PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Motshan Bogachev (ranked 1116 p4p, 1834 weight class) and Stepan Grachev (ranked 148 p4p, 233 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.

Bogachev
vs
Grachev

181 cm
28
161
13 - 9 - 0

175 cm
29
165
9 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class MT
Powerful

Brooklyn Apothecary

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 13 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Motshan Bogachev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Stepan Grachev!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Yukihiro Shimada and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bogachev slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Grachev bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Bogachev's head.
Bogachev has been working on his boxing with his coaches at The Devil’s Playground in the buildup to the fight.
Grachev takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Bogachev throws a big shot that misses.
Grachev throws a series of strikes that have Bogachev backpedaling.
Grachev lands a head kick!
Bogachev bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
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!
Bogachev throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Grachev's head.
Bogachev walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
A combination from Bogachev does no damage.
Bogachev swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Bogachev throws a lazy uppercut
and Grachev connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Grachev scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Grachev throws a jab when Bogachev was well out of range.
Bogachev fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Grachev checks it well.
Grachev motions for Bogachev to come forward. Grachev throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Bogachev uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Grachev has time to react.
No joy there for Bogachev, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Grachev takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bogachev misses with a looping left.
Grachev swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Bogachev tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Grachev moves in looking to clinch but Bogachev pushes him off.
Bogachev tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Grachev throws a series of strikes that have Bogachev backpedaling.
Grachev loads up on a big right hand but Bogachev slips the punch.
The fighters circling - Grachev throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Bogachev 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 scores with a jab.
Bogachev falls off balance throwing a combination
and Grachev counters with a stiff right hand.
Bogachev slips a straight right by Grachev.

Grachev clinches up against the cage.
Grachev goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Bogachev lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Grachev tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Bogachev lands a left hand that snaps the head of Grachev backwards.
Grachev working aggressively here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grachev blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A right hand to the body from Bogachev.
Grachev is working Bogachev over against the cage.
Bogachev lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Grachev backwards.
Bogachev throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Grachev blocks it with crossed arms.

Bogachev escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Grachev tries a head kick but it misses.
Grachev takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Grachev lands the left hand.
Bogachev fails to land with a series of punches.
Bogachev displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Grachev throws out the jab.
Grachev misses with a wild body shot.
Bogachev finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Bogachev throws a sloppy head kick and Grachev moves out of range easily.
Bogachev misses with a straight left.
Grachev throws a front kick that sends Bogachev stumbling back into the cage.
Bogachev tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Grachev! But no joy.
Grachev tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bogachev takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Bogachev misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Grachev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Grachev connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Bogachev misses with a wild body shot.
Grachev throws a head kick that misses.
Bogachev throws a counter high kick but Grachev was just alert enough to avoid it.
Grachev scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Bogachev keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Grachev.
Grachev throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Bogachev rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Grachev moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Grachev lands a nice hook to Bogachev's body. Bogachev takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Bogachev misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Grachev clinches.
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 works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Grachev lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Bogachev has a couple of punches blocked by Grachev.
Grachev tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Bogachev's elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bogachev pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Grachev checks a leg kick.
Grachev moves away from the strike by Bogachev.
Grachev scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Grachev swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Grachev looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Grachev avoids the head kick by Bogachev.
Bogachev walks into a left hand.
Grachev scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Grachev is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Bogachev had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.
Grachev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bogachev was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Bogachev misses with a leg kick

and Grachev counters by clinching up.
Bogachev working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Bogachev blocks a punch to the side of the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bogachev tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Grachev's elbow.
Grachev misses with a punch to the body.

Bogachev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bogachev has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Grachev.
Bogachev takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Stepan Grachev dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Bogachev avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Bogachev will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Nice defenses there by Grachev.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Bogachev lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Grachev has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Grachev and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Bogachev tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Bogachev misses with an uppercut. Grachev saw that one coming.
Grachev throws out a counter right but Bogachev avoids it with no problem.
Grachev lands a leg kick that knocks Bogachev off balance momentarily.
Decent striking displayed by Bogachev there.
Grachev swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Bogachev lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Bogachev will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters circling - Grachev throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Motshan Bogachev is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bogachev throws a sloppy head kick and Grachev moves out of range easily.
Grachev turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
A head kick from Bogachev lands but Grachev takes it in his stride.
Bogachev throws a sloppy head kick and Grachev moves out of range easily.
Grachev lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Bogachev circles away quickly and effectively.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Grachev moves into the clinch.
Grachev throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A body shot lands from Grachev.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Grachev trying to control the position but instead, Bogachev has worked for underhooks and has pushed Grachev into the cage.
Grachev scores with a nice hook to the head.

