PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Royce Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Takeru Kobayashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gracie comes to the cage accompanied by Heart of a Champion. This should be a great matchup!

Gracie
vs
Kobayashi

165 cm
37
149 lbs
18 - 4 - 0

173 cm
20
146 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Blue Belt
Lethal high kicks
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Royce Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Takeru Kobayashi!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Jorge Garcia and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice body punch from Gracie.
Kobayashi gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Gracie.
Gracie scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Kobayashi connects with a leg kick. Gracie looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Kobayashi is looking to chop away at Gracie's legs.
Gracie lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Gracie misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gracie just misses with a punch to the body.
Gracie looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Kobayashi connects with an inside leg kick.
Gracie misses with a head kick.
Kobayashi looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Gracie checks the leg kick nicely there.
Gracie blocks a leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gracie lands a really nice looking cross but Kobayashi seems unphased.
Gracie tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kobayashi sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Gracie somewhat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kobayashi takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Kobayashi throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Kobayashi blocks a head kick by Gracie.
Gracie throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Kobayashi on the side of the head.
Gracie has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Gracie checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Good leg kick by Kobayashi there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Kobayashi keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Kobayashi looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Royce Gracie seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kobayashi walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Gracie looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kobayashi throws a leg kick
and Kobayashi takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kobayashi throws a leg kick but Gracie sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Kobayashi misses with a head kick.
Gracie will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kobayashi misses with a low kick.
Kobayashi slips a jab and a cross from Gracie.
Kobayashi looks to throw the jab but Gracie is out of range.
Gracie misses with a body kick.
Gracie throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A cross from Gracie lands.
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 pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A low kick from Kobayashi misses
and Gracie counters with a head kick.
Kobayashi takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Gracie blocks a low kick nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Kobayashi has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gracie. Kobayashi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kobayashi tries to score with a low kick but Gracie moves his leg out of the way.

Gracie gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Kobayashi tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kobayashi looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Kobayashi tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kobayashi tries a body shot but Gracie blocks it.
Kobayashi doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Gracie escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Gracie!
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Kobayashi 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.
Gracie checks a low kick from Kobayashi.
Takeru Kobayashi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kobayashi shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Kobayashi steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Gracie. That one must have hurt.
Kobayashi shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kobayashi slips under a jab from Gracie.
Gracie misses with a straight left.
Kobayashi has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Gracie finds it's way round the side to connect with Kobayashi's head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gracie misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kobayashi.
Kobayashi lands with a kick to the ribs.
Kobayashi throws a low kick but Gracie avoids it.
Kobayashi connects with an inside leg kick.
Kobayashi throws a leg kick but Gracie sees it coming and moves out of range.
Kobayashi looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Gracie lands a glancing blow to the side of Kobayashi's head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kobayashi throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Gracie is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Gracie swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Kobayashi throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Kobayashi will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Royce Gracie dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Gracie throws a shot to the body.
Kobayashi walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Gracie checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Gracie wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
A head kick misses from Gracie.
Kobayashi throws a low kick but it's checked well by Gracie.
Royce Gracie is winning the standup battle so far.
Kobayashi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gracie connects with a body shot.
Gracie connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Kobayashi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gracie throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Gracie keeps Kobayashi at a distance using the push kick.
Gracie scores with a jab to the jaw.
Gracie throws a jab when Kobayashi was well out of range.
A low kick from Kobayashi misses
enabling Gracie to counter with a crisp jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie lands a lovely overhand right.
Gracie thuds his shin into the meat of Kobayashi's side.
A head kick by Gracie misses
and Kobayashi counters with a head kick.
Kobayashi motions for Gracie to come forward. Kobayashi throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Gracie checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Gracie looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Gracie plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

