PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Stepan Grachev (ranked 6600 p4p, 2984 weight class) and Sun Lutang (ranked 617 p4p, 340 weight class). 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.

Grachev
vs
Lutang

175 cm
23
165
0 - 0 - 0

177 cm
22
162
1 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Stepan Grachev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Sun Lutang!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Lou da Vinci and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lutang throws a jab but it's blocked by Grachev.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Lutang.
A counter left hand to the body from Grachev misses its target.
We've been informed that Lutang has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.

Grachev clinches up with Lutang and pushes him back against the cage.
Lutang scores with a nice hook to the head.

Grachev breaks the clinch.
Lutang 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.

Grachev closes the distance and clinches.
Grachev pushes Lutang back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Lutang misses with a hook from the clinch.
Grachev misses with some punches.
Lutang has had enough of the clinch but Grachev keeps him there for the moment.
Lutang misses with a hook from the clinch.
Lutang scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Good body shot from Grachev.
Lutang tries a body shot but Grachev blocks it.
Lutang slows down the pace here.
A head punch on the inside from Grachev fails to land.
Lutang lands a body punch in the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lutang takes a shot to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lutang has a couple of punches blocked by Grachev.
Lutang scores with a nice hook to the head.

Grachev breaks the clinch.
Grachev wants to clinch
and Lutang counters with a leg kick.
Grachev is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Lutang steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Lutang.
That kick from Lutang tenderised Grachev's leg. Grachev is trying to keep his angry face on.

Grachev moves into the clinch successfully.
Lutang misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Grachev prevents a body shot from Lutang.
Lutang tries a body shot but Grachev blocks it.
Lutang tries to throw a body punch but Grachev avoids it by throwing Lutang back against the cage.
Lutang misses with a punch to the body.
Lutang tries to work over Grachev's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Grachev tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Lutang's elbow.
Grachev pushes Lutang back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A right hand to the body from Lutang.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lutang tries a body shot but Grachev blocks it.
Grachev misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Grachev swings wildly with an uppercut but Lutang uses good head movement to avoid it.
Lutang throws a punch but it's blocked by Grachev.
Grachev goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Lutang misses with a body punch.

Grachev breaks from the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lutang lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Lutang fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Grachev.
Grachev uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Lutang.
Lutang lands a jab to Grachev's midsection.
Decent striking displayed by Lutang there.
Stepan Grachev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lutang throws a combination that misses
and Grachev counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Lutang lands a nice hook to Grachev's body. Grachev takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Grachev connects with an inside leg kick.
Grachev looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
The fight stays on the outside here - Grachev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Grachev moves into the clinch successfully.
Grachev working aggressively here.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Lutang as Grachev tries to tie him up.
Lutang lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Grachev controlling the action here for a moment.

Grachev breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
The fighters circling - Lutang throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Lutang bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Grachev's head.
Lutang takes a swing at Grachev's ribcage but misses.
Grachev fails with an attempt to clinch.
Lutang throws a wild body kick that Grachev sees coming a mile off.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Lutang.
Lutang misses with a leg kick
and Grachev counters with a right hand to the body.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Lutang - that will leave a mark!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Grachev pushes Lutang up against the cage in a clinch.
Grachev tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Lutang is working Grachev over against the cage.
Grachev blocks a body shot from Lutang.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Grachev stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Lutang goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Lutang lands with a short shot to the head.
Grachev holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Grachev swings wildly with an uppercut but Lutang uses good head movement to avoid it.
Grachev takes a shot to the head.
A short right from Lutang.
Lutang lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Grachev blocks an uppercut.
Lutang throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Grachev misses with a punch to the body.
Grachev swings wildly with an uppercut but Lutang uses good head movement to avoid it.
Grachev scores with a shoulder strike.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Sun Lutang dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Lutang thows a leg kick but Grachev checks it
and Grachev counters with a good low kick that Lutang was not able to check.
Nice defenses there by Grachev.
Lutang scores with a leg kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Grachev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Lutang swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
A shot to the liver by Lutang. Beautiful body shot.
Lutang has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
The fight stays on the outside here - Grachev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Lutang throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Grachev closes the distance looking to clinch
and Lutang counters with a nice body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lutang connects with a jab.
Grachev tries to clinch but Lutang moves out of range.
Grachev tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Lutang manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Lutang looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Lutang waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Grachev.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Grachev moves into range and clinches up with Lutang.
Lutang gets through Grachev's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Lutang lands a hook to the side of the head.
Lutang goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Grachev has a couple of punches blocked by Lutang.
Lutang swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Sun Lutang seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Lutang blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Grachev gets through Lutang's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

