PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Royce Camara Gracie (ranked 1951 p4p, 81 weight class) and Ivan Mikhailov (ranked 2735 p4p, 106 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Camara Gracie
vs
Mikhailov

211 cm
26
265 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

195 cm
26
270 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Tends to cut

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Royce Camara Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ivan Mikhailov!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Dirk Anderson and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Camara Gracie chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Mikhailov can pounce on him.
Camara Gracie tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Mikhailov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Camara Gracie tries to clinch there but Mikhailov circles away.
Mikhailov scores with a nice strike.

Mikhailov has managed to clinch.

Mikhailov manages to break the clinch.
Camara Gracie stuffs the takedown attempt from Mikhailov. Mikhailov gets slowly back to his feet.

Mikhailov clinches.

Camara Gracie has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Mikhailov uses from the top position.
Mikhailov passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Mikhailov goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Camara Gracie has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Mikhailov but great work by Camara Gracie.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Camara Gracie wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Mikhailov, who protects the arm well.
Mikhailov tries to improve position but can't.

Camara Gracie wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Mikhailov, who protects the arm well.
Mikhailov tries to bench press Camara Gracie off him but Camara Gracie keeps the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mikhailov is not content to let Camara Gracie control the position.
Mikhailov is trying to get back to half guard.

Camara Gracie is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Mikhailov knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Mikhailov is looking to regain half guard here but Camara Gracie keeps moving and retains side control.
Camara Gracie is looking to take a break and control but Mikhailov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Camara Gracie working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Mikhailov is looking to regain half guard here but Camara Gracie keeps moving and retains side control.
Mikhailov is still trying to improve position.

Camara Gracie tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Camara Gracie goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Mikhailov has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Camara Gracie but great work by Mikhailov.
Camara Gracie is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Mikhailov in side control, throwing shots but Camara Gracie defends.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ivan Mikhailov will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Mikhailov has taken the fight to the clinch.

Camara Gracie drags the fight down to the ground.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Mikhailov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Mikhailov is posturing up here but Camara Gracie has hold of an arm and he's gone for an armbar! Mikhailov tries to roll out but it's too tight and Mikhailov has to tap! Slick submission there by Camara Gracie!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:29 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Royce Camara Gracie!
Royce Camara Gracie was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.