Bogachev escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Grachev throws a nice inside leg kick.
Grachev lands a jab to the nose.
Bogachev looks to throw the jab but Grachev is out of range.
Bogachev connects with a high kick.
Grachev throws a body punch but Bogachev moves out of range.
Stepan Grachev seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Bogachev misses with a straight right.
Grachev tries to close the distance and clinch up but Bogachev swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Grachev misses with a body kick.
Grachev doesn't manage to clinch there - Bogachev circles away.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Grachev fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bogachev throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Grachev.
Grachev misses with an uppercut.
Bogachev swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bogachev walks into a straight right hand from Grachev.
Bogachev throws out a loose jab but Grachev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Grachev defending well as Bogachev loads up on a big left hand.
A solid leg kick lands there for Grachev.
Grachev scores with a punch to the head.
Grachev goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Bogachev throws a body shot but no joy.
Grachev throws a nice inside leg kick.
Bogachev misses the shot to the body.
Grachev tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Bogachev jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Bogachev misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Grachev.
Grachev throws out a counter right but Bogachev avoids it with no problem.
Bogachev takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bogachev gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Bogachev takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Grachev fails in his attempt to clinch.
Bogachev throws a head kick but Grachev moves out of range.
A low kick lands for Grachev.
Grachev looks to land a combination. Bogachev sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Grachev throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Bogachev was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Grachev scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Bogachev lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Bogachev.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Grachev lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
A head kick misses from Bogachev.
Bogachev throws a lazy right hand but Grachev sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Bogachev throws a lazy uppercut
and Grachev counters with a stiff right hand.
Jab, jab by Bogachev - just one landing.
Grachev motions for Bogachev to come forward. Grachev throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Grachev tries to clinch there but Bogachev circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Bogachev, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Grachev lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Grachev lands a nice looking body kick.
Bogachev misses with a series of wild punches.
Bogachev swats away the attempt to clinch by Grachev.
Bogachev takes one to the side of the head.
Grachev defending well as Bogachev loads up on a big left hand.
Grachev swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Grachev lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Nice shot by Grachev.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bogachev throws a head kick that misses.
Bogachev throws a head kick that misses
and Grachev counters with a three punch combo that has Bogachev backing up. Bogachev nods at Grachev to acknowledge the strikes.
Bogachev throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Grachev connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Bogachev's hands.
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.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Bogachev misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bogachev tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nice cross by Grachev.
Bogachev throws a lazy head kick
and Grachev counters with a right hand to the body.
Grachev moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Grachev is looking to clinch.
Grachev scores with a leg kick.
Grachev throws a good cross that connects.
Bogachev throws a lazy right hand but Grachev sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Good standup being displayed there by Grachev as he connects with a hook.
Grachev scores with a shot to the body.
Bogachev tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Bogachev will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Bogachev looks to score with a jab to the body but Grachev is just out of range.

Grachev moves into range and clinches up with Bogachev.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bogachev has had enough of the clinch but Grachev keeps him there for the moment.
Grachev looking to slow down the pace here.
Grachev lands a right hand.
Grachev has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bogachev pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Grachev lands with a hook. Bogachev tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Nice defenses there by Bogachev.
Grachev thows a left - swing and a miss!
Grachev lands with a good body shot.
Grachev ducks under a wild hook from Bogachev.
Bogachev is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Grachev.
Grachev throws out a counter right but Bogachev avoids it with no problem.
Bogachev 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 scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Grachev digs a good hook to Bogachev's body.
Grachev checks a low kick from Bogachev.
Grachev throws out a powerful jab.
Grachev throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Bogachev is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
A jab from Grachev does it's job there.
Grachev scores with a hook to the body. Bogachev takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Grachev avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Grachev lands with a hook. Bogachev tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Motshan Bogachev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bogachev throws an off balance right hand
letting Grachev counter with a right hand.
Grachev wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Good standup being displayed there by Grachev as he connects with a hook.
Bogachev pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Grachev back to the cage. Bogachev follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Bogachev connects with a high kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bogachev takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bogachev. Grachev does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bogachev changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Grachev scoring well with a low kick there.
A head kick misses from Bogachev.
Bogachev blocks a head kick by Grachev.
Grachev will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Bogachev misses with a punch on the inside.
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 misses with a hook from the clinch.
Grachev lands a hook that snaps the head of Bogachev backwards.
Grachev has Bogachev pressed against the cage, preventing Bogachev from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Stepan Grachev seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Bogachev manages to break the clinch.
Grachev with a jab.
Grachev tries a head kick but it misses.
Grachev rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
enabling Bogachev to counter with a crisp jab.
Grachev lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Nice cross by Grachev.
Bogachev swings for the body but Grachev moves out of range.
Grachev throws a leg kick but Bogachev sees it coming and moves out of range.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Grachev.
Grachev looks to land a right hand but Bogachev moved out of range.
Grachev staying out of range there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grachev slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
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 on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Bogachev misses with a straight left.
Grachev avoids the head kick by Bogachev.
Bogachev throws a head kick that misses.
Grachev is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Bogachev moves out of range as Grachev strikes.
A little feinted left hand from Bogachev on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Grachev avoids the head kick by Bogachev.
Grachev only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Bogachev pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Grachev scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Grachev connects with a single shot there.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bogachev takes a swing at Grachev's ribcage but misses.
Bogachev jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Grachev tries to clinch but Bogachev moves out of range.
Bogachev feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Bogachev throws an overhand right that lands on Grachev's shoulder, as Grachev tries to avoid the shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Stepan Grachev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Grachev has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 27:30

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