Grachev escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Grachev tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Lutang manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Lutang swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Lutang keeps the fight on the outside.
Lutang is trying to counter with his kicks.
Lutang circles away from the clinch attempt.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Lutang! But no joy.
Lutang swats away the attempt to clinch by Grachev.
Grachev showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Lutang.
Lutang throws a shot from downtown. Grachev moves away and avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grachev tries to close the distance and clinch but Lutang swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
The crowd cheers as Lutang lands an impressive looking overhand right. Grachev doesn't seem phased though.
Grachev is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Grachev moves out of range of the body kick.
Grachev tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Lutang manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Lutang only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Grachev tries to clinch there but Lutang circles away.
Grachev checks a leg kick.
Lutang ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Grachev moves away.
Grachev tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Grachev is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Grachev tries to clinch but Lutang is having none of it.
Grachev uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Lutang.
Grachev tries to clinch but Lutang moves out of range.
Grachev is looking to clinch.
Lutang only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Grachev tries to clinch
and Lutang counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lutang moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Lutang throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Lutang lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Sun Lutang seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Grachev doesn't manage to clinch there - Lutang circles away.
Lutang looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Lutang throws a leg kick but Grachev checks it.
Lutang misses with a straight right.
Lutang keeps the fight on the outside.
Grachev wants to clinch up but Lutang keeps it at a distance.
Grachev moves in looking to clinch but Lutang pushes him off.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Lutang! But no joy.
Grachev uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Lutang.
An attempted straight right counter from Grachev misses the target.
Lutang avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Grachev is looking to clinch.
Lutang throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Lutang misses with a wild combination.
Lutang swats away the attempt to clinch by Grachev.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lutang thumps Grachev with a low kick.
Jab by Lutang.

Grachev gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Grachev makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lutang tries to throw a body punch but Grachev avoids it by throwing Lutang back against the cage.
Lutang lands a right hand that snaps the head of Grachev backwards.
Lutang lands with a right to the head.

Lutang's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Grachev tries to close the distance and clinch but Lutang swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Grachev wants to clinch up but Lutang keeps it at a distance.
Lutang attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.

Grachev forces Lutang back against the cage and clinches.
Grachev lands with a short shot to the head.
Grachev dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Lutang.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Sun Lutang 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 each other down, ready to get back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Grachev is looking to clinch but Lutang is avoiding it.
Lutang throws a body punch but Grachev moves out of range.
Grachev avoids the body shot from Lutang.
A counter left hand to the body from Grachev misses its target.
Grachev slips a jab from Lutang.
Grachev fails in his attempt to clinch.
Lutang lands a body shot.
Lutang connects with a crisp jab.
Lutang chopping away at his opponent's legs.
The fight stays on the outside here - Grachev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Grachev looks to clinch
and Lutang counters with a straight right hand.
Grachev tries to close the distance and clinch but Lutang swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Grachev is looking to clinch but Lutang is avoiding it.
Lutang throws a low kick but Grachev moves out of range easily.
Lutang circles away from the clinch attempt.
Grachev tries to clinch up
and Lutang counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grachev tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Lutang paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Grachev doesn't manage to clinch there - Lutang circles away.
Lutang is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Grachev with a body shot.
Lutang lands with a good body shot.
Grachev darts in trying to clinch
and Lutang counters with a straight right hand.
Grachev doesn't manage to clinch there - Lutang circles away.
Grachev ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Lutang scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Lutang pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Grachev tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Lutang counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Lutang tries to land a front kick but Grachev steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Lutang looks to score with a jab to the body but Grachev is just out of range.
Grachev is looking to clinch.
Lutang fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Grachev manages to avoid it.
Grachev wants to clinch
and Lutang counters with a nice uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lutang throws a low kick but it's checked well by Grachev.
Grachev takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Lutang lands a nice hook to Grachev's body. Grachev takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lutang misses with a head kick.
Grachev throws a quick counter kick to the body but Lutang avoids it.
Lutang throws a low kick but Grachev avoids it.
Grachev is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Grachev is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A punch combination from Lutang misses.
Lutang throws a nice outside leg kick.
Grachev takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Lutang swats away the attempt to clinch by Grachev.
Grachev wants to clinch up but Lutang keeps it at a distance.
Lutang only half commits to the counter leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grachev wants to clinch but Lutang slips to the side
and Lutang counters with a nice body kick.
Grachev wants to clinch
enabling Lutang to counter with a crisp jab.
Grachev wants to clinch but Lutang slips to the side
letting Lutang counter with a right hand.
Grachev is looking to clinch.
Lutang tries a quick counter leg kick but Grachev is wise to it.
A jab lands there for Grachev.
Lutang swings for the body but Grachev moves out of range.
Lutang throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Grachev walks into a left hand.
Lutang tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Grachev is able to avoid easily.
Grachev moves in looking to clinch but Lutang pushes him off.
Lutang throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Lutang throws a half hearted mid kick.
Grachev displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Lutang throws out the jab.
Grachev tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Lutang manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
The fight stays on the outside here - Grachev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Stepan Grachev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lutang misses with a wild body shot.
Lutang avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Grachev lands a shoulder strike.
Lutang misses with a hook to the ribs.
Grachev blocks a body shot from Lutang.
Lutang misses with a hook to the ribs.
Lutang stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Lutang lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Lutang goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Grachev blocks an uppercut.
Lutang lands a right hand that snaps the head of Grachev backwards.
Lutang tries a body shot but Grachev blocks it.
Grachev stalling.

Grachev breaks from the clinch.
Grachev tries to clinch but Lutang moves out of range.
Lutang lets loose with a powerful body kick. Grachev will feel that in the morning.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sun Lutang comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Lutang 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 Jonathan Paton scores the fight 27:30
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 27:30
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sun Lutang!