PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ricardo Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Karri Vahti (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Gracie
vs
Vahti

175 cm
26
178 lbs
14 - 2 - 0

180 cm
27
182 lbs
17 - 4 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

KAISER
Hell's Balls Recovery (160)

Perkele!
Brute

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Ricardo Gracie!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 4 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Karri Vahti!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Shirou Masuda and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie misses the shot to the body.
Gracie misses with a straight right.
A nice combination there by Vahti.
Vahti tries to clinch but Gracie moves out of range.
Good work by Gracie as he checks the leg kick.
Gracie keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Vahti.

Gracie clinches.
Vahti is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Vahti swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Vahti throws a punch but it's blocked by Gracie.
Gracie drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Good body shot from Gracie.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Vahti works on Gracie's body with a couple of short punches.
Vahti doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Gracie is trying to drag Vahti to the mat but Vahti just about manages to keep his footing. He used the ropes to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ricardo Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Vahti lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Gracie backwards.
Gracie takes a knee to the side of the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie is trying to push Vahti away but Vahti has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
Gracie tries to throw a body punch but Vahti avoids it by throwing Gracie back against the ropes.
Gracie lands a hook to the side of the head.
Gracie swings wildly with an uppercut but Vahti uses good head movement to avoid it.
Vahti misses with a hook from the clinch.
Vahti is trying to maintain a safe position but Gracie gets an underhook and turns Vahti into the ropes.
A head punch on the inside from Gracie fails to land.
Vahti misses with a short punch on the inside.
Gracie tries to throw a body punch but Vahti avoids it by throwing Gracie back against the ropes.
Vahti lands a body shot in the clinch.
Vahti misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Gracie tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Vahti's elbow.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Vahti.

Gracie has picked Vahti up - he's going for a ride! Gracie dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Vahti trying to hold on to Gracie's head to control him but Gracie postures up.
Gracie thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Vahti's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Vahti wants to control but Gracie is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Gracie looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Vahti manages to get to full guard.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Vahti keeps moving.
Gracie stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Vahti swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vahti utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Gracie tries to free his leg and advance position but Vahti is retaining full guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Gracie with a flurry of punches that miss.
Gracie trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Vahti looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Vahti not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Vahti bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Gracie's guard.

Vahti decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Gracie, up you get!

Gracie shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Vahti keeps moving.
Gracie stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Vahti swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vahti seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Vahti lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Gracie!
Vahti is trying to stand up but he's being controlled by his opponent.
Vahti is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gracie manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Gracie is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Karri Vahti will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Vahti throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Gracie.
Gracie takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Gracie throws a body kick that misses.
Vahti looks to score with a jab to the body but Gracie is just out of range.
Vahti moves out of range as Gracie throws a body kick.
Vahti tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gracie swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Vahti misses with a wild body shot.
Gracie scores with a sloppy right hand. Vahti should have avoided that one.
Vahti takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Vahti throws a low kick, looking for Gracie's leg but Gracie calmly moves out of range.
Gracie shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Vahti pinned against the ropes. Vahti gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Vahti dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Vahti scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Vahti lands with a right hand.
Vahti moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vahti tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Vahti lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

Gracie moves into the clinch successfully.
Vahti softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
Gracie stalling in the clinch but Vahti improves position.
Gracie works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Vahti misses with a punch on the inside.
Gracie working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Gracie lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Vahti backwards.
Gracie is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. Vahti gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Gracie has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Vahti avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ricardo Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gracie lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gracie goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Vahti as Gracie tries to tie him up.
Vahti stalling.
A short right from Gracie on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Vahti.
Vahti is working Gracie over against the ropes.
Gracie is looking to take this one to the mat.

Vahti escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Vahti misses with a straight left.
A cross from Vahti lands.
Vahti swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Vahti misses with a left hand

so Gracie counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Gracie trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Gracie stopping the sweep attempt from Vahti.
Gracie pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Vahti is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vahti working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Gracie.
Vahti is trying to keep Gracie in close.
Gracie postures up in Vahti's guard and throws a big left but Vahti blocks it.
Gracie trying to control but Vahti is working from the bottom.
Vahti pulls Gracie in close to his closed guard and prevents Gracie from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Karri Vahti wasn't active enough on the ground.
Vahti with a nice cross.
Gracie will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Vahti throws a low kick but Gracie moves out of range easily.
Gracie takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Vahti throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Vahti throws a lazy right hand but Gracie sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Vahti ducks right into an uppercut from Gracie.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Vahti is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Gracie.
Vahti lands with an uppercut that bounces Gracie off the ropes and back into range.

