PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Swagga Beats (ranked 4640 p4p, 490 weight class) and Ricardo Gracie (ranked 2839 p4p, 337 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Beats
vs
Gracie

165 cm
26
147 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

176 cm
22
168 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Brawler
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Swagga Beats!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ricardo Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Russell Pearce and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gracie scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Beats is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Gracie's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Gracie is keen to just control but Beats is a slippery customer.

Gracie is looking for a kimura but Beats is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Gracie to get the leverage.

Gracie looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Gracie takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie is thwarting Beats's attempts to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie wants to lay and pray for a moment but Beats keeps working.
Beats tries to get to full guard but Gracie has control of the leg.
Gracie stalling away here and it's allowed Beats to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Gracie trying to control but Beats is working from the bottom.
Beats looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gracie is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Gracie trying to control but Beats is working from the bottom.

Beats looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Beats is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Gracie working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Gracie drops back looking for a leg! Beats is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Beats manages to kick Gracie off! Gracie jumps back into Beats's guard.

Gracie gets to his feet - Beats follows without any prompting.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Beats tries for a takedown but Gracie circles away easily

and Gracie counters by moving into the clinch.

Gracie is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Beats can't fight it off and eventually Gracie manages to take the fight to the floor. Beats looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Beats might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Beats not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Gracie throws a big right hand that misses.
Gracie pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Beats is keeping the position for now.
Gracie is looking to stand up but Beats won't let him.
Gracie won't allow Beats to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Beats keeps moving.
Beats is controlling Gracie's posture.
Gracie slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Beats gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Gracie counters by moving into the clinch.

Gracie manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Beats stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gracie swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Gracie looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Beats got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gracie has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Beats has managed to get both his arms back between Gracie's legs - danger averted.
Beats stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gracie swivels though and keeps the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricardo Gracie dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Beats misses with a takedown

and Gracie decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Beats's guard.
Beats working a defensive guard here.
Beats looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Gracie trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Gracie trying to control but Beats is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie wants to pass the guard but Beats is keeping the position.
Beats is looking to stand up but Gracie isn't so interested in that idea.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie throwing strikes but missing.
Beats not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Gracie decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Beats is trying to control but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gracie is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Beats tries to roll over but Gracie keeps him under control.

Gracie is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gracie prevents Beats from standing back up.
Beats blocking the ground and pound attempt from Gracie.

Gracie is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Beats has managed to free his arm - good work.
Beats is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Beats is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Gracie scores with a couple of nice shots.
Beats is looking for a sweep. Gracie is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Gracie looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Beats wants to get back to full guard.
Gracie has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Beats is working hard here to advance position.
Beats moves into full guard.
Gracie postures up.
Beats being controlled here, momentarily.

Gracie drops back, looking for a kneebar! Beats looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Beats looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Beats!

Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gracie is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricardo Gracie showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Gracie dives in and scores a takedown into Beats's guard.
Gracie looking to pass the guard.
Ricardo Gracie has got the better of the ground game so far.
Gracie stays in close to Beats's body and controls the position.

Beats looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Gracie has picked Beats up and slammed him! Beats can't keep hold of the triangle and Gracie manages to pass to side control!

Gracie decides to stand back up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gracie shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Beats manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Gracie is standing up over Beats. Beats looks to escape but Gracie dives into side control.

Gracie wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Beats, who protects the arm well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Beats tries to bench press Gracie off him but Gracie keeps the position.

Gracie working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Beats tries to buck Gracie off but Gracie is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Gracie working away.
Beats sneaks back into half guard.
Gracie wants to control but Beats is keeping him busy.

Gracie is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Beats sees it coming and defends easily.
Gracie is thwarting Beats's attempts to control the position.
Beats wants to improve his position but Gracie is controlling well.

Gracie is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Beats has managed to free his arm - good work.

Gracie looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Beats has his hands clasped together around Gracie's back. He's all about the action.

Gracie is looking for a kimura but Beats is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Gracie to get the leverage.
Beats has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Beats regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Gracie.
Gracie passes Beats's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Beats keeping control of the position.
Beats trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Gracie manages to pass to mount!
Beats wants to control but Gracie is having none of it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gracie lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Beats tries to get back to half guard but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricardo Gracie really dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Beats tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Gracie swivels and escapes.
Beats shoots in looking for a takedown but Gracie manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Beats's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Beats misses the jab.

Beats gets caught flat footed, as Gracie shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Gracie is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Gracie postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Beats is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Gracie, into his guard.

Beats has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Gracie is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Beats trying to control the position from guard on top but Gracie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Beats advances to half guard.
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.
Beats winds up and cracks Gracie with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Beats trying to control the action but Gracie is working from the bottom.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Beats in particular looking to stall.
Gracie tries to roll over but Beats keeps him under control.

Gracie is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Beats pulls his head out easily.
Beats tries to pass the half guard into mount. Gracie knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Beats is looking for a kimura here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Beats wants to work for an arm triangle but Gracie is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Gracie regains full guard. Nicely done.
Beats trying to control but Gracie is working from the bottom.
Beats stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gracie swivels though and keeps the full guard.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Beats's guard.

Gracie is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Gracie wants to pass the guard but Beats is keeping the position.
Gracie postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Gracie wants to pass the guard but Beats is keeping the position.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Beats keeps moving.
Beats manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Gracie manages to get himself to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

Gracie looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Gracie is looking for a triangle but Beats pushes his legs off easily.
Beats engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Beats wants to control from the top but Gracie keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricardo Gracie dominated that fourth 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. This is the final round!

Beats tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Gracie swivels and escapes.

Gracie drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Gracie is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Beats is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Gracie wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Beats, who protects the arm well.

Gracie looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gracie is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Beats has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Beats is looking to reverse the position.

Gracie tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Gracie has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Beats is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Gracie is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Beats is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Gracie is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Beats has escaped the position, nice work there.

Gracie goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Beats has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Gracie but great work by Beats.
Gracie prevents Beats from improving position.

Beats is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Gracie knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Gracie tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie looks to move to half guard but instead Beats has passed into mount! Damn!
Beats throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Gracie gets back to half guard.
Gracie moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Gracie working for a triangle but Beats defends it easily.
Beats throwing strikes but missing.

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

Gracie working for a triangle but Beats defends it easily.
Gracie utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ricardo Gracie is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Beats trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Swagga Beats has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Beats in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ricardo 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight for Ricardo Gracie!
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight for Ricardo Gracie!
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight for Ricardo Gracie!

Ricardo Gracie wins by unanimous decision! Ricardo Gracie retains his lightweight title!
During a confident post fight interview, Ricardo Gracie thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.