PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Zenkichi Hitoyoshi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gracie comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Momma said knock you out kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Hitoyoshi
vs
Gracie

188 cm
18
235 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

195 cm
18
295 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Zenkichi Hitoyoshi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Michael Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Felipe Paraventi and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie throws an overhand right that lands on Hitoyoshi's shoulder, as Hitoyoshi tries to avoid the shot.
Gracie takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Horrible takedown by Gracie or perhaps it was just good defense by Hitoyoshi which made him look bad.
Gracie fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Gracie tries to clinch but Hitoyoshi is having none of it.
Hitoyoshi fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Gracie misses with a takedown
and Hitoyoshi counters with a body kick that stops Gracie in his tracks momentarily.
Zenkichi Hitoyoshi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Gracie.
Gracie takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Gracie.
Gracie moves to clinch but Hitoyoshi breaks away
and Hitoyoshi counters with a right hand to the body.
Gracie looks winded!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hitoyoshi misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Hitoyoshi.

It looks like Michael Gracie has been cut.
Hitoyoshi stalks Gracie and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Gracie's face. Gracie staggers backwards, shaken.
Gracie doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Hitoyoshi counters with a series of strikes. Gracie will be more careful next time no doubt.
Michael Gracie seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hitoyoshi lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Hitoyoshi throws a head kick that Gracie semi-blocks.
Gracie closes the distance and clinches up with Hitoyoshi, looking for a takedown. Gracie pushes Hitoyoshi against the cage but Hitoyoshi circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Hitoyoshi moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Hitoyoshi cracks Gracie with an open hand slap.
Hitoyoshi bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Gracie's head.
Hitoyoshi misses with a wild combination.
Hitoyoshi scores with a jab to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hitoyoshi lands a nice hook to Gracie's body. Gracie takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Hitoyoshi connects with a right hand. Gracie shakes it off.
Gracie is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Hitoyoshi.
Hitoyoshi connects with a nice looking jab.
Gracie is trying desperately to land a takedown but Hitoyoshi is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Gracie.
A chopping leg kick lands by Hitoyoshi.
Hitoyoshi throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Hitoyoshi scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Hitoyoshi throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Hitoyoshi with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Hitoyoshi connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Gracie momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hitoyoshi cracks Gracie with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
A slapping leg kick lands for Hitoyoshi.
Hitoyoshi throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Hitoyoshi with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A right-left combo lands from Hitoyoshi.
Gracie is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Hitoyoshi.
Gracie takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hitoyoshi scores with a body shot.
Hitoyoshi throws a series of punches but Gracie moves out of range.
A right-left combo lands from Hitoyoshi.

