PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Hideki Nakamura (ranked 1281 p4p, 1378 weight class) and Terrance Graves (ranked 180 p4p, 195 weight class). Terrance Graves told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Nakamura
vs
Graves

178 cm
25
170
8 - 2 - 0

182 cm
25
174
7 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

AVALON

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Hideki Nakamura!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Terrance Graves!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Daniel Bishop and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A looping hook to the body misses from Graves. Nakamura does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nakamura shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Graves thows a leg kick but Nakamura checks it
and Nakamura counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Nakamura tries to score with a low kick but Graves moves his leg out of the way.
Nakamura walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
A jab from Graves misses.
Graves fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nakamura manages to avoid it.
Nakamura throws a head kick that half lands.

It looks like Terrance Graves has been cut.
Graves misses with a low kick.
Nakamura is looking to counter with head kicks.
Nakamura throws a body shot but no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Nakamura has managed to clinch.
Graves can't break the clinch.
Nakamura misses with a punch on the inside.
Graves lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Nakamura tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Graves's elbow.
Graves throws an elbow but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Graves has a couple of punches blocked by Nakamura.
Nakamura takes a shot to the head.
Graves lands a right hand.
Graves's coach down at FIGHT FOUNDERS (CA) was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Graves's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Nakamura fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Graves lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Nakamura or not.
Nakamura doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Nakamura swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Graves tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Graves prevents a body shot from Nakamura.
Nakamura lands a nice elbow.
Graves misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nakamura lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Nakamura lands a nice elbow.
Graves misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nakamura misses with some punches.
Nakamura misses with a hook from the clinch.
Nakamura blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Graves blocks an elbow strike from Nakamura.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Nakamura creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Graves lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Nakamura creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Graves's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Nakamura misses with a hook from the clinch.
Nakamura tries to throw a body punch but Graves avoids it by throwing Nakamura back against the cage.
Graves throws a punch but it's blocked by Nakamura.
Graves misses with a body punch.
Nakamura throws an elbow but it misses.
Graves misses with a punch to the body.
Nakamura swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Graves blocks an elbow strike from Nakamura.
A hook to the body from Graves.
Nice body punch from Graves - that landed with a thud.
Nakamura goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Graves doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Graves blocks an elbow strike from Nakamura.
Nakamura blocks a body shot from Graves.
A right hand to the body from Nakamura.
Nakamura lands an elbow just above Graves 's eye.
Graves blocks an elbow strike.
Nakamura blocks a body shot from Graves.
Nakamura throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Nakamura throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Nakamura.
Graves struggles to land a body shot inside as Nakamura controls his hands.
Graves misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nakamura throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Graves swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Nakamura fails to land.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Nakamura just misses with a elbow thrown towards Graves's brow.
Graves working aggressively here.
With the fighters up against the cage, Nakamura throws an elbow but misses.

Nakamura breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Graves defending well as Nakamura loads up on a big left hand.
Graves was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Nakamura throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Graves sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Nakamura thows a left - swing and a miss!
It seemed like Graves was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Graves clobbers Nakamura with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Nakamura checks a leg kick.
Nakamura comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Graves swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Graves avoids a punch combination nicely.
Graves misses with a wild body shot.
Nakamura thinks about countering with a body kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Graves lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Nakamura swings widly with a right hand
and Graves counters with a nice uppercut.
Graves misses with a hook.
Nakamura connects with a leg kick.
Hideki Nakamura seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nakamura cracks Graves with a right hand to the side of the head.
Nice defenses there by Nakamura.
Graves lets loose with a powerful body kick. Nakamura will feel that in the morning.
Graves swings away with a body shot that misses
and Nakamura counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Graves throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Hideki Nakamura dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Terrance Graves's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Nakamura lands a slapping body shot.
Graves throws a wild body kick that Nakamura sees coming a mile off.
Nakamura dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Graves. That did some damage!
Nakamura looks for the body kick but Graves saw that one coming.
Graves looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Graves throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nakamura throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Nakamura gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Nakamura gets through Graves's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Nakamura softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A right hook to the body lands for Graves.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Graves throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Nakamuras head.
Nakamura blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Nakamura looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Nakamura lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Nakamura blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Nakamura is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Graves can do to turn this around?
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!
A nice left hand lands by Graves.
Graves tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Nakamura avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakamura struggles to land a body shot inside as Graves controls his hands.

Graves breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hideki Nakamura is winning the standup battle so far.
Graves throws a head kick but Nakamura moves out of range.

Nakamura has Graves up against the cage in a clinch.
Graves blocks an elbow strike from Nakamura.
Graves lands a body shot.
Nakamura is trying to break the clinch but Graves has him pressed against the cage.
Graves misses with a body punch.
Graves lands a body punch in the clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Nakamura.

