PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Royce Graciem (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eduardo Zapata (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Graciem
vs
Zapata

150 cm
25
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
18
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Royce Graciem!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Eduardo Zapata!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Kenichi Hosakawa and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Zapata shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Graciem napping and manages to drive through into side control!
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Graciem is trying to control Zapata's posture but Zapata avoids it.
Graciem is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Zapata scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Graciem to see if he's OK.
Zapata lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Graciem down.
Graciem really is a fat lump.
You can see the frustration on Graciem's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Zapata stands up.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zapata changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Graciem tries to avoid it but Zapata manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Graciem to the ground. Graciem escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Graciem lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Graciem.
Zapata has his takedown stuffed
and Graciem connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Zapata rushes Graciem and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Graciem lands a hook to the side of the head.
Graciem scores with a shoulder strike.
Graciem lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Zapata.
Graciem softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Graciem really is built like a bowling ball. I wonder if he'd roll if you pushed him down a hill...
Graciem working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Zapata is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Graciem gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Royce Graciem has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eduardo Zapata.
Graciem lands a hook to the side of the head.
Graciem prevents a takedown attempt there.
Graciem lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Graciem lands a right hand.
Zapata is looking to control Graciem's arms but Graciem gets an underhook and turns him. Now Zapata has his back to the cage.
Zapata drops down looking for an ankle pick but Graciem pulls his leg out and moves away.
Zapata shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Zapata looks winded!

Graciem gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Graciem lands with a light punch inside.
Graciem scores with a nice hook to the head.
Graciem throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Zapatas head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Graciem lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Zapata.
Graciem lands a left hand.
Zapata's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Zapata drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Graciem lands a shot to the body.
Zapata being controlled against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Graciem creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Graciem lands a left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Graciem.
Zapata takes a shot to the head.

Zapata is rocked!
Graciem stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Graciem throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Zapatas head.
Zapata is still on wobbly legs! Can Graciem finish him?
Graciem works on Zapata's body with a couple of short punches.
Graciem leaning his opponent against the cage.
Zapata seems to have recovered his senses.
Graciem is pressed up against the cage. Zapata has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Graciem down to the mat. Graciem avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zapata has his takedown stuffed
and Graciem counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zapata doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Graciem counters with a straight right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Royce Graciem dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Zapata tries to keep at a distance but Graciem has taken the fight into the clinch.
Zapata is trying to break the clinch but Graciem has him pressed against the cage.
Graciem lands a left hand that snaps the head of Zapata backwards.
Zapata's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Graciem throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A body shot lands from Graciem.
Graciem softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Graciem gets through Zapata's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Graciem.
Graciem pressing his opponent against the cage.
A short uppercut from Graciem.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Graciem lands a body shot in the clinch.
Graciem lands an uppercut.
Graciem lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Zapata backwards.
Graciem makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Royce Graciem has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Graciem lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Graciem is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Zapata takes a shot to the head.
Graciem softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Graciem lands with a light punch inside.
Graciem throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Zapatas head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Graciem dips a shoulder and cracks Zapata with a mighty uppercut! Zapata falls back against the cage and Graciem unloads with a barrage of strikes! Zapata is completely out with his eyes open, only supported by the cage! Save him ref! Eventually the ref decides to do his job and jumps in - Graciem screams abuse at the incompetent official before going over to celebrate with his corner. Brutal stuff!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:11 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Royce Graciem!