PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Patricio Freire (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arnie Gregory (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Patricio Freire has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Freire
vs
Gregory

166 cm
20
154 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

185 cm
19
155 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Patricio Freire!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Arnie Gregory!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Seu Braga and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gregory rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Freire counters with a stiff right hand.
Freire throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Gregory's waist but Gregory gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Freire off to one side.
Gregory throws a lazy uppercut
and Freire counters with a left and a right that stings Gregory.
Arnie Gregory seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gregory lands a jab to Freire's midsection.
Freire is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Gregory stuns Freire with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Gregory fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Freire manages to avoid it.
No luck for Freire with that takedown attempt.
Freire shoots in for a takedown but Gregory shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Patricio Freire. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gregory darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Freire closes this distance looking for a takedown but Gregory circles away.
Gregory cracks Freire with a good jab.
Gregory throws out a loose jab but Freire uses good head movement to avoid it.
Freire shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Gregory as he avoids it easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Freire blocks a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gregory throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Gregory throws a right hand that misses
and Freire counters with a nice body shot.
Gregory stuffs the takedown attempt from Freire. Freire gets slowly back to his feet.
Freire throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Gregory's waist but Gregory gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Freire off to one side.
Gregory throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Freire.
Gregory misses with a lunging right hand
and Freire counters with a series of strikes. Gregory will be more careful next time no doubt.
Gregory fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Gregory bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Gregory throws a right hand that misses
and Freire counters with a stiff right hand.
Gregory misses with a right hand

and Freire counters with a takedown into side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gregory is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

Freire decides to stand up, so the ref orders Gregory to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gregory swings widly with a right hand
and Freire counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

It looks like Arnie Gregory has been cut.
Gregory loads up on a big right hand but Freire slips the punch.
Gregory stuffs the takedown.
Gregory throws an overhand right that lands on Freire's shoulder, as Freire tries to avoid the shot.
Gregory cracks Freire with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Gregory waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Freire.
Gregory falls off balance throwing a combination
and Freire counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Gregory misses with an uppercut
and Freire counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A jab from Gregory does it's job there.
Gregory takes a swing at Freire's ribcage but misses.
Arnie Gregory is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Freire avoids the body shot from Gregory.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Freire tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Gregory swivels and escapes.
Gregory misses with an uppercut.
Gregory might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Freire's corner calls for a 1-2. Freire obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Gregory stuffs the takedown attempt from Freire. Freire gets slowly back to his feet.
Gregory throws a big shot that misses.
Freire avoids a punch combination nicely.
Gregory pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Freire moves in looking to clinch but Gregory pushes him off.
Freire tries to clinch there but Gregory circles away.
Freire misses with a wild combination.
Gregory missing with a left hand there. Freire was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gregory missing with a left hand there. Freire was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Freire keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gregory misses with a right hand
and Freire counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Gregory throws a big shot that misses.
Gregory jabs at Freire's body.
Gregory is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Gregory cracks a nice hook into Freire's ribs.
Gregory takes one to the chin there.
Freire shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Gregory as he jumps to the side.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gregory fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gregory throws a body punch but Freire moves out of range.
Gregory swings widly with a right hand
and Freire counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Freire is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Gregory misses with a hook.
Gregory throws a lazy uppercut
and Freire counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Patricio Freire will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Arnie Gregory's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Gregory scores with a nice strike.
Freire fails with a takedown attempt.
Gregory throws a poor cross that misses
enabling Freire to counter with a crisp jab.
Gregory throws a looping overhand right but Freire ducks down to avoid it.
Gregory jabs Freire right on the nose. Freire blinks but takes it well.
Gregory displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Freire.
Gregory takes a swing at Freire's ribcage but misses.
Patricio Freire is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gregory misses with a left hand
and Freire counters with a left to the body.
Gregory throws a lazy uppercut
and Freire counters with a straight right hand.
Gregory throws a right hand that misses
and Freire counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Freire is looking to clinch.
Gregory is breathing heavily.
Gregory missing with a left hand there. Freire was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Gregory throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Freire shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Gregory manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Freire passes Gregory's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Gregory looks like he's trying to stand up.
Gregory pushes Freire off but Freire dives into side control.

