PBP Commentary

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

Gracie
vs
Stanfield

170 cm
26
169 lbs
17 - 12 - 0

179 cm
29
164 lbs
19 - 10 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Bruce Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Aaron Stanfield!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Alec Ball and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie with a nice cross.
Gracie will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Gracie bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Stanfield throws a good cross that connects.
Gracie tries for a takedown but Stanfield sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Gracie shoots in for a double leg but Stanfield sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bruce Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gracie fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Stanfield uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gracie.
Stanfield paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Gracie goes for a double leg but Stanfield avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Stanfield continues to drive forward.
Gracie managing to block the knees to the body from Stanfield.
Gracie takes an elbow to the temple.

It looks like Bruce Gracie has been cut.
Gracie tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Stanfield smiles and moves away.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown but Stanfield shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
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 changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Stanfield tries to avoid it but Gracie manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Stanfield to the ground. Stanfield escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Stanfield moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stanfield slaps away a takedown attempt from Gracie, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Stanfield pushes Gracie up against the cage in a clinch.
Gracie has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Stanfield is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Stanfield works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Gracie can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Stanfield controls the pace.
Gracie seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gracie is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Gracie is working hard here to advance position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stanfield wants to stand but Gracie is controlling his posture from full guard.
Stanfield trying to control but Gracie is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Aaron Stanfield.
Stanfield pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A head kick misses from Stanfield.
Stanfield looks to throw the jab but Gracie is out of range.
Gracie shoots in but no luck this time.

Gracie closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stanfield tries to kick Gracie off but Gracie keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Stanfield is defending against the submission attempts here by Gracie.

Gracie is trying to work for a kimura but Stanfield is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stanfield won't allow Gracie to pass to mount.

Stanfield is defending against the submission attempts here by Gracie.
Gracie seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Stanfield does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Stanfield is looking to escape.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Gracie is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Stanfield defends it well.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gracie is working for a submission of some sort.
Gracie trying to mount his opponent but Stanfield defends it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Gracie is trying for a kimura here. Stanfield looks like he's in a lot of pain... and he's tapping out! Gracie wins by kimura!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Bruce Gracie!
During a confident post fight interview, Bruce Gracie thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.