PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Franz Beckenbauer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mauricio Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Beckenbauer comes to the cage accompanied by Apaga mas não bate . Mauricio Gracie told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Beckenbauer
vs
Gracie

180 cm
22
210 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

193 cm
25
222 lbs
10 - 11 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

Bushido Clothing
Bushido Clothing

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 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Franz Beckenbauer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mauricio Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Johanna Lukiainen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gracie gets a clinch.

Beckenbauer gets control of Gracie's arms and successfully pulls guard. Beckenbauer will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Gracie must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

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

Beckenbauer had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Gracie defends it easily.
Beckenbauer trying to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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

Beckenbauer is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Gracie throwing strikes from guard but Beckenbauer blocks nicely.

Beckenbauer escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Gracie gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Gracie postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Beckenbauer keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Beckenbauer is looking for a triangle but Gracie pushes his legs off easily.
Gracie throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Beckenbauer works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Beckenbauer has his foot on Gracie's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Gracie works his way back into a safe position though.
Beckenbauer 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.

Beckenbauer is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Gracie defends well.
Beckenbauer looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gracie is one step ahead there.
Beckenbauer might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Beckenbauer throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Beckenbauer is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Gracie defends well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Beckenbauer throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Gracie postures up and lands a big shot to Beckenbauer's brow.

Beckenbauer working for a triangle but Gracie defends it easily.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Beckenbauer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Beckenbauer looking for a guillotine here but Gracie defends easily.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Beckenbauer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie throwing strikes but missing.

Beckenbauer had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Gracie defends it easily.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Beckenbauer keeps moving.

Beckenbauer had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Gracie defends it easily.

Beckenbauer looking for a guillotine here but Gracie defends easily.
Gracie sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Beckenbauer's guard.
Beckenbauer is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Beckenbauer blocking the ground and pound attempt from Gracie.
The fighters are battling for position here. Beckenbauer manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Gracie sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Beckenbauer's guard.
Beckenbauer is pressing down on Gracie's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Beckenbauer working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Gracie doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Gracie manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Gracie throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Gracie with a flurry of punches that miss.
Gracie throws a big right hand that misses.
Gracie wants to pass the guard but Beckenbauer is keeping the position.

Beckenbauer throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Gracie escapes and throws Beckenbauer's legs to the side, diving into side control!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Beckenbauer tries to get back to half guard but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Franz Beckenbauer dominated that 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.

Gracie has Beckenbauer up against the cage in a clinch.
Beckenbauer tries for a takedown but Gracie manages to get underhooks.
Gracie lands an elbow just above Beckenbauer 's eye.

It looks like Franz Beckenbauer has been cut.
Beckenbauer fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Gracie wants to get back to striking at distance but Beckenbauer won't allow it.
Beckenbauer blocks an elbow strike from Gracie.

Beckenbauer is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Gracie can't fight it off and eventually Beckenbauer manages to take the fight to the floor. Gracie looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Beckenbauer postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Gracie is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Beckenbauer, into his guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Gracie accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Gracie trying to control but Beckenbauer is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gracie got a little sloppy there for a moment and Beckenbauer has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Gracie has managed to get both his arms back between Beckenbauer's legs - danger averted.
Beckenbauer looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Beckenbauer bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Gracie's guard.
Beckenbauer works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Beckenbauer seems to be looking for submissions.

Beckenbauer 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. Beckenbauer eventually gives up the hold.
Gracie makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Gracie.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Beckenbauer throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Beckenbauer passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Beckenbauer looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Beckenbauer is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Gracie has escaped the position, nice work there.
Beckenbauer throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

Beckenbauer tries for a kimura but Gracie is defending well.
Beckenbauer working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Beckenbauer goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Gracie rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Beckenbauer's guard! Nice work there by Gracie!

Beckenbauer throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Franz Beckenbauer overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

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

Beckenbauer is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Gracie defends well.

Beckenbauer looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Gracie has picked Beckenbauer up and slammed him! Beckenbauer can't keep hold of the triangle and Gracie manages to pass to side control!
Beckenbauer is looking for a sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie trying to control the action but Beckenbauer is working from the bottom.
Beckenbauer manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Beckenbauer is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Gracie has managed to free his arm - good work.

Beckenbauer is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Gracie defends it well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Beckenbauer seems to be working for a kimura but Gracie defends the submission attempt.
Gracie tries to get to full guard but Beckenbauer has control of the leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Franz Beckenbauer dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Franz Beckenbauer's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Gracie tries to sprawl but Beckenbauer drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Beckenbauer seems to be working for a kimura but Gracie defends the submission attempt.

Beckenbauer is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Beckenbauer passes the guard and advances to mount!

Beckenbauer goes for an armbar but Gracie turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Gracie.
Beckenbauer looking for a sweep. Not yet Beckenbauer, not yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie trying to control but Beckenbauer is working from the bottom.

Beckenbauer had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Gracie defends it easily.

Beckenbauer is looking for a triangle but Gracie pushes his legs off easily.

Beckenbauer is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Gracie trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Beckenbauer looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Gracie tries to free his leg and advance position but Beckenbauer is retaining full guard.

Beckenbauer looking for a guillotine here but Gracie defends easily.
Beckenbauer tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie postures up in Beckenbauer's guard and throws a big left but Beckenbauer blocks it.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Gracie accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Beckenbauer throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Beckenbauer keeps moving.

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

Beckenbauer is looking for a triangle but Gracie pushes his legs off easily.
Beckenbauer utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Beckenbauer working for a triangle but Gracie defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Beckenbauer looking for a guillotine here but Gracie defends easily.

Gracie avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Gracie with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Gracie is looking to work some ground and pound but Beckenbauer has wrist control.

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

Beckenbauer actively working from the bottom here.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Gracie connects with a nice short shot to Beckenbauer's temple.
Gracie missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Beckenbauer looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Beckenbauer is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Gracie scores with a couple of nice shots.

Beckenbauer looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Mauricio Gracie has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Beckenbauer is looking for a sweep. Gracie is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Franz Beckenbauer showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Beckenbauer, 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Franz Beckenbauer!