PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jeffson Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Borys Grabowski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gracie comes to the cage accompanied by Cliff Richard - Summer Holiday. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Gracie
vs
Grabowski

160 cm
38
155 lbs
29 - 22 - 1

171 cm
29
155 lbs
19 - 13 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 29 - 22 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jeffson Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Borys Grabowski!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Felipe Paraventi and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Good leg kick by Grabowski there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Grabowski looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Gracie throws a head kick that misses.
Gracie fails with a takedown attempt.

Gracie looking to score a takedown here. Grabowski is defending well but Gracie drives through and ends up in Grabowski's guard.
Gracie has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Gracie trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Grabowski is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Grabowski keeping full guard, as Gracie tries to pass.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Grabowski keeps moving.
Grabowski looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gracie is one step ahead there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grabowski keeping full guard, as Gracie tries to pass.
Grabowski managing to control the position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Grabowski as he avoids it easily.
Gracie showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Grabowski.

Gracie closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Grabowski did well to prevent Gracie getting side control.
Gracie wants to pass to mount but Grabowski is defending the position.
Gracie stalling.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gracie seems to be working for a kimura but Grabowski defends the submission attempt.
Gracie wants to pass the guard but Grabowski is defending well.
Gracie is trying to control the action in half guard but Grabowski is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Gracie misses with a head shot. Grabowski uses the momentum to regain guard.
Gracie trying to control but Grabowski is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie looking to pass the guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gracie being controlled here momentarily.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Grabowski looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Grabowski keeps trying to improve his position.
Gracie in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Grabowski is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Grabowski is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Gracie wants to pass the guard but Grabowski is keeping the position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Gracie closes the distance but Grabowski moves to the side
and Grabowski counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Good exchange - Grabowski coming out on top.
Gracie tries to score a power double leg takedown but Grabowski sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Gracie somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jeffson Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gracie fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeffson Gracie dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Gracie throws a looping overhand right but Grabowski ducks down to avoid it.
Grabowski circles away from the clinch attempt.
Grabowski scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Grabowski swings away with a body shot that misses
and Gracie counters with a straight right hand.
Grabowski walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Gracie fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Gracie shoots for a double leg takedown but Grabowski sprawls well. He's pushed Gracie's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Gracie uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Grabowski.
Grabowski throws a shot from downtown. Gracie moves away and avoids it.
Grabowski punishes Gracie's body with a nice straight punch.
Gracie tries to close the distance and clinch up but Grabowski swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Gracie misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Grabowski tries a head kick but it misses.
Gracie tries for a takedown but Grabowski sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jeffson Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Grabowski connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Grabowski fails to land with a series of punches.
Grabowski cracks Gracie with an open hand slap.
Grabowski keeps the fight on the outside.
Borys Grabowski is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nice uppercut lands for Gracie. That snapped Grabowski's head back.
Grabowski dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Grabowski throws a nice looking combination but Gracie bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Gracie moves out of range of the strikes.
Grabowski works the jab nicely.

Gracie closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Grabowski to the mat! Grabowski manages to get full guard.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Grabowski keeps moving.
Gracie looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!

Gracie drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Grabowski dives on top into guard.
Gracie wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Grabowski is now in half guard.
Grabowski is trying to control. Gracie wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Gracie tries to get to full guard but Grabowski has control of the leg.
Gracie is looking to escape.
Grabowski trying to pass the guard but Gracie defending well.
Grabowski prevents Gracie from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is trying to control but can't.
Well, if Grabowski is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

Gracie actively working from the bottom here.
Grabowski is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Grabowski is trying to control. Gracie wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Borys Grabowski has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Grabowski comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Gracie throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Grabowski.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie scores with a crisp jab that stopped Grabowski in his tracks.
Borys Grabowski seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Gracie misses with a takedown attempt - Grabowski sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown but Grabowski shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Gracie moves out of range of the leg kick from Grabowski.
Gracie looks for a takedown but Grabowski sprawls well.
Gracie throws a low kick but Grabowski avoids it.
Grabowski throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Gracie.
Gracie has his takedown stuffed
and Grabowski counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Grabowski feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Gracie's calf.
Gracie on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Borys Grabowski showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Gracie fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Gracie slips under a jab from Grabowski.
Grabowski is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
The fighters circling - Gracie throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Gracie misses with a few strikes there.
Gracie goes for a double leg but Grabowski avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Grabowski continues to drive forward.
Grabowski has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Gracie with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Grabowski working hard to break the clinch.
Gracie misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Grabowski.

Grabowski's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
An inside leg kick lands from Grabowski.
Grabowski attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Gracie keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Jeffson Gracie is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Grabowski waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Gracie.
Grabowski moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Grabowski. That one must have hurt.
Gracie doesn't manage to clinch there - Grabowski circles away.
Grabowski throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Gracie.
Grabowski moves into range and connects with a jab.

Gracie shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Grabowski manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Gracie pushing down on Grabowski's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Gracie is looking to take a break and control but Grabowski is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Gracie looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grabowski wants to improve his position but Gracie is controlling well.
Gracie trying to advance position but Grabowski counters by regaining guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gracie trying to control but Grabowski is working from the bottom.
Gracie looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Grabowski keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Jeffson Gracie just wasn't active enough.
Gracie ducks under a wild hook from Grabowski.

Gracie shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Gracie thows a huge punch but Grabowski dodges it nicely.
Grabowski keeping control of the position.
Grabowski wants to control but Gracie is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Gracie seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Grabowski does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie not doing much here.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Grabowski as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jeffson Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gracie avoids the body shot from Grabowski.
Gracie pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Grabowski back to the cage. Gracie follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Gracie shoots in looking for a takedown. Grabowski tries to sprawl out of it but Gracie keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Grabowski manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Gracie slips a straight right by Grabowski.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Gracie closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Grabowski's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gracie trying to control but Grabowski is working from the bottom.
Gracie might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Gracie is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Grabowski is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Grabowski has escaped and now he's on top!

And that's the end of the fight!
Jeffson Gracie showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Gracie 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 Thiago Cunha scores the fight 29:28
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 29:28
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jeffson Gracie!
A relieved looking Jeffson Gracie thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.