PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Christopher Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vladimir Putin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gracie's entrance music is Fort Minor - Petrified (Gracie Remix). A fine choice. Christopher Gracie could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Vladimir Putin's chin.

Gracie
vs
Putin

165 cm
30
143 lbs
23 - 6 - 1

180 cm
32
148 lbs
16 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Hellraiser Fightgear (10$ clothing)
Down Under - Supplements.160Q Video Proof

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Christopher Gracie!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Vladimir Putin!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Don Winkell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Putin manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Gracie on his heels. He'll look to pass Gracie's guard now, I'm sure.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Putin drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Gracie manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Putin has Gracie in his guard.

Putin is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Gracie missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Gracie accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Gracie looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Gracie advances to half guard.
Gracie is keen to just control but Putin is a slippery customer.
Gracie prevents Putin from improving his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Putin is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Gracie pulls his head out easily.
Putin is trying to get back to full guard.
Gracie is keen to just control but Putin is a slippery customer.
Putin manages to get to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Putin keeping full guard, as Gracie tries to pass.
Putin tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Christopher Gracie has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Putin shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Putin showed some decent athleticism there.
Putin is looking to advance position but Gracie won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Putin working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

Putin is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Gracie is trying to stand back up but Putin is controlling him
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vladimir Putin dominated that 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.

Jab by Gracie.
Putin takes a kick to the side of the head.
Christopher Gracie seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Putin scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Putin misses with a takedown attempt - Gracie sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Good exchange - Gracie coming out on top.
Putin moves out of range of the body kick from Gracie.
Putin waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Gracie.
Putin shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Gracie sprawls well. Gracie wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Putin gets slowly back to his feet.
Gracie looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Putin is fending him off so far but Gracie persists. Nope, Putin circles away and we're back to standing.
Putin misses with a jab, cross combination.
Gracie ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Putin moves away.

Putin shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Gracie is trying to defend but Putin finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Putin is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Putin is working for a kimura but Gracie is defending it quite comfortably.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Putin manages to get himself to full guard.
Putin is trying to control the position but Gracie postures up.
Vladimir Putin has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Putin tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Gracie postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Gracie trying to control but Putin is working from the bottom.
Gracie throws a big right hand that misses.
Gracie missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Putin is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Gracie throws a sloppy body shot
and Putin counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Gracie misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gracie is looking to clinch but Putin is avoiding it.
Gracie misses the shot to the body.
Gracie tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A big right from Putin misses.
Gracie throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Putin throws a right hand that Gracie ducks under and follows up with a left that Gracie also avoids with ease.
Gracie lands a head kick. Putin smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

It looks like Vladimir Putin has been cut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A head kick misses from Gracie.
Gracie looks to land a right hand but Putin moved out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Putin tries for a takedown but Gracie circles away easily
and Gracie counters with a flying knee. Nice.

Putin is rocked!
Christopher Gracie has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vladimir Putin.
Gracie keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Christopher Gracie dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Vladimir Putin's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Putin will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Gracie pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Gracie wants to clinch up but Putin keeps it at a distance.
Gracie bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Gracie uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Putin.
Gracie throws a head kick that misses
and Putin counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Gracie catches Putin with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Gracie scores with a push kick.
Gracie uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Putin.
Gracie shoots in but no luck this time.
Gracie misses the shot to the body.
Gracie throws an off balance right hand
and Putin connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Putin has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Gracie.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A left lands for Gracie.
Gracie throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Putin throws a body punch but Gracie moves out of range.
Putin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Putin fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Putin keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Gracie.
Putin lands a nice hook to Gracie's body. Gracie takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Gracie tries to clinch up but Putin circles away and keeps his distance.
Gracie tries to bum rush Putin with a series of wild strikes but Putin uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Gracie looks to throw the jab but Putin is out of range.
Gracie shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Gracie lands a glancing blow to the side of Putin's head.
Putin moves away from the strike by Gracie.
Christopher Gracie is winning the standup battle so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Putin blocks a jab.
Putin lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Putin keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gracie tries to clinch up.
Gracie lands with an overhand left.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Putin misses with a straight left.
Gracie lands a jab to Putin's midsection.
Gracie thows a body shot but no joy.
Putin digs a good hook to Gracie's body.
Gracie with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Putin lands a jab.
Putin takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gracie connects with a looping right hand.
Putin is still on wobbly legs! Can Gracie finish him?
Gracie digs a good body shot into Putin's ribs.
Putin seems to have recovered his senses.
Gracie throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
A looping hook to the body misses from Putin. Gracie does a little dance to reset his feet.
Putin uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Gracie.
Putin misses with a hook.
Putin ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Putin closes this distance looking for a takedown but Gracie circles away.
Christopher Gracie has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vladimir Putin.
Putin takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Putin moves away from the strike by Gracie.
Gracie scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Gracie fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The fighters circling - Putin throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Gracie pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Gracie punishes Putin's body with a nice straight punch.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Putin but Putin pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Putin misses with the combination.
Gracie misses with a wild body shot.
Putin looks to score with a jab to the body but Gracie is just out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A bone on bone clash there as Putin blocks the leg kick.
Gracie doesn't manage to clinch there - Putin circles away.
Gracie looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Christopher Gracie clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Vladimir Putin's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Donk. Gracie catches Putin right on the button with a cross.
Gracie tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Gracie throws out a loose jab but Putin uses good head movement to avoid it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gracie. Putin does a little dance to reset his feet.
Putin feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Gracies jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Putin throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Putin moves out of range as Gracie strikes.
Gracie misses with a hook
and Putin counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Gracie takes a shot to the body in his stride.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Putin enables Gracie to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Putin manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Gracie might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Gracie is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Putin has his foot on Gracie's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Gracie works his way back into a safe position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Putin trying to control the position.

Putin throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Gracie trying to control but Putin is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Christopher Gracie.
Putin throws a one two combo.
Putin connects with a jab.
Gracie throws a shot from downtown. Putin moves away and avoids it.
Putin circles away from the clinch attempt.
Putin has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Gracie tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Putin swivels and escapes.
Gracie thows a left - swing and a miss!

Putin looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Putin moves nicely into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie regains half guard, as Putin was trying to land strikes.
Putin is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Gracie lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Putin!
Gracie misses with a head shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gracie takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Putin is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Vladimir Putin will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Vladimir Putin's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Gracie jabs at Putin's body.
Putin tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gracie was well out of range. Poor timing from Putin.
Gracie looks to throw the jab but Putin is out of range.
Putin blocks a head kick by Gracie.
Gracie uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Putin.
Putin avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Putin scores with a jab. Gracie acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Putin throws a body punch but Gracie moves out of range.
Gracie tries a head kick but it misses.
Putin shoots in and drives through. Gracie sprawls well.

Putin drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Putin misses with the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie is trying to control Putin's posture but Putin avoids it.
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.

Putin is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Gracie is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Putin working the head and body with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Putin wants to pass the guard but Gracie is defending well.
Gracie is holding on to half guard well.
Gracie wants to get back to his feet.

Putin is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Putin is trying to work for a kimura but Gracie is defending well.
Putin prevents Gracie from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Putin trying to advance position but Gracie counters by regaining guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Putin looking to pass the guard.
Putin working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Putin forces his way into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vladimir Putin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Putin has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 47:48
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 48:47
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Christopher Gracie!
Christopher Gracie retains his bantamweight title!
Christopher Gracie bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.