PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Zvonimir Stelian (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gunther Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stelian comes to the cage accompanied by Sandstorm (Darude). Gracie has chosen Gnarls Barkley - Crazy as his entrance music. This should be fireworks!

Stelian
vs
Gracie

178 cm
22
180 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

181 cm
22
172 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

KRRO Wear

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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Zvonimir Stelian!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Gunther Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, William Peck and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stelian tries to clinch up but Gracie circles away and keeps his distance.
Gracie shoots in and drives through. Stelian sprawls well.
Stelian pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Stelian throws a head kick that misses.
Gracie throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Stelian sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Gracie loads up on a big right hand but Stelian slips the punch.
Stelian shoots for a double leg takedown but Gracie sprawls well. He's pushed Stelian's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Stelian closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Gracie goes for a takedown in the clinch but Stelian prevents it.
Gracie wants a takedown.
Zvonimir Stelian has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gunther Gracie.
Stelian tries to break the clinch but Gracie is controlling the position.
Gracie wants a takedown but no success here.
Gracie is trying to maintain a safe position but Stelian gets an underhook and turns Gracie into the cage.

Stelian breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Gracie tries to close the distance and clinch but Stelian swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Stelian misses with a takedown
and Gracie counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Stelian thinking.

Gracie closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Stelian to the mat! Stelian manages to get full guard.
Gracie postures up.
Stelian looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gracie is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stelian working for submissions but it's allowed Gracie to get to half guard.

Stelian actively working from the bottom here.
Stelian is breathing heavily.
Stelian tries to roll over but Gracie keeps him under control.
Gracie wants to lay and pray for a moment but Stelian keeps working.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gracie thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
A head kick misses from Stelian.
Stelian tries to clinch but Gracie moves away

and Gracie counters by clinching up.

Gracie turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

Gracie has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Stelian tries to clinch
and Gracie connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Zvonimir Stelian seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stelian wants to clinch

and Gracie moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie just leaning against Stelian, taking a breather.
Gracie can't get the takedown.

Stelian breaks the clinch.
Gracie blocks a head kick by Stelian.
Stelian tries to clinch up
and Gracie counters with a straight right hand.
Gracie takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.

Stelian moves into the clinch.
Stelian drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Stelian gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Gracie.
Stelian is trying to break the clinch but Gracie has him pressed against the cage.
A right handed body shot lands from Gracie.
Stelian lands with a right to the head.
Stelian prevents the takedown attempt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Stelian with a knee to the head.
Gracie has Stelian pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Stelian manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Stelian is looking to break free of the clinch but Gracie has double underhooks.
Gracie can't get the takedown.
Stelian tries for a takedown. No joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie tries to pull guard but Stelian won't allow it.
Gracie is working Stelian over against the cage.
Stelian stops a takedown attempt from Gracie.
Gracie tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Stelian smiles and moves away.
Stelian misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Stelian clinches.
Gracie just leaning against Stelian, taking a breather.

Stelian breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Stelian misses with a takedown attempt

and Gracie holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Gracie struggles to land a body shot inside as Stelian controls his hands.

Stelian breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A combination from Gracie does no damage.
Stelian wants to clinch

and Gracie decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Stelian's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stelian trying to control the position.

Stelian had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Gracie is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Stelian Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Gracie's back instead.

Stelian has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Gracie has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.

Stelian looking for the choke but no joy.

Stelian patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Stelian controlling well, preventing Gracie from escaping the position.
Gracie has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
Stelian missing with punches from the back.
Gracie has his hands over his head blocking the strikes from Stelian.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gracie rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

Gracie is defending against the submission attempts here by Stelian.

Gracie is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Stelian pulls his head out easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gunther Gracie dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Stelian lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Stelian lands a nice looking body shot.
Stelian tries to clinch
and Gracie counters with a three punch combo that has Stelian backing up. Stelian nods at Gracie to acknowledge the strikes.

Stelian instigates a clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Stelian gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Gracie.
Stelian can't break the clinch.
Gracie tries for a takedown. No joy.
Gracie has Stelian pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Stelian manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Zvonimir Stelian has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gunther Gracie.
Gracie lands a body punch.
Gracie changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Stelian fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Stelian wants to clinch up but Gracie keeps it at a distance.
Stelian is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Stelian moves in looking to clinch but Gracie pushes him off.
Stelian looks to land a combination. Gracie sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Gracie is breathing heavily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gracie loads up on a big right hand but Stelian slips the punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stelian uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gracie.
Stelian wants to clinch.
Stelian fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Stelian throws a head kick but Gracie moves out of range.
Stelian tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gracie swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Stelian tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Gracie keeps the fight on the outside.
Stelian fails with an attempt to clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Stelian looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Stelian fails to land the takedown.
Stelian shoots in looking for a takedown. Gracie tries to sprawl out of it but Stelian keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Gracie manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
The fight stays on the outside here - Stelian looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

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.
Stelian tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Stelian throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Stelian moves in looking to clinch but Gracie pushes him off.
Stelian is looking to clinch.

