PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rico Sanchez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryan Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sanchez's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Childish Gambino - R.I.P.. This should be fireworks!

Sanchez
vs
Gracie

183 cm
33
182 lbs
18 - 18 - 0

191 cm
30
186 lbs
20 - 17 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
World class boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Rico Sanchez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ryan Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Steve Montenegro and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Sanchez is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Gracie.
Gracie scores with a crisp jab that stopped Sanchez in his tracks.
Sanchez misses with a double jab.
Gracie lands with a good body shot.
Gracie fails with a takedown attempt.
Sanchez tries a head kick but it misses.
Sanchez tries to clinch but Gracie moves out of range.
Gracie misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sanchez throws a nice outside leg kick.
Gracie blocks a head kick by Sanchez.
Gracie takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sanchez moves into range and connects with a jab.
Gracie throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Gracie displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sanchez throws out the jab.
A right-left combo lands from Gracie.
Rico Sanchez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gracie with a jab.
Gracie lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Sanchez at a distance.
Jab, jab by Gracie - just one landing.
Sanchez takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Gracie looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Sanchez lands a head kick. Gracie smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie moves into range and connects with a jab.
Gracie checks a low kick from Sanchez.
Gracie avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Sanchez swings for the body but Gracie moves out of range.
Gracie looks to land a combination but Sanchez avoids it well.
Sanchez takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Rico Sanchez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sanchez tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sanchez misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Gracie lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Gracie.
Gracie displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sanchez throws out the jab.
A head kick misses from Gracie.
Sanchez avoids the body shot from Gracie.
A big right from Sanchez misses.
Gracie misses with a two punch combination.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Gracie!
Sanchez is looking to score with low kicks.
Sanchez tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sanchez throws a right and a left that Gracie avoids nicely.
Gracie throws a series of punches but Sanchez avoids them all with ease.
Sanchez connects with a high kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gracie moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Sanchez misses with a head kick.
Gracie tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A slapping leg kick lands for Sanchez.

Sanchez instigates a clinch.
Sanchez tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Gracie avoids it.
Sanchez throws an elbow but it misses.
Gracie blocks an elbow strike.
Sanchez misses with some punches.
Gracie is looking to break free of the clinch but Sanchez has double underhooks.

Gracie manages to break the clinch.
Gracie throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Sanchez on the side of the head.
A right-left combo lands from Gracie.
Sanchez fails with an attempt to clinch.
Gracie delivers a nice body kick.
Gracie looks to land a combination but Sanchez avoids it well.
Gracie shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Sanchez defends it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sanchez moves into the clinch.
Sanchez misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Gracie.
Sanchez has a couple of punches blocked by Gracie.

Gracie breaks from the clinch.
Sanchez lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Gracie throws a right hand that Sanchez ducks under and follows up with a left that Sanchez also avoids with ease.
Sanchez scores with a leg kick.
Sanchez throws a right hand that Gracie ducks under and follows up with a left that Gracie also avoids with ease.
A big left from Sanchez misses.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown but Sanchez shows good takedown defense.
Rico Sanchez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ryan Gracie.
Sanchez misses with a low kick.
Sanchez thows a left - swing and a miss!
Gracie is working the combinations to good effect here.
Gracie tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Gracie walks into a stiff left hand from Sanchez.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sanchez tries to clinch there but Gracie circles away.
Gracie lands a jab.
Gracie misses with a two punch combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Gracie looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Gracie looks to score with a jab to the body but Sanchez is just out of range.
Sanchez feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Gracies jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Gracie uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Sanchez.
Gracie is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Sanchez had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Sanchez throws a head kick that misses.
Sanchez slips a jab from Gracie.
Sanchez misses with a few strikes there.
Sanchez lands the left hand.
Sanchez throws a head kick but Gracie moves out of range.
Sanchez lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

