PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Wayne Gracie (ranked 919 p4p, 3741 weight class) and Ajax Athanas (ranked 112 p4p, 381 weight class). Gracie comes to the cage accompanied by Thriller by Michael Jackson. Athanas is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by HELLAS. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Gracie
vs
Athanas

194 cm
41
269
26 - 9 - 0

210 cm
34
282
15 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Very quick

Decent wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Wayne Gracie!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ajax Athanas!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Cecil Peabody and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Athanas gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Gracie throws a leg kick which misses Athanas's front leg but catches the back leg as Athanas tries to avoid it.
Gracie buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Gracie scores with a spinning back kick!
Athanas throws a shot from downtown. Gracie moves away and avoids it.
Gracie throws a quick inside leg kick.
Gracie keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Athanas.
Gracie appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.

Gracie gets a double leg takedown into Athanas's guard.
Gracie prevents Athanas from getting back to his feet.
Gracie throws a big elbow that misses.
Gracie lands a couple of digs.
Gracie passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Athanas is working to avoid the ground and pound but Gracie connects with a decent elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Athanas seems a little lost for a moment, as Gracie dominates the positioning.
Gracie lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Athanas down.
Athanas wants to get back to his feet but Gracie drags him back down.
Athanas bucks up and tries to throw Gracie off but instead Gracie has got his back!
Gracie lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.
Athanas trying to control the action but Gracie just sinks the hooks in.
Athanas is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Athanas wants to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Athanas is really stuck here.
Gracie scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.

Athanas is rocked!
Athanas wants to get back to his feet.
Gracie gets his hands free as Athanas looks to control.

Athanas is trying to get to his feet but he's left his neck exposed and Gracie manages to sink in a rear naked choke! Great counter grappling by Gracie!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:40 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). John Wayne Gracie!
John Wayne Gracie retains his heavyweight title!
John Wayne Gracie decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.
Ajax Athanas was interviewed post fight and said 'Tough loss But I will Be BACK'.