Gracie moves into the clinch.
Gracie blocks a punch to the side of the head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gracie has Vahti pressed against the ropes, preventing Vahti from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Gracie.
Vahti fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Vahti lands with a left to the head.
Gracie blocks a punch to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Karri Vahti will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Vahti enables Gracie to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Vahti manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Vahti pushes Gracie off and gets back to his feet.
Gracie tests Vahti's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Nice shot lands for Vahti.
Vahti looks to score with a jab to the body but Gracie is just out of range.
Vahti takes one to the chin there.
Gracie misses with a hook.
Gracie moves away from the strike by Vahti.
Gracie takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Vahti moves into range and clinches up with Gracie.
Vahti pushes Gracie back against the ropes and unloads with a body punch.
Vahti lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Vahti lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Gracie throws a head punch that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gracie is trying to trip Vahti. He has hold of a leg but Vahti is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Gracie persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Gracie throwing strikes but missing.
Vahti tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Ricardo Gracie overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Vahti trying to control the position here.
Gracie throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Vahti works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Gracie pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Vahti is keeping the position for now.
Gracie looking to sit in guard and control but Vahti gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Gracie looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Vahti has picked Gracie up and slammed him! Gracie can't keep hold of the triangle and Vahti manages to pass to side control!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vahti tries to stand but Gracie is controlling his head.

Vahti decides to stand up, so the ref orders Gracie to his feet.
A decent looking cross lands there for Vahti.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Vahti jabs Gracie right on the nose. Gracie blinks but takes it well.
Gracie misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Vahti.
A jab lands there for Vahti.
Gracie slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Gracie looks to land a body kick but Vahti moved away.
Vahti tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gracie was well out of range. Poor timing from Vahti.
Vahti throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Vahti throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vahti is looking to clinch.
A slow jab from Vahti misses its intended target.
Gracie fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Vahti manages to avoid it.
Karri Vahti seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gracie missing with a left hand there. Vahti was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Vahti dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Gracie. That did some damage!

Gracie looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Vahti!
Vahti wants to hold on but Gracie pushes him away.
Gracie has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Gracie raining down shots from the mount!
Vahti is trying desperately to improve position.
Vahti wants to control but Gracie is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vahti takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
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!
Vahti wants to control but Gracie is having none of it.
Gracie fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
BOOM! Gracie connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Gracie throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Gracie wants to control the pace but Vahti is squirming around nicely.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Vahti is desperately trying to improve his position but Gracie has a good base and remains in mount.

Gracie swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Vahti is now in Gracie's guard. A big mistake from Gracie there, giving up the dominant position!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Karri Vahti just about did enough to take it.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

A left lands for Gracie.
Vahti throws a low kick but Gracie moves out of range easily.
Gracie misses the shot to the body.
Vahti scores with a jab to the head.
Vahti on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Vahti thows a body shot but no joy.
Gracie misses with a straight right.
Vahti is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Gracie blocks a head kick by Vahti.
Vahti throws a leg kick
and Gracie counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Vahti throws out a leg kick but Gracie moves out of range and Vahti only half commits.
Nice defenses there by Vahti.
Vahti misses with a lunging right hand

and Gracie counters with a takedown into side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gracie postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie throwing strikes but Vahti manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Gracie sneaks back into half guard.
Gracie works his way to full guard. Good work.
Vahti would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Vahti stands up from Gracie's guard - Vahti perhaps looking for a knockout.
Gracie throws a body punch but Vahti moves out of range.
Karri Vahti seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Gracie avoids a kick to the body.
Gracie avoids a kick to the body.
Gracie misses with an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie throws out a loose jab but Vahti uses good head movement to avoid it.
No joy there for Vahti, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Vahti misses with a wild body shot.
Vahti catches Gracie with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Gracie lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

