PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Junior Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bas Rutten (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rutten has chosen Joe Esposito - Your the Best Around as his entrance music. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Gracie
vs
Rutten

190 cm
22
216 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

187 cm
23
205 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Gold Standard Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Junior Gracie!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bas Rutten!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Chris Downing and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rutten fails to land with a series of punches.
Rutten swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Rutten misses with a double jab.
Rutten misses with a two punch combination.
Rutten wants to slow Gracie down by chopping away at his legs.
Gracie tries to bum rush Rutten with a series of wild strikes but Rutten uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Gracie has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Rutten finds it's way round the side to connect with Gracie's head.
Gracie looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Rutten scores with a jab to the jaw.
Rutten throws a combination that misses

and Gracie counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Gracie.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rutten wants to stand and escape but Gracie is having none of it.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Rutten keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Rutten is looking to stand up but Gracie isn't so interested in that idea.

Gracie drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Rutten manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Gracie has Rutten in his guard.

Gracie is looking for a triangle here but Rutten uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Gracie is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Rutten off and has taken his back!

Gracie has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.

Rutten fending off the submission attempt from Gracie.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rutten showing good submission defense here.
Gracie is trying to control but Rutten is trying to escape here - he's now mounted.

Gracie goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Rutten is on top in guard.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Rutten has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Gracie is proving hard to escape from.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Gracie has an active guard here but Rutten has managed to pass into half guard.

Gracie actively working from the bottom here.
Gracie is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Rutten wants to stand up but Gracie is controlling the position.
Rutten prevents Gracie from improving his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Junior Gracie will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Rutten closes the distance and clinches.
Rutten with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Rutten throws a knee to the head but misses.
Gracie takes a knee to the side of the body.
Gracie takes a knee right on the jaw!
Rutten lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Gracie avoiding damage as Rutten throws knees to the body.
Rutten tries to land knees in the clinch but Gracie avoids the damage to the body.
Gracie avoids a wild elbow strike from Rutten.
Rutten tries a knee to the head but Gracie blocks it.
Rutten tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Gracie avoids it.
Rutten lands an elbow just above Gracie 's eye.
Rutten misses with an elbow over the top.
Rutten throws a knee to the head but misses.
Rutten trying to land knees to the body.
Rutten tries to break the clinch but Gracie is controlling the position.
Rutten trying to control the position but instead, Gracie has worked for underhooks and has pushed Rutten into the ropes.
Rutten throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knees to the body from Rutten.
Rutten throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Gracie blocks it with crossed arms.
Rutten is breathing heavily.
Gracie on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Rutten breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Gracie will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Gracie displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Rutten throws out the jab.
Rutten pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rutten misses with a combination

and Gracie decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Rutten's guard.

Gracie drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Rutten dives on top into guard.
Rutten stopping the sweep attempt from Gracie.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gracie looking for subs off his back but Rutten has passed one foot through into half guard.

Gracie looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Gracie is trying to get back to full guard.
Gracie works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rutten avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Rutten preventing the sweep.
Gracie has a closed guard, preventing Rutten from standing up.

Gracie has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rutten can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Rutten got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gracie has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Rutten has managed to get both his arms back between Gracie's legs - danger averted.
Rutten is looking to stand up but Gracie won't let him.

Gracie looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Gracie is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Junior Gracie dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Rutten throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gracie.
Rutten throws a combination that misses

and Gracie counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Gracie looking to pass the guard.

Gracie is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Rutten is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Rutten has escaped and now he's on top!

Gracie working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rutten doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Rutten manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rutten decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Gracie, up you get!
Gracie fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Rutten bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Gracie blocks a head kick by Rutten.
Rutten lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Rutten looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gracie.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Junior Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Rutten.
Gracie keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Rutten.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rutten throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gracie blocks a head kick by Rutten.
Rutten looks to land a combination but Gracie avoids it well.
Rutten throws a right hand that Gracie ducks under and follows up with a left that Gracie also avoids with ease.
Rutten misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gracie avoids a kick to the body.
Rutten fails to land with a series of punches.
Gracie fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rutten swinging wilding here.

