PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Josh Graham (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Samoa Joe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Graham comes to the cage accompanied by Eye of the Tiger. Samoa Joe has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Graham
vs
Joe

183 cm
19
185 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

179 cm
22
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Josh Graham!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Samoa Joe!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, William Peck and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Joe is defended easily by Graham.
Joe shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Graham sprawls well. Graham wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Joe gets slowly back to his feet.
Joe connects with a body shot.
Joe fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Josh Graham has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Samoa Joe.
Joe shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Graham but Graham pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Joe shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Graham pinned against the cage. Graham gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Joe rushes Graham and presses him up against the cage.

Joe decides to pull guard.

Graham drops back looking for a leg! Joe is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Joe manages to kick Graham off! Graham jumps back into Joe's guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Graham is breathing heavily.
Joe is trying to keep Graham in close.
Joe wants to stand and escape but Graham is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Joe pushes Graham off and gets back to his feet.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Joe is defended easily by Graham.

Graham feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Joe escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Graham gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Joe escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Graham gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Graham lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Joe trying to keep a closed guard but Graham is proving a slippery customer.
Joe scores with a short punch from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Joe preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Joe manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Joe lands a heavy elbow.
Joe working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Joe looking to control but Graham is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Graham is flailing around, obviously not happy about being mounted. Joe locks hold of one of his arms and spins for an armbar. He's got it! Graham is forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:49 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Samoa Joe!