Gracie moves into the clinch.
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 blocking some punches.
Vahti has a couple of punches blocked by Gracie.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Vahti.
Vahti misses with a punch on the inside.
Gracie is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. Vahti gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Gracie swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Gracie's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Vahti finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Vahti fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gracie manages to avoid it.
Vahti throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Gracie counters with a nice body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good work by Gracie as he checks the leg kick.
Vahti thuds his right hand into Gracie's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
A decent looking cross lands there for Gracie.
Vahti misses with a straight right.
Karri Vahti is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gracie staying out of range there.
Vahti staying out of range there.
Gracie stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Gracie misses the jab.
Vahti tries to clinch but Gracie is having none of it.
Vahti jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Vahti takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Vahti uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Gracie.
Vahti waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Gracie.
Some wild striking there from Vahti.
Vahti misses with a combination

and Gracie counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Vahti is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gracie passes Vahti's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Gracie lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Vahti wants to improve his position but Gracie is controlling well.
Gracie throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Vahti to regain full guard.
Gracie wants to pass the guard but Vahti is keeping the position.
Gracie is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gracie wants to control from the top but Vahti keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricardo Gracie had his way with Karri Vahti in that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Vahti is looking to slow Gracie down with leg kicks.
Vahti takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Gracie lands a lovely overhand right.
Vahti shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Gracie eats them both and turns towards Vahti to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Gracie lunges at Vahti with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Vahti's hand.
Gracie dodges the punch combination from Vahti.
Vahti keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Gracie fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Vahti.

Gracie closes the distance and clinches.
A shot in the inside from Gracie.
Vahti misses with a hook from the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Gracie.
Vahti landing knees to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie has a couple of punches blocked by Vahti.
Karri Vahti seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Gracie is looking to control Vahti's arms but Vahti gets an underhook and turns him. Now Gracie has his back to the ropes.
Gracie is looking for a takedown.
Gracie tries for a takedown but Vahti manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ricardo Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

Vahti breaks the clinch.
Vahti on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Vahti fails with an attempt to clinch.
Gracie defending well as Vahti loads up on a big left hand.
Vahti finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Vahti takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Gracie is trying hard to land a takedown here. Vahti sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gracie. Vahti does a little dance to reset his feet.
Vahti throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Gracie sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Vahti throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Vahti lands a really nice looking cross but Gracie seems unphased.
Vahti just misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Vahti. That did some damage!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Gracie is defended easily by Vahti.
Gracie waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Vahti.
Vahti takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Vahti throws a leg kick but Gracie moved away.
Vahti looks to land a combination. Gracie sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
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!
Vahti lands a jab to the nose.
Gracie throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Vahti stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Gracie blocks the body kick.
Gracie scores with a nice head shot.
Vahti looks to land a combination but Gracie avoids it well.
Vahti just misses with a punch to the body.
Gracie avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Vahti as he jumps to the side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Gracie misses.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Vahti but Vahti pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A low kick from Vahti is predictable there
and Gracie counters with a solid body kick.
Gracie blocks a jab.
Vahti keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gracie on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Vahti throws a looping overhand right but Gracie ducks down to avoid it.
Gracie checks a low kick from Vahti.
Gracie has a takedown stuffed.
Vahti explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Gracie checks a leg kick.
Vahti lands a jab to the nose.
Vahti misses with a double jab
and Gracie counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vahti throws a one two combo.
Vahti tries to clinch but Gracie is having none of it.

Vahti has taken the fight to the clinch.
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!
Vahti is pressed up against the ropes. Gracie has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Vahti down to the mat. Vahti avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Gracie misses with an uppercut.
Gracie moves into range and connects with a jab.

Vahti clinches with his opponent.

Gracie is trying to trip Vahti. He has hold of a leg but Vahti is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Gracie persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Vahti is trying to keep Gracie in close.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Vahti working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Gracie.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Karri Vahti.
I think Vahti 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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight as a draw!
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight for Karri Vahti!
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight for Ricardo Gracie!

The fight ends as a draw!
Ricardo Gracie retains his title. It's always disappointing when a championship fight ends as a draw but that's what happens when you leave the fight in the judges hands!