PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kesigan St Pierre (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bubba Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). St Pierre comes to the cage accompanied by aint no sunshine. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

St Pierre
vs
Gracie

188 cm
29
170 lbs
5 - 7 - 0

165 cm
19
177 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
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 5 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kesigan St Pierre!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bubba Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Daniel Franklin and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie keeps the fight on the outside.
St Pierre tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Gracie manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
St Pierre tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Gracie paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown but St Pierre shows good takedown defense.

Gracie closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. St Pierre did well to prevent Gracie getting side control.
Gracie is looking to stall here but St Pierre recovers full guard.
Gracie trying to control but St Pierre is working from the bottom.
Gracie not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Gracie working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.

Gracie drops back, looking for a kneebar! St Pierre looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. St Pierre looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from St Pierre!

St Pierre decides to stand back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gracie dives in and scores a takedown into St Pierre's guard.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but St Pierre is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
St Pierre is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Gracie wants to control from the top but St Pierre keeps moving.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Bubba Gracie was stalling too much, according to the referee.
St Pierre tries to clinch up but Gracie circles away and keeps his distance.

St Pierre closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Gracie can't get the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
St Pierre tries to land a knee to the head but Gracie blocks with his arms.
Gracie tries to pull guard but St Pierre won't allow it.
Kesigan St Pierre has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bubba Gracie.
St Pierre tries a knee to the head but Gracie blocks it.
Gracie drops to a knee looking for a takedown but St Pierre gets the underhooks and prevents it.
St Pierre throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Gracie blocks it with crossed arms.
St Pierre landing knees to the head.
Gracie drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
St Pierre connects with a knee to the head.
Gracie jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as St Pierre walks away with a smile on his face. Gracie gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Kesigan St Pierre is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
St Pierre tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
St Pierre fails in his attempt to clinch.

St Pierre rushes Gracie and presses him up against the cage.
Gracie tries for a takedown but St Pierre manages to get underhooks.

Gracie ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Gracie no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
St Pierre knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Gracie on the ground.

Gracie is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Gracie looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Gracie looks winded!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
St Pierre stopping the sweep attempt from Gracie.
St Pierre will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Gracie keeps trying to improve his position.
Gracie working a defensive guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie wants to sweep but no luck.
Gracie is looking to sweep but instead, St Pierre has passed into half guard.
Gracie trying to hold on to St Pierre's head to control him but St Pierre postures up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

St Pierre escapes and gets back to his feet.
St Pierre wants to clinch.
Gracie swats away the attempt to clinch by St Pierre.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Bubba Gracie will probably get the nod.
That's time! St Pierre's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

St Pierre stuffs the takedown.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says St Pierre as he avoids it easily.
St Pierre tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Gracie paws at him with a jab and circles away.

St Pierre gets caught flat footed, as Gracie shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Gracie missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gracie wants to control from the top but St Pierre keeps moving.

Gracie has gone for a leg lock! St Pierre slips out almost immediately though and dives into Gracie's guard.
Gracie trying to keep a closed guard but St Pierre is proving a slippery customer.
St Pierre wants to get up but he can't break Gracie's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie working a defensive guard here.
Gracie might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control St Pierre haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Gracie tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Gracie is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Bubba Gracie was stalling too much, according to the referee.
St Pierre tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
St Pierre tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Gracie shoots in looking for a takedown but St Pierre manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Gracie's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Kesigan St Pierre has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bubba Gracie.
Gracie avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
The fight stays on the outside here - St Pierre looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
St Pierre tries to clinch but Gracie is having none of it.

Gracie shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Gracie was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
St Pierre prevents Gracie from improving position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The strikes coming from Gracie are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

Gracie goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, St Pierre rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Gracie's guard! Nice work there by St Pierre!

