PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Michael Kristian (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rollo Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kristian comes to the cage accompanied by Light It Up. Gracie has chosen Jiu Jitsu: Apaga Mas Não Bate as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kristian
vs
Gracie

167 cm
22
153 lbs
7 - 2 - 1

171 cm
30
154 lbs
11 - 1 - 2

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

HGH Nutrients Q160 Tycoons Best Quality supps
M.O. Fight Wear

Highland Clothing
M.O. Fight Wear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 1, fighting out of London, Michael Kristian!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 1 - 2, fighting out of London, Rollo Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, James Glass and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie tries to clinch up.
A clash of legs there as Kristian blocks the low kick.
Gracie tries to clinch up.
Kristian swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kristian blocks a jab.

Kristian gets a clinch.
Gracie tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kristian just stands there and leans against the cage.

Gracie jumps guard and drags Kristian to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Kristian wants to stand but Gracie is controlling his posture from full guard.
Gracie looking to control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
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.
Gracie preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kristian accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kristian is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Liverpools Red Tri-Angle MMA & Fitness that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Gracie is working an open guard so Kristian takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Gracie checks the leg kick.
Gracie swats away the attempt to clinch by Kristian.

Kristian closes the distance and clinches.
Kristian lands a nice shot to the body.
Kristian digs a right hand underneath Gracie's ribcage. Gracie let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Gracie controlling the action here for a moment.
Gracie tries to pull guard but Kristian won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kristian wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Gracie has him pressed against the cage.
Gracie throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Kristian swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Gracie misses with the head strike.
Gracie throws a punch but it's blocked by Kristian.
Kristian throws a punch but it's blocked by Gracie.
Still in the clinch, Gracie scores with a nice short uppercut.
Nice body punch from Gracie - that landed with a thud.
Gracie avoiding damage.
Kristian is trying to maintain a safe position but Gracie gets an underhook and turns Kristian into the cage.
Gracie fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Michael Kristian has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rollo Gracie.
Gracie content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Kristian misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A frustrated look appears on Kristian's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Kristian breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kristian takes one on the button.
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!
Kristian wants to clinch up but Gracie keeps it at a distance.
Michael Kristian seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kristian looks to throw the jab but Gracie is out of range.
Kristian throws a one two combo.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Gracie.
Gracie moves in looking to clinch but Kristian pushes him off.
Kristian looks to land a left hand but Gracie moved out of range nicely.
Gracie uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kristian.
Gracie throws a low kick but Kristian moves out of range easily.
Gracie is looking to clinch but Kristian is avoiding it.
Gracie takes a body punch but keeps moving.
No luck for Gracie with that takedown attempt.

Gracie closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is trying to pull guard but Kristian turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Kristian breaks the clinch.
Gracie is looking to score with low kicks.
Kristian swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Gracie decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Kristian's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gracie's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Gracie advances position into side control!
Gracie tries to move to mount but Kristian blocks the move with his legs.
Gracie trying to control the position but Kristian is working away.
Gracie moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Michael Kristian will probably get the nod.
That's time! Kristian's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Kristian defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Gracie.
Kristian just misses with a punch to the body.
Kristian throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kristian throws a leg kick that misses.
Kristian will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kristian scores with a jab.
Gracie moves away from the strike by Kristian.
Gracie tries to clinch but Kristian is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie ducks under a wild hook from Kristian.

Gracie has closed the distance and engaged Kristian in a clinch.

Gracie jumps guard.
Kristian won't allow Gracie to sweep him here.
Gracie has a closed guard, preventing Kristian from standing up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kristian won't allow Gracie to sweep him here.
Kristian wants to stand but Gracie has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Gracie looking to control.
Gracie seems keen to control Kristian's posture.

Gracie is looking for a triangle here but Kristian uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Gracie regains half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Gracie wants to get back to full guard.
Gracie is trying to maintain the position but Kristian is very close to passing his half guard.
Gracie slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Kristian gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Gracie moves out of range of the strikes.
Gracie tries to counter by closing the distance.
Gracie is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Kristian.
Kristian throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kristian is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gracie can do to turn this around?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kristian throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Michael Kristian is winning the standup battle so far.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kristian looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kristian changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Kristian thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kristian misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gracie.
Gracie tries to move into range but Kristian moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Gracie with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Kristian to score with a decent uppercut.
Kristian throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
A big left from Kristian misses.
Gracie tries to counter with a clinch but Kristian shakes him off and moves away.

Gracie has taken the fight to the clinch.
Kristian swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kristian tries a body shot but Gracie blocks it.

Gracie pulls guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Gracie might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Kristian haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Gracie wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Kristian is now in half guard.
Gracie wants to improve his position but Kristian is controlling well.
Gracie felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kristian throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Kristian working Gracie over with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Kristian dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Gracie avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Gracie is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Kristian fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kristian sets himself, and Gracie steps forward looking for the clinch! Kristian avoids it this time.
Kristian cracks Gracie with a right hand to the side of the head.
Kristian looks to score with a jab to the body but Gracie is just out of range.
Gracie drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Kristian defends it well.
Kristian looks to throw the jab but Gracie is out of range.

