PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rolles Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Junior Santos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rolles Gracie has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Gracie
vs
Santos

190 cm
25
233 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

192 cm
24
250 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rolles Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Junior Santos!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Daniel Cesar and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Santos will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Gracie's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Santos connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Gracie scrambles back to his feet.

It looks like Rolles Gracie has been cut.
Gracie takes one on the chin but seems OK.

Santos has managed to clinch.
Gracie wants to take the fight to the mat but Santos manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Santos breaks from the clinch.
Gracie displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Santos.
Santos moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Santos scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Santos sprawls well. Santos wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Gracie gets slowly back to his feet.
Gracie takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Junior Santos seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Santos throws a series of strikes that have Gracie backpedaling.
Santos lands a body shot.

Santos has taken the fight to the clinch.

Santos's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Gracie gets tackled into the cage by Santos. Santos maintains the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie wants to take the fight to the mat but Santos manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rolles Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gracie is breathing heavily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Santos pulls guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Gracie got a little sloppy there for a moment and Santos has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Gracie has managed to get both his arms back between Santos's legs - danger averted.
Santos is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Gracie drops back looking for a leg! Santos is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Santos manages to kick Gracie off! Gracie jumps back into Santos's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gracie avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Santos looking for a sweep. Not yet Santos, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Gracie drops back looking for a leg! Santos is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Santos manages to kick Gracie off! Gracie jumps back into Santos's guard.
Santos wants to sweep but no luck.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Junior Santos dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rolles Gracie's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Santos is looking to clinch.
Santos misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Santos scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Santos connects with the punch.

Rolles Gracie's cut is getting worse.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Santos sprawls well. Santos wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Gracie gets slowly back to his feet.

Santos moves into the clinch successfully.
Gracie wants to take the fight to the mat but Santos manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Come on Santos - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Santos lands a body punch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Still in the clinch, Santos scores with a nice short uppercut.
A left hand lands to the body for Santos.
Santos tries to score a body lock takedown but Gracie shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Gracie is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rolles Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Santos pulls guard successfully.
Gracie postures up.
Santos bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Gracie's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santos trying to control the position from guard on top but Gracie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
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!
Santos content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Santos content to stall in guard here.
Santos throws a big right hand that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santos loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Santos wants to stand but Gracie is controlling his posture from full guard.

Junior Santos has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Santos throws a series of punches but Gracie moves out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Santos looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Santos has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A solid body kick from Santos.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheers as Santos lands an impressive looking overhand right. Gracie doesn't seem phased though.

Santos gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Santos pulls guard successfully.

Santos is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Santos working for a triangle but Gracie defends it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Junior Santos showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Rolles Gracie's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Gracie has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Santos after a bit of a struggle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Santos lands a knee to the body.
Gracie tries to score a body lock takedown but Santos shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Santos tightens his grip and picks Gracie up, before dumping him to the ground. Gracie manages to land in guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santos throws a big elbow that misses.
Santos throws a big right hand that misses.
Santos trying to control the position from guard on top but Gracie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Santos pushes down on Gracie's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Santos tries to stand and escape but Gracie is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is refusing to be controlled, as Santos sits in half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Santos decides to stand and escape the position.

Santos has taken the fight to the clinch.

Santos gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Santos thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Gracie's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santos wants to free his trapped foot but Gracie is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Santos tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Santos is trying to control the action in half guard but Gracie is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Junior Santos has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Santos lands a leg kick that knocks Gracie off balance momentarily.

Santos gets a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Santos escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Santos fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Gracie.
Junior Santos seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Gracie on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Gracie takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
No luck for Santos with that takedown attempt.
Santos lands with a shot to the body.
Rolles Gracie has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Junior Santos is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gracie takes a head kick and keeps coming.

And that's the end of the fight!
Junior Santos comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Santos 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 Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 26:30
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Junior Santos!