Freire looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Gregory is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Freire has just dragged him back down to the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Freire is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Gregory has escaped the position, nice work there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Freire stands up and beckons Gregory to his feet.
Freire tries to clinch up but Gregory circles away and keeps his distance.
Gregory misses with a lunging right hand
and Freire connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gregory just misses with a punch to the body.
Gregory throws an off balance right hand
enabling Freire to counter with a crisp jab.
Gregory throws an off balance right hand
enabling Freire to counter with a crisp jab.
Freire looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Gregory is fending him off so far but Freire persists. Nope, Gregory circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Patricio Freire. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A combination from Gregory does no damage.
Gregory missing with a left hand there. Freire was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Freire shoots in and bounces Gregory off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Freire trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Freire forces his way into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Freire seems to be looking for submissions.
Gregory really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Freire. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Gregory manages to escape and get back to his feet!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gregory throws a poor cross that misses
and Freire connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Freire shoots in for a double leg but Gregory sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Freire slips under a jab.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Freire shoots in and drives through. Gregory sprawls well.
Gregory throws a lazy uppercut
and Freire counters with a straight right hand.
Patricio Freire is winning the standup battle so far.
Freire has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Freire there as he acknowledges the shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Gregory throws a lazy right hand but Freire sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Freire avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Gregory swings widly with a right hand
and Gregory takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Gregory swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A jab from Freire does it's job there.
Freire slips under a jab from Gregory.
Gregory misses with a wild body shot.
Gregory misses with a double jab
enabling Freire to counter with a crisp jab.
Gregory misses the shot to the body.
Freire shoots for a double leg takedown but Gregory sprawls well. He's pushed Freire's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Gregory takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Gregory swings widly with a right hand
and Freire counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Gregory misses with a double jab.
Gregory throws a lazy right hand but Freire sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gregory throws a poor cross that misses
and Gregory takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Gregory is rocked!
Gregory misses with a hook
and Freire counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Gregory is still on wobbly legs! Can Freire finish him?
Freire shoots in but Gregory avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Gregory misses with a body shot.
Freire dives in and grabs Gregory's left leg, looking for a takedown. Gregory pushes down on Freire's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Patricio Freire. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gregory throws a lazy uppercut

and Freire counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Freire looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Freire has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Gregory avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Gregory can't break the clinch.
Gregory wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Gregory seems to have recovered his senses.
Gregory tries to break the clinch but Freire is controlling the position.

Gregory escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A shot to the body from Gregory misses
and Freire counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Gregory swings widly with a right hand
and Freire counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Freire fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Gregory lands a jab to Freire's midsection.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gregory lands a nice shot to the body.
Freire changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Gregory tries to avoid it but Freire manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Gregory to the ground. Gregory escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Freire fails in his attempt to clinch.
Gregory lands a nice shot to the body.
Freire takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Gregory fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Freire shoots for a double leg takedown but Gregory sprawls well. He's pushed Freire's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Gregory misses with a wild body shot.
Gregory throws a right and a left that Freire avoids nicely.
Freire tries to clinch but Gregory moves out of range.
Freire lands a lovely overhand right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gregory throws a poor cross that misses
and Freire counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Gregory swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Gregory throws a right hand that misses
and Freire counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Gregory takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Gregory looks to land a right hand but Freire moved out of range.
Freire fails in his attempt to clinch.
Gregory misses with a lunging right hand
and Freire counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Freire ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Freire takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Freire will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Gregory throws an off balance right hand
and Freire connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Gregory fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Freire changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Gregory tries to avoid it but Freire manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Gregory to the ground. Gregory escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Gregory lands with a right hand.
Gregory fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Nice defenses there by Freire.
A big right from Gregory misses.
Freire uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gregory.
Freire looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Gregory is fending him off so far but Freire persists. Nope, Gregory circles away and we're back to standing.
Freire shoots in for a double leg but Gregory sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Gregory throws a series of strikes that have Freire backpedaling.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gregory bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Gregory has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gregory waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Freire.
Freire scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Arnie Gregory has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Patricio Freire is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Freire uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Gregory.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Arnie Gregory.
I think Freire has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Daniel Cesar scores the fight 29:28
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 29:28
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Patricio Freire!
A relieved looking Patricio Freire thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.