PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Royler Gracie (ranked 4279 p4p, 5418 weight class) and Ricky LaFleur (ranked 508 p4p, 567 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Gracie
vs
LaFleur

181 cm
26
170
2 - 2 - 0

183 cm
22
175
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Concrete Clothing (Laundry Re Stock Coming Soon)

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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Royler Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ricky LaFleur!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Percy O'Donnell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
LaFleur stalks Gracie and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Gracie's face. Gracie staggers backwards, shaken.

LaFleur pushes Gracie up against the cage in a clinch.
LaFleur tries to break the clinch but Gracie is controlling the position.
LaFleur prevents a takedown attempt there.
Gracie keeps the fight in the clinch, despite LaFleur's efforts to push away.
Gracie tries to score a body lock takedown but LaFleur shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

LaFleur escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
No joy there for LaFleur, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Gracie closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Gracie is looking to take this one to the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Royler Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.

LaFleur breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
LaFleur looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Gracie ducks right into an uppercut from LaFleur.
Gracie changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. LaFleur tries to avoid it but Gracie manages to keep hold of a leg and drag LaFleur to the ground. LaFleur escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
LaFleur throws a nice looking combination but Gracie bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Horrible takedown attempt by Gracie or perhaps it was just good defense by LaFleur, which made it look bad.

That's one minute gone in the round.
LaFleur loads up on a big right hand but Gracie slips the punch.
Gracie half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
LaFleur pulls out of a head kick attempt.
LaFleur scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
We've been hearing reports that Gracie has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
LaFleur swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

LaFleur rushes Gracie and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Gracie is looking to take this one to the mat.
Gracie is looking for a takedown.

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

LaFleur closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
LaFleur has a couple of punches blocked by Gracie.
LaFleur is trying to push Gracie away but Gracie has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

LaFleur breaks from the clinch.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Gracie.

LaFleur clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie can't get the takedown.
LaFleur tries to circle away but Gracie has him pinned against the cage.

LaFleur breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
LaFleur thuds a left hand into Gracie's body.
Gracie tries to clinch there but LaFleur circles away.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
LaFleur pulls out of a head kick attempt.

LaFleur clinches with his opponent.
LaFleur gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Gracie.
Gracie is breathing heavily.
Gracie wants to take the fight to the mat but LaFleur manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Gracie drops to a knee looking for a takedown but LaFleur gets the underhooks and prevents it.

LaFleur pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ricky LaFleur seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

LaFleur instigates a clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
LaFleur is pressed up against the cage. Gracie has hold of a leg and is looking to drag LaFleur down to the mat. LaFleur avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Ricky LaFleur is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
LaFleur throws out a powerful jab.

LaFleur has managed to clinch.

LaFleur pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Gracie goes for a double leg but LaFleur avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as LaFleur continues to drive forward.

LaFleur clinches with his opponent.
Gracie prevents a body shot from LaFleur.

LaFleur's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Gracie is defended easily by LaFleur.
LaFleur stuns Gracie with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

LaFleur drives through and clinches with Gracie against the cage.

LaFleur pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
LaFleur misses with a few strikes there.
LaFleur connects with a leg kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
LaFleur swinging wildly here.
Gracie takes a body punch but keeps moving.
LaFleur will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Gracie fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

LaFleur moves into range and clinches up with Gracie.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Gracie tries for a takedown but LaFleur sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
LaFleur is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Gracie slips a jab and a cross from LaFleur.
LaFleur tries to score with a low kick but Gracie moves his leg out of the way.
Gracie changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from LaFleur - that will leave a mark!

LaFleur moves into the clinch.

LaFleur breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Gracie closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into LaFleur's guard.
LaFleur is looking to stand up but Gracie isn't so interested in that idea.
Gracie is fighting to break LaFleur's control of his arms but LaFleur is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

Gracie drops back looking for a leg! LaFleur is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and LaFleur manages to kick Gracie off! Gracie jumps back into LaFleur's guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie prevents LaFleur from getting back to his feet.
LaFleur really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Gracie. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
LaFleur wants to stand up but Gracie is controlling him.
Gracie won't allow LaFleur to sweep him here.
LaFleur is trying to keep Gracie in close.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Gracie doesn't succeed with the takedown
and LaFleur counters with a series of strikes. Gracie will be more careful next time no doubt.
LaFleur buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
LaFleur swings and misses with a hook to the body.

