PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Dylan Peterson (ranked 56 p4p, 43 weight class) and Nick Graves (ranked 8 p4p, 5 weight class). Graves has chosen Rage Against the Machine - Bulls on Parade as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Peterson
vs
Graves

180 cm
32
180
19 - 7 - 0

183 cm
35
178
46 - 12 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Voodoo Nutrition
Altitude Clothing

SynCity Fightwear
Brooklyn Apothecary

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dylan Peterson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 46 - 12 - 0, fighting out of New York, Nick Graves!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Ren Mimura and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Graves connects with a nice looking jab.
Jab, jab by Peterson - just one landing.
Peterson misses with a right hand
and Peterson takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Peterson doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Peterson misses with a double jab.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Graves checks a leg kick.
A little jabbing left from Graves on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Graves throws a series of strikes that have Peterson backpedaling.
A looping hook to the body misses from Graves. Peterson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Graves steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Peterson.
Graves takes one to the side of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Graves misses with a series of wild punches.
Peterson lands a jab-cross combination.
Graves closes the distance looking to clinch
and Peterson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Graves dodges the punch combination from Peterson.
Peterson throws an off balance right hand
and Graves counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Peterson fails to land the takedown.

Graves has closed the distance and engaged Peterson in a clinch.
Peterson tries for a takedown. No joy.
Peterson wants to get back to striking at distance but Graves won't allow it.
Peterson blocks a body shot from Graves.
Graves lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Peterson is looking to control Graves's arms but Graves gets an underhook and turns him. Now Peterson has his back to the cage.
Graves misses with a body punch.
Graves lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Peterson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Graves tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Graves can't find room to land a body shot as Peterson controls the action.
Graves lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Graves on the inside.
Graves missing with knees to the body.
Peterson wants to break free but Graves has control.
Peterson has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Graves is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dylan Peterson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Graves landing knees to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Peterson lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Peterson scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Peterson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Graves's head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Peterson landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Graves is looking to escape.
Graves is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Peterson scores with a couple of nice shots.
Graves looks like he's trying to stand up.
Graves trying to control but Peterson postures up.
Graves controlling the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Graves wants to control but Peterson is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Peterson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Peterson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Graves's head.
Graves regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Peterson.
Graves avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Graves can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Peterson controls the pace.
Peterson won't allow Graves to sweep him here.
We've been hearing that Peterson has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Peterson landing some decent shots from guard.
Peterson trying to control but Graves is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Peterson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Graves works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Peterson works over Graves with some ground and pound from guard.
Peterson landing some decent shots from guard.
Peterson throws an elbow that misses. Graves uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Peterson's guard. Nice move by Graves!

Graves decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Peterson shoots and misses
and Graves counters with a nice uppercut.
Peterson swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
letting Graves counter with a right hand.
Peterson misses with a hook
and Graves counters with a stiff right hand.
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!
Peterson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A little jabbing left from Graves on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Graves moves out of range of the strikes.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Graves dominated that round.
That's time! Peterson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Peterson thows a left - swing and a miss!
Graves lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Peterson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Graves.
Graves throws an overhand right that lands on Peterson's shoulder, as Peterson tries to avoid the shot.
Peterson shoots in but Graves avoids the takedown attempt easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Graves! But no joy.
Peterson tries for a takedown but Graves circles away easily
and Graves counters with a stiff right hand.
Dylan Peterson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Peterson takes a swing at Graves's ribcage but misses.
It seemed like Graves was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Peterson lands a right hook to the body.

Peterson closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Graves quickly recovers to half guard.

Graves has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Peterson is on him like a limpet, forcing Graves back against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Peterson wants to take the fight to the mat but Graves manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dylan Peterson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Graves tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Peterson's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Peterson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Graves.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Peterson lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Peterson connects with a nice short shot to Graves's temple.
Peterson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Peterson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Graves's head.
Peterson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Graves makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Graves.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Peterson throwing strikes but missing.
Peterson lands a couple of elbows.
Peterson being controlled here momentarily.
Peterson tries to free his leg and advance position but Graves is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Peterson scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Graves is trying to control the position but Peterson postures up.
Peterson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Graves works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Peterson wants to pass the guard but Graves is keeping the position.
Peterson preventing the sweep.
Peterson throws a big right hand that misses.
Peterson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Peterson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Peterson is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Peterson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Graves looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Peterson with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Graves utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Peterson tries to free his leg and advance position but Graves is retaining full guard.
Graves working a defensive guard here.
Peterson lands a couple of digs.
Graves keeping moving, preventing Peterson from controlling successfully.
Peterson is in close to Graves's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Peterson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Peterson throws a strike but Graves rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Peterson lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Peterson stopping the sweep attempt from Graves.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Peterson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Peterson slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Graves wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

Peterson swings around for an armbar but Graves sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Peterson's guard.
Graves controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Peterson has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Peterson wants to sweep but no luck.
Graves trying to control the position from guard on top but Peterson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Peterson wants to sweep here but Graves controlling him for the moment.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Dylan Peterson will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Graves fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Peterson successfully pulls guard.

Graves stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Nick Graves seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Peterson doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Graves counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Graves has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Peterson fails with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Peterson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Graves as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dylan Peterson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A looping hook to the body misses from Peterson. Graves does a little dance to reset his feet.
Graves keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Peterson jabs at Graves's body.

