PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rodrigo Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pablo Rizzo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gracie's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Till I Collapse. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Gracie
vs
Rizzo

185 cm
25
204 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
18
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rodrigo 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, Pablo Rizzo!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Felipe Paraventi and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rizzo shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Gracie is trying to defend but Rizzo finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
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.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Rizzo throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Gracie has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Rizzo is working away from the top position though.

Gracie looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Rizzo seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rizzo is keen to just control but Gracie is a slippery customer.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Gracie is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Rizzo pulls his head out easily.
Rizzo wants to control but Gracie is keeping him busy.

Gracie is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Rizzo pulls his head out easily.

Rizzo seems to be trying to get a kimura but instead Gracie has recovered full guard.

Gracie looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rizzo with a flurry of punches that miss.

Gracie is working an open guard so Rizzo takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Pablo Rizzo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Gracie shoots in and bounces Rizzo off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Rizzo not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie looking to pass the guard.
Gracie slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Gracie has knee on belly and moves into mount.

Gracie is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Rizzo is surviving well by controlling Gracie's body position as best he can.
Gracie throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Gracie wants to control the pace but Rizzo is squirming around nicely.
Rizzo tries to reverse the position but Gracie maintains control.
Gracie trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Rizzo is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

Gracie is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Rizzo has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Gracie misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.

Gracie working for a guillotine from mount but Rizzo is in no mood to give up.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rizzo tries to hold on but Gracie postures up.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gracie fails to move to back control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Rizzo drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Rizzo missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Gracie keeping moving, preventing Rizzo from controlling successfully.
Rizzo wants to get up but he can't break Gracie's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Rizzo throwing strikes but missing.

Gracie is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie managing to block the knees to the body from Rizzo.

Rizzo drags the fight down to the ground.
Gracie is looking to work some ground and pound but Rizzo has wrist control.
Rizzo is trying to control the position but Gracie postures up.
Gracie advances position into side control!

Gracie swings around for an armbar but Rizzo sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Gracie's guard.
Rizzo trying to control but Gracie is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gracie has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rizzo can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Rodrigo Gracie overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Rizzo gets to his feet - Gracie follows without any prompting.
Rizzo is breathing heavily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gracie showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Rizzo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gracie dives in and scores a takedown into Rizzo's guard.
Gracie is pushing down on Rizzo's leg trying to pass to half guard. Rizzo is fighting to maintain full guard but Gracie has managed to sneak the leg through.
Rizzo is trying to control but can't.

Rizzo makes his way to full guard, as Gracie worked for a kimura.
Gracie controls from within his opponent's guard.
Rizzo keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rizzo keeping full guard, as Gracie tries to pass.
Gracie pushes down on Rizzo's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Gracie wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rizzo keeps working.

Rizzo looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Gracie wants to pass to mount but Rizzo is defending the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Gracie is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Rizzo doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Gracie.
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!

Gracie wants to work for an arm triangle but Rizzo is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rodrigo Gracie dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Gracie closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Gracie lands in his opponent's guard.
Gracie passes Rizzo's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Gracie wants to work for an arm triangle but Rizzo is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Gracie wants to work for an arm triangle but Rizzo is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Rizzo is looking to improve his position.
Rizzo trying to control here.
Rizzo looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie wants to take a breather but Rizzo is having none of it.
Gracie works his foot free and advances to mount.
Rizzo takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Gracie is controlling this nicely and is looking to make no mistakes. Rizzo is trying to wiggle out of this horrible position. Rizzo flips to his side and attempts to get a leg in for half guard. Gracie anticipates the leg and manages to get behind Rizzo and secures both hooks! This could be bad! Gracie slips an arm under Rizzo chin and tries to position for a rear naked choke. Gracie has worked the choke in now and it looks tight. Gracie is squeezing on Rizzo like an anaconda would it's prey. Rizzo fails to tap and has fallen unconscious! We've got ourselves a winner by way of a rear naked choke!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:38 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Rodrigo Gracie!
Rodrigo Gracie got down on his knees post fight and begged the management for a title shot. 'Please, I want that title shot so bad! Give it to me!'