PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Doug Graves (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Seyran Zeynalabdinov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Graves kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Last Call. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Graves
vs
Zeynalabdinov

190 cm
21
214 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

180 cm
22
212 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

Decent wrestler
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Good gas tank

:: Happy Pills ::

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Doug Graves!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Seyran Zeynalabdinov!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Felipe Paraventi and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice straight punches there by Graves. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Graves.

Graves rushes Zeynalabdinov and presses him up against the cage.
Zeynalabdinov tries to pull guard but Graves won't allow it.
Graves stalls.
Zeynalabdinov tries to pull guard but Graves won't allow it.
Graves lands a right hand that snaps the head of Zeynalabdinov backwards.

It looks like Seyran Zeynalabdinov has been cut.
A knee to the head by Graves.
Graves gets underhooks to prevent Zeynalabdinov's takedown attempt.
Doug Graves has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Seyran Zeynalabdinov.
Zeynalabdinov tries to throw a body punch but Graves avoids it by throwing Zeynalabdinov back against the cage.
Graves with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Graves is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Graves tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Graves obliges.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Graves tries to land knees in the clinch but Zeynalabdinov avoids the damage to the body.
Zeynalabdinov tries to pull guard but Graves holds him up against the cage and eventually Zeynalabdinov drops back down to his feet.
Graves tries to land a knee to the head but Zeynalabdinov blocks with his arms.
Zeynalabdinov can't find room to land a body shot as Graves controls the action.
Graves using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Zeynalabdinov has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Zeynalabdinov takes a knee to the side of the body.

Zeynalabdinov manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Zeynalabdinov throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Zeynalabdinov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Graves defends well.
Zeynalabdinov looking for a sweep. Not yet Zeynalabdinov, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zeynalabdinov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Graves defends well.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Graves got a little sloppy there for a moment and Zeynalabdinov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Graves has managed to get both his arms back between Zeynalabdinov's legs - danger averted.
Graves has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Graves avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Zeynalabdinov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Zeynalabdinov looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Graves passes into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Zeynalabdinov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Zeynalabdinov manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Graves knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Zeynalabdinov on the ground.
Zeynalabdinov wants to get back to full guard.

Zeynalabdinov looking for submissions off his back.
Graves tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Zeynalabdinov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zeynalabdinov looking for submissions off his back.

Zeynalabdinov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Zeynalabdinov tries to get to full guard but Graves has control of the leg.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zeynalabdinov is looking to control Graves's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Zeynalabdinov avoid being mounted?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Seyran Zeynalabdinov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Seyran Zeynalabdinov's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Zeynalabdinov takes a kick to the side of the head.
Graves with a jab.

Graves lands a big head kick that sends Zeynalabdinov tumbling to the mat! Graves takes a step backwards and waves Zeynalabdinov back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Zeynalabdinov is rocked!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Graves stuffs the takedown attempt from Zeynalabdinov. Zeynalabdinov gets slowly back to his feet.
Zeynalabdinov is still on wobbly legs! Can Graves finish him?
A jab from Graves misses.
Zeynalabdinov seems to have recovered his senses.
Graves pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Graves misses with a straight left.
Graves leaves Zeynalabdinov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Graves throws a quick inside leg kick.
Graves throws a head kick but Zeynalabdinov moves out of range.
Graves throws a sloppy head kick and Zeynalabdinov moves out of range easily.
Zeynalabdinov shoots for a takedown but Graves saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Doug Graves has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Seyran Zeynalabdinov.
Zeynalabdinov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Graves as he avoids it easily.
Zeynalabdinov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Graves swivels and escapes.

Graves drives through and clinches with Zeynalabdinov against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zeynalabdinov jumps guard but Graves stands there with Zeynalabdinov around his waist. Zeynalabdinov gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Graves using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Zeynalabdinov has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Zeynalabdinov is looking for a takedown.
Graves connects with a knee to the head.

That has opened up Seyran