PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Joanderson Ribeiro (ranked 526 p4p, 2004 weight class) and Efim Gracie (ranked 45 p4p, 168 weight class). Ribeiro comes to the cage accompanied by Tropkillaz-Gorilla. Gracie has chosen The Reunion- Eminem ft. Royce Da 5'9 as his entrance music. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Ribeiro
vs
Gracie

172 cm
31
154
13 - 4 - 0

176 cm
25
154
7 - 5 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Good knees
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Knockout power

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Joanderson Ribeiro!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Efim Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Reed Andrews and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

Ribeiro feints and as Gracie raises his hands in defense, Ribeiro changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Ribeiro looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Ribeiro seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Gracie for as long as he can get away with.

Ribeiro thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ribeiro sitting in guard here, content to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ribeiro looking to pass the guard.
Ribeiro controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Ribeiro tries to free his leg and advance position but Gracie is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ribeiro engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Gracie wants to stand up but Ribeiro is controlling him.
Ribeiro tries to free his leg and advance position but Gracie is retaining full guard.
Gracie can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Ribeiro controls the pace.
Gracie is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Ribeiro is controlling him.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ribeiro takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Ribeiro ducks under a wild hook from Gracie.
Ribeiro slips a jab from Gracie.
Nice cross by Ribeiro.
Gracie misses with a left hand
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
We've been hearing reports that Ribeiro has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.

Ribeiro has closed the distance and engaged Gracie in a clinch.
Gracie is trying to break the clinch but Ribeiro is controlling him.
Gracie is trying to break free.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ribeiro lands with a short shot to the head.
Gracie takes a knee right on the jaw!
Gracie wants to break free but Ribeiro has control.
Gracie is trying to push Ribeiro away but Ribeiro has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
A short left from Ribeiro.
Ribeiro tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Ribeiro misses with a knee strike.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ribeiro using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Gracie has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Ribeiro keeps control of Gracie as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Ribeiro misses with a knee to the head.

Ribeiro has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Gracie clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Gracie is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

Ribeiro has managed to slip his arm under Gracie's chin. This could be all over... yep, Gracie is tapping out! Submission win for Ribeiro.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Joanderson Ribeiro!
Joanderson Ribeiro retains his featherweight title!
A less than humble Joanderson Ribeiro misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.