PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Holden Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Guster Spencer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Gracie might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Metallica Enter Sandman. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Gracie
vs
Spencer

190 cm
22
179 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

179 cm
25
175 lbs
12 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Adrenaline

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Holden Gracie!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Guster Spencer!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie connects with a high kick.

It looks like Guster Spencer has been cut.
A big right from Gracie misses.
Spencer lands a glancing blow to the side of Gracie's head.
Gracie walks into a straight right hand from Spencer.
Gracie avoids the body shot from Spencer.
Spencer blocks the body kick.
Spencer looks to land a left hand but Gracie moved out of range nicely.
Spencer pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Gracie looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Spencer throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Spencer throws a shot from downtown. Gracie moves away and avoids it.
Spencer throws a jab when Gracie was well out of range.
Spencer on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Spencer just misses with a punch to the body.
Gracie lands with a straight right. Spencer didn't see that one coming.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gracie misses with a wild body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Good shot there by Spencer.
Spencer scores with a nice strike.
Gracie moves out of range of the strikes.
Gracie connects with a solid leg kick.
Gracie throws a push kick but Spencer slaps the foot to one side.
Spencer scores with a jab.
Gracie swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Spencer dodges the punch combination from Gracie.
Gracie clobbers Spencer with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Gracie tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Gracie misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Spencer.
Gracie throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Gracie misses.
Gracie lands a jab.
Holden Gracie is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Spencer takes a swing at Gracie's ribcage but misses.
Gracie stuffs the takedown attempt from Spencer. Spencer gets slowly back to his feet.
Holden Gracie seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Spencer throws a jab when Gracie was well out of range.
Gracie throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Spencer sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Gracie takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Gracie tries to land a leg kick but Spencer saw it coming and moves away.
Gracie tries a head kick but it misses.
A jab from Gracie finds it's way through Spencer's defenses.
Gracie throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Spencer shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Gracie pinned against the cage. Gracie gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Spencer lands the left hand.
Gracie misses with a body kick.
Spencer throws a hook but Gracie blocks it.
Good work by Spencer as he checks the leg kick.
Gracie throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Spencer swings for the body but Gracie moves out of range.
A punch lands to the side of Spencer 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Gracie showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Spencer.
Gracie throws a hook to the side of Spencer's head but Spencer sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spencer displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Gracie throws out the jab.
Spencer swings for the body but Gracie moves out of range.
Spencer checks a low kick from Gracie.
Spencer gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Gracie scores with a kick to the midsection.
Spencer has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Gracie finds it's way round the side to connect with Spencer's head.
Gracie throws a poor cross that misses
letting Spencer counter with a right hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gracie misses with a two punch combination.
Gracie moves forwards but Spencer connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Gracie scoring well with a low kick there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gracie walks into a straight right hand from Spencer.
Spencer closes the distance and clinches up with Gracie, looking for a takedown. Spencer pushes Gracie against the cage but Gracie circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Holden Gracie has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Guster Spencer.
Gracie dips to his left and cracks Spencer with an uppercut!
Gracie throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Holden Gracie dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Guster Spencer's cut.
That's time! Gracie's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Gracie on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Spencer throws a body punch but Gracie moves out of range.
Gracie throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
A jab from Spencer misses.
Spencer shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Gracie but Gracie pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Spencer avoids the head kick by Gracie.
The fighters circling - Spencer throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Gracie is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Spencer.
Gracie getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Gracie lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Gracie tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Spencer is able to avoid easily.
Nice jab there from Spencer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Gracie misses the target.
Spencer ducks under a wild hook from Gracie.
Spencer jabs at Gracie's body.
Gracie lands a jab to Spencer's midsection.
Holden Gracie is winning the standup battle so far.
Gracie throws a body punch but Spencer moves out of range.
Spencer is trying desperately to land a takedown but Gracie is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Spencer.
Gracie sizes up Spencer with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Spencer throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Gracie counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Gracie punishes Spencer's body with a nice straight punch.
Spencer is breathing heavily.
Spencer dives in and grabs Gracie's left leg, looking for a takedown. Gracie pushes down on Spencer's head and hops out.
Holden Gracie has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Guster Spencer.
Good shot there by Gracie.
Spencer throws a good cross that connects.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gracie thuds a left hand into Spencer's body.
Spencer with a body punch. A glancing blow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spencer has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Gracie finds it's way round the side to connect with Spencer's head.
