PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Leo Blanco Gracie (ranked 4945 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ben Saunders (ranked 4943 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Blanco Gracie
vs
Saunders

177 cm
25
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
25
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Leo Blanco Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ben Saunders!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Chris Downing and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Saunders pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Saunders throws a nice head kick!
Gracie avoids the head kick by Saunders.
Gracie throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Saunders.
Gracie backing away here, and Saunders unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Saunders looks for the body kick but Gracie saw that one coming.
Gracie lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Saunders throws a sloppy head kick and Gracie moves out of range easily.
Saunders throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Saunders wants to clinch up but Gracie keeps it at a distance.
Gracie is looking to counter punch.
Saunders misses the jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saunders throws a sloppy head kick
and Gracie counters with a straight right hand.

Saunders has Gracie up against the cage in a clinch.
Gracie lands an elbow inside.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gracie lands a nice uppercut.
Gracie misses with an elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saunders throws a knee to the head but misses.
Gracie on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Saunders avoids the elbow strike from Gracie, against the cage.
Saunders dodges an elbow strike from Gracie.
Saunders with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Saunders tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Gracie avoids it.
Saunders avoids the elbow strike from Gracie, against the cage.

Gracie breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Gracie checks a low kick from Saunders.
Saunders throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Gracie went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Gracie jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Gracie lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Saunders steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gracie.
Saunders tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Saunders tries a head kick but it misses.
A head kick misses from Saunders.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Gracie 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 Saunders has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Saunders and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie misses with a head kick.
Saunders is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Saunders misses with a low kick.
Gracie misses with a straight right.

Saunders fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Gracie, pushing him back against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Saunders trying to land knees to the body.
Saunders throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Gracie blocks it with crossed arms.
Saunders looks winded!
Saunders tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Gracie avoids it.
Saunders throws a knee to the head but misses.
Saunders with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A short uppercut from Gracie.
Gracie creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Saunders throws a knee to the head but misses.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Gracie creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Gracie lands an elbow just above Saunders 's eye.

It looks like Ben Saunders has been cut.
Gracie gets through Saunders's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Gracie lands an elbow just above Saunders 's eye.
Saunders blocks an elbow strike.
Gracie lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie lands an elbow inside that Saunders shrugs off.
Saunders takes an elbow to the forehead.
Gracie misses with an elbow strike.
Saunders takes an elbow to the temple.
Saunders takes an elbow to the temple.
Gracie lands a shoulder strike.
Saunders avoids a wild elbow strike from Gracie.
Gracie lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Gracie misses with an elbow strike.
Saunders missing with knees to the body.
Saunders throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Gracie blocks it with crossed arms.
Saunders blocks an elbow strike from Gracie.
Gracie lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Gracie working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Saunders dodges an elbow strike from Gracie.
Gracie misses with an elbow over the top.
Gracie working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Saunders tries a knee to the head but Gracie blocks it.
Gracie lands a shoulder strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie lands an elbow just above Saunders 's eye.
Saunders takes a shot to the head.
A short right from Gracie on the inside.
Gracie lands a nice elbow.
Gracie throws an elbow but it misses.
Gracie gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Saunders blocks an elbow strike.
Saunders avoids the elbow strike from Gracie, against the cage.
Saunders using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Gracie has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Gracie.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Gracie just misses with a elbow thrown towards Saunders's brow.
A short left from Gracie.
Gracie lands an elbow inside that Saunders shrugs off.
Gracie softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Gracie's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Saunders is looking to score with low kicks.
A swing and a miss from Gracie.
Saunders shapes to counter with a head kick.
Saunders is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leo Blanco Gracie dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ben Saunders's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Gracie connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Gracie lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
A chopping leg kick lands by Gracie.
Saunders avoids the body shot from Gracie.
Gracie moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromSaunders.
Gracie takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Saunders lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Saunders throws a sloppy head kick and Gracie moves out of range easily.
Gracie catches Saunders with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saunders misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Saunders slips a straight right by Gracie.
Gracie throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Gracie throws a hook to the side of Saunders's head but Saunders sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Saunders throws a head kick but Gracie moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie thows a left - swing and a miss!
A telegraphed right hand from Gracie misses the target.
Gracie throws a low kick but Saunders avoids it.
Saunders throws a sloppy head kick and Gracie moves out of range easily.
It looked like Gracie wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Gracie blocks a head kick by Saunders.
Saunders is breathing heavily.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Saunders.
Gracie throws a series of punches but Saunders avoids them all with ease.
Gracie is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Saunders can do to turn this around?
Saunders staying out of range there.
Gracie lands a jab to the nose.
Saunders scores with a hook.
Gracie feints and then cracks Saunders's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Saunders down.
Saunders throws a lazy head kick
and Saunders takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Gracie looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saunders lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Saunders throws a sloppy head kick and Gracie moves out of range easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gracie misses with a straight left.
Saunders throws a head kick but Gracie moves out of range.
Gracie misses with an uppercut. Saunders saw that one coming.
Gracie jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Saunders tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Saunders tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Gracie getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Saunders tries to land a leg kick but Gracie saw it coming and moves away.
Ben Saunders seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A good leg kick by Gracie.
Saunders tries to clinch up
and Gracie counters with an outside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie slips a straight right by Saunders.
Saunders misses with a left hand
and Gracie counters with an outside leg kick.
Saunders ducks under a wild hook from Gracie.
Saunders is looking to clinch.
Gracie throws a looping overhand right but Saunders ducks down to avoid it.
Saunders tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Gracie goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Gracie throws a head kick but Saunders moves out of range.
Saunders throws a solid leg kick but Gracie takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Saunders.
Saunders throws a sloppy head kick
and Gracie counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie misses with a right hand
and Saunders connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Saunders checks a low kick from Gracie.

