PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Nick Thompson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rickson Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thompson comes to the cage accompanied by Kreator - Extreme Aggressions. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Thompson
vs
Gracie

185 cm
19
192 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

185 cm
22
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nick Thompson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rickson Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Gwen Towbar and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gracie scores with a takedown into Thompson's guard.

Thompson had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Gracie is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Thompson Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Gracie's back instead.
Gracie can't escape the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thompson trying to control momentarily.

Thompson is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Gracie knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Gracie for a finish.

Thompson is looking for the choke from the back position but Gracie is controlling his hands well.
Gracie breaks Thompson's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Gracie advances position into side control!

Gracie is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Thompson has escaped the position, nice work there.
Gracie tries to advance to mount but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Thompson!
Thompson is controlling an arm, preventing Gracie from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.

Gracie jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Thompson is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Thompson and Gracie has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Gracie looks gassed!
Gracie working away.
Gracie advances nicely into full mount.
Gracie wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.
Gracie prevents Thompson from getting the reversal.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Gracie works his way into full mount!
Thompson is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Gracie is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Thompson has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Gracie fails to advance to Thompson's back.
Gracie is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

Gracie is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Thompson sees it coming and defends easily.
Gracie trying to pass the guard but Thompson defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thompson pushes Gracie off looking to stand but Gracie dives back in and keeps control.
Gracie wants to pass to mount but Thompson is defending the position.

Gracie is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Thompson has managed to free his arm - good work.
Gracie trying to mount his opponent but Thompson defends it.
Gracie works his way into side control.

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.
Gracie tries to advance to mount but can't.

Gracie swings around for an armbar but Thompson sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Gracie's guard.

Gracie looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Gracie looking for a sweep. Not yet Gracie, not yet.

Thompson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Thompson trying to control the position from guard on top but Gracie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Gracie throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rickson Gracie dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Thompson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Gracie dodges the punch combination from Thompson.
Thompson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Thompson ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

Thompson gets caught flat footed, as Gracie shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Gracie works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Gracie works his way into full mount!

Gracie goes for an armbar but Thompson turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Thompson.
Thompson won't allow Gracie to sweep him here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thompson gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Thompson tries to clinch there but Gracie circles away.
Thompson slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

Gracie shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Rickson Gracie has got the better of the ground game so far.
Gracie passes into half guard.
Gracie uses his free foot to push down on Thompson's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Thompson.
Thompson slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Gracie is pressing down on Thompson's thigh, looking to free his foot. Thompson is holding on for now.
Gracie moves nicely into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson pushes Gracie away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Gracie gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Gracie advances nicely into full mount.
Thompson is working to get back to half guard.
Gracie moves to back control.

Gracie looking for the RNC.

Gracie is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Thompson is defending well though. Gracie let's go of the attempt for now.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Thompson wants to escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gracie is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Thompson knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Thompson for a finish.

Gracie has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Thompson looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.

Gracie is working the back position looking for the choke. Oh, he's slid into an armbar! Beautiful transition and Thompson taps out! Fantastic Jiu Jitsu from Gracie.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:53 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Rickson Gracie!