PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight kickboxing rules bout between John Kennedy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Doug Graves (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kennedy comes to the ring accompanied by Frank Zappa - Echidna's Arf (Of You) . Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Kennedy
vs
Graves

190 cm
35
220 lbs
19 - 8 - 0

190 cm
37
211 lbs
30 - 23 - 0

World class boxer
Insanely flexible

World class MT
Granite chin

V-Mask Clothing (10%)

Spartan Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, John Kennedy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 23 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Doug Graves!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Saam Ante and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Graves closes the distance and clinches.

Kennedy's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Graves clinches up against the ropes.
Kennedy blocking some punches.
Kennedy blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Graves swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kennedy blocks an uppercut.

Kennedy breaks the clinch.
Kennedy just misses with a punch to the body.

Graves closes the distance and clinches.
Kennedy blocks an uppercut.
Kennedy misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Graves misses with a punch on the inside.
Graves misses with some punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kennedy breaks the clinch.
Kennedy connects with a single shot there.

Graves clinches up with Kennedy and pushes him back against the ropes.
Kennedy misses with a hook from the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kennedy blocking some punches.
Kennedy trying to control the position but instead, Graves has worked for underhooks and has pushed Kennedy into the ropes.
Graves swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kennedy blocking some punches.
Graves throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kennedys head.
Graves blocks the elbow strike.

Kennedy pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kennedy jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Graves clinches up with Kennedy and pushes him back against the ropes.
Graves lands a nice uppercut.
Kennedy gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Graves working aggressively here.
Kennedy blocks an uppercut.
Kennedy misses with an elbow over the top.
Graves swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Kennedy.

It looks like Doug Graves has been cut.
Graves fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kennedy goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Graves misses with the head strike.
Kennedy comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Graves.
Kennedy lands with a light punch inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy blocking some punches.
Kennedy is looking to control Graves's arms but Graves gets an underhook and turns him. Now Kennedy has his back to the ropes.
Graves throws a punch but it's blocked by Kennedy.
Kennedy blocking some punches.
Kennedy blocks an uppercut.
Kennedy is struggling to control the position.
Kennedy looking to slow down the pace here.
Graves lands a hook to the side of the head.
Graves misses with a punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Graves.
Kennedy blocks an uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Graves fails to land.

Kennedy pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Graves closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Kennedy tries a body shot but Graves blocks it.
Graves swings wildly with an uppercut but Kennedy uses good head movement to avoid it.
Graves takes a knee right on the jaw!
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kennedy blocks a punch to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Doug Graves dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Doug Graves's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Graves closes the distance and clinches.
Graves avoids a wild elbow strike from Kennedy.
Graves misses with a hook from the clinch.
Graves misses with the head strike.
Graves scores with a shot to the side of Kennedy's head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Graves.
Graves misses with the head strike.
Graves throws a punch but it's blocked by Kennedy.
Kennedy misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kennedy lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Graves throws a punch but it's blocked by Kennedy.
Graves tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kennedy fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kennedy tries to throw a body punch but Graves avoids it by throwing Kennedy back against the ropes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kennedy blocks an uppercut.
Graves takes a shot to the head.
Kennedy stalling in the clinch.
Kennedy takes a shot to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Kennedy escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Graves gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Graves misses with the head strike.
Graves has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Graves throws a head punch that misses.
Graves dodges an elbow strike from Kennedy.
Graves tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Kennedy pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Danga de danga de dang - Kennedy scores with a four punch combination!

Graves darts in and clinches Kennedy up against the ropes.
Graves misses with some punches.
Kennedy goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Graves swings away with an uppercut that misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Graves.
Graves tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kennedy blocking some punches.
Graves lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Graves swings wildly with an uppercut but Kennedy uses good head movement to avoid it.
Graves lands a shoulder strike.
Kennedy blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Graves blocking some punches.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kennedy creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Graves's defenses.
Graves misses with a short punch on the inside.
Graves tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy wants to stall.
Graves has a couple of punches blocked by Kennedy.
Kennedy blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Kennedy pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Graves fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kennedy, pushing him back against the ropes.
Kennedy lands an elbow inside that Graves shrugs off.
Kennedy is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Graves is keeping busy.
Graves lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Kennedy backwards.
Kennedy taking a breather.
Kennedy stalling the fight.
Kennedy throws an elbow but it misses.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Graves.
Kennedy throws an elbow but it misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Kennedy manages to break the clinch.

Graves closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Graves.
Kennedy blocking some punches.
Graves fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Doug Graves showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Doug Graves's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Graves fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kennedy, pushing him back against the ropes.
Graves lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Kennedy pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the ropes.
Kennedy blocks an uppercut.
Kennedy lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Graves softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.

