PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Razi Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rickson Nandos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Gracie
vs
Nandos

174 cm
22
162 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

170 cm
23
161 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Determined

Win Nutritional

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Razi Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rickson Nandos!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Alexandre Firmino and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gracie gets caught flat footed, as Nandos shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Nandos postures up in Gracie's guard and throws a big left but Gracie blocks it.
Gracie can't keep his opponent in guard - Nandos advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Nandos is working for a submission of some sort.
Nandos slips a nice elbow through Gracie's hands, connecting with Gracie's forehead.
Nandos wants to pass the guard but Gracie is defending well.
Gracie is pressing down on Nandos's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Nandos wants to pass the guard but Gracie is keeping the position.
Nandos missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Nandos makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie has control of Nandos's left arm, preventing Nandos from doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nandos postures up in Gracie's guard and throws a big left but Gracie blocks it.
Nandos in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Gracie trying to keep a closed guard but Nandos is proving a slippery customer.
Gracie utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Nandos landing some decent shots from guard.
Nandos loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Nandos is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Gracie working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Nandos.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Nandos drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Gracie is not content to let Nandos control the position.
Gracie struggling a bit here.
Nandos works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Gracie managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Nandos.
Gracie is looking for a sweep.
Nandos scores with a couple of short elbows.
Gracie is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Nandos misses with a head shot. Gracie uses the momentum to regain guard.
Nandos stopping the sweep attempt from Gracie.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gracie looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Gracie is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Gracie is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Nandos has gone for a leg lock! Gracie slips out almost immediately though and dives into Nandos's guard.

Nandos is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Gracie is aware though and is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gracie is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Nandos working a defensive guard here.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Nandos is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nandos is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Nandos keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rickson Nandos dominated that round.
That's time! Gracie's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Nandos closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Nandos seems to be working for a kimura but Gracie defends the submission attempt.
Gracie is not content to let Nandos control the position.
Gracie works his way to full guard. Good work.
Nandos trying to control but Gracie is working from the bottom.
Gracie has Nandos pulled in close to control his posture.
Nandos working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Nandos avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nandos works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Nandos looks to land a strike but Gracie avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Nandos postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Gracie is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Nandos scoring with punches to the head and body.

Nandos stands up over his opponent, looking to dive in with a big punch. Here he comes, superman style! Oh, the punch misses and Gracie has got him in a triangle choke for good measure! Oh no! Nandos manages to get his head free but now Gracie has transitioned to an armbar! Nandos grimaces and is forced to tap! Beautiful Jiu Jitsu from Gracie! I'd be surprised if that didn't end up as submission of the night!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Razi Gracie!