Gracie clinches with his opponent.
Gracie is looking to control Kristian's arms but Kristian gets an underhook and turns him. Now Gracie has his back to the cage.
Gracie fails to pull guard.
Gracie misses with a knee strike.
Gracie is stalling here.
Gracie is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Kristian to keep the fight standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kristian is trying to force a seperation but Gracie has the dominant position.
Gracie tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kristian smiles and moves away.
Michael Kristian has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rollo Gracie.
Gracie tries to clinch up but Kristian circles away and keeps his distance.
Kristian misses with a hook.
Gracie is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie wants to clinch.
Gracie is looking to clinch but Kristian is avoiding it.
Gracie scores with the left hand. Kristian knows he should have avoided that one.
Kristian tries to clinch up.
Kristian circles away from the clinch attempt.
Gracie tries a head kick but it misses.
Kristian throws a low kick but it's checked well by Gracie.
Gracie keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gracie is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Kristian misses with a leg kick

and Gracie counters with a shoot takedown. Kristian fights it but they end up in guard.
Gracie tries to free his leg and advance position but Kristian is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie passes into half guard.
Kristian is refusing to be controlled, as Gracie sits in half guard.
Kristian tries to kick Gracie off but Gracie keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Kristian wants to get back to full guard.
Kristian gets back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Kristian keeps moving.
Rollo Gracie has got the better of the ground game so far.
Gracie passes Kristian's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Gracie is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Kristian reverses the position - he's now on top in Gracie's guard.
Gracie 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 looking to control.
Gracie working a defensive guard but Kristian manages to pass into side control anyway.
Gracie gets back to half guard.
Kristian is thwarting Gracie's attempts to control the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kristian wants to pass to mount but Gracie is defending the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Michael Kristian did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kristian feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Gracies jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Kristian scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Kristian throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Gracie is looking to clinch.
A big left from Kristian misses.
Gracie defending well as Kristian loads up on a big left hand.
Gracie changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Gracie moves in looking to clinch but Kristian pushes him off.
Kristian lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie tries to clinch up but Kristian circles away and keeps his distance.
Kristian takes a swing at Gracie's ribcage but misses.
Gracie tries to clinch but Kristian is having none of it.
Kristian avoids the body shot from Gracie.
Gracie tries to clinch up but Kristian circles away and keeps his distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A combination from Kristian does no damage.
Michael Kristian is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kristian looks to clinch

and Gracie counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Gracie is pressing down on Kristian's thigh, looking to free his foot. Kristian is holding on for now.
Gracie passes the guard and advances to mount!
Kristian is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Gracie fails to move to back control.
Kristian tries to hold on but Gracie postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.
Gracie controlling the position easily from mount.
Kristian is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kristian is squirming around, avoiding Gracie's attempts to control the action.
Kristian is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Gracie trying to control but Kristian is having none of it.
Kristian has given up his back here. Will Gracie look for the submission or keep pounding away?
Will Gracie go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Kristian can't escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
A lull in the action here.
Gracie doesn't have the hooks in and Kristian manages to turn into his guard.
Kristian postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kristian lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Kristian throwing strikes but missing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gracie trying to keep a closed guard but Kristian is proving a slippery customer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Kristian had his way with Rollo Gracie in that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Gracie dodges the punch combination from Kristian.
Gracie moves away from the strike by Kristian.
Gracie is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Kristian getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Kristian misses with a looping right.
Gracie on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kristian. Kristian obviously looking to wear him down.
Gracie shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Kristian rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Gracie moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Kristian drives through and clinches with Gracie against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kristian misses with a body punch.
Gracie with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Gracie tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Kristian looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Gracie on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kristian swings wildly with an uppercut but Gracie uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kristian can't find room to land a body shot as Gracie controls the action.

Kristian breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Gracie moves into the clinch successfully.

Kristian breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Gracie blocks a jab.
Kristian pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A big left from Kristian misses.
Gracie fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kristian manages to avoid it.
Kristian throws the left hand but Gracie avoids the punch easily.
Kristian throws a looping overhand right but Gracie ducks down to avoid it.
Kristian wants to clinch up but Gracie keeps it at a distance.
Kristian swings for the body but Gracie moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gracie closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Gracie letting Kristian take a breather here.
Gracie jumps guard but Kristian stands there with Gracie around his waist. Gracie gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kristian is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Gracie is keeping busy.
A knee to the head by Gracie.
Kristian misses with an elbow over the top.

Kristian manages to break the clinch.
Kristian throws a good cross that connects.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Gracie gets a clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Kristian.
Gracie misses with a punch to the body.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kristian goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kristian softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Gracie fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Michael Kristian has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rollo Gracie.
Gracie blocking some punches.
Gracie blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kristian misses with a short punch on the inside.

Kristian manages to break the clinch.
Kristian swings for the body but Gracie moves out of range.
Kristian has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Kristian there as he acknowledges the shot.
Kristian fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kristian ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Gracie throws a body kick that misses.
Kristian getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kristian swings widly with a right hand

so Gracie counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Kristian is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Kristian is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Kristian is looking for a triangle but Gracie pushes his legs off easily.
Rollo Gracie has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Michael Kristian is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Gracie advances position into side control!

And that's the end of the fight!
Michael Kristian showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kristian, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 49:46
Judge James Glass scores the fight 50:46
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 50:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michael Kristian!
Michael Kristian retains his featherweight title!
Our winner, Michael Kristian, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.