PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Juha Valjakkala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Xavier Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Valjakkala comes to the cage accompanied by Johnny Cash - Folsom Prison Blues. Gracie is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Powerman 5000 - Drop The Bombshell. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Valjakkala
vs
Gracie

198 cm
24
270 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

199 cm
25
283 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

{GTI} - HGH Nutrients

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Juha Valjakkala!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Xavier Gracie!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Richard Clark and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Valjakkala misses with the combination.
Gracie lands a slapping body shot.
Juha Valjakkala seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Good standup being displayed there by Gracie as he connects with a hook.
Gracie throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Valjakkala stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gracie jabs at Valjakkala's body.
Valjakkala is breathing heavily.

Gracie drops Valjakkala with a right and a left! Gracie comes rushing in but Valjakkala regains his composure and manages to keep Gracie in guard.

Valjakkala is rocked!

It looks like Juha Valjakkala has been cut.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Valjakkala keeps moving.
Gracie postures up in Valjakkala's guard and throws a big left but Valjakkala blocks it.
Gracie throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Gracie throwing strikes from guard but Valjakkala blocks nicely.
Gracie has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Gracie connects with a couple of short punches.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gracie won't allow Valjakkala to sweep him here.
Valjakkala keeping full guard, as Gracie tries to pass.
Valjakkala wants to stand but Gracie is controlling the position.
Gracie slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valjakkala tries to bench press Gracie off him but Gracie keeps the position.
Gracie wants to lay and pray for a moment but Valjakkala keeps working.

Gracie has worked his way into a potential kimura here. Valjakkala is trying to get out of the position but his squirming has just got him deeper into trouble. Gracie yanks on the arm and Valjakkala is forced to tap due to a very painful looking submission! Nice work by Gracie.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:34 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Xavier Gracie!