PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Stepan Grachev (ranked 2656 p4p, 2590 weight class) and Shinji Tomoguchi (ranked 327 p4p, 321 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Grachev
vs
Tomoguchi

175 cm
27
165
6 - 5 - 0

180 cm
27
155
11 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Shadow Realm Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Stepan Grachev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 12 - 0, fighting out of London, Shinji Tomoguchi!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, William Gold and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Grachev swats away the attempt to clinch by Tomoguchi.
Grachev will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Tomoguchi slips a jab and a cross from Grachev.
Tomoguchi lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.

Tomoguchi gets a clinch.
Tomoguchi tries to throw a body punch but Grachev avoids it by throwing Tomoguchi back against the cage.
Good body shot from Tomoguchi.
Grachev lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Grachev breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Tomoguchi misses with an uppercut
and Grachev counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Tomoguchi checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Grachev looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

Grachev has closed the distance and engaged Tomoguchi in a clinch.
Tomoguchi misses with a hook from the clinch.
Grachev blocks an uppercut.
Tomoguchi misses with a punch to the body.
Grachev misses with a body punch.
Tomoguchi lands a 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!
Grachev leaning his opponent against the cage.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tomoguchi dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A chopping leg kick lands by Grachev.
Tomoguchi thuds a left hand into Grachev's body.
Grachev keeps the fight on the outside.
Tomoguchi throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Tomoguchi misses the shot to the body.
Tomoguchi misses with an uppercut
letting Grachev counter with a right hand.
Tomoguchi cracks Grachev with a good jab.
Grachev lands a nice looking body kick.
Grachev misses the jab.
Tomoguchi looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Grachev throws out a loose jab but Tomoguchi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Grachev delivers a nice body kick.
Grachev thuds a left hand into Tomoguchi's body.
Tomoguchi has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
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!
Tomoguchi scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Tomoguchi takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Tomoguchi moves in looking to clinch but Grachev pushes him off.
Grachev cracks Tomoguchi with an open hand slap.
Tomoguchi scores with a nice strike.
Grachev thows a body kick. Tomoguchi tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Tomoguchi tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tomoguchi scores with a nice head shot.
Grachev with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Tomoguchi to score with a decent uppercut.
Grachev's corner calls for a 1-2. Grachev obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Tomoguchi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nice defenses there by Grachev.
Grachev throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Grachev fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Tomoguchi is out of range.
Tomoguchi lands a nice looking body shot.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Tomoguchi has a couple of punches blocked by Grachev.
A nice right hand lands inside from Tomoguchi.
Grachev blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Tomoguchi lands a hook that snaps the head of Grachev backwards.
A nice right hand lands inside from Grachev.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Tomoguchi.
Grachev is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Tomoguchi is keeping busy.
Tomoguchi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Tomoguchi lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Grachev backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tomoguchi lands with a light punch inside.
Grachev scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A short right from Tomoguchi.
Tomoguchi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A short right from Grachev.
Tomoguchi letting Grachev take a breather here.
Tomoguchi lands a right hand that snaps the head of Grachev backwards.
Tomoguchi tries to work over Grachev's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Tomoguchi working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Tomoguchi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Tomoguchi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Grachev wants to stall.
Tomoguchi misses with a short punch on the inside.
Grachev tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Tomoguchi's elbow.
A right hand to the body from Tomoguchi.
Tomoguchi doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Grachev doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Grachev doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Tomoguchi misses with a body punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tomoguchi working aggressively here.
A right handed body shot lands from Tomoguchi.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tomoguchi lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Tomoguchi has a couple of punches blocked by Grachev.
Tomoguchi throws a head punch that misses.
Tomoguchi takes a shot to the head.
Grachev swings wildly with an uppercut but Tomoguchi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tomoguchi lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Tomoguchi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Grachev takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Tomoguchi blocks an uppercut.
Grachev swings wildly with an uppercut but Tomoguchi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Grachev leaning his opponent against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A shot in the inside from Tomoguchi.
Tomoguchi is leaning against Grachev and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Grachev goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Shinji Tomoguchi will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Tomoguchi slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Tomoguchi misses the shot to the body.
Tomoguchi throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Tomoguchi throws a hook but Grachev blocks it.
Shinji Tomoguchi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Grachev throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tomoguchi connects with a looping right hand.

Grachev clinches.
Tomoguchi prevents Grachev from breaking the clinch.
Grachev trying to stall but Tomoguchi improves his position.
Grachev lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Tomoguchi tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A short right from Grachev.
Tomoguchi misses with some punches.
Tomoguchi can't find room to land a body shot as Grachev controls the action.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tomoguchi lands a right hand.
Grachev lands a left hand that snaps the head of Tomoguchi backwards.
Tomoguchi lands on the inside with an uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tomoguchi swings wildly with an uppercut but Grachev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tomoguchi has a couple of punches blocked by Grachev.
Grachev scores with a shoulder strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tomoguchi prevents a body shot from Grachev.
Tomoguchi throws a head punch that misses.
Grachev lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A right handed body shot lands from Tomoguchi.
A head punch on the inside from Tomoguchi fails to land.
I was talking to Grachev's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Grachev misses with a hook from the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Tomoguchi fails to land.
Tomoguchi misses with a punch to the body.
Grachev misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A right handed body shot lands from Grachev.
Tomoguchi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Grachev misses with a punch on the inside.
Grachev swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Tomoguchi softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Grachev tries to work over Tomoguchi's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Tomoguchi lands with a left to the head.
Grachev's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Tomoguchi prevents a body shot from Grachev.
Tomoguchi prevents a body shot from Grachev.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grachev blocks a body shot from Tomoguchi.
Tomoguchi tries a body shot but Grachev blocks it.
Grachev taking a breather.
Grachev tries a body shot but Tomoguchi blocks it.
Tomoguchi lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Tomoguchi can't find room to land a body shot as Grachev controls the action.
Shinji Tomoguchi seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Tomoguchi blocks an uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tomoguchi lands with a left to the head.
Grachev just leaning against Tomoguchi, taking a breather.
Grachev misses with some punches.
Grachev lands a hook to the side of the head.
Tomoguchi tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Grachev blocks a body shot from Tomoguchi.
Grachev misses with a punch to the body.
Tomoguchi has a couple of punches blocked by Grachev.
Tomoguchi tries to throw a body punch but Grachev avoids it by throwing Tomoguchi back against the cage.
A right hand to the body from Tomoguchi.
Grachev working aggressively here.
A head punch on the inside from Tomoguchi fails to land.
Grachev stalling in the clinch but Tomoguchi improves position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tomoguchi misses with some punches.
Grachev throws a punch but it's blocked by Tomoguchi.
Grachev works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Grachev.