LaFleur gets caught flat footed, as Gracie shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. LaFleur manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
LaFleur is trying to push Gracie away but Gracie has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gracie tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but LaFleur defends well and Gracie ends up having to push LaFleur into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Royler Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.

LaFleur has taken the fight to the clinch.
LaFleur wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Gracie has him pressed against the cage.

LaFleur pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Gracie showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from LaFleur.
Gracie needs to keep his hands up - LaFleur had a free shot at his head there.
LaFleur has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Gracie on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
LaFleur is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

LaFleur rushes Gracie and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
LaFleur has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

LaFleur moves into the clinch successfully.
LaFleur is trying to break the clinch but Gracie is controlling him.

LaFleur escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
LaFleur leaves Gracie with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

LaFleur moves into range and clinches up with Gracie.
Gracie tries for a takedown but LaFleur manages to get underhooks.

LaFleur's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
LaFleur throws a nice inside leg kick.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gracie.
Gracie fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
As Gracie backs off LaFleur throws a huge counter combo but Gracie manages to avoid it all.
Royler Gracie is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
LaFleur dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

LaFleur closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
LaFleur tries to break the clinch but Gracie is controlling the position.
LaFleur scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Gracie tries for a takedown. No joy.
Gracie blocking some punches.

LaFleur pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
LaFleur lands a leg kick that knocks Gracie off balance momentarily.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Gracie will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
LaFleur scores with a jab to the jaw.
LaFleur throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Gracie takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
LaFleur connects with a leg kick.
LaFleur sizes up Gracie with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricky LaFleur showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

LaFleur closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Gracie as LaFleur tries to tie him up.
Ricky LaFleur seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

LaFleur breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
LaFleur closes the distance and lands a one-two.

LaFleur clinches up with Gracie and pushes him back against the cage.
LaFleur tries to circle away but Gracie has him pinned against the cage.
LaFleur gets underhooks to prevent Gracie's takedown attempt.
Gracie has LaFleur pressed against the cage, preventing LaFleur from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Gracie has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. LaFleur avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

LaFleur escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Royler Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
LaFleur lands a jab to Gracie's midsection.

That's one minute gone in the round.

LaFleur darts in and clinches Gracie up against the cage.

LaFleur pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
LaFleur throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
LaFleur stuns Gracie with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
A good leg kick by LaFleur.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
LaFleur fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
LaFleur closes the distance and lands a one-two.
A low kick lands for LaFleur.
LaFleur leaves Gracie with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

LaFleur rushes Gracie and presses him up against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!

LaFleur breaks from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from LaFleur misses.
Jab by LaFleur.

LaFleur moves into range and clinches up with Gracie.
Gracie wants a takedown.
Gracie blocks a punch to the side of the head.
LaFleur is trying to force a seperation but Gracie has the dominant position.
LaFleur wants to break the clinch but can't.

LaFleur breaks from the clinch.
Gracie on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

LaFleur moves into the clinch.
LaFleur has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
LaFleur misses with a hook to the ribs.

LaFleur breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

LaFleur moves into range and clinches up with Gracie.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
LaFleur swings wildly with an uppercut but Gracie uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gracie drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
LaFleur is stalling here.
Gracie looking for a takedown.
Gracie drops down looking for an ankle pick but LaFleur pulls his leg out and moves away.
LaFleur misses with a two punch combination.
LaFleur fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

LaFleur rushes Gracie and presses him up against the cage.
Gracie is working for takedown but LaFleur is calmly controlling the position for now.
Gracie keeps control of LaFleur as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

LaFleur's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

LaFleur closes the distance and pushes Gracie back into the cage.

LaFleur manages to break the clinch.

LaFleur forces Gracie back against the cage and clinches.

LaFleur breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gracie.
Ricky LaFleur is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

LaFleur drives through and clinches with Gracie against the cage.
LaFleur goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
LaFleur can't break the clinch.

LaFleur escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Gracie shoots and misses
and LaFleur counters with a nice kick to the body.
Royler Gracie has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
LaFleur tries to bum rush Gracie with a series of wild strikes but Gracie uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Gracie feinted with a counter takedown.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ricky LaFleur comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got LaFleur 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 25:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 25:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ricky LaFleur!