PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vladimir Smirnov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ronald Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vladimir Smirnov had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Smirnov
vs
Gracie

180 cm
22
205 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
22
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vladimir Smirnov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ronald Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Valeri Chadov and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Smirnov shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.

Smirnov moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Gracie has worked his arm free - good work by Gracie!
Gracie tries to improve position but can't.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gracie gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Gracie actively working from the bottom here.

Gracie looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Gracie looking for submissions off his back.
Gracie blocking the ground and pound attempt from Smirnov.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Gracie looking for submissions off his back.
Smirnov looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Gracie looks gassed!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smirnov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gracie keeps working.
Smirnov with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Smirnov trying to control the action but Gracie is working from the bottom.
Gracie is looking for a sweep. Smirnov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Smirnov is controlling the pace.
Gracie gets full guard.

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.
Smirnov tries to free his leg and advance position but Gracie is retaining full guard.

Gracie is working actively from the bottom, looking for submissions. He's escaped his hips to the side and he's going for an armbar! Smirnov has his hands clasped together but Gracie extends an breaks Smirnov's desperate grasp, forcing a tap out due to armbar! Nice BJJ displayed there by Gracie.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:30 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Ronald Gracie!