Gracie shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Gracie was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Gracie can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Rutten is looking to escape.
You get the feeling that Rutten really doesn't like being in this position too much.

Gracie goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Rutten is on top in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gracie looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Rutten trying to stand up but can't free himself from Gracie's guard.
Rutten is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

Gracie is looking for a triangle but Rutten pushes his legs off easily.
Junior Gracie overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Gracie has an active guard here but Rutten has managed to pass into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Junior Gracie did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Rutten throws a combination that misses
and Rutten takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Rutten misses with a two punch combination.
Gracie keeps the fight on the outside.
Gracie blocks a head kick by Rutten.
Bas Rutten seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice takedown defense from Rutten. No joy for Gracie on that attempt.
Gracie takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Rutten motions for Gracie to come forward. Rutten throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Rutten throws a nice looking combination but Gracie bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Rutten throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Rutten is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Rutten swinging wilding here.
Gracie fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Gracie fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Junior Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie dives in and grabs Rutten's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rutten pushes down on Gracie's head and hops out.
Rutten looks to land a right hand but Gracie moved out of range.
Rutten throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Gracie's head.
Rutten swinging wilding here.
Gracie fails to land the takedown.
Rutten throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Gracie.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Rutten pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Gracie showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Rutten.
Rutten throws a series of punches but Gracie avoids them all with ease.
Rutten throws a series of punches but Gracie moves out of range.
Rutten falls off balance throwing a combination

Gracie drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Rutten dives on top into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gracie is looking for a triangle here but Rutten uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.

Rutten has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Gracie avoids the head kick by Rutten.
Rutten throws a push kick but Gracie slaps the foot to one side.

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.
Rutten misses with a combination

and Gracie counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Rutten's guard now.
Gracie pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rutten is keeping the position for now.
Gracie is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Rutten is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Gracie postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Rutten is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Gracie, into his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Junior Gracie had his way with Bas Rutten in that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Rutten throws a series of punches but Gracie avoids them all with ease.
Rutten wants to clinch

and Gracie counters with a single leg into guard. Rutten didn't expect that.

Rutten uses the ropes to get back to his feet.

Gracie shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Rutten manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Rutten keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie tries to free his leg and advance position but Rutten is retaining full guard.

Gracie is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Rutten is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Rutten has escaped and now he's on top!

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Gracie looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Rutten stands up from Gracie's guard - Rutten perhaps looking for a knockout.
Rutten moves in looking to clinch but Gracie pushes him off.
Rutten tries to bum rush Gracie with a series of wild strikes but Gracie uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Gracie tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rutten swivels and escapes.
Junior Gracie is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rutten throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie takes a kick to the side of the head.
Rutten misses with a double jab.
Gracie closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rutten circles away.
Rutten misses with a double jab
and Gracie counters with a nice uppercut.
Gracie avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Rutten stuffs the takedown attempt from Gracie. Gracie gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Junior Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rutten throws a lazy right hand but Gracie sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Rutten throws a right hand that Gracie ducks under and follows up with a left that Gracie also avoids with ease.
Gracie looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Rutten fails to land with a series of punches.
Junior Gracie is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Rutten cracks Gracie with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Gracie dodges the punch combination from Rutten.
Rutten swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rutten scores with a one two! Gracie had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

Rutten forces Gracie back against the ropes and clinches.
Rutten using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Gracie has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Bas Rutten has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rutten lands a nice elbow.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Rutten just misses with a elbow thrown towards Gracie's brow.
Rutten wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Gracie has him pressed against the ropes.
Rutten tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Gracie tries for a takedown but Rutten manages to get underhooks.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Junior Gracie.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Gracie, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 50:46
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 50:46
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Junior Gracie!
Junior Gracie retains his light heavyweight title!