PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Lamont Banner (ranked 3053 p4p, 2681 weight class) and Stepan Grachev (ranked 376 p4p, 345 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Banner
vs
Grachev

171 cm
40
160
33 - 23 - 1

175 cm
28
165
7 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class MT
Powerful

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 33 - 23 - 1, fighting out of New York, Lamont Banner !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Stepan Grachev!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Timothy Bukovac and Percy O'Donnell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Grachev misses with a hook
and Banner counters with an outside leg kick.
Banner throws a nice head kick!
Grachev tries to close the distance and clinch but Banner swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Banner misses with a hook. Grachev ducked under it nicely.
Grachev takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Grachev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Grachev throws a head kick but Banner moves out of range.
Grachev throws a head kick that Banner semi-blocks.
Grachev throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Banner lands a nice leg kick that just misses Grachev's sensitive parts.
Grachev moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Banner misses with a right hand
and Grachev counters with a stiff right hand.
Grachev misses with a hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banner scores with a nice body kick.
Grachev pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Grachev wants to slow Banner down by chopping away at his legs.
Grachev tests Banner 's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Grachev misses with a wild body shot.
Grachev throws a leg kick which misses Banner 's front leg but catches the back leg as Banner tries to avoid it.
Banner uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Grachev.
Banner is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Grachev cracks Banner with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Grachev connects with a jab.
Grachev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Banner was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Grachev throws a shot from downtown. Banner moves away and avoids it.
Banner is looking to counter with a body kick.
Banner fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Grachev manages to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grachev throws a good cross that connects.
Banner uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Grachev.
Grachev changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Banner on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Banner is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Grachev connects with a nice looking jab.
Grachev swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Banner .
Grachev misses with a few strikes there.
As Grachev looks to move away, Banner throws a big counter combo but Grachev just gets out of the way.
Grachev swings for the body but Banner moves out of range.
Banner connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Grachev's hands.
Grachev throws the left hand but Banner avoids the punch easily.
Grachev misses the shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Grachev.
A quick step to the side and Banner tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Grachev fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Grachev is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Banner had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.
Grachev misses with an uppercut. Banner saw that one coming.

Grachev has closed the distance and engaged Banner in a clinch.

Banner pulls Grachev into guard.

Banner working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Grachev doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Grachev manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Banner looking for a guillotine here but Grachev defends easily.
Banner is trying to control the position but Grachev postures up.

Banner is looking for a triangle but Grachev pushes his legs off easily.
Banner seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.

Grachev gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grachev is looking to slow Banner down with leg kicks.
Grachev has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Banner on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Grachev with the inside leg kick.
Grachev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Grachev throws a right hand that Banner ducks under and follows up with a left that Banner also avoids with ease.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Banner takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Grachev wants to clinch up but Banner keeps it at a distance.
Grachev just misses with a punch to the body.
Grachev moves out of range of the strikes.
Grachev lands a nice shot to the body.
Grachev tries to clinch but Banner moves away
and Banner counters with a nice uppercut.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Stepan Grachev dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Grachev buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Grachev throws a leg kick but Banner checks it.
Grachev throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Banner on the side of the head.
Nice shot by Grachev.
Stepan Grachev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Grachev has managed to clinch.
Grachev trying to control the position but instead, Banner has worked for underhooks and has pushed Grachev into the cage.
A short left from Grachev.
Grachev has Banner pushed against the cage.
Banner tries to pull guard but Grachev forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Grachev tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Banner fails to pull guard.
Grachev cracks Banner with a nice body shot.
Banner blocking some punches.
Grachev working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banner is trying to break the clinch but Grachev has him pressed against the cage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Grachev.
Banner tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Grachev just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lamont Banner . That's going to take a lot out of him.
Banner jumps guard but Grachev stands there with Banner around his waist. Banner gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Banner escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Grachev throws a wild body kick that Banner sees coming a mile off.
Grachev has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Banner tries to keep at a distance but Grachev has taken the fight into the clinch.

Banner manages to pull guard.

Banner looking for a guillotine here but Grachev defends easily.
Grachev is looking to stand up but Banner won't let him.

Banner is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Banner looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Banner has his foot on Grachev's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Grachev works his way back into a safe position though.
Grachev would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Banner looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Banner looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Grachev tries to stand but Banner is controlling from the bottom.

Banner is working an open guard so Grachev takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Banner takes a shot to the body in his stride.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Grachev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Grachev throws an off balance right hand
and Banner counters with a stiff right hand.
Banner takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Banner gets cracked there but stands up to it.

Grachev closes the distance and clinches.

Banner ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Banner no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Grachev gets to his feet - Banner follows without any prompting.
Banner takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Grachev misses with an uppercut.
Banner appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Banner misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A slapping leg kick lands for Grachev.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grachev scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Grachev tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Banner on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Banner takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Stepan Grachev seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Grachev stalks Banner and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Banner 's face. Banner staggers backwards, shaken.
Grachev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Banner appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Grachev misses with a wild body shot.
Grachev misses with a wild body shot.
Grachev wants to clinch.
Banner throws a counter high kick but Grachev was just alert enough to avoid it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Stepan Grachev showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Banner 's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Banner thumps Grachev with a low kick.
Grachev swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
It looked like Banner was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Grachev.
Banner jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Banner sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Grachev misses with a straight left.
As Grachev looks to move away, Banner throws a big counter combo but Grachev just gets out of the way.
A looping hook to the body misses from Grachev. Banner does a little dance to reset his feet.
Banner is looking for a counter combo.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Banner defending well as Grachev loads up on a big left hand.
A quick step to the side and Banner tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Grachev darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Grachev misses with a head kick.
Banner takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banner takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Banner looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Grachev throws a shot from downtown. Banner moves away and avoids it.
Banner was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Grachev avoids a punch combination nicely.
Grachev tests Banner 's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Grachev misses with an attempted mid kick.
Banner needs to keep his hands up - Grachev had a free shot at his head there.
Grachev fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Banner takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Good work by Grachev as he checks the leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Grachev gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Grachev trying to control the position but instead, Banner has worked for underhooks and has pushed Grachev into the cage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Banner manages to break the clinch.
Banner looks to score with a jab to the body but Grachev is just out of range.
Banner fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Grachev manages to avoid it.
Grachev fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Grachev slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Grachev throws a series of punches but Banner moves out of range.
Grachev swings away with a leg kick that misses.
A left and a right from Grachev both land. Nice combination.
Stepan Grachev is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grachev loads up on a big right hand but Banner slips the punch.
A low kick from Grachev misses
and Banner counters with a nice uppercut.
Grachev scores with a jab to the head.
Banner blocks a head kick by Grachev.
Banner has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Banner there as he acknowledges the shot.

Grachev clinches.
Grachev just leaning against Banner , taking a breather.
Banner tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Banner jumps guard but Grachev turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Grachev breaks the clinch.
Grachev connects with a solid leg kick.
Lamont Banner has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A big left from Grachev misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grachev throws a lazy uppercut
and Banner counters with a nice low kick that buckles Grachev's knee momentarily.
Nice body kick from Grachev.
Grachev throws a sloppy head kick and Banner moves out of range easily.
Grachev throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Banner sees it coming and avoids it easily.
It looked like Banner wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Grachev lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Grachev bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Banner 's head backwards.
Grachev throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Banner ducks under a wild hook from Grachev.
Good standup being displayed there by Grachev as he connects with a hook.
An inside leg kick lands from Grachev.
Grachev jabs Banner right on the nose. Banner blinks but takes it well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Stepan Grachev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Grachev 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Stepan Grachev!