Grachev's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Tomoguchi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tomoguchi scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Grachev lands a jab to the head.

Tomoguchi tries to keep at a distance but Grachev has taken the fight into the clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Grachev.
Tomoguchi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Grachev lands a left hand that snaps the head of Tomoguchi backwards.
Tomoguchi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Tomoguchi misses with some punches.
Tomoguchi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Grachev's elbow.
Grachev blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Tomoguchi lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Grachev backwards.
Tomoguchi tries a body shot but Grachev blocks it.
Grachev blocks a body shot from Tomoguchi.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tomoguchi goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Grachev misses with a hook from the clinch.
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!
Grachev throws a punch but it's blocked by Tomoguchi.
Tomoguchi prevents a body shot from Grachev.
Tomoguchi lands a body punch in the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Tomoguchi.
A head punch on the inside from Grachev fails to land.
Grachev misses with a hook to the ribs.
Grachev working aggressively here.
Tomoguchi keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Grachev's efforts to push away.
Grachev lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Tomoguchi swings wildly with an uppercut but Grachev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tomoguchi lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Grachev backwards.
Grachev tries a body shot but Tomoguchi blocks it.
Tomoguchi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Grachev's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Tomoguchi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Grachev.
Grachev keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Tomoguchi.
Grachev throwing a counter right hand but Tomoguchi manages to avoid it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Shinji Tomoguchi will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Grachev's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Decent striking displayed by Tomoguchi there.

Grachev pushes Tomoguchi up against the cage in a clinch.
Tomoguchi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Grachev lands a shoulder strike.
Grachev fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Grachev stalling against the cage.
Stalling in the clinch from Grachev.
Grachev blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Grachev stalling in the clinch but Tomoguchi improves position.
Grachev throws a head punch that misses.
Grachev misses with a punch to the body.
Tomoguchi's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Tomoguchi lands on the inside with an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Grachev softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Tomoguchi misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Tomoguchi.
Still in the clinch, Tomoguchi scores with a nice short uppercut.
Grachev misses with a short punch on the inside.
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!
Grachev misses with a punch to the body.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tomoguchi lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Grachev misses with a punch to the body.
Grachev misses with a punch on the inside.
Grachev has had enough of the clinch but Tomoguchi keeps him there for the moment.
Grachev blocks a body shot from Tomoguchi.
A nice left hand lands by Tomoguchi.
Tomoguchi throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Grachev goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Tomoguchi tries to work over Grachev's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Tomoguchi misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Grachev stalling in the clinch but Tomoguchi improves position.
A short uppercut from Grachev.
Tomoguchi lands a shot to the body.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Tomoguchi.
Grachev blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Tomoguchi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Grachev blocking some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grachev tries to work over Tomoguchi's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

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

Grachev pushes Tomoguchi up against the cage in a clinch.
Grachev is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Tomoguchi is keeping busy.
Grachev prevents a body shot from Tomoguchi.
Grachev pushes Tomoguchi back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Grachev misses with a punch on the inside.
A short right from Grachev on the inside.
Tomoguchi blocking some punches.
Grachev lands with a light punch inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Tomoguchi.
Tomoguchi lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Grachev misses with the head strike.
Grachev prevents a body shot from Tomoguchi.
Grachev takes a shot to the head.
Grachev has Tomoguchi pushed against the cage.
Tomoguchi throws a head punch that misses.
Tomoguchi tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tomoguchi misses with a body punch.
Grachev lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Grachev misses with a short punch on the inside.
Tomoguchi lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Grachev backwards.
Grachev misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Tomoguchi swings wildly with an uppercut but Grachev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tomoguchi prevents a body shot from Grachev.
Grachev misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Tomoguchi working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Tomoguchi lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Grachev content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Tomoguchi lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Grachev backwards.
Grachev working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Tomoguchi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Grachev tries a body shot but Tomoguchi blocks it.
Tomoguchi misses with a hook to the ribs.
A nice right hand lands inside from Grachev.
Grachev looking to slow down the pace here.
Grachev fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Stepan Grachev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Tomoguchi fails to land.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tomoguchi lands a hook to the side of the head.
Tomoguchi blocks a body shot from Grachev.
Grachev misses with a hook from the clinch.
A short right from Grachev.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Tomoguchi pushes Grachev back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Grachev's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Tomoguchi tries to throw a body punch but Grachev avoids it by throwing Tomoguchi back against the cage.
Tomoguchi lands a right hand.
Grachev tries to work over Tomoguchi's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Grachev tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Tomoguchi lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Grachev misses with a punch to the body.
Grachev lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A short uppercut from Tomoguchi.
Tomoguchi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Shinji Tomoguchi.
I've got Tomoguchi winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Gold scores the fight 27:30
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Shinji Tomoguchi!
A very excited looking Shinji Tomoguchi rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.