PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Hulk Hogan (ranked 388 p4p, 56 weight class) and Rorion Gracie (ranked 1148 p4p, 163 weight class). Hogan's entrance music is My Time Is Now. A fine choice. Gracie has chosen Olha a Explosão as his entrance music. Rorion Gracie has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Hogan
vs
Gracie

169 cm
26
193 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

176 cm
26
192 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Hulk Hogan!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Rorion Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, Daniel Franklin and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hogan throws an overhand right that lands on Gracie's shoulder, as Gracie tries to avoid the shot.
Gracie stuffs the takedown.
Hogan smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Gracie changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hogan tries to avoid it but Gracie manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hogan to the ground. Hogan escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Hogan closes the distance and clinches.
Gracie fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Gracie jumps guard but Hogan stands there with Gracie around his waist. Gracie gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Hulk Hogan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rorion Gracie.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hogan.
Hogan misses with some punches.
Hogan definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
A right hand to the body from Hogan.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hogan is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Gracie blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Hogan lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hogan throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Hogan prevents Gracie from improving his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hogan landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Gracie avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hogan.
Hogan lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

It looks like Rorion Gracie has been cut.
Gracie moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Hogan has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Gracie has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hogan can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Hogan lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Gracie is rocked!

That has opened up Rorion Gracie's cut even more.
Hogan with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hogan with a nice head shot there.
Gracie is still in real trouble! Can Hogan finish him?

The cut above Rorion Gracie's eye is starting to cause him problems now.

Gracie is looking for a triangle but Hogan pushes his legs off easily.
Hogan connects with a couple of short punches.

Rorion Gracie's cut is absolute horrible now. This looks like something out of a horror film with blood covering both fighters.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Rorion Gracie's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Hulk Hogan!
Hulk Hogan retains his middleweight title!
During a confident post fight interview, Hulk Hogan thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.