PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bonesaw McGraw (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jimi Powell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Powell has chosen 8 Mile as his entrance music. Bonesaw McGraw has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

McGraw
vs
Powell

188 cm
24
237 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

194 cm
25
276 lbs
11 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Conviction

Voodoo Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Bonesaw McGraw!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jimi Powell!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Eddie Farnsworth and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Powell scores with the left hand. McGraw knows he should have avoided that one.

It looks like Bonesaw McGraw has been cut.
McGraw lands a nice looking kick to the body. Powell takes a step back to recover.
McGraw misses with a body shot.
Powell throws a lazy uppercut
and McGraw counters with a leg kick.
McGraw takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
McGraw ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
McGraw dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Powell gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and McGraw counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Powell is lucky that one didn't land flush.
McGraw is looking to land body kicks.
McGraw ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Powell uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by McGraw.
Jimi Powell seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McGraw uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Powell.
Powell throws a hook to the side of McGraw's head but McGraw sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
McGraw scores with a kick to the midsection.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Powell on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
A nice leg kick lands there from McGraw.
McGraw takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGraw connects with a body shot.
A jab from Powell misses.
Powell throws a shot from downtown. McGraw moves away and avoids it.
McGraw looks to score with a jab to the body but Powell is just out of range.
Powell feints the counter takedown.
Powell steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from McGraw. That one must have hurt.
Powell digs a good body shot into McGraw's ribs.
McGraw throws a lazy body kick

and Powell counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
McGraw wants to get back to full guard.
Powell content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
McGraw is trying to control but can't.
Powell not doing much here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGraw tries to roll over but Powell keeps him under control.
Powell is looking to take a break and control but McGraw is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Powell not landing any meaningful shots this time.
McGraw wants to improve his position but Powell is controlling well.
Powell scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
We've been hearing good reports from McGraw'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.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Powell is controlling the pace.
McGraw tries to roll over but Powell keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Powell is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Powell wants to advance to full mount but McGraw doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.

McGraw is looking for a triangle but Powell pushes his legs off easily.
Powell lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Powell scoring with some ground and pound.
Powell trying to control but McGraw is working from the bottom.
McGraw not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Powell is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
McGraw keeping moving, preventing Powell from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
McGraw jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Powell throws a low kick, looking for McGraw's leg but McGraw calmly moves out of range.
McGraw fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Powell.
Powell lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Powell darts in trying to clinch
and Powell takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Powell shoots in and bounces McGraw off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Powell is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jimi Powell will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Bonesaw McGraw's cut.
That's time! McGraw's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

McGraw misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
And Powell tries to counter it with a takedown but McGraw pushes his down on his head and steps out.
McGraw ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Powell moves away.
Powell throws an overhand right that lands on McGraw's shoulder, as McGraw tries to avoid the shot.
Powell tries to bum rush McGraw with a series of wild strikes but McGraw uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Powell scores with a takedown into McGraw's guard.
Powell is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Powell trying to control the position from guard on top but McGraw is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McGraw is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Powell makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Jimi Powell has got the better of the ground game so far.
Powell postures up in McGraw's guard and throws a big left but McGraw blocks it.
Powell must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Powell wants to control from the top but McGraw keeps moving.

McGraw is looking for a triangle but Powell pushes his legs off easily.
McGraw manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Powell manages to get himself to full guard.

McGraw postures up and lands a big shot to Powell's brow.
McGraw prevents Powell from getting back to his feet.

Powell manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
McGraw pushes Powell back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Powell lands a hook to the side of the head.
McGraw prevents a body shot from Powell.
Powell goes for a takedown in the clinch but McGraw prevents it.
McGraw misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Powell.
Powell working aggressively here.
Powell prevents a body shot from McGraw.
Powell lands an uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McGraw blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
McGraw tries to work over Powell's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Powell changes levels and goes for a takedown here. McGraw fights it off and pushes away nicely.
McGraw tests Powell's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Powell moves in looking to clinch but McGraw pushes him off.
Good leg kick by McGraw there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Powell crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from McGraw - the referee stops the clock and Powell gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says McGraw. Powell manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Powell lands a glancing blow to the side of McGraw's head.
A bone on bone clash there as McGraw blocks the leg kick.
Powell stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from McGraw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Powell darts in looking for a takedown but McGraw gets double underhooks and turns Powell into the cage.
Bonesaw McGraw has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jimi Powell.
Powell ducks down and throws a hook to the body but McGraw moves away.
McGraw swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
McGraw feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Powell's calf.
McGraw looks for the body kick but Powell saw that one coming.
Powell drops down looking to force a counter takedown but McGraw defends it well.
McGraw throws a lazy right hand but Powell sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Powell misses with a leg kick
and McGraw counters with an outside leg kick.
Powell will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Powell connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
McGraw shoots in looking for a takedown. Powell tries to sprawl out of it but McGraw keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Powell manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
McGraw ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Powell moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Powell swings widly with a right hand
and McGraw counters with a right hand to the body.
Powell loads up on a big right hand but McGraw slips the punch.
McGraw throws a big counter combination but Powell scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Powell throws a body shot but no joy.
McGraw tried to counter with a leg kick but Powell avoided it.
Powell swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Powell is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
McGraw scores with a crisp jab that stopped Powell in his tracks.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Powell closes the distance and clinches up with McGraw, looking for a takedown. Powell pushes McGraw against the cage but McGraw circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
McGraw throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
McGraw throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Powell drops down looking to force a counter takedown but McGraw defends it well.
McGraw ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
McGraw thinks about countering with a body kick.
McGraw lands with a nice body kick.
Powell's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Powell throws the left hand but McGraw avoids the punch easily.
McGraw looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Good work by Powell as he checks the leg kick.
Powell feints the counter takedown.
McGraw is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Powell.
Powell with the counter takedown but McGraw avoids it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jimi Powell will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Bonesaw McGraw's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

McGraw throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
A telegraphed right hand from Powell misses the target.
McGraw ducks under a wild hook from Powell.

McGraw gets a clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Powell.
Powell is trying to drag McGraw to the mat but McGraw just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
McGraw tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Powell's elbow.
Powell tries to work over McGraw's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Powell blocks an uppercut.
McGraw has a couple of punches blocked by Powell.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McGraw lands a right hand.
Nice body punch from Powell - that landed with a thud.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Powell wants a takedown but no success here.
Powell prevents a body shot from McGraw.
McGraw tries to work over Powell's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Powell blocks a body shot from McGraw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGraw lands with a left to the head.
Powell tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
McGraw misses with a punch on the inside.

Powell works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Powell showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Powell trying to control but McGraw is working from the bottom.

McGraw looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
McGraw avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Powell keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of McGraw's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGraw is trying to control the position but Powell postures up.
McGraw keeping moving, preventing Powell from controlling successfully.
Powell working some strikes from top position.
Powell 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.
Powell is continuing to stall.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
McGraw has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Powell avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Powell is predictable there

and McGraw counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
McGraw throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Powell works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
McGraw throws a big elbow that misses.
McGraw postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
McGraw trying to control but Powell is working from the bottom.
McGraw is looking to work some ground and pound but Powell has wrist control.
Jimi Powell is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
McGraw forces his way into half guard.

McGraw seems to be working for a kimura but Powell defends the submission attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Powell avoiding damage under a succession of punches from McGraw.
Bonesaw McGraw has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
McGraw is trying to control the action in half guard but Powell is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

McGraw is working for a kimura but Powell is defending it quite comfortably.
McGraw not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

McGraw is working for a submission of some sort.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Bonesaw McGraw.
I think Powell 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 29:29
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 29:29
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 29:28

The fight is ruled a majority draw!