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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Luc Gagnon (ranked 68 p4p, 8 weight class) and Nick Graves (ranked 81 p4p, 13 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.
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| 185 cm
26
195 lbs
15 - 4 - 0 |
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183 cm
24
190 lbs
17 - 1 - 0 |
Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
15 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Luc Gagnon!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
17 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Nick Graves!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Columbo Gatti and Joseph Jones.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed right hand from Graves misses the target.
Graves looks to throw the jab but Gagnon is out of range.
Gagnon throwing a counter right hand but Graves manages to avoid it.
Graves throws a body shot but no joy.
Gagnon is looking to counter punch.
Graves throws a looping overhand right but Gagnon ducks down to avoid it.
Nice shot by Graves.
Gagnon slips under a jab.
A big left from Gagnon misses.
Gagnon connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Graves throws an off balance right hand
and Gagnon counters with a left hand that sends Graves to the canvas!
Graves is rocked!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Gagnon stops Graves from standing up.
Graves is still in real trouble! Can Gagnon finish him?
Gagnon pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Graves is keeping the position for now.
Gagnon works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Gagnon stalling.
Graves seems to have recovered his senses.
Gagnon is trying to control. Graves wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Graves is looking to escape.
Gagnon is looking for a kimura but Graves is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Gagnon to get the leverage.
Gagnon is controlling the pace.
Graves pushes Gagnon off looking to stand but Gagnon dives back in and keeps control.
Gagnon is looking for a kimura here.
Gagnon is taking a breather. Graves says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Graves tries to roll over but Gagnon keeps him under control.
Graves desperately trying to maintain half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gagnon is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Gagnon controlling the action here.
Graves has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Gagnon is on him like a limpet, forcing Graves back against the cage.
Gagnon blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Graves misses with a hook from the clinch.
I was talking to Gagnon's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Graves breaks the clinch.
Graves moves away from the strike by Gagnon.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Graves misses with a body shot.
Gagnon misses with a lunging right hand
and Graves cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Gagnon misses with a straight right.
Graves swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Graves misses with an uppercut
and Gagnon counters with a straight right hand.
Graves uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Gagnon.
Graves throws a poor cross that misses
and Graves takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Gagnon keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gagnon swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Gagnon waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Graves.
Graves misses with an uppercut
and Gagnon counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Gagnon is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Graves throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Graves with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Graves listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Graves throws an off balance right hand
and Gagnon counters with a right hand to the body.
Gagnon throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Graves sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Graves now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Nice defenses there by Gagnon.
Gagnon slips a jab from Graves.
Graves misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gagnon.
Gagnon scores with a body shot.
Graves takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Graves looks winded!
Gagnon throws a hook but Graves avoids it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Luc Gagnon dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.
Graves misses with a right hand
and Gagnon makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Gagnon throws a leg kick but Graves moved away.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Graves! But no joy.
Graves throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
It looked like Gagnon wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Gagnon blocks a jab.
Gagnon avoids the body shot from Graves.
Gagnon moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Nick Graves seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Graves misses the jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Graves moves into range and connects with a jab.
Gagnon throws a jab but it's blocked by Graves.
Luc Gagnon is winning the standup battle so far.
Gagnon ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Graves moves away.
It seemed like Graves was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Graves connects with a looping right hand.
It looks like Luc Gagnon has been cut.
Gagnon takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Gagnon misses with a right hand
and Graves counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A shot to the body from Graves misses
and Gagnon counters with a nice uppercut.
Gagnon throws a leg kick but Graves sees it coming and moves out of range.
A little jabbing left from Graves on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Graves misses with an uppercut.
Gagnon lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Graves at a distance.
Gagnon throws a hook but Graves avoids it easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Graves! But no joy.
Graves changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Graves staying out of range there.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gagnon lands a leg kick that knocks Graves off balance momentarily.
Gagnon takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Graves misses with a left hand
enabling Gagnon to counter with a crisp jab.
Nice uppercut there from Graves.
Gagnon avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Graves fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gagnon manages to avoid it.
Gagnon is looking to counter punch.
Graves swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gagnon throws an overhand right that lands on Graves's shoulder, as Graves tries to avoid the shot.
Graves lands a jab to Gagnon's midsection.
Nice body punch from Graves.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Graves listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Graves cracks Gagnon with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Graves lands a nice looking body shot.
Graves connects with a crisp jab.
Graves slips under a jab from Gagnon.