That has opened up Michael Gracie's cut even more.
Hitoyoshi lands with a nice body punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie tries to clinch but fails miserably
enabling Hitoyoshi to counter with a crisp jab.
Hitoyoshi lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gracie circles away quickly and effectively.
Gracie tries to clinch up but Hitoyoshi circles away and keeps his distance.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown but Hitoyoshi shows good takedown defense.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Hitoyoshi.
Gracie takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Hitoyoshi throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nice jab there from Hitoyoshi.
Gracie throws the left hand but Hitoyoshi avoids the punch easily.
Good leg kick by Hitoyoshi there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zenkichi Hitoyoshi dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Michael Gracie's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Gracie tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Hitoyoshi could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Hitoyoshi digs a good hook to Gracie's body.
Gracie rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Hitoyoshi counters with a straight right hand.
Gracie throws a sloppy head kick and Hitoyoshi moves out of range easily.
Gracie tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hitoyoshi swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown but Hitoyoshi shows good takedown defense.
Gracie looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hitoyoshi is fending him off so far but Gracie persists. Nope, Hitoyoshi circles away and we're back to standing.
Gracie is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Gracie walks into a straight right hand from Hitoyoshi.
Gracie is breathing heavily.
Hitoyoshi throws a quick inside leg kick.
Hitoyoshi throws a head kick that Gracie semi-blocks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hitoyoshi with a nice cross.
Hitoyoshi takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Hitoyoshi fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Hitoyoshi slaps away a takedown attempt from Gracie, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Zenkichi Hitoyoshi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Gracie.
Gracie has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Zenkichi Hitoyoshi is winning the standup battle so far.
Hitoyoshi fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Gracie.
Gracie stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Hitoyoshi.
Zenkichi Hitoyoshi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A chopping leg kick lands by Hitoyoshi.
Gracie has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
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!
Hitoyoshi scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Hitoyoshi throws a quick inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hitoyoshi lands with a right hand.
Hitoyoshi lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Hitoyoshi misses with the combination.
Zenkichi Hitoyoshi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hitoyoshi feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Gracies jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Hitoyoshi scores with a hook to the body. Gracie takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Hitoyoshi will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Hitoyoshi connects with a leg kick. Gracie looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Gracie on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Hitoyoshi. Hitoyoshi obviously looking to wear him down.
Hitoyoshi is working the combinations to good effect here.
Hitoyoshi scores with a hook to the body. Gracie takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Hitoyoshi.
Gracie is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Hitoyoshi.
A right-left combo lands from Hitoyoshi.
Gracie tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Hitoyoshi connects with a body shot that sends Gracie's belly button to the back.
Hitoyoshi moves into range and connects with a jab.
Gracie on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Hitoyoshi throws a series of strikes that have Gracie backpedaling.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gracie swings widly with a right hand
and Hitoyoshi counters with a series of strikes. Gracie will be more careful next time no doubt.
Hitoyoshi misses with a two punch combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hitoyoshi scores with a crisp jab that stopped Gracie in his tracks.
Gracie moves in looking to clinch but Hitoyoshi pushes him off.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hitoyoshi throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Hitoyoshi throws a one two combo.
Hitoyoshi feints a jab promting Gracie to slip. Hitoyoshi then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Gracie slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Hitoyoshi lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A nice combination there by Hitoyoshi.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with eachother but Gracie might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Hitoyoshi has got the better of the exchanges.
Hitoyoshi ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zenkichi Hitoyoshi dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Michael Gracie's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Hitoyoshi scores with a nice head shot.
Hitoyoshi smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Gracie throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hitoyoshi digs a good body shot into Gracie's ribs.
Hitoyoshi digs a good body shot into Gracie's ribs.
Gracie shoots for a takedown but Hitoyoshi saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Gracie crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Hitoyoshi - the referee stops the clock and Gracie gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Hitoyoshi. Gracie manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Hitoyoshi scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Gracie takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hitoyoshi scores with a jab to the jaw.
Hitoyoshi misses with a series of wild punches.
Hitoyoshi lands a head kick. Gracie smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie throws a jab but it's blocked by Hitoyoshi.
Gracie is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Hitoyoshi.
Hitoyoshi thuds his right hand into Gracie's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Danga de danga de dang - Hitoyoshi scores with a four punch combination!
Gracie throws a body punch but Hitoyoshi moves out of range.
Hitoyoshi scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Hitoyoshi feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Gracie's calf.
Gracie's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Gracie shoots in but no luck this time.
Gracie takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Hitoyoshi lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hitoyoshi's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Hitoyoshi duly obliges.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hitoyoshi lands a head kick. Gracie smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Hitoyoshi scores with a jab to the jaw.
Gracie tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hitoyoshi swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Hitoyoshi fails to land with a series of punches.
Hitoyoshi throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Gracie throws a sloppy head kick
and Hitoyoshi counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Hitoyoshi lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Gracie backs up against the cage.
Hitoyoshi's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Hitoyoshi duly obliges.
Gracie has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Hitoyoshi.
Hitoyoshi is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gracie can do to turn this around?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
A right-left combo lands from Hitoyoshi.
Gracie misses with a takedown
and Hitoyoshi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Zenkichi Hitoyoshi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Gracie.
Hitoyoshi lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Hitoyoshi swats away the attempt to clinch by Gracie.
Gracie missing with a left hand there. Hitoyoshi was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hitoyoshi turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Hitoyoshi getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Michael Gracie has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hitoyoshi scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Zenkichi Hitoyoshi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A lazy left from Gracie finds it's target.
Gracie misses with a combination
and Hitoyoshi counters with a slapping leg kick.
Hitoyoshi throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Hitoyoshi connects with a leg kick. Gracie looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Gracie misses with a left hand
and Hitoyoshi counters with an inside leg kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A right-left combo lands from Hitoyoshi.
Gracie swings widly with a right hand
enabling Hitoyoshi to counter with a crisp jab.
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!
Hitoyoshi throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zenkichi Hitoyoshi showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Hitoyoshi 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 Paulo Santos scores the fight for Zenkichi Hitoyoshi!
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight for Zenkichi Hitoyoshi!
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight for Zenkichi Hitoyoshi!

Zenkichi Hitoyoshi wins by unanimous decision!