PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Carlos Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gustavo Junior (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Gracie
vs
Junior

177 cm
25
160 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

184 cm
18
177 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Carlos Gracie!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Gustavo Junior!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Mauricio Rocha and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gracie gets caught flat footed, as Junior shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Junior won't allow Gracie to sweep him here.
Junior with a flurry of punches that miss.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Gracie is on top in guard.

Gracie postures up in Junior's guard and throws a big left but Junior blocks it.

Junior is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Gracie has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Gracie loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie tries to free his leg and advance position but Junior is retaining full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Gracie accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Gracie looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Junior can't keep his opponent in guard - Gracie advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Gracie not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Gracie thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Junior won't allow Gracie to pass to mount.
Gracie not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Gracie sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Junior defending well though.
Junior gets back to full guard.
Junior tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Gracie throwing strikes from guard but Junior blocks nicely.
Gracie with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie throwing strikes from guard but Junior blocks nicely.
Gracie throws a big elbow that misses.
Gracie working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Gracie stands and throws Junior's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Sloppy strikes there by Gracie.
Junior can't do much from the bottom here.
Gracie has knee on belly momentarily but Junior bucks him off and regains half guard.
Gracie is looking to advance position but Junior won't allow it.
Gracie not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Junior avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Gracie.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie works his way into full mount!
Junior tries to lock up and control but Gracie gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
We've been hearing good reports from Gracie's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Gracie throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Junior because Gracie loaded up on that one.
Gracie sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Poor strikes thrown by Gracie there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Gracie misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Gracie throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Junior because Gracie loaded up on that one.
Gracie misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Gracie sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Junior is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Gracie misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Gracie lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Junior hang on?
Gracie looking to ground and pound but Junior is blocking nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Poor strikes thrown by Gracie there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Gracie thowing shots but they're missing.
Junior is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Gracie throwing strikes here but Junior is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Gracie throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Gracie thowing shots but they're missing.
Gracie throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Gracie throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Junior because Gracie loaded up on that one.
Gracie throwing strikes here but Junior is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Poor strikes thrown by Gracie there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Gracie sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Gracie throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Junior regains half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carlos Gracie dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Junior bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Gracie misses with an elbow from the bottom.
Gracie is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Junior off and has taken his back!
Junior has his hands over his head blocking the strikes from Gracie.
Gracie throwing wild punches that miss their target.
Gracie missing with strikes.
Gracie keeps control of the position as Junior tries to break free.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Gracie here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Gracie throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
Junior covering up well and avoiding damage.
Gracie misses with a punch to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gracie throwing sloppy strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie misses with an elbow to the head.
Carlos Gracie overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Junior has his hands over his head blocking the strikes from Gracie.
Gracie missing with strikes from the back.
Gracie gets his hands free as Junior looks to control.
Gracie punches the canvas rather than the man.
Junior avoids the strikes from Gracie.
Gracie throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
Gracie throwing sloppy strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gracie missing with strikes from the back.
Gracie has Junior flattened out and is raining down punches.
Gracie missing with strikes.
Gracie missing with strikes.
Gracie throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
Gracie misses with an elbow to the head.
Gracie missing with punches from the back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie throwing sloppy strikes.
Junior covering up well and avoiding damage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gracie punches the canvas rather than the man.
Junior avoids the strikes from Gracie.
Gracie somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.
Gracie struggling to land strikes to the head as Junior covers up.
Gracie throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
Gracie misses with punches from the back.
Gracie missing with punches from the back.
Gracie thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.
Gracie struggling to land strikes to the head as Junior covers up.
Junior covering up well and avoiding damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie punches the canvas rather than the man.
Junior covering up well and avoiding damage.
Gracie struggling to land strikes to the head as Junior covers up.
Gracie lands strikes to the head.
Gracie throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
Gracie throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
Junior covering up well and avoiding damage.
Junior covering up well under a barage of strikes.
Gracie throwing wild punches that miss their target.
Junior finds himself mounted whilst avoiding strikes.
Gracie punching from mount but Junior doing a good job of avoiding damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie throws a strike there. Junior manages to avoid it well and slips a leg under to get to half guard.
Gracie missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Gracie not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Gracie is pressing down on Junior's thigh, looking to free his foot. Junior is holding on for now.
Gracie uses his free foot to push down on Junior's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Junior.
Junior tries to lock up and control but Gracie gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Gracie looking to ground and pound but Junior is blocking nicely.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gracie thowing shots but they're missing.
Junior tries to hold on but Gracie pushes him away.
Junior is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Gracie throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carlos Gracie dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Gracie gets caught flat footed, as Junior shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Gracie is on top in guard.