Peterson closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Graves is pushing Peterson's head away, looking to escape. Peterson manages to hold on to the position though.
Graves is looking to reverse the position.
Peterson wants to control but Graves is keeping him busy.
Peterson grinds an elbow into Graves's temple.
Peterson is chipping away with strikes.
Graves takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Dylan Peterson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Graves managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Peterson.
The ground and pound from Peterson seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Peterson lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Peterson misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Peterson cracks Graves with an elbow. That is naaassty.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Graves is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Peterson grinds an elbow into Graves's temple.
Graves is looking to regain half guard here but Peterson keeps moving and retains side control.
Peterson is chipping away with strikes.
Peterson fails to land a wild elbow strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Peterson tries to score with some ground and pound. Graves controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Graves tries to buck Peterson off but Peterson is having none of it.
Peterson working the head with strikes.
Peterson throwing strikes but Graves manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Peterson tries to bench press Graves off him but Graves keeps the position.
Peterson is working hard here to advance position.
Peterson manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Peterson throwing shots but Graves is blocking nicely.
Peterson looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Peterson takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Peterson slips a nice elbow through Graves's hands, connecting with Graves's forehead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Graves is trying to stand back up but Peterson is controlling him
Graves is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

Peterson is working for a submission of some sort.
Peterson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Peterson wants to free his trapped foot but Graves is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Graves has hold of Peterson's hands but Peterson slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Peterson thows a huge punch but Graves dodges it nicely.
Graves regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Peterson.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Dylan Peterson clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Graves keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Peterson.
Graves lands with a good body shot.
Peterson shoots in but Graves avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Graves is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A little feinted left hand from Peterson on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Graves slips a jab and a cross from Peterson.
Graves looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Peterson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Graves throws a body punch but Peterson moves out of range.
Peterson appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Peterson looks to land a right hand but Graves moved out of range.
Graves doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Peterson scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Peterson has a takedown stuffed.
A countering left hand to the body from Graves misses.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Peterson throws a jab but it's blocked by Graves.
Graves with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Graves lands a two punch combo.
A left lands for Peterson.
Graves tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Peterson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Peterson on the wrong end of a nice hook.

Graves gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Graves working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Peterson.
Peterson throwing strikes from guard but Graves blocks nicely.
Graves controlling the position.
Peterson is looking to work some ground and pound but Graves has wrist control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Peterson landing with the ground and pound.
Graves has momentary wrist control but Peterson slips an elbow through the middle.
Graves keeping moving, preventing Peterson from controlling successfully.
Peterson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Peterson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Peterson throws a strike but Graves rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Graves wants to get up but he can't break Peterson's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Graves won't allow Peterson to sweep him here.
Graves trying to stand up but can't free himself from Peterson's guard.
Graves must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Peterson is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Peterson punching from the bottom.
Graves wants to get up but he can't break Peterson's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Peterson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Graves wants to stand but Peterson has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Peterson shoots in for a takedown but Graves shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dylan Peterson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Peterson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Graves.
Peterson with a poor takedown
and Graves counters with a left to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Graves throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Peterson looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Graves!
Graves manages to work his way to half guard, despite Peterson's best efforts.
Peterson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Peterson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Graves defending well though.
Peterson takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Graves looks like he's trying to stand up.
Peterson is keen to just control but Graves is a slippery customer.
Peterson lands strikes from half guard.
Graves blocking the ground and pound attempt from Peterson.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Dylan Peterson will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Peterson shoots in for a double leg but Graves sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Graves let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Peterson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Graves is fending him off so far but Peterson persists. Nope, Graves circles away and we're back to standing.
Graves ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Peterson moves away.
Peterson changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Peterson shoots in for a takedown but Graves shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dylan Peterson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Peterson missing with a left hand there. Graves was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Peterson bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Graves's head backwards.
Peterson misses with a hook
and Peterson takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Peterson misses with a hook to the body
and Graves counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Peterson connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Graves swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Peterson shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Graves counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Graves tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Peterson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Peterson misses with a straight right.
Peterson connects with the punch.
Graves wants to clinch up but Peterson keeps it at a distance.
Peterson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
As Peterson backs off Graves throws a huge counter combo but Peterson manages to avoid it all.
Peterson lands with a good body shot.
Graves takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Peterson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Graves circles away quickly and effectively.
Peterson shoots in looking for a takedown. Graves tries to sprawl out of it but Peterson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Graves manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Peterson takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Peterson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A little jabbing left from Graves on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Peterson takes a swing at Graves's ribcage but misses.
Graves throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Peterson darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Peterson throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Graves to regain full guard.
Peterson passes into half guard.
Graves trying to control from the bottom.
Peterson 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.
Peterson working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Peterson lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Peterson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Peterson looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Peterson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Peterson lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Graves is looking to control Peterson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Graves avoid being mounted?
Peterson lands with a punch from half guard.
Peterson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Nick Graves has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Graves manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Peterson keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Graves misses with a hook to the ribs.
Peterson lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Graves.
Peterson swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Peterson is looking to take this one to the mat.

Peterson drags the fight down to the ground.
Peterson trying to strike off his back.
Peterson wants to sweep but no luck.

Graves gets to his feet - Peterson follows without any prompting.
Graves blocks a head kick by Peterson.
Graves takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Graves throws a nice looking combination but Peterson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Graves gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Peterson to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Dylan Peterson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Peterson is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dylan Peterson showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Peterson has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 49:46
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 49:46
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dylan Peterson!
After winning the bout, Dylan Peterson thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.