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

Graves closes the distance and pushes Kennedy back into the ropes.
Doug Graves seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Graves blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kennedy lands a body shot.
Graves throws a head punch that misses.
Graves misses with the head strike.
Kennedy blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Kennedy escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Graves has closed the distance and engaged Kennedy in a clinch.
Kennedy is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Graves prevents a body shot from Kennedy.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Graves misses with a short punch on the inside.
Graves swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kennedy blocks an uppercut.
Kennedy blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Graves misses with the head strike.
Graves misses with a hook from the clinch.
Graves scores with a nice hook to the head.
A hook to the body from Kennedy.
Kennedy blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Graves misses with a hook from the clinch.
Graves swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Graves misses with a hook from the clinch.
Graves misses with some punches.
Kennedy throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Kennedy throws an elbow but it misses.

Kennedy pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Graves instigates a clinch.
Graves blocks a body shot from Kennedy.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kennedy.
Graves misses with the head strike.
Graves lands a left hand that snaps the head of Kennedy backwards.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Graves.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kennedy lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

That has opened up Doug Graves's cut even more.
Kennedy comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Graves tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Graves misses with the head strike.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kennedy.
Graves throws a head punch that misses.
Graves misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kennedy blocks an uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kennedy.
Kennedy tries a body shot but Graves blocks it.
Kennedy digs a right hand underneath Graves's ribcage. Graves let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Graves swings wildly with an uppercut but Kennedy uses good head movement to avoid it.
Graves tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Graves.
A head punch on the inside from Graves fails to land.

Kennedy escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Graves closes the distance and clinches.
Kennedy lands a left hand.
Graves misses with a hook from the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Kennedy pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Doug Graves really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Doug Graves's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Graves clinches with his opponent.
Graves throws a punch but it's blocked by Kennedy.
Kennedy throws an elbow that misses.

Kennedy breaks the clinch.

Kennedy gets tackled into the ropes by Graves. Graves maintains the clinch.
Graves misses with some punches.
Graves dodges an elbow strike from Kennedy.
Graves scores with a nice hook to the head.
Kennedy lands a shot to the body.
Graves tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Graves throws a head punch that misses.
Kennedy misses with an elbow over the top.
Graves throws a head punch that misses.
Graves has a couple of punches blocked by Kennedy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kennedy is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Graves fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Graves.
Kennedy blocks an uppercut.
Graves lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Graves throws a punch but it's blocked by Kennedy.

Kennedy pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Graves clinches.
Kennedy lands a damaging elbow.
Kennedy blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A head punch on the inside from Graves fails to land.

Kennedy escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kennedy moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

Graves closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Graves misses with a punch on the inside.
Kennedy misses with an elbow strike.

Kennedy escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kennedy's Muay Thai looks sharper than normal. He has obviously been working on it in the gym.
Kennedy is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

Graves rushes Kennedy and presses him up against the ropes.
Kennedy blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Graves swings wildly with an uppercut but Kennedy uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Graves working aggressively here.
Graves swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kennedy breaks the clinch.
Kennedy throws an overhand right that lands on Graves's shoulder, as Graves tries to avoid the shot.

Graves closes the distance and pushes Kennedy back into the ropes.
Graves throws a punch but it's blocked by Kennedy.
Graves avoids a wild elbow strike from Kennedy.
Graves tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Graves misses with the head strike.

Kennedy breaks from the clinch.

Graves gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Graves misses with a short punch on the inside.
Graves working aggressively here.
Kennedy makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Graves blocks an elbow strike from Kennedy.
Kennedy trying to stall but Graves improves his position.

Kennedy breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Decent striking displayed by Kennedy there.
Graves takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Graves moves into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Doug Graves dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Doug Graves's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Graves has Kennedy up against the ropes in a clinch.
Doug Graves is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kennedy creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Graves working aggressively here.
Kennedy throws an elbow but it misses.
Kennedy is looking to control Graves's arms but Graves gets an underhook and turns him. Now Kennedy has his back to the ropes.
Kennedy has Graves pushed against the ropes.
Kennedy pushes off an throws an elbow but Graves leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kennedy breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Graves ducks right into an uppercut from Kennedy.

Graves moves into the clinch successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kennedy misses with a punch to the body.
Kennedy throws an elbow that misses.
Kennedy tries a knee to the head but Graves blocks it.
Kennedy tries a body shot but Graves blocks it.

Kennedy manages to break the clinch.

Graves has taken the fight to the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Graves fails to land.

Kennedy breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kennedy. Graves does a little dance to reset his feet.

Kennedy gets tackled into the ropes by Graves. Graves maintains the clinch.
John Kennedy has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kennedy lands with a light punch inside.
Kennedy blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kennedy is trying to maintain a safe position but Graves gets an underhook and turns Kennedy into the ropes.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Kennedy throws an elbow but misses.

Kennedy breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Graves drives through and clinches with Kennedy against the ropes.
Kennedy softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
Kennedy blocking some punches.
Kennedy misses with a knee to the head.

Kennedy breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Graves closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Kennedy misses with an elbow strike.
Kennedy throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Graves being controlled against the ropes.
Kennedy throws an elbow that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Kennedy showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Graves has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Nard Betker scores the fight 46:49
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 46:49
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Doug Graves!
A relieved looking Doug Graves thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.