PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kick Boxer (ranked 2601 p4p, 270 weight class) and Royce Gracie (ranked 1915 p4p, 216 weight class). Gracie has chosen Jiu Jitsu by Smoke Serpent as his entrance music. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Boxer
vs
Gracie

180 cm
35
169 lbs
41 - 20 - 3

185 cm
26
181 lbs
18 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 41 - 20 - 3, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kick Boxer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Royce Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Daniel Blasius and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie looks to land a left hand but Boxer moved out of range nicely.
Gracie wants to clinch up but Boxer keeps it at a distance.
Boxer misses with a wild body shot.
And Gracie tries to counter it with a takedown but Boxer pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Boxer throws a hook but Gracie blocks it.
Boxer works Gracie's body with a nice hook.
Boxer misses with a looping left.
And Gracie tries to counter it with a takedown but Boxer pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Boxer misses with a few strikes there.
Boxer lands a nice shot that snaps Gracie's head back.
Boxer connects with a body shot.
Gracie uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Boxer.
Gracie moves out of range of the strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie lands the left hand.
Boxer thows a left - swing and a miss!
Gracie looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
We've been told by Boxer's head coaches at Skulls house of pain that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
A jab from Boxer finds it's way through Gracie's defenses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown but Boxer shows good takedown defense.
Boxer appears to be looking for a big counter.
Gracie avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Boxer moves away from the strike by Gracie.
A slow jab from Boxer misses its intended target.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Boxer as he avoids it easily.
Kick Boxer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Royce Gracie.
Boxer ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Gracie connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Boxer momentarily.
Gracie swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Boxer lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Boxer.
Gracie shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Boxer pinned against the cage. Boxer gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Gracie tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Boxer defends well and Gracie ends up having to push Boxer into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Boxer throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Gracie changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is trying hard to land a takedown here. Boxer sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Boxer moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The fighters circling - Boxer throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Gracie is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Gracie closes this distance looking for a takedown but Boxer circles away.
Gracie keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gracie with the counter takedown but Boxer avoids it easily.
Kick Boxer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Boxer slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Gracie takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Boxer catches Gracie with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Gracie takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Gracie lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Boxer circles away quickly and effectively.
Boxer takes a swing at Gracie's ribcage but misses.
Gracie drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Boxer defends it well.
A left lands for Boxer.
Boxer connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Boxer uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Gracie has time to react.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Boxer misses.
Gracie with the counter takedown but Boxer avoids it easily.
Boxer misses with a hook. Gracie ducked under it nicely.
Gracie takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Boxer throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Boxer lands a jab.
Gracie moves out of range of the strikes.
Kick Boxer is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gracie misses with a wild body shot.
Gracie dodges the punch combination from Boxer.
Gracie slips a straight right by Boxer.
Gracie with the counter takedown but Boxer avoids it easily.
Boxer throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Gracie shoots in but no luck this time.
Boxer throws an off balance right hand

and Gracie counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Gracie.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gracie is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Boxer working a defensive guard here.
Gracie throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Boxer keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Boxer working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Gracie.
Gracie not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Gracie throws a big elbow that misses.
Gracie stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Boxer swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Gracie advances to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kick Boxer dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Boxer tests Gracie's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Boxer misses with a body shot.
Boxer jabs Gracie to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Gracie tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Boxer defends well and Gracie ends up having to push Boxer into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Boxer scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Boxer fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Gracie looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Gracie gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Boxer works the jab nicely.
Boxer jabs at Gracie's body.
Gracie takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Boxer looks to score with a jab to the body but Gracie is just out of range.
Gracie changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Boxer looks to land a combination but Gracie avoids it well.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gracie misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Boxer is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gracie can do to turn this around?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie avoids the body shot from Boxer.
Gracie is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gracie.
Kick Boxer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Royce Gracie.
Boxer misses with a few strikes there.
Gracie misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Gracie is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Boxer's half guard.

Gracie is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Boxer is just riding it out for now. Gracie eventually gives up the hold.
Well, if Gracie is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Boxer is not content to let Gracie control the position.
Boxer blocking the ground and pound attempt from Gracie.

Gracie is looking for a kimura here.

Gracie is working for a kimura here but Boxer manages to reverse the position and he's now in Gracie's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gracie throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Boxer is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Gracie tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Gracie lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Gracie trying to control but Boxer is working from the bottom.
Boxer is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie trying to control but Boxer is working from the bottom.
Gracie passes into half guard.
Boxer won't allow Gracie to pass to mount.

Gracie seems to be working for a kimura but Boxer defends the submission attempt.
Gracie is trying to control. Boxer wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kick Boxer dominated that second round.
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!

Boxer ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Gracie ducks under a wild hook from Boxer.
Gracie ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Gracie moves away from the strike by Boxer.
Gracie tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Boxer misses with a double jab

and Gracie counters with a single leg into guard. Boxer didn't expect that.
Gracie trying to control but Boxer is working from the bottom.
Gracie throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Boxer keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Gracie uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Boxer.
Boxer throws a hook but Gracie avoids it easily.
Boxer throws a hook to the side of Gracie's head but Gracie sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Gracie takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Boxer throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Boxer misses with a combination

and Gracie counters with a single leg into guard. Boxer didn't expect that.
Royce Gracie has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Boxer keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.
Gracie tries to free his leg and advance position but Boxer is retaining full guard.
My spies in The Coffee Shop inform me that Gracie has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Gracie's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Royce Gracie has got the better of the ground game so far.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Boxer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gracie stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Boxer swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Gracie forces his way into half guard.

Gracie wants to work for an arm triangle but Boxer is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is looking to take a break and control but Boxer is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Gracie is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Boxer sees it coming and defends easily.
Kick Boxer is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Gracie is working for a submission of some sort.

Gracie is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Boxer doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Gracie.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Gracie takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Gracie trying to pass the guard but Boxer defending well.

Boxer is defending against the submission attempts here by Gracie.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Royce Gracie comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Boxer has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Nard Betker scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kick Boxer!
Kick Boxer decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.