PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Luca Fuschini (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vitor Gracie (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.

Fuschini
vs
Gracie

178 cm
30
180 lbs
17 - 10 - 1

183 cm
30
185 lbs
15 - 10 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Very quick

ADCC Champion
World class boxer
Powerful

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 17 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Luca Fuschini!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Vitor Gracie!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fuschini misses with a hook. Gracie ducked under it nicely.
Fuschini keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Gracie.
Fuschini just misses with a punch to the body.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Fuschini.
Fuschini misses with a takedown attempt
and Gracie counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Fuschini misses the jab.
Fuschini is trying hard to land a takedown here. Gracie sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Luca Fuschini. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A combination from Gracie does no damage.
Fuschini takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

Gracie closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Gracie wants to control but Fuschini is keeping him busy.
Fuschini is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Gracie is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Fuschini is trying desperately to improve position.
Gracie is looking to work his way around to Fuschini's back. He needs to be careful though, as he's in danger of losing this dominant position.
Fuschini gets back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fuschini tries to roll over but Gracie keeps him under control.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Fuschini wants to control but Gracie is keeping busy.

Gracie is working for a kimura but Fuschini is defending it quite comfortably.

Gracie is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Gracie seems to be looking for submissions.
Fuschini makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Fuschini.

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.
Fuschini controls Gracie momentarily but Gracie frees himself.

Gracie thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Fuschini 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.

Fuschini throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Gracie advances position into side control!
Fuschini manages to work his way to half guard, despite Gracie's best efforts.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fuschini trying to control from the bottom.
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 uses his free foot to push down on Fuschini's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Fuschini.
Fuschini tries to reverse the position but Gracie maintains control.
Gracie won't let Fuschini get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Fuschini tries to reverse the position but Gracie maintains control.

Gracie wants to finish this one by submission but Fuschini is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Gracie.
Fuschini regains half guard.

Gracie is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Fuschini sees it coming and defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Fuschini has one foot on Gracie's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Sloppy strikes from Fuschini. Those never looked like landing.
Gracie avoids a kick to the body.
Gracie connects with a body shot.

Fuschini throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Gracie was covering up waiting for the punch and Fuschini finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Fuschini advances position into side control!
Fuschini fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Gracie is trying to get back to half guard.
Fuschini wants to control but Gracie is keeping him busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Vitor Gracie will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Fuschini falls off balance throwing a combination

and Gracie moves into the clinch.
Fuschini blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Gracie lands a body shot in the clinch.
Fuschini looking to stall.
Fuschini can't seem to implement his control oriented gameplan at the moment. That's no bad thing of course, for those of us who want to see a good fight.
Fuschini tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Gracie just stands there and leans against the ropes.

Gracie breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Fuschini takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Fuschini shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Gracie counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Fuschini takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Fuschini throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Fuschini drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
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.
Fuschini wants to control from the top but Gracie keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Fuschini manages to get himself to full guard.
Gracie is pushing down on Fuschini's leg trying to pass to half guard. Fuschini is fighting to maintain full guard but Gracie has managed to sneak the leg through.
The fighters are battling for position here. Fuschini manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

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

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

Gracie looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Gracie is breathing heavily.
Fuschini trying to control but Gracie is working from the bottom.
Gracie looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Fuschini got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gracie has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Fuschini has managed to get both his arms back between Gracie's legs - danger averted.
Fuschini landing with the ground and pound.
Gracie can't keep his opponent in guard - Fuschini advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Fuschini is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Gracie is just riding it out for now. Fuschini eventually gives up the hold.
Gracie is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fuschini missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Fuschini takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Gracie tries to get to full guard but Fuschini has control of the leg.
Fuschini working Gracie over with strikes.
Fuschini missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Fuschini not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Gracie avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Fuschini.
Fuschini drops an elbow to the side of Gracie's head.
Fuschini working over Gracie with some ground and pound. Gracie looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fuschini wants to take a breather but Gracie is having none of it.
Gracie moves into full guard.
Fuschini trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Fuschini throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Gracie working for a triangle but Fuschini defends it easily.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Fuschini accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Fuschini avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Gracie keeping full guard, as Fuschini tries to pass.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Vitor Gracie will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Gracie stuffs the takedown.
Gracie scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Gracie misses with a few strikes there.

Gracie has taken the fight to the clinch.

Gracie escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Fuschini misses with a body kick.
Gracie drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Gracie throws a jab but it's blocked by Fuschini.

Gracie closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Gracie tries for a kimura but Fuschini is defending well.
Fuschini is trying to control Gracie's posture but Gracie avoids it.
Fuschini is not content to let Gracie control the position.
Gracie takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fuschini wants to control but Gracie postures up.
Fuschini is trying to work for a sweep but Gracie has mounted him!
Gracie moves to the back.
Gracie gets his hands free as Fuschini looks to control.

Gracie is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Fuschini defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.

Gracie working for the choke.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fuschini looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Luca Fuschini has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Gracie is looking for a choke. Fuschini gets to his feet with his opponent on his back and slams him to the mat. Fuschini manages to squirm out of the attempted choke and turns into his opponent's guard.

Gracie working for a triangle but Fuschini defends it easily.
Vitor Gracie is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Gracie looking to hit a scissor sweep but Fuschini is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fuschini loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Gracie is trying to keep Fuschini in close.
Fuschini lands a couple of digs.
Fuschini postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Fuschini postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Fuschini preventing the sweep.
Fuschini loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Fuschini postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Fuschini drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Fuschini jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Fuschini is looking to work some ground and pound but Gracie has wrist control.
Fuschini content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Vitor Gracie has got the better of the ground game so far.
Fuschini lands a couple of digs.

Fuschini got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gracie has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Fuschini has managed to get both his arms back between Gracie's legs - danger averted.
Fuschini trying to control but Gracie is working from the bottom.

Fuschini has gone for a leg lock! Gracie slips out almost immediately though and dives into Fuschini's guard.
Fuschini throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vitor Gracie comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Gracie has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vitor Gracie!