A punch lands to the side of Spencer 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Nice body kick from Gracie.
Gracie scores with a nice strike.
Spencer chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Gracie can pounce on him.
Gracie lands a front kick.
Gracie scores with a push kick.
Spencer avoids the body shot from Gracie.
Gracie throws a body kick that misses.
Spencer throws out a loose jab but Gracie uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gracie is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Spencer blocks a head kick by Gracie.
Gracie with a nice cross.
Spencer on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spencer takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Spencer needs to keep his hands up - Gracie had a free shot at his head there.
Gracie misses with an attempted mid kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Spencer. Gracie does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gracie throws a good cross that connects.
Spencer has a takedown stuffed.
Gracie lands a jab to Spencer's midsection.
Gracie lands a body shot.
Spencer showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gracie.
Spencer takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Gracie's jab looks to have found its range, popping Spencer under the eye.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gracie with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Gracie dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Gracie throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Gracie moves away from the strike by Spencer.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with eachother but Spencer might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Gracie has got the better of the exchanges.
Spencer throws a jab when Gracie was well out of range.
Spencer lands with a shot to the body.
Gracie thuds a left hand into Spencer's body.
Gracie pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Gracie fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Spencer manages to avoid it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Spencer swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Spencer doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Spencer walks into a jab.
Spencer looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Holden Gracie dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Guster Spencer's cut.
That's time! Gracie's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Gracie displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Spencer throws out the jab.
Spencer looks to throw the jab but Gracie is out of range.
Gracie throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Spencer stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Gracie scores with a jab to the head.
Gracie pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Spencer gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Spencer throws a right and a left that both miss.
Spencer throws an overhand right that lands on Gracie's shoulder, as Gracie tries to avoid the shot.
Spencer moves out of range as Gracie throws a body kick.
Gracie connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Gracie moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Spencer has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Spencer takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Gracie connects with a solid leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie misses with a body shot.
Gracie lands with a kick to the ribs.
Gracie takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Gracie pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Gracie lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Spencer backs up against the cage.
Gracie throws a head kick that misses.
Gracie lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Gracie lands a body shot.
Spencer misses the jab.
Gracie throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Spencer swats away the attempt to clinch by Gracie.
The fighters circling - Spencer throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Gracie is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Spencer can do to turn this around?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spencer keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Spencer blocks a head kick by Gracie.
Gracie scores with a decent looking hook.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jab by Spencer.
Spencer misses with a double jab
and Gracie counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Spencer thinking.
Gracie lands with a good body shot.
Both fighters circling a little - Gracie finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
A right-left combo lands from Gracie.
Gracie is looking to land body kicks.
Gracie is looking to slow Spencer down with leg kicks.
Gracie lands a head kick. Spencer smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spencer swings widly with a right hand
and Gracie counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Gracie lands with a kick to the temple. Spencer shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Spencer is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Gracie.
Gracie lands a jab.
Spencer avoids the head kick by Gracie.
Spencer looks to land a left hand but Gracie moved out of range nicely.
Gracie leaves Spencer with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Gracie's corner calls for a 1-2. Gracie obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Gracie uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Spencer has time to react.
Gracie ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie takes a swing at Spencer's ribcage but misses.
Gracie ducks under a wild hook from Spencer.
Nice shot by Gracie.
Gracie tries to clinch but Spencer is having none of it.
Gracie takes a swing at Spencer's ribcage but misses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jab from Gracie.
Spencer tries to bum rush Gracie with a series of wild strikes but Gracie uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Gracie scores with a jab. Spencer acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Spencer has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Gracie.
Spencer has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Gracie.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gracie lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Gracie lands a jab to the head.
Gracie connects with a good right hand that stumbles Spencer. Spencer circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Holden Gracie clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Guster Spencer's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Gracie lunges at Spencer with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Spencer's hand.
Spencer will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Spencer throws a nice looking combination but Gracie bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Spencer jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Gracie scores with a kick to the body.
Spencer on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Gracie lands a nice looking body shot.

