PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gustavo Miranda (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Royler Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gustavo Miranda has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Miranda
vs
Gracie

225 cm
26
292 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

225 cm
27
300 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Very strong

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Gustavo Miranda!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Royler Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Luis Engracia and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gracie throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Miranda tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Gracie is in Miranda's guard.
Miranda looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Miranda is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Gracie looking to pass the guard.

Gracie has gone for a leg lock! Miranda slips out almost immediately though and dives into Gracie's guard.

Gracie has an active guard here but Miranda has managed to pass into half guard.
We've been hearing good reports from Miranda's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Miranda is trying to control. Gracie wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie works his way to full guard. Good work.

Gracie throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Miranda escapes and throws Gracie's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Gracie is trying to control Miranda's posture but Miranda avoids it.
Gracie is looking to reverse the position.
Miranda has knee on belly and moves into mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Miranda goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Gracie is on top in guard.

Gracie stands up from Miranda's guard - Gracie perhaps looking for a knockout.

Gracie gets a takedown into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Miranda is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Miranda!

Gracie get's back to his feet.

Gracie shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Miranda napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Gracie taking a breather here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Miranda prevents Gracie from moving into mount.
Gracie wants to stand but Miranda has his arm trapped.
Miranda tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Gracie wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Gracie is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Miranda has escaped the position, nice work there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Royler Gracie dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Gracie gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Miranda to score an easy takedown into full guard.
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.
Miranda stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gracie swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Gracie seems keen to control Miranda's posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie working a defensive guard here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Miranda stays in close to Gracie's body and controls the position.

Royler Gracie has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Gracie scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
You can see the frustration on Miranda's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Gracie wants to control but Miranda is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gracie decides to stand up, so the ref orders Miranda to his feet.
Miranda closes the distance and clinches up with Gracie, looking for a takedown. Miranda pushes Gracie against the cage but Gracie circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Gracie shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Miranda's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Gracie decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Miranda gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Gracie to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Miranda can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Gracie controls the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miranda is controlling Gracie's posture.
Miranda looking to control.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Miranda keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Royler Gracie wasn't active enough on the ground.

Miranda gets caught napping as Gracie dives in and scores a takedown. Miranda manages to retain guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie trying to control but Miranda is working from the bottom.

Miranda throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Gracie escapes and throws Miranda's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Miranda is not content to let Gracie control the position.
Gracie wants to stand but Miranda is controlling his arm.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Royler Gracie showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Miranda shoots in and gets a takedown into Gracie's guard.
Gracie not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Gracie working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Miranda doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Miranda manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Miranda looking to pass the guard.

Gracie is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Miranda is aware though and is defending well.
Gracie controls Miranda momentarily but Miranda frees himself.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Royler Gracie has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Miranda closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Royler Gracie is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie tries to get to full guard but Miranda has control of the leg.
Gracie wants to get back to his feet.
Miranda tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Gustavo Miranda wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Gracie closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Miranda's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miranda being controlled here, momentarily.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Miranda keeps moving.

Miranda throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Royler Gracie has got the better of the ground game so far.
Miranda is looking to stand up but Gracie isn't so interested in that idea.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Miranda is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Royler Gracie has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Gracie closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Miranda regains half guard.
Gracie takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Miranda is trying to maintain the position but Gracie is very close to passing his half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gracie controlling the pace.
Gustavo Miranda has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gracie wants to lay and pray for a moment but Miranda keeps working.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Royler Gracie.
Well Gracie has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Thiago Cunha scores the fight 27:30
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 28:30
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Royler Gracie!
Royler Gracie got down on his knees post fight and begged the management for a title shot. 'Please, I want that title shot so bad! Give it to me!'