PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rudy Rhod (ranked 194 p4p, 22 weight class) and Ramon Gracie (ranked 40 p4p, 6 weight class). Gracie is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Jiu Jitsu: Vai Finaliza!. There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Rhod
vs
Gracie

180 cm
28
162 lbs
15 - 7 - 1

180 cm
33
169 lbs
30 - 8 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Freebok (85% Laundry)

HELLBENT
Freebok (85% Laundry)

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 15 - 7 - 1, fighting out of New York, Rudy Rhod!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Ramon Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Colin Fotheringham and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Rhod misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gracie.
Rhod checks a leg kick nicely.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Rhod.
Rhod lands a lovely overhand right.
Rhod lands a nice leg kick that just misses Gracie's sensitive parts.
Rhod throws a low kick, looking for Gracie's leg but Gracie calmly moves out of range.
Rhod connects with a single shot there.
Gracie on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Nice takedown defense from Rhod. No joy for Gracie on that attempt.

Rhod gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Gracie to score an easy takedown into full guard.
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.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gracie loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Gracie has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie postures up in Rhod's guard and throws a big left but Rhod blocks it.
Rhod pulls Gracie in to control the position.
Gracie wants to pass the guard but Rhod is keeping the position.
Gracie working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Rhod's head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Rhod is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gracie slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Gracie works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Gracie seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Rhod does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Gracie is looking to advance position but Rhod won't allow it.
Gracie thows a huge punch but Rhod dodges it nicely.
Gracie throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Gracie is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Rhod tries to roll over but Gracie keeps him under control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie wants to pass the guard but Rhod is defending well.
Rhod has hold of Gracie's hands but Gracie slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Gracie scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Gracie tries to pass to full mount but Rhod defends it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rhod keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Gracie looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Gracie not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Gracie not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Rhod is pressing down on Gracie's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Gracie trying to control but Rhod is working from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gracie is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Rhod keeping full guard, as Gracie tries to pass.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Rhod moves into the clinch.
Gracie goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A shot in the inside from Rhod.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Gracie.
Rhod blocks an uppercut.
Rhod tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Gracie's elbow.
Rhod blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Rhod pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rhod on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Gracie slips under a jab from Rhod.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
An inside leg kick from Gracie misses.
Rhod throws the kick towards the body but Gracie avoids it.
Rudy Rhod seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rhod with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Gracie to score with a decent uppercut.
Gracie slips a straight right by Rhod.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Rhod.
We've been told by Rhod's head coaches at Little Lebowski Urban Achievers that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Rhod steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gracie.
Gracie takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Gracie misses with a body kick.
Gracie throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rhod sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Gracie tries to land a front kick but Rhod steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Rhod throws a leg kick but Gracie checks it.
Gracie wants to clinch up but Rhod keeps it at a distance.
A jab lands there for Rhod.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie lands with a short shot to the head.
Rhod lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Rhod misses with the head strike.

Gracie successfully pulls guard.
Gracie looking for a sweep. Not yet Gracie, not yet.
Rhod slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Gracie has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rhod can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rhod stays in close to Gracie's body and controls the position.
Our spies down at at Arcalimon Top Team inform us that Gracie has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rhod preventing the sweep.
Gracie is trying to control the position from the bottom.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Rhod lands a jab to Gracie's midsection.
Rhod explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Rhod swings widly with a right hand

so Gracie counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Rhod is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Gracie postures up.
Gracie wants to pass the guard but Rhod is keeping the position.
Rhod is trying to control the position but Gracie postures up.
Gracie is pushing down on Rhod's leg trying to pass to half guard. Rhod is fighting to maintain full guard but Gracie has managed to sneak the leg through.
Gracie sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Rhod defending well though.
Gracie passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Rhod!
Gracie looking to finish with strikes here!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ramon Gracie showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Gracie blocks a low kick nicely.
Gracie tries to counter with a clinch but Rhod shakes him off and moves away.
Rhod takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Rhod lands a high kick!
Rhod misses with a looping left.
Rhod misses with a body shot

so Gracie counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Gracie wants to pass the guard but Rhod is keeping the position.
Gracie trying to control but Rhod is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gracie is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Ramon Gracie has got the better of the ground game so far.
Rhod keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Rhod is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gracie loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Gracie looking to pass the guard.
Gracie postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Gracie trying to control but Rhod is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's two 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.
Rhod just misses with a punch to the body.
Rhod misses with a left hand

and Gracie counters by moving into the clinch.
Gracie fails to pull guard.
Gracie misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Gracie blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Gracie drags the fight down to the ground.
Rhod postures up.
Gracie has control of Rhod's left arm, preventing Rhod from doing any damage.
Rhod postures up.
Gracie wants to sweep here but Rhod controlling him for the moment.
Gracie manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Rhod manages to get himself to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rhod keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.
Gracie looking to pass the guard.
Rhod tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Ramon Gracie is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Rhod pulls Gracie in to control the position.
Gracie trying to control the position from guard on top but Rhod is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rhod pulls Gracie in close to prevent any damage.
Rudy Rhod has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Gracie trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Gracie controls from within his opponent's guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Gracie defending well as Rhod loads up on a big left hand.
Gracie tries to clinch
enabling Rhod to counter with a crisp jab.
Gracie fails with a takedown attempt.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gracie tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ramon Gracie comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Gracie winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ramon Gracie!
Ramon Gracie thanked the fans post fight for their support.