Graves escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Graves clobbers Nakamura with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Nakamura looks to land a left hand but Graves moved out of range nicely.
Nakamura uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Graves.
Graves blocks a head kick by Nakamura.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Graves attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Nakamura takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Nakamura misses with a hook
and Graves counters with a nice uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Graves lands a head kick. Nakamura smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

It looks like Hideki Nakamura has been cut.
Nakamura darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
A bone on bone clash there as Nakamura blocks the leg kick.
Nakamura throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Nakamura moves into range and connects with a jab.
Nakamura missing with a left hand there. Graves was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Graves listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Graves checks the leg kick.
Nakamura swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A little jabbing left from Graves on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Graves misses.
Graves throws a left and a right that both miss
and Nakamura counters with a stiff right hand.
Graves stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Nakamura.
Graves connects with a looping right hand.
Graves misses with a wild body shot.
It looked like Nakamura was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Graves.
A telegraphed right hand from Graves misses the target.
Nakamura has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Graves.
Nakamura throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nakamura takes a swing at Graves's ribcage but misses.
Nakamura misses with an uppercut
and Graves connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Nakamura's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Nakamura duly obliges.
Nakamura throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Graves blocks the body kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Graves throws a front kick aimed at Nakamura's knee but Nakamura avoids it well.
Graves lunges at Nakamura with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Nakamura's hand.
Graves lands a body shot.
Nakamura wants to land a leg kick but Graves is out of range.
Graves walks into a jab.
Graves uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nakamura.
Nakamura backing away here, and Graves unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Graves looks to land a left hand but Nakamura moved out of range nicely.
Nakamura jabs Graves to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Nakamura throws out a powerful jab.
Graves loads up on a big right hand but Nakamura slips the punch.
Graves throws a series of punches but Nakamura moves out of range.
Nakamura appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Nakamura throws the kick towards the body but Graves avoids it.
Graves let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
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 Hideki Nakamura will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Nakamura throws a jab but it's blocked by Graves.
Nakamura avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A bone on bone clash there as Graves blocks the leg kick.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Graves! But no joy.
Nakamura lands with a hook. Graves tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Graves blocks a leg kick.
Graves goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
A thudding body kick lands there by Graves!
Nakamura throws a big shot that misses.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Graves! But no joy.
Graves scoring well with a low kick there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nakamura slips under a jab from Graves.
Nakamura rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Graves counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Nakamura swings for the body but Graves moves out of range.

Nakamura drives through and clinches with Graves against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Graves avoids a wild elbow strike from Nakamura.
Nakamura tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Graves's elbow.
Nakamura blocks a body shot from Graves.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Graves creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Graves pushes Nakamura back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Graves working aggressively here.
Nakamura lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Nakamura blocking some punches.
Nakamura lands a body punch in the clinch.
Graves blocking some punches.
A right hand to the body from Graves.
A short right from Graves.
Graves throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Nakamuras head.
A short right from Graves on the inside.

Graves breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Graves throws a nice inside leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nakamura tries to clinch there but Graves circles away.
Graves bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Terrance Graves has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Graves connects with an inside leg kick.
Graves scores with a leg kick.
Graves throws a lazy right hand but Nakamura sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Graves is looking to score with low kicks.
Nakamura walks forward, straight into a front kick from Graves.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nakamura throws a leg kick which misses Graves's front leg but catches the back leg as Graves tries to avoid it.
Graves scores with a shot to the body.
Graves takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Graves throws a big shot that misses.
Nakamura connects with a body shot that sends Graves's belly button to the back.
Graves lands a body shot.
Nakamura keeps Graves at a distance using the push kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Graves connects with a leg kick.
Nakamura tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Nakamura lands a lovely overhand right.
Nakamura moves away from the strike by Graves.
Nakamura connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Nakamura throws a leg kick but Graves moved away.
Nakamura keeps Graves at a distance using the push kick.
Nakamura is looking to clinch but Graves is avoiding it.
Nakamura on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Graves throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Nakamura throws a lazy head kick
and Graves counters with a body kick.
Nakamura is looking to clinch but Graves is avoiding it.
Graves looks like he wants to counter punch here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Graves checks a leg kick.
Nakamura gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Nakamura will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Graves throws a hook but Nakamura blocks it.
Nakamura attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Hideki Nakamura is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Graves waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Nakamura.
Nakamura cracks Graves with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Nice defenses there by Nakamura.
Nakamura throws a jab when Graves was well out of range.
Graves wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Graves throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Nakamura sees it coming and avoids it easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Terrance Graves comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Nakamura 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge James Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Gold scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Hideki Nakamura!
An out of breath and clearly excited Hideki Nakamura thanked AVALON for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).