PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Geoffrey Barbossa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bryan Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Barbossa might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to 5 Pirate Myths That Actually Are True. Bryan Gracie has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Barbossa
vs
Gracie

170 cm
21
160 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

187 cm
28
180 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Solid Muay Thai
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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Geoffrey Barbossa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bryan Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Anthony Taglia and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barbossa scoring well with a low kick there.
Gracie ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Barbossa moves away.
An attempted straight right counter from Barbossa misses the target.
Gracie tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Barbossa was well out of range. Poor timing from Gracie.
Barbossa looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Gracie takes a swing at Barbossa's ribcage but misses.
Barbossa is looking to score with low kicks.
Gracie misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Barbossa counters with a series of strikes. Gracie will be more careful next time no doubt.
Gracie misses with a right hand
and Barbossa counters with a nice leg kick.
Gracie looks to score with a jab to the body but Barbossa is just out of range.
Gracie is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Barbossa rather than just go for the knockout.
Barbossa fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Gracie looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Barbossa.
Gracie checks a low kick from Barbossa.
Gracie looks to score with a jab to the body but Barbossa is just out of range.
It looked like Barbossa was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Barbossa misses with an attempted mid kick.
Barbossa throws a leg kick but Gracie sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Barbossa misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gracie tries to close the distance and clinch up but Barbossa swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Barbossa misses with a low kick as Gracie jumps back.
Gracie misses with an uppercut. Barbossa saw that one coming.

Gracie scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Gracie trying to control the action but Barbossa is working from the bottom.
Gracie trying to control the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie trying to control from half guard but Barbossa is working away.
My spies in Team Alpha Male inform me that Gracie has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gracie keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Barbossa is not content to let Gracie control the position.
Gracie content to control rather than advance.
Gracie wants to lay and pray for a moment but Barbossa keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Barbossa haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Barbossa misses with a leg kick

and Gracie counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Barbossa!
Gracie wants to control but Barbossa is keeping him busy.
Gracie takes a little break here. Barbossa wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Gracie wants to lay and pray for a moment but Barbossa keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie tries to advance to mount but Barbossa denies him.
Barbossa is not content to let Gracie control the position.
Barbossa might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Gracie working the ground and pound but Barbossa is defending the strikes.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gracie is looking to take a break and control but Barbossa is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Bryan Gracie will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Gracie shoots in looking for a takedown but Barbossa manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Gracie's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Gracie moves out of range as Barbossa throws a body kick.
Barbossa throws a half hearted mid kick.
Barbossa staying out of range there.
We've been told by Barbossa's head coaches at Nyrkkipaja that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Gracie misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Barbossa.
Barbossa was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Geoffrey Barbossa is winning the standup battle so far.
Gracie takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Barbossa moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Gracie shoots and misses
and Barbossa counters with a body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gracie avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Barbossa throws a leg kick but Gracie moved away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A punch lands to the side of Gracie 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Gracie wants to clinch up but Barbossa keeps it at a distance.
Gracie misses with a hook.
Barbossa steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gracie.
Gracie on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Barbossa misses with a leg kick.

Gracie closes the distance and pushes Barbossa back into the cage.
Barbossa gets through Gracie's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Gracie prevents a body shot from Barbossa.
Gracie takes a shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barbossa leaning against his opponent.
Gracie jumps guard but Barbossa turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Geoffrey Barbossa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bryan Gracie.
Gracie tries to pull guard but Barbossa won't allow it.
Gracie fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Gracie blocking some punches.
Barbossa misses with a punch on the inside.

Barbossa's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Barbossa buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gracie is looking to clinch.
Barbossa half committed to a counter leg kick.
Gracie throws a sloppy body shot
and Barbossa counters with a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie blocks a leg kick.
Barbossa defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Gracie.
Barbossa swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Gracie with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Barbossa to score with a decent uppercut.

Gracie forces Barbossa back against the cage and clinches.

Gracie drags the fight down to the ground.
Barbossa engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Gracie looking for a sweep. Not yet Gracie, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie trying to control the position.
Barbossa is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Gracie working for a triangle but Barbossa defends it easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Barbossa wants to pass the guard but Gracie is keeping the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Geoffrey Barbossa dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Gracie throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Barbossa counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Gracie loads up on a big right hand but Barbossa slips the punch.
Gracie throws a lazy right hand but Barbossa sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Gracie avoids the head kick by Barbossa.
Gracie feints the counter takedown.
Gracie swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Bryan Gracie seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Barbossa scores with a crisp jab that stopped Gracie in his tracks.
Gracie throws a body punch but Barbossa moves out of range.
Barbossa is looking to counter punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A looping hook to the body misses from Barbossa. Gracie does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gracie tries to close the distance and clinch up but Barbossa swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Gracie is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Barbossa.
Barbossa dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie misses with a wild body shot.
Barbossa swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Gracie tries to move into range but Barbossa moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Barbossa here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Gracie misses the body punch
and Barbossa makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Barbossa misses with a head kick.
Barbossa throws a right and a left that both miss.
Gracie throws a body punch but Barbossa moves out of range.
Barbossa avoids the body shot from Gracie.
Barbossa throwing a counter right hand but Gracie manages to avoid it.
Barbossa pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Gracie changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Barbossa goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Gracie throws a left and a right that both miss
and Barbossa counters with a nice low kick that buckles Gracie's knee momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barbossa swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Gracie.
Barbossa scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Barbossa connects with an inside leg kick.
Barbossa is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Barbossa moves out of range of the strikes.
Barbossa moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
A chopping leg kick lands by Barbossa.
Barbossa throws a head kick that half lands.
Gracie misses with an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barbossa misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Barbossa misses with a low kick.
Barbossa uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Gracie.
Gracie tries to clinch
and Barbossa counters with an outside leg kick.
Gracie takes one to the side of the head.
Barbossa misses with a wild body shot.
Barbossa tries to land a front kick but Gracie steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Barbossa chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Gracie steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Barbossa.
Geoffrey Barbossa is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gracie misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gracie throws a lazy right hand but Barbossa sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
It looked like Barbossa was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Gracie with a poor takedown
and Barbossa connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Barbossa takes a swing at Gracie's ribcage but misses.
Gracie fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Gracie misses with a kick to the body
and Barbossa counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Gracie moves to clinch but Barbossa breaks away
and Barbossa counters with a nice uppercut.
Barbossa is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gracie can do to turn this around?
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Barbossa tests Gracie's chin there with a solid looking shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Geoffrey Barbossa showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Barbossa 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 Jonathan Paton scores the fight 29:28
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 29:28
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Geoffrey Barbossa!
A victorious Geoffrey Barbossa thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.