looking for a guillotine here but Juravlev defends easily.

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

Juravlev gets to his feet - Gracie follows without any prompting.
Juravlev throws an overhand right that lands on Gracie's shoulder, as Gracie tries to avoid the shot.
Sloppy strikes from Juravlev. Those never looked like landing.
Nice body punch from Juravlev.
Gracie looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Juravlev misses with a body shot
enabling Gracie to counter with a crisp jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie scores with a jab to the body.
Gracie scores with a nice head shot.

It looks like Alexey Juravlev has been cut.
Gracie bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Juravlev's head backwards.
The fight stays on the outside here - Juravlev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Juravlev slaps away a takedown attempt from Gracie, before circling back to the center of the mat.
The crowd cheers as Gracie lands an impressive looking overhand right. Juravlev doesn't seem phased though.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gracie swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Gracie throws a right and a left that Juravlev avoids nicely.
Juravlev moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Gracie uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Juravlev.
Gracie showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Juravlev.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Alexey Juravlev will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Juravlev throws a shot from downtown. Gracie moves away and avoids it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gracie. Juravlev does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gracie tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Juravlev was well out of range. Poor timing from Gracie.
Juravlev is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Gracie thuds his right hand into Juravlev's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Juravlev lands with a hook. Gracie tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Juravlev throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Gracie sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Gracie was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Juravlev misses with an uppercut
and Gracie counters with a stiff right hand.
Gracie tries to clinch up but Juravlev circles away and keeps his distance.
Juravlev misses with a looping left.
A punch combination from Juravlev misses.
Gracie avoids the body shot from Juravlev.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big left from Gracie misses.
Gracie doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Juravlev misses with a hook.
Juravlev scores with a body shot.
Gracie is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Gracie blocks a jab.
Gracie swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Juravlev feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Gracies jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Juravlev throws a combination. Gracie tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Alexey Juravlev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gracie missing with a left hand there. Juravlev was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A slow jab from Juravlev misses its intended target.
Gracie throws a hook but Juravlev avoids it easily.
Juravlev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Juravlev takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Juravlev swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Gracie counters with a one-two to the body.
Gracie thows a left - swing and a miss!
Juravlev appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Gracie misses with a wild body shot.
Alexey Juravlev seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A jab from Juravlev does it's job there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gracie lands with a nice combination. Juravlev backs away looking to recover.

Gracie closes the distance and clinches.
Juravlev is looking to control Gracie's arms but Gracie gets an underhook and turns him. Now Juravlev has his back to the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie wants to take the fight to the mat but Juravlev manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Gracie jumps guard but Juravlev stands there with Gracie around his waist. Gracie gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Juravlev lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Gracie goes for a takedown in the clinch but Juravlev prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maksymilian Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Juravlev comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Gracie prevents a body shot from Juravlev.

Gracie escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Juravlev listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Gracie tries to bum rush Juravlev with a series of wild strikes but Juravlev uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Juravlev is looking for the big counter here.
Gracie keeps the fight on the outside.
Gracie bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Juravlev's head.
Juravlev scores with a nice head shot.
Juravlev misses with a hook. Gracie ducked under it nicely.
Juravlev slaps away a takedown attempt from Gracie, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Juravlev jabs Gracie right on the nose. Gracie blinks but takes it well.
Juravlev showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gracie.
Juravlev scores with a jab to the jaw.

Gracie instigates a clinch.

Gracie breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Juravlev takes a swing at Gracie's ribcage but misses.

Gracie closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Juravlev to the mat! Juravlev manages to get full guard.
Gracie throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Juravlev works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Juravlev wants to stand but Gracie is controlling the position.
Juravlev is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie passes Juravlev's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Juravlev manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Gracie keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Juravlev escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Gracie drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The strikes coming from Gracie are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Juravlev is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Gracie asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Juravlev sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Gracie is working for a kimura but Juravlev is defending it quite comfortably.

Gracie is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Juravlev is just riding it out for now. Gracie eventually gives up the hold.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Alexey Juravlev will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Nice body punch from Juravlev.
Juravlev wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Gracie displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gracie. Juravlev does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gracie misses with a straight left.
Juravlev scores with a hook to the body. Gracie takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Juravlev stuns Gracie with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Gracie takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Juravlev connects with a body shot.
Gracie misses with a few strikes there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A big right from Juravlev misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Juravlev.
Gracie scores with a shot to the body.
Alexey Juravlev is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gracie uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Juravlev.
Maksymilian Gracie is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gracie swats away the attempt to clinch by Juravlev.
Juravlev lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

Juravlev closes the distance and clinches.

Juravlev's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Juravlev jabs Gracie to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Gracie tries for a takedown but Juravlev sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Gracie avoids a punch combination nicely.
Jab by Juravlev.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Juravlev staying out of range there.
Juravlev is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Juravlev avoids the body shot from Gracie.
Gracie throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Juravlev misses with a body shot.
Gracie swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Juravlev dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Juravlev lands with a nice body punch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Juravlev circles away from the clinch attempt.
Juravlev throws a right hand that misses
and Gracie counters with a nice uppercut.

Gracie shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Juravlev napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Gracie landing a few strikes.
Gracie looks up at the clock and then as Juravlev takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Gracie smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Juravlev is working to avoid the ground and pound but Gracie connects with a decent elbow.
Juravlev tries to buck Gracie off but Gracie is having none of it.
Gracie working away.
Gracie scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Juravlev to see if he's OK.
Juravlev is looking for a sweep.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Juravlev manages to get back to half guard.

Gracie is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Gracie is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Juravlev sees it coming and defends easily.
Maksymilian Gracie has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Juravlev avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Gracie.

Gracie is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Juravlev has managed to free his arm - good work.
Alexey Juravlev is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Juravlev is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Gracie scores with a couple of nice shots.
Gracie lands strikes from half guard.
Gracie stops Juravlev from getting back to his feet.
Juravlev is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Gracie's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Gracie's back!
Juravlev is hanging on to Gracie's back as he tries to escape.
Juravlev keeps control of the position easily here as Gracie tries to buck him off.
Gracie is in bad spot here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexey Juravlev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Juravlev 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexey Juravlev!
Our winner, Alexey Juravlev, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.