PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Gustav Graves (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Samoa Joe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 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.

Graves
vs
Joe

180 cm
26
161 lbs
13 - 1 - 1

160 cm
20
148 lbs
7 - 0 - 1

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Syndicate Drugs

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Gustav Graves!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Samoa Joe!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, George Francis and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Graves misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Joe.
Graves lands with a hook. Joe tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Graves ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Joe moves away.
Graves misses with a hook.
Graves throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Graves tries a head kick but it misses.
Graves throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Graves avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Graves stalks Joe and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Joe's face. Joe staggers backwards, shaken.
Graves connects with a single shot there.
Graves cracks Joe with an open hand slap.

Joe closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Graves to the mat! Graves manages to get full guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Graves has Joe pulled in close to control his posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joe throws and elbow that misses. Graves uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Joe's guard. Nice move by Graves!
Joe 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.
Joe is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Graves tries to free his leg and advance position but Joe is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Graves is working hard here to advance position.
Joe working a defensive guard here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A swing and a miss from Graves.
Graves moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
The fighters circling - Joe throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Graves is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
A lazy left from Graves finds it's target.
Joe fails with the takedown.
Joe works Graves's body with a nice hook.
Graves lands a right hook to the body.
Graves misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Joe ducks under a wild hook from Graves.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Graves lands with a nice body kick.
Gustav Graves seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Joe ducks under a wild hook from Graves.

Joe closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Joe lands in his opponent's guard.
Joe throwing strikes but missing.
Graves bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Joe's guard.
Graves trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Joe manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Joe's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Graves utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Graves trying to control the position.
Joe trying to control but Graves is working from the bottom.
Joe pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Graves is keeping the position for now.
Graves is trying to keep Joe in close.
Joe looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Gustav Graves will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Joe fails with the takedown.
Joe avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Joe bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Graves throws a hook but Joe avoids it easily.
Graves swings for the body but Joe moves out of range.
Graves throws a right hand that Joe ducks under and follows up with a left that Joe also avoids with ease.
Joe shoots for a takedown but Graves saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Graves looks to land a body kick but Joe moved away.
Graves is looking to clinch but Joe is avoiding it.
Graves misses with a jab, cross combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Graves throws a series of punches but Joe avoids them all with ease.
Graves lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

Joe shoots in and bounces Graves off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Graves keeping moving, preventing Joe from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joe trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Graves will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Graves not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Joe stopping the sweep attempt from Graves.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Joe sitting in guard here, content to control.
Graves lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Joe!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Joe is desperately trying to improve his position but Graves has a good base and remains in mount.
Joe tries to lock up and control but Graves gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Joe is trying to escape the mount.
Graves is trying to take his opponent's back.
Graves can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Joe is looking to escape.
Joe is trying to escape the mount but Graves keeps good control and instead manages to take Joe's back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joe prevents Graves from getting a body triangle.
Joe rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Joe regains full guard. Nicely done.
Joe working a defensive guard here.
Graves stopping the sweep attempt from Joe.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Joe is trying to keep Graves in close.
Joe keeping moving, preventing Graves from controlling successfully.
Joe trying to control the position.
Graves looking to pass the guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Graves looking to sit in guard and control but Joe gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Samoa Joe will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Graves throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Graves has closed the distance and engaged Joe in a clinch.
Joe misses with the head strike.
A right handed body shot lands from Graves.
Graves can't find room to land a body shot as Joe controls the action.
Graves scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Graves throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Graves lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Graves throws a head punch that misses.
Graves lands a right hand.

Joe gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Graves is looking for a sweep. Joe is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Graves makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Graves.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joe passes into half guard.
Joe missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Graves is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Joe stands up out of the half guard.

Joe bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Joe working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Joe 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.
Joe trying to control the action but Graves is working from the bottom.
The strikes coming from Joe are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Graves is looking to regain half guard here but Joe keeps moving and retains side control.
Graves looking for a sweep but Joe has passed into full mount! Oh no!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Graves blocking the ground and pound.
Joe takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Joe landing punches.
Graves is trying to escape the mount.
Graves wants to control but Joe is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Graves is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Joe pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Joe landing punches.
Joe controlling the position easily from mount.
Graves is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Samoa Joe really dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A chopping leg kick lands by Graves.
Joe moves out of range of the strikes.
Graves lands with a hook. Joe tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Joe throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Joe swats away the attempt to clinch by Graves.
Joe shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Graves defends it nicely.