Gracie drives through and clinches with Kobayashi against the cage.
Gracie lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Gracie breaks the clinch.
Kobayashi showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gracie.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kobayashi.
Royce Gracie is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kobayashi misses with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kobayashi looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kobayashi lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kobayashi blocks a head kick by Gracie.
Kobayashi scores with a kick to the body.
Kobayashi connects with a high kick.
Gracie throws a series of punches but Kobayashi moves out of range.
Kobayashi is looking to chop away at Gracie's legs.
Gracie avoids the head kick by Kobayashi.
Kobayashi thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Gracie if he has to take too many more of those.
Gracie lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Kobayashi moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Kobayashi throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Some wild striking there from Gracie.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie throws a sloppy head kick and Kobayashi moves out of range easily.
Kobayashi tries a low kick but Gracie avoids it.
Gracie throws a body shot but no joy.
Gracie throws a solid leg kick but Kobayashi takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Gracie.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Kobayashi 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.
Sloppy strikes from Gracie. Those never looked like landing.
Kobayashi throws a leg kick
and Gracie counters with a big head kick but Kobayashi shrugs it off.
Gracie throws a looping overhand right but Kobayashi ducks down to avoid it.
Gracie scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Kobayashi slips a jab and a cross from Gracie.
Kobayashi throws a head kick that misses.
Kobayashi tries to land a leg kick but Gracie saw it coming and moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kobayashi throws a low kick but Gracie moves out of range easily.
A low kick from Kobayashi is predictable there
and Gracie counters with a series of strikes. Kobayashi will be more careful next time no doubt.
Gracie checks a leg kick.
Kobayashi throws a wild body kick that Gracie sees coming a mile off.
A low kick from Kobayashi is predictable there
and Gracie connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kobayashi tries to score with a low kick but Gracie moves his leg out of the way.
Kobayashi tries a low kick but Gracie avoids it.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Kobayashi. Gracie shrugs it off though.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kobayashi blocks the body kick.
Gracie scores with a head kick. Kobayashi tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gracie blocks a head kick by Kobayashi.
Gracie throws a sloppy head kick and Kobayashi moves out of range easily.
Kobayashi avoids the head kick by Gracie.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Royce Gracie dominated that second 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!

Gracie throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Kobayashi tries a head kick but it misses.
Nice body kick there by Gracie.
Kobayashi wants to land a leg kick but Gracie is out of range.
Kobayashi attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Gracie scores with a hook to the body. Kobayashi takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Kobayashi throws a leg kick that is checked
and Gracie counters with a good low kick that Kobayashi was not able to check.
Gracie feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Kobayashi's calf.
Kobayashi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kobayashi has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Gracie.
Gracie misses with a low kick.
Gracie connects with the punch.
Gracie fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kobayashi manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Kobayashi lands with a thumping leg kick.
Kobayashi is looking to slow Gracie down with leg kicks.
Kobayashi lands with a slapping head kick.
Gracie delivers a nice body kick.
Gracie throws a head kick that half lands.

Kobayashi is rocked!
Kobayashi fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Gracie has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Kobayashi has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
A shot to the liver by Gracie. Beautiful body shot.
Gracie looks to land a combination. Kobayashi sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Kobayashi is still on wobbly legs! Can Gracie finish him?
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kobayashi ducks right into an uppercut from Gracie.
Kobayashi lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Kobayashi throws a leg kick

and Gracie moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kobayashi misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kobayashi seems to have recovered his senses.
Kobayashi throws a punch but it's blocked by Gracie.
Gracie is looking to take this one to the mat.
Gracie misses with an elbow strike.
Kobayashi throws a head punch that misses.
Kobayashi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Gracie blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kobayashi tries to throw a body punch but Gracie avoids it by throwing Kobayashi back against the cage.

Gracie has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Kobayashi regains guard immediately.
Kobayashi keeping full guard, as Gracie tries to pass.
Kobayashi 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.
Takeru Kobayashi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Royce Gracie is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie throwing strikes from guard but Kobayashi blocks nicely.
Gracie trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Gracie not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Kobayashi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gracie advances position into side control!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gracie working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Gracie wants to control but Kobayashi is keeping him busy.
Kobayashi dodges the ground and pound from Gracie.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gracie in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Gracie wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kobayashi keeps working.

And that's the end of the fight!
Royce Gracie showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Gracie has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Dean Styles scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Royce Gracie!
Our winner, Royce Gracie, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.