PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Korn Gracie (ranked 895 p4p, 118 weight class) and Donyo Donev (ranked 4100 p4p, 434 weight class). Donyo Donev has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Gracie
vs
Donev

183 cm
26
170 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

182 cm
22
180 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Korn Gracie!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Donyo Donev!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Roger Salmon and Ryoma Takatsuka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Donev.
Korn Gracie seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Gracie moves into the clinch successfully.

Gracie tightens his grip and picks Donev up, before dumping him to the ground. Donev manages to land in guard.
Donev utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Gracie throws a big right hand that misses.
Donev is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gracie trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Gracie trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Donev is trying to control the position but Gracie postures up.
Gracie is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Donev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've been hearing good reports from Gracie's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Donev utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie wants to pass the guard but Donev is keeping the position.
Gracie scoring with punches to the head and body.
Gracie is looking to work some ground and pound but Donev has wrist control.
Donev trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Gracie stands up over Donev, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Gracie is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Gracie is pushing down on Donev's leg trying to pass to half guard. Donev is fighting to maintain full guard but Gracie has managed to sneak the leg through.
Gracie frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Donev tries to hold on but Gracie postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gracie is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Donev has managed to escape the submission attempt.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gracie controlling the pace for now.
Gracie sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Gracie landing strikes, looking to finish!
Donev taking shots to the head.
Donev looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
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!
Donev is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Gracie is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Donev is surviving well by controlling Gracie's body position as best he can.
Donev is bucking up trying to escape but Gracie cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Donev wants to control but Gracie is having none of it.

Gracie is working to isolate an arm here. It's a telegraphed submission attempt but he's gone for it anyway - and he's got it! Gracie extends the arm and Donev is forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:26 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Korn Gracie!
Korn Gracie retains his welterweight title!
After winning the bout, Korn Gracie thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.