Graves moves into range and clinches up with Joe.
Graves tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Joe's elbow.
Graves swings wildly with an uppercut but Joe uses good head movement to avoid it.
Graves misses with a punch on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Joe is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Graves gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Joe is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Graves gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Gustav Graves has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Samoa Joe.
Joe struggles to land a body shot inside as Graves controls his hands.
Joe working aggressively here.
Graves scores with a shot to the side of Joe's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joe tries to break the clinch but Graves is controlling the position.
Graves lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Joe wants to stall.
Graves doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Graves misses with a hook to the ribs.
Joe looking to slow down the pace here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Graves.
Joe changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Graves fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Graves misses with an uppercut. Joe saw that one coming.
A slow jab from Graves misses its intended target.
Graves fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Joe is out of range.
Graves throws a good cross that connects.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Graves tries to close the distance and clinch up but Joe swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Graves looks to land a combination but Joe avoids it well.
Joe is trying hard to land a takedown here. Graves sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Joe tries to move into range but Graves moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Graves throws a jab but it's blocked by Joe.
Graves scores with a shot to the body.
Joe throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Joe thuds a left hand into Graves's body.
Joe takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Graves doesn't manage to clinch there - Joe circles away.
Joe circles away from the clinch attempt.
A head kick misses from Graves.
Joe throws a lazy right hand but Graves sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Graves attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Graves tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Joe paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Joe throws a leg kick

and Graves moves into the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Graves.
Joe drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Graves letting Joe take a breather here.
Joe swings wildly with an uppercut but Graves uses good head movement to avoid it.
Graves lands a right hand that snaps the head of Joe backwards.
Joe wants a takedown.
A short uppercut from Graves.
A short left from Graves.
Graves lands a body shot in the clinch.
Joe misses with a hook to the ribs.
Graves tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Joe misses with a hook from the clinch.
Graves is working Joe over against the cage.
Joe's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Graves throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Joe taking a breather.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Joe wants to break free but Graves has control.
Graves misses with a punch on the inside.
Graves goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Graves lands a body punch in the clinch.
A short uppercut from Graves.
Graves scores with a hook to the body.
Graves digs a right hand into Joe's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Joe's gas tank.
Joe is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Graves lands a hook that snaps the head of Joe backwards.
Graves scores with a nice hook to the head.
Graves lands a nice uppercut.
Graves working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Graves lands a body shot.
Joe takes a shot to the head.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Graves.
Graves lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Graves presses Joe against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Graves lands with a right to the head.
A hook to the body from Graves.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gustav Graves had his way with Samoa Joe in that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Graves misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Graves throws a head kick that misses.
Graves pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Joe misses with a hook. Graves ducked under it nicely.
Joe throws a leg kick that misses.
Joe avoids the head kick by Graves.
A punch combination from Graves misses.
Graves scores with a jab to the body.
Graves throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Joe misses with a low kick.
Graves misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Joe misses with a looping right.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Joe misses with a body shot.
Graves ducks under a wild hook from Joe.
Joe will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Graves throws a right and a left that both miss.
Joe misses the body punch
and Graves counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Joe finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joe fails with the takedown.
Graves throws a sloppy head kick and Joe moves out of range easily.
Nice cross by Graves.
Gustav Graves is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Graves takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Joe throws out a leg kick but Graves moves out of range and Joe only half commits.

Graves closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
A short uppercut from Graves.
Joe tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Graves avoids it.
Graves works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Graves throws a head punch that misses.
Graves lands a hook to the side of the head.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Graves lands with a right to the head.
Joe tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Graves's elbow.
Nice body punch from Joe - that landed with a thud.
Nice body punch from Graves.
Joe has had enough of the clinch but Graves keeps him there for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Graves stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
A right hand to the body from Graves.
Joe is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Graves has a couple of punches blocked by Joe.
A left hand lands to the body for Graves.
Graves scores with a hook to the body.
Joe lands a left hand.
Graves lands a body shot in the clinch.
Joe trying to stall but Graves improves his position.
A body shot lands from Graves.
Graves pressing his opponent against the cage.
Graves makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A frustrated look appears on Joe's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Joe blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A short body shot lands from Graves as the two fighters clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Graves softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Graves cracks Joe with a nice body shot.
Joe misses with a hook from the clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for Graves.
Graves lands a shot to the body.
Joe can't break the clinch.
Graves lands a hook to the side of the head.
A left hand lands to the body for Graves.
Graves scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Graves scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Graves lands an uppercut.
Graves lands a body shot.
Graves lands a hook to the side of the head.
Graves lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Joe.
A short right from Graves.
Graves lands a right hand.
A nice right hand lands inside from Graves.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Graves works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Graves lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A short uppercut from Graves.
A body shot lands from Graves.
Graves lands a shot to the body.
Graves is leaning against Joe and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Graves lands a body punch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Graves softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Graves pushes Joe back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Joe is rocked!
A short right from Graves on the inside.
Joe is still on wobbly legs! Can Graves finish him?
Graves scores with a shoulder strike.
Still in the clinch, Graves scores with a nice short uppercut.
A short left from Graves.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Graves lands a big right hand that drops Joe! The killer instinct kicks in and Graves finishes his opponent with a series of strikes from mount. A dominating finish by Graves!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 5, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Gustav Graves!
Gustav Graves retains his lightweight title!