Saunders closes the distance and clinches.
Gracie lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Saunders backwards.
Saunders blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Saunders lands a knee to the body.
Saunders lands a knee to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Saunders throws a knee to the head but misses.
Saunders takes an elbow to the temple.
Saunders with a knee to the head.

Gracie manages to break the clinch.
Saunders uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Gracie.
Gracie misses with a left hand
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Saunders tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Saunders showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gracie.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leo Blanco Gracie dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Ben Saunders's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Saunders gets a clinch.
Gracie lands an elbow inside that Saunders shrugs off.
Saunders blocks the elbow strike.
Saunders is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Saunders missing with knees to the body.
Saunders tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Gracie breaks from the clinch.
Gracie lands a jab to the head.
Saunders wants to clinch up but Gracie keeps it at a distance.
Saunders throws a head kick that Gracie semi-blocks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saunders tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Saunders takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Saunders ducks under a wild hook from Gracie.
Gracie catches Saunders with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
A head kick misses from Saunders.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saunders keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Gracie.
Gracie attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Saunders tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Saunders clinches up against the cage.
Saunders misses with a knee to the head.
Gracie scores with a shoulder strike.
Saunders avoids a wild elbow strike from Gracie.
Gracie avoiding damage as Saunders throws knees to the body.
Gracie looks to throw an elbow but misses.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Gracie.
Saunders avoids a wild elbow strike from Gracie.
Gracie pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Saunders looking to throw knees to the head but Gracie is blocking nicely.
Gracie throws an elbow that misses.
Gracie managing to block the knees to the body from Saunders.
Gracie managing to block the knees to the body from Saunders.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Gracie.
Saunders throws a knee to the head but misses.

Gracie pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Gracie connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gracie looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A big left from Saunders misses.
Saunders throws a head kick that misses.
Gracie throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Gracie throws a sloppy head kick and Saunders moves out of range easily.
Saunders uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Gracie.
Saunders avoids a kick to the body.
Despite the aggression on Saunders's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Leo Blanco Gracie is winning the standup battle so far.
Gracie throws a right hand that Saunders ducks under and follows up with a left that Saunders also avoids with ease.
Gracie cracks Saunders with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie misses the jab.
Saunders misses with a double jab.
Good exchange - Saunders coming out on top.
Saunders lands a really nice looking cross but Gracie seems unphased.
Gracie's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Saunders connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Gracie scrambles back to his feet.
Gracie throws out a loose jab but Saunders uses good head movement to avoid it.
Saunders tries to close the distance and clinch but Gracie swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Saunders looks for the body kick but Gracie saw that one coming.
Saunders misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gracie throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Gracie scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
A right-left combo lands from Gracie.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saunders tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Saunders needs to keep his hands up - Gracie had a free shot at his head there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gracie avoids the head kick by Saunders.
Ben Saunders has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Saunders is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Gracie throwing a counter right hand but Saunders manages to avoid it.
Gracie throws a push kick but Saunders slaps the foot to one side.
Saunders flicks out a counter leg kick but Gracie steps away.

Saunders gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Saunders obliges.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Gracie.
Gracie creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Saunders's defenses.
Gracie lands a left hand.
Gracie takes a knee right on the jaw!
Leo Blanco Gracie is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Saunders misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Gracie.

And that's the end of the fight!
Leo Blanco 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:27

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