Stelian forces Gracie back against the cage and clinches.
Gracie digs a right hand underneath Stelian's ribcage. Stelian let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Stelian is looking to break free of the clinch but Gracie has double underhooks.
Stelian is trying to break free.
Gracie tries to score a body lock takedown but Stelian shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Stelian breaks the clinch.
A decent looking cross lands there for Gracie.
Gracie bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Stelian's head.
Gracie blocks a head kick by Stelian.
Stelian misses with a right hand
and Gracie counters with a series of strikes. Stelian will be more careful next time no doubt.
Stelian is looking to land body kicks.
Gracie scores with a body shot.
Gracie circles away from the clinch attempt
and Gracie counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Stelian thinking.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stelian tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Gracie counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Gracie.

Stelian escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Stelian tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Gracie paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Zvonimir Stelian is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Stelian looks to clinch
and Gracie counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Stelian goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

Stelian clinches up against the cage.
Stelian drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Gracie wants a takedown but no success here.

Stelian breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Stelian closes the distance but Gracie moves to the side
and Gracie counters with a straight right hand.
Stelian throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Stelian moves in looking to clinch but Gracie pushes him off.
Stelian tries to clinch up but Gracie circles away and keeps his distance.
Stelian tries to clinch but Gracie is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stelian looks to clinch

and Gracie counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Gracie.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Stelian is on top in guard.

Gracie had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Stelian is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Gracie Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Stelian's back instead.
Gracie trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.

Gracie is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Gracie lands shots from the back.
Gracie keeps control of the position as Stelian tries to break free.
Stelian rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Gracie is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Stelian is looking to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zvonimir Stelian dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Gracie is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Stelian pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Stelian wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Stelian gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Gracie.
Stelian tries to break the clinch but Gracie is controlling the position.

Gracie has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Stelian clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Stelian breaks Gracie's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Gracie tries to strike from the bottom.
Stelian missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Gracie keeping full guard, as Stelian tries to pass.
Gracie is controlling Stelian's posture.
Stelian thows a big elbow that misses.
Gracie trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gracie wants to sweep here but Stelian controlling him for the moment.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Stelian throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Gracie keeps the fight on the outside.
Zvonimir Stelian is winning the standup battle so far.
Gracie finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Stelian tries to clinch but Gracie moves away
and Gracie counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Stelian looks to clinch
and Gracie connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Gracie misses with a straight right.
Stelian bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Gracie looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

Gracie drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Gracie must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Stelian is striking from the bottom but Gracie uses the opportunity to pass into half guard.
Stelian is trying to maintain the position but Gracie is very close to passing his half guard.

Stelian looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Stelian gets full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Stelian is looking for a triangle but Gracie pushes his legs off easily.
Stelian looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie wants to stand but Stelian has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Stelian keeps moving.
Gunther Gracie has got the better of the ground game so far.
Gracie passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Gracie decides to stand back up.
Stelian tries to clinch but Gracie moves away
and Gracie counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gracie misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Stelian.
Stelian closes the distance but Gracie moves to the side

and Gracie counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Gracie works his way into full mount!
Gracie breaks from Stelian's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Stelian is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gracie jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Stelian manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Stelian gets back to half guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Gracie lands a nice short elbow.
Stelian tries to get to full guard but Gracie has control of the leg.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Stelian thuds his right hand into Gracie's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Gracie circles away from the clinch attempt

and Gracie holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Gracie drops down looking for an ankle pick but Stelian pulls his leg out and moves away.
Zvonimir Stelian has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gunther Gracie.
Stelian tries to clinch but Gracie moves away
and Gracie cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Stelian closes the distance but Gracie moves to the side

so Gracie counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Stelian 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 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stelian working for a triangle but Gracie defends it easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Gracie is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Stelian has thrown up a leg looking for a triangle. Gracie doesn't defend quickly enough and Stelian has managed to lock this one up! Can Gracie escape?! NO! He's tapping out! Damn, that was a quick submission - congrats to Stelian on a fantastic submission victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:41 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Zvonimir Stelian!