Gracie is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Gracie working a defensive guard here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

St Pierre stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Kesigan St Pierre is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Gracie shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. St Pierre defends it nicely.
St Pierre tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Gracie shoots for a double leg takedown but St Pierre sprawls well. He's pushed Gracie's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
St Pierre tries to close the distance and clinch but Gracie swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Gracie tries to keep at a distance but St Pierre has taken the fight into the clinch.
St Pierre scores with a knee to the head.
Gracie tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. St Pierre smiles and moves away.
Gracie is breathing heavily.
St Pierre fails with an attempt to clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - St Pierre looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
St Pierre wants to clinch.
St Pierre is looking to clinch.
St Pierre tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gracie swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie shoots in looking for a takedown. St Pierre tries to sprawl out of it but Gracie keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. St Pierre manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
St Pierre wants to clinch up but Gracie keeps it at a distance.
The fight stays on the outside here - St Pierre looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
St Pierre is looking to clinch.
Gracie throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around St Pierre's waist but St Pierre gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Gracie off to one side.
Nice takedown defense from St Pierre. No joy for Gracie on that attempt.
St Pierre tries to clinch but Gracie is having none of it.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
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!
St Pierre throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Gracie blocks it with crossed arms.
St Pierre looking to throw knees to the head but Gracie is blocking nicely.
Gracie wants a takedown.
St Pierre gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Gracie pulls guard effortlessly.

St Pierre gets to his feet - Gracie follows without any prompting.
St Pierre is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Gracie tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but St Pierre swivels and escapes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Kesigan St Pierre will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

St Pierre gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
St Pierre with a knee to the head.
St Pierre connects with a knee to the head.
St Pierre looking to throw knees to the head but Gracie is blocking nicely.
St Pierre tries a knee to the head but Gracie blocks it.

St Pierre pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
St Pierre tries to clinch but Gracie is having none of it.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with St Pierre but St Pierre pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Gracie circles away from the clinch attempt.
St Pierre doesn't manage to clinch there - Gracie circles away.
Gracie will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

St Pierre moves into the clinch.
Gracie goes for a takedown attempt but St Pierre pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Kesigan St Pierre has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bubba Gracie.
St Pierre tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Gracie manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

St Pierre drives through and clinches with Gracie against the cage.
Gracie tries to score a body lock takedown but St Pierre shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Gracie takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
St Pierre prevents the takedown attempt.
Gracie is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables St Pierre to keep the fight standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
St Pierre with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
St Pierre looking to throw knees to the head but Gracie is blocking nicely.
St Pierre with an attempt at a knee that misses.
St Pierre misses with a knee to the head.
St Pierre with a knee to the head.
Gracie tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
St Pierre tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Gracie tries for a takedown. No joy.
St Pierre with a knee to the head.
Gracie tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. St Pierre smiles and moves away.
Gracie avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Gracie circles away from the clinch attempt.
Gracie keeps the fight on the outside.
Gracie looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? St Pierre is fending him off so far but Gracie persists. Nope, St Pierre circles away and we're back to standing.
Gracie keeps the fight on the outside.

Gracie tries to keep at a distance but St Pierre has taken the fight into the clinch.
St Pierre tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
St Pierre lands an elbow just above Gracie 's eye.
St Pierre connects with a knee to the head.

St Pierre pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
St Pierre fails with an attempt to clinch.

Gracie feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Bubba Gracie has got the better of the ground game so far.
Gracie wants to control from the top but St Pierre keeps moving.
Gracie trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Gracie trying to control but St Pierre is working from the bottom.
St Pierre avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
St Pierre keeping full guard, as Gracie tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie pushing down on St Pierre's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Gracie is looking to take a break and control but St Pierre is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Gracie is working for a kimura but St Pierre is defending it quite comfortably.
Gracie trying to pass the guard but St Pierre defending well.
Gracie is trying to control the action in half guard but St Pierre is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie works his way into side control.
St Pierre is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
St Pierre stops Gracie from passing to mount.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Gracie goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, St Pierre rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Gracie's guard! Nice work there by St Pierre!
St Pierre wants to stand but Gracie has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kesigan St Pierre showed his dominance in that final round.
I think St Pierre has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kesigan St Pierre!
Kesigan St Pierre decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.