Gracie drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Sanchez tries to buck Gracie off but Gracie is having none of it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gracie wants to control but Sanchez is keeping him busy.
Gracie works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Sanchez tries to improve position but can't.
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 Rico Sanchez will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Gracie ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Gracie stalks Sanchez and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Sanchez's face. Sanchez staggers backwards, shaken.
An inside leg kick lands from Sanchez.
Gracie dives in and grabs Sanchez's left leg, looking for a takedown. Sanchez pushes down on Gracie's head and hops out.
Gracie misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Gracie lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Sanchez throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Gracie swings for the body but Sanchez moves out of range.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Gracie checks a leg kick.
Gracie lands with a shot to the body.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Sanchez lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Gracie has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Gracie and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Sanchez is looking to clinch.
Sanchez lunges at Gracie with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Gracie's hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gracie showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sanchez.
Sanchez needs to keep his hands up - Gracie had a free shot at his head there.
Sanchez tries to clinch but Gracie is having none of it.
Gracie scores with a nice strike.
Sanchez throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Gracie fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Gracie throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie blocks a head kick by Sanchez.
Rico Sanchez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sanchez throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Gracie avoids a punch combination nicely.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Gracie throws a nice looking combination but Sanchez bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Gracie misses with a kick to the body.
Sanchez throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Gracie sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Sanchez misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nice straight punches there by Gracie. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Gracie.
Gracie throws a head kick but Sanchez moves out of range.
A punch combination from Sanchez misses.

Sanchez gets caught napping as Gracie dives in and scores a takedown. Sanchez manages to retain guard.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Sanchez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gracie won't allow Sanchez to sweep him here.
Gracie cracks Sanchez with a solid left hand.
Sanchez looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Gracie trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sanchez looking for a guillotine here but Gracie defends easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sanchez has momentary wrist control but Gracie slips an elbow through the middle.
Gracie keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Sanchez's head.
Gracie advances to half guard.
Ground and pound from Gracie.
Gracie prevents Sanchez from improving his position.
Gracie sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Gracie has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Sanchez tries to get to full guard but Gracie has control of the leg.
Gracie wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sanchez keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Sanchez is defending against the submission attempts here by Gracie.
Sanchez wants to control but Gracie is keeping busy.
Sanchez is looking for a sweep. Gracie is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Gracie passes the guard and advances to mount!

Gracie working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Gracie unloading with bombs!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie with the ground and pound from mount.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Sanchez really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
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 looking to control but Sanchez is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Sanchez is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Gracie jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Sanchez manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Sanchez tries to improve position but can't.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sanchez manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Gracie is trying to maintain the position but Sanchez is very close to passing his half guard.

Sanchez is working for a kimura but Gracie is defending it quite comfortably.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Gracie showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

No joy there for Sanchez, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Sanchez looks to throw the jab but Gracie is out of range.
Gracie shoots in but Sanchez avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Sanchez takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Gracie has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Gracie lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Gracie.
Sanchez tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Gracie paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Gracie looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Sanchez gets back to full guard.
Sanchez looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Gracie's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Gracie postures up in Sanchez's guard and throws a big left but Sanchez blocks it.
Gracie slips nicely into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanchez wants to improve his position but Gracie is controlling well.
Sanchez trying to hold on to Gracie's head to control him but Gracie postures up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sanchez wants to sweep but Gracie has passed to side control!
Sanchez takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Sanchez manages to work his way to half guard, despite Gracie's best efforts.
Gracie trying to control the action but Sanchez is working from the bottom.

Gracie is working for a submission of some sort.
Gracie scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Sanchez!
Sanchez is looking to get to half guard.
Gracie dominating with strikes here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gracie prevents Sanchez from getting the reversal.
Gracie unloading with bombs!

Gracie moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Sanchez has worked his arm free - good work by Sanchez!
Gracie lands a nice forearm strike.
Gracie scores with a couple of short elbows.
Sanchez is looking to regain half guard here but Gracie keeps moving and retains side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gracie is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Sanchez has escaped the position, nice work there.

Gracie thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Sanchez defending against the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sanchez is looking for a sweep.
Gracie works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Gracie scores with a couple of short elbows.
Gracie working the head with strikes.
Gracie working away.
Gracie wants to control but Sanchez is keeping him busy.
Gracie looks up at the clock and then as Sanchez takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Gracie smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gracie tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Sanchez is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sanchez is trying to get back to full guard.
Gracie throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Sanchez manages to get to full guard.
Sanchez is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gracie postures up and lands a big shot to Sanchez's brow.
Gracie won't allow Sanchez to get back to his feet.
Gracie throws a big right hand that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ryan Gracie comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Gracie 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 28:29
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ryan Gracie!
Ryan Gracie decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.