Gracie has taken the fight to the clinch.
Gracie connects with a nasty looking knee right to Spencer's face.
Gracie pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Spencer tries to stall but Gracie uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Spencer is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Spencer throws a punch but it's blocked by Gracie.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gracie tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Spencer avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gracie manages to break the clinch.
Gracie throws a shot to the body.
Spencer misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Gracie counters with a stiff right hand.
Spencer takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Spencer keeps the fight on the outside.
Gracie throws a body punch but Spencer moves out of range.
Spencer throws a hook to the side of Gracie's head but Gracie sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Spencer blocks a head kick by Gracie.
Gracie misses with a left hand
and Spencer counters with a one-two to the body.
Gracie misses with a wild body shot.
Gracie scores with a hook.
Gracie misses with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spencer getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Spencer loads up on a big right hand but Gracie slips the punch.
Spencer swinging wildly here.
A head kick misses from Gracie.
Spencer just misses with a punch to the body.
Gracie lands with a straight right. Spencer didn't see that one coming.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Spencer tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gracie was well out of range. Poor timing from Spencer.
Gracie tries a low kick but Spencer avoids it.
Spencer comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Gracie with a jab.
Spencer lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Gracie stuffs the takedown.
Spencer slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Gracie lands with a kick to the ribs.
Gracie throws a nice head kick!
Spencer moves out of range as Gracie throws a body kick.
Spencer throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Gracie counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Spencer with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Gracie to score with a decent uppercut.
Spencer misses with a looping right.
Spencer throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Spencer avoids the body shot from Gracie.
Gracie lands with an uppercut that bounces Spencer off the cage and back into range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Gracie.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Spencer is defended easily by Gracie.
Holden Gracie has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Guster Spencer.
Gracie throws a head kick that misses.
Spencer misses with a lunging right hand
and Gracie counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gracie pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A big left from Spencer misses.
Spencer tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gracie was well out of range. Poor timing from Spencer.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Spencer misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gracie.
The crowd cheers as Gracie lands an impressive looking overhand right. Spencer doesn't seem phased though.
Spencer throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Holden Gracie had his way with Guster Spencer in that round.
The cut man is working on Guster Spencer's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Spencer avoids the head kick by Gracie.
Jab by Gracie.
Gracie throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Spencer lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Gracie at a distance.
Gracie throws a jab when Spencer was well out of range.
Gracie throws a right hand that Spencer ducks under and follows up with a left that Spencer also avoids with ease.
Gracie misses with a body shot

and Spencer counters with a takedown into side control.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Spencer wants to take a breather but Gracie manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Spencer.
Gracie will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Gracie can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Spencer controls the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spencer looking to sit in guard and control but Gracie gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Spencer 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie wanted to stand there but Spencer had control of the position.
Spencer is trying to control the position but Gracie postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Spencer looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gracie is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spencer is trying to control the position but Gracie postures up.

Guster Spencer has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Gracie throws a shot from downtown. Spencer moves away and avoids it.
Spencer lands the left hand.
Spencer misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gracie.
Spencer swings for the body but Gracie moves out of range.
Gracie looks to score with a jab to the body but Spencer is just out of range.
Spencer looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Gracie's corner calls for a 1-2. Gracie obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Spencer throws an off balance right hand
and Gracie counters with a nice body kick.
Guster Spencer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Spencer is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Spencer takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Gracie lands a nice hook to Spencer's body. Spencer takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Gracie lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spencer avoids a kick to the body.
Gracie tries a head kick but it misses.
Spencer takes one to the side of the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Spencer misses with a double jab.
Gracie buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Spencer throws a looping overhand right but Gracie ducks down to avoid it.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Gracie - that will leave a mark!
Gracie slips a jab and a cross from Spencer.
Spencer takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gracie connects with a body shot.
Gracie lets loose with a powerful body kick. Spencer will feel that in the morning.
Spencer steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Gracie. That one must have hurt.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Holden Gracie.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Gracie, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 50:45
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 50:45
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Holden Gracie!
Holden Gracie retains his welterweight title!
A very excited looking Holden Gracie made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.