Gracie passes Junior's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Junior is looking for a sweep. Gracie is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Gracie missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Gracie throws a strike but Junior avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Gracie loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie with a flurry of punches that miss.
Gracie passes into half guard.
Gracie throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Gracie uses his free foot to push down on Junior's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Junior.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Junior manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Gracie uses his free foot to push down on Junior's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Junior.
Poor strikes thrown by Gracie there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Gracie throwing strikes here but Junior is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Gracie thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Junior avoids a series of strikes thrown by Gracie.
Gracie thowing shots but they're missing.
Gracie sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Junior wants to hold on but Gracie pushes him away.
Poor strikes thrown by Gracie there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Junior because Gracie loaded up on that one.
Junior gets back to half guard.
Gracie looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Gracie not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
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 tries to pass the half guard into mount. Junior knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Gracie with the ground and pound but Junior uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Gracie pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Junior is keeping the position for now.
Gracie stands and throws Junior's legs to the side, diving into side control.
The strikes coming from Gracie are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Gracie in side control, throwing shots but Junior defends.
Gracie is trying to ground and pound but Junior uses the momentary lack of control by Gracie to regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Junior defending well though.
Gracie is looking to advance position but Junior won't allow it.
Gracie moves nicely into side control.
Gracie misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Gracie has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Gracie misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie thowing shots but they're missing.
Junior avoids a series of strikes thrown by Gracie.
Gracie unloads with some shots from mount but Junior bucks and avoids them well.
Gracie throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Gracie thowing shots but they're missing.
Gracie is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Junior can do to turn this around?
Junior is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Gracie throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Gracie throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Junior because Gracie loaded up on that one.
Gracie sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Gracie thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Junior tries to lock up and control but Gracie gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carlos Gracie clearly takes that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Junior swings widly with a right hand

and Gracie counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Gracie tries to pass the half guard into mount. Junior knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Junior tries to get to full guard but Gracie has control of the leg.
Gracie thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Junior's head.
Gracie not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Junior trying to control but Gracie postures up.
Gracie missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Gracie thowing shots but they're missing.
Gracie thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Gracie avoids the attempt from Junior to control.
Junior blocking the ground and pound.
Junior working to try and regain half guard.
Junior blocking the ground and pound.
Gracie thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Gracie throws a wild left hand from mount and Junior manages to wriggle his way back to half guard.
Junior blocking the ground and pound attempt from Gracie.
Gracie works his way into full mount!
Gracie throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie throws some wild stikes that Junior manages to avoid easily.
Gracie looking to ground and pound but Junior is blocking nicely.
Poor strikes thrown by Gracie there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Gracie throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Junior because Gracie loaded up on that one.
Gracie misses with a head shot.
Gracie punching from mount but Junior doing a good job of avoiding damage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Junior holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Gracie tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Gracie throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Junior because Gracie loaded up on that one.
Gracie misses with a head shot.
Junior is trying desperately to improve position.
Poor strikes thrown by Gracie there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie thowing shots but they're missing.
Junior holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Gracie tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Gracie unloads with some shots from mount but Junior bucks and avoids them well.
Poor strikes thrown by Gracie there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Junior holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Gracie tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Gracie punching from mount but Junior doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Gracie throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Junior is trying to escape the mount.
Gracie throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Junior avoids a series of strikes thrown by Gracie.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie thowing shots but they're missing.
Gracie thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Poor strikes thrown by Gracie there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Junior keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Gracie throwing strikes here but Junior is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Junior blocking the ground and pound.
Gracie avoids the attempt from Junior to control.
Gracie throws some wild stikes that Junior manages to avoid easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gracie misses with a head shot.
Gracie sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carlos Gracie had his way with Gustavo Junior in that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Junior throws a lazy head kick

and Gracie counters with a takedown into side control.
Gracie has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Junior!
Gracie misses with a head shot.
Junior gets back to half guard.
Junior won't allow Gracie to pass to mount.
Junior avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Gracie.
Gracie wants to pass the guard but Junior is defending well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Junior avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Gracie.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Junior is looking to control Gracie's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Junior avoid being mounted?
Gracie working the head and body with strikes.
Gracie frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Gracie raining down hammerfists from mount.
Gracie throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Gracie throwing strikes here but Junior is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Gracie thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Junior tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Gracie throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Gracie throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Junior because Gracie loaded up on that one.
Gracie punching from mount but Junior doing a good job of avoiding damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie avoids the attempt from Junior to control.
Junior holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Gracie tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Gracie thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Poor strikes thrown by Gracie there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Gracie looking to ground and pound but Junior is blocking nicely.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Junior wants to control but Gracie is having none of it.
Junior holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Gracie tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Gracie punching from mount but Junior doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Gracie throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Junior because Gracie loaded up on that one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie looking to ground and pound but Junior is blocking nicely.
Gracie looking to finish with strikes here!
Gracie working some short elbows here. He postures up to throw some more ground and pound but Junior slips a leg through to get back to half guard. Nice work.
Junior won't allow Gracie to pass to mount.
Junior is in trouble now - Gracie has advanced to mount!
Junior tries to hold on but Gracie postures up.
Gracie thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Gracie thowing shots but they're missing.
Gracie misses with a head shot.
Gracie looking to finish with strikes here!
Gracie throws some wild stikes that Junior manages to avoid easily.
Gracie throwing strikes here but Junior is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Junior working to try and regain half guard.
Gustavo Junior has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Carlos Gracie is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Poor strikes thrown by Gracie there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!

And that's the end of the fight!
Carlos Gracie showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Gracie has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Seu Braga scores the fight 50:44
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 50:44
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 50:44

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Carlos Gracie!
Carlos Gracie retains his welterweight title!
Carlos Gracie decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.