Graves throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
It looked like Gagnon wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Gagnon throws a lazy right hand but Graves sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Graves just misses with a punch to the body.
Graves looks to land a right hand but Gagnon moved out of range.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Graves slips a straight right by Gagnon.
Graves connects with a body shot.
Graves scores with a jab.
Gagnon throws a big shot that misses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Graves connects with a body shot that sends Gagnon's belly button to the back.
Graves takes a swing at Gagnon's ribcage but misses.
Graves lands a nice shot that snaps Gagnon's head back.
Luc Gagnon's cut is getting worse.
Graves missing with a left hand there. Gagnon was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Gagnon throws the left hand but Graves avoids the punch easily.
Gagnon ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Gagnon feinted there with a counter leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Nick Graves showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Luc Gagnon's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.
Graves moves out of range of the strikes.
Graves moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Graves. Gagnon does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gagnon throws a big counter combination but Graves scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Gagnon misses with a straight right.
Graves appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Graves. Gagnon does a little dance to reset his feet.
A quick step to the side and Gagnon tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Graves throws a right and a left that both miss.
A little feinted left hand from Gagnon on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Gagnon throws a right hand that Graves ducks under and follows up with a left that Graves also avoids with ease.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Graves checks a low kick from Gagnon.
Graves throws out a loose jab but Gagnon uses good head movement to avoid it.
As Graves backs away, Gagnon returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Graves looks to land a right hand but Gagnon moved out of range.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Graves throws a hook to the side of Gagnon's head but Gagnon sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Gagnon went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Gagnon misses with a straight right.
Graves throws out a counter right but Gagnon avoids it with no problem.
Gagnon's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Graves connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Gagnon scrambles back to his feet.
Graves pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Gagnon throws an off balance right hand
and Graves connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Graves throws a right hand that misses
and Gagnon counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Graves misses with an uppercut
and Gagnon counters with a nice body shot.
Graves fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Graves throws an ugly left hook that misses
letting Gagnon counter with a right hand.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Graves lands the left hand.
Graves throws a body punch but Gagnon moves out of range.
Graves defending well as Gagnon loads up on a big left hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gagnon swinging wildly here.
Graves misses with a double jab.
Gagnon half committed to a counter leg kick.
Graves waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Gagnon.
Graves throws a body punch but Gagnon moves out of range.
Gagnon is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Gagnon with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Graves throws a hook but Gagnon blocks it.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gagnon fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Gagnon ducks under a wild hook from Graves.
Graves misses with a wild body shot.
Gagnon was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Graves throws an overhand right that lands on Gagnon's shoulder, as Gagnon tries to avoid the shot.
It looked like Gagnon wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Nice cross by Graves.
Graves ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gagnon moves away.
It looked like Gagnon wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Graves throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A little feinted left hand from Gagnon on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Graves throws a jab but it's blocked by Gagnon.
Gagnon throws an overhand right that lands on Graves's shoulder, as Graves tries to avoid the shot.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gagnon tries to work over Graves's front leg with a kick but Graves checks it.
Graves cracks a nice hook into Gagnon's ribs.
Graves waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Gagnon.
Graves loads up on a big right hand but Gagnon slips the punch.
Graves throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Gagnon swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Graves throws a right hand that misses
and Gagnon counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Gagnon throws a hook to the side of Graves's head but Graves sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Graves throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Gagnon connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Graves doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close third round but Nick Graves just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Luc Gagnon's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.
Graves takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Graves misses with a leg kick
and Gagnon counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Gagnon throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Graves throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Gagnon stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Gagnon keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Good standup being displayed there by Graves as he connects with a hook.
Gagnon looks to score with a jab to the body but Graves is just out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gagnon throws a series of punches but Graves avoids them all with ease.
Gagnon throws a solid leg kick but Graves takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Gagnon.
Graves is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Gagnon with a body shot.
A big left from Gagnon misses.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Gagnon missing with a left hand there. Graves was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Despite the aggression on Graves's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Graves scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Gagnon doesn't seem bothered though.
Graves throws a hook to the side of Gagnon's head but Gagnon sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Graves throws an off balance right hand
and Gagnon counters with a straight right hand.
You can follow us on Twitter at...Ooooooh Graves got wobbled bad by a big combination! Gagnon presses forward with punches and knees until Graves stumbles to the ground! The ref watches Graves closely before deciding to step in and end the fight!
Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:38 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Luc Gagnon!
Luc Gagnon retains his middleweight title!
During a confident post fight interview, Luc Gagnon thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
54% |
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