PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rage Kootz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zelios Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zelios Gracie has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Kootz
vs
Gracie

183 cm
30
185 lbs
13 - 11 - 1

180 cm
35
201 lbs
14 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Red Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 11 - 1, fighting out of New York, Rage Kootz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Zelios Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Yves DeLean and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kootz lands a jab to Gracie's midsection.

Gracie shoots in and gets a takedown into Kootz's guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Kootz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Gracie accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Gracie with a flurry of punches that miss.
Gracie stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kootz swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Gracie in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Gracie postures up in Kootz's guard and throws a big left but Kootz blocks it.
Gracie throwing strikes but missing.
Gracie trying to control but Kootz is working from the bottom.
Kootz controls Gracie momentarily but Gracie frees himself.
Gracie throwing strikes from guard but Kootz blocks nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie postures up.
Gracie postures up and lands a big shot to Kootz's brow.
Kootz seems keen to control Gracie's posture.
Kootz's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

Rage Kootz has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Gracie will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Gracie goes for a double leg but Kootz avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Kootz continues to drive forward.
Kootz lands with a right to the head.
Gracie wants a takedown but no success here.
Rage Kootz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zelios Gracie.
Kootz lands a left hand that snaps the head of Gracie backwards.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kootz.
Kootz prevents the takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Kootz.
Still in the clinch, Kootz scores with a nice short uppercut.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kootz.
Kootz digs a right hand into Gracie's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Gracie's gas tank.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gracie blocks a body shot from Kootz.
Kootz lands with a short shot to the head.
Kootz controlling the action here for a moment.
Gracie drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Gracie is looking for a takedown.
Kootz makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Gracie jumps guard but Kootz stands there with Gracie around his waist. Gracie gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kootz lands a left hand.
Kootz gets underhooks to prevent Gracie's takedown attempt.
Gracie tries to score a body lock takedown but Kootz shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kootz lands a right hand that snaps the head of Gracie backwards.
Kootz stalling in the clinch.
Gracie is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Kootz gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Gracie goes for a takedown in the clinch but Kootz prevents it.
Kootz prevents a takedown attempt there.
A nice left hand lands by Kootz.
Gracie drops down looking for an ankle pick but Kootz pulls his leg out and moves away.
Gracie shoots for a takedown but Kootz saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Gracie shoots for a double leg takedown but Kootz sprawls well. He's pushed Gracie's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Kootz throws a shot from downtown. Gracie moves away and avoids it.
Gracie fails with a takedown attempt.
Gracie shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kootz pinned against the cage. Kootz gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Zelios Gracie seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gracie drives through with a takedown into guard.
Gracie is working Kootz over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gracie postures up in Kootz's guard and throws a big left but Kootz blocks it.
Kootz controlling Gracie's posture.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Kootz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kootz wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Zelios Gracie will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Gracie throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Kootz was covering up waiting for the punch and Gracie finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Gracie throws a big elbow that misses.

Gracie drops back, looking for a kneebar! Kootz looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Kootz looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Kootz!
Kootz is looking to take a break and control but Gracie is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Gracie is looking for a sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kootz controlling from side mount.
Gracie has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
You can see the frustration on Gracie's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Kootz trying to control the position but Gracie is working away.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Gracie tries to improve position but can't.
Gracie sneaks back into half guard.
Gracie wants to control but Kootz is keeping busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kootz is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Gracie is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Kootz sitting and controlling from the half guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Gracie shoots in for a double leg but Kootz sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Gracie with that takedown attempt.
Kootz stuffs the takedown.
Rage Kootz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zelios Gracie.
Gracie fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Kootz moves away from the strike by Gracie.

Gracie shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Kootz napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Gracie has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Gracie throws a strike aimed at the side of Kootz's head but Kootz avoids it well.
Gracie tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Kootz dodges the ground and pound from Gracie.
Kootz is trying to improve his position.
Kootz is not content to let Gracie control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kootz struggling a bit here.
Gracie lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Kootz down.
Kootz is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Gracie wants to work for an arm triangle but Kootz is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Gracie misses with a head shot. Kootz uses the momentum to regain guard.
Gracie tries to free his leg and advance position but Kootz is retaining full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zelios Gracie showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Kootz's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Gracie shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kootz as he avoids it easily.
Kootz lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Gracie shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Kootz makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Gracie shoots in looking for a takedown but Kootz manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Gracie's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Rage Kootz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zelios Gracie.

Kootz drives through with a takedown into guard.

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

Gracie working for submissions but it's allowed Kootz to get to half guard.
Gracie tries to get to full guard but Kootz has control of the leg.
Kootz is looking to advance position but Gracie won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kootz wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gracie keeps working.
Kootz controlling the action here.
Zelios Gracie has got the better of the ground game so far.
Gracie is looking to improve his position.

Kootz is trying to work for a kimura but Gracie is defending well.
Gracie slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Rage Kootz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gracie escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kootz gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Gracie is trying to control the position but Kootz postures up.

Gracie is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Gracie looking to control.

Gracie looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kootz wants to control from the top but Gracie keeps moving.

Gracie looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Gracie keeping moving, preventing Kootz from controlling successfully.

Gracie escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kootz gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Gracie is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kootz trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Kootz got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gracie has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kootz has managed to get both his arms back between Gracie's legs - danger averted.
Gracie bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kootz's guard.
Gracie pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kootz is keeping the position for now.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Kootz keeps moving.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gracie postures up in Kootz's guard and throws a big left but Kootz blocks it.
Kootz keeping busy, throwing shots from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Zelios Gracie.
I've got Gracie winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 28:30
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zelios Gracie!