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EMPIRE 4 PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight Tycoon World Grappling Championship rules bout between Igor Byhenikov (ranked 4907 p4p, 510 weight class) and Santiago Gracie (ranked 5299 p4p, 537 weight class). Byhenikov kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Harbinger. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!
This TWGC bout is 1 fifteen minute round in the middleweight division. Introducing today's competitors. In the red corner, competing out of London, with a TWGC record of 2 wins and 3 losses; Igor Byhenikov! And in the blue corner, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, with a TWGC record of 6 wins and 6 losses; Santiago Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, William Gold and James Glass.
The fighters bow as they face eachother in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
Gracie clinches with his opponent.
Gracie drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Byhenikov gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Gracie has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Byhenikov clear over his head and slammed him to the mat! Score +4 for clean takedown past guard: Byhenikov (0) vs (4) Gracie
Byhenikov is keeping busy.
Byhenikov wants to escape the position.
Byhenikov breaks Gracie's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Byhenikov (2) vs (4) Gracie
Gracie is trying to keep Byhenikov in close.
Byhenikov pushes down on Gracie's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Byhenikov is trying to control. Gracie wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Byhenikov trying to pass the guard but Gracie defending well.
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.
Byhenikov works his way into full mount! Score +3 for passing guard: Byhenikov (5) vs (4) Gracie
Gracie is working to get back to half guard.
Gracie is controlling an arm, preventing Byhenikov from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.
Gracie is trying to escape the mount but Byhenikov keeps good control and instead manages to take Gracie's back.
Score +3 for taking back: Byhenikov (8) vs (4) Gracie
Byhenikov has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Byhenikov tries to keep control of the position but Gracie is staying busy.
Byhenikov patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Gracie is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Byhenikov is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Gracie has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie just trying to survive but Byhenikov is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Gracie rolls, trying to escape but Byhenikov keeps control of the position.
Byhenikov looking to break Gracie's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Gracie remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Byhenikov will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Byhenikov working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Gracie is trying to break free.
Gracie tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Gracie is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Gracie is trying to escape the mount.
Byhenikov wants to take his opponent's back but Gracie doesn't allow it.
Byhenikov goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Gracie turns into him and now he's in Byhenikov's guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Byhenikov (8) vs (6) Gracie
Gracie content to stall in guard here.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Byhenikov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Byhenikov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Gracie trying to control but Byhenikov is working from the bottom.
Byhenikov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Byhenikov is on top in guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Byhenikov (10) vs (6) Gracie
Gracie is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Gracie wants to sweep but no luck.
Gracie looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Byhenikov passes into half guard.
Byhenikov frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount. Score +3 for passing guard: Byhenikov (13) vs (6) Gracie
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Byhenikov wants to take Gracie's back here but Gracie is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.
Gracie tries to hold on but Byhenikov pushes him away.
Byhenikov looking to control but Gracie is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Gracie prevents Byhenikov from taking his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Byhenikov is working hard here to advance position.
Gracie keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Byhenikov pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is desperately trying to improve his position but Byhenikov has a good base and remains in mount.
Gracie gets back to half guard.
Byhenikov passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Gracie! Score +3 for passing guard: Byhenikov (16) vs (6) Gracie
Gracie is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Gracie has given up his back. Will we see Byhenikov going for some submissions?
Score +3 for taking back: Byhenikov (19) vs (6) Gracie
Byhenikov is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Gracie knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Gracie for a finish.
I really don't envy Gracie right now.
Gracie rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Gracie wants to control but Byhenikov is keeping busy.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Byhenikov is looking to take a break and control but Gracie is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Byhenikov wants to pass the guard but Gracie is defending well.
The fighters are battling for position here. Gracie manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
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 keeping full guard, as Byhenikov tries to pass.
Byhenikov pushing down on Gracie's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Gracie manages to get to full guard.
Byhenikov tries to free his leg and advance position but Gracie is retaining full guard.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Gracie keeping moving, preventing Byhenikov from controlling successfully.
Byhenikov tries to free his leg and advance position but Gracie is retaining full guard.
Gracie tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Gracie is trying to control the position but Byhenikov postures up.
Byhenikov won't allow Gracie to sweep him here.
Byhenikov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gracie is keeping the position for now.
Byhenikov passes Gracie's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Gracie trying to control but Byhenikov postures up.
Gracie makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Gracie.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is trying to control the position but Byhenikov postures up.
Gracie pulls Byhenikov in to control the position.
Byhenikov postures up.
Byhenikov trying to control but Gracie is working from the bottom.
Byhenikov stands and throws Gracie's legs to the side, diving into side control. Score +3 for passing guard: Byhenikov (22) vs (6) Gracie
Byhenikov tries to advance to mount but can't.
Gracie keeps Byhenikov under control for a moment.
Gracie is not content to let Byhenikov control the position.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Gracie's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Byhenikov is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Gracie is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Gracie is trying to improve his position.
Byhenikov tries for a kimura but Gracie is defending well.
Gracie manages to work his way to half guard, despite Byhenikov's best efforts.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
Gracie gets full guard.
Byhenikov works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Byhenikov is thwarting Gracie's attempts to control the position.
Gracie keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Byhenikov is thwarting Gracie's attempts to control the position.
Byhenikov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Gracie defends it well.
Byhenikov looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
The fighters are battling for position here. Gracie manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Byhenikov trying to control the position from guard on top but Gracie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is trying to control the position but Byhenikov postures up.
Gracie lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard. Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Byhenikov (22) vs (8) Gracie
Byhenikov 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 stalling in the full guard.
Gracie trying to control but Byhenikov is working from the bottom.
Byhenikov looking for a sweep. Not yet Byhenikov, not yet.
Gracie content to stall in guard here.
Byhenikov is trying to control the position but Gracie postures up.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Byhenikov keeps moving.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Byhenikov is on top in guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Byhenikov (24) vs (8) Gracie
Gracie is trying to keep Byhenikov in close.
Gracie has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Gracie is continuing to stall.
Byhenikov stands and throws Gracie's legs to the side, diving into side control. Score +3 for passing guard: Byhenikov (27) vs (8) Gracie
Byhenikov has knee on belly and moves into mount. Score +2 for reaching mount: Byhenikov (29) vs (8) Gracie
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Byhenikov moves to the back position. Score +3 for taking back: Byhenikov (32) vs (8) Gracie
Byhenikov has both hooks in and is working for a choke. Gracie is in real trouble here. Byhenikov gets an arm under the chin and tightens the submission attempt... is this the end? Yes, Gracie is tapping out! Byhenikov wins by rear naked choke!
Ladies and gentlemen, after 13:31 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Igor Byhenikov!
Igor Byhenikov seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
Santiago Gracie was interviewed post fight and said 'You just beat a red belt. That is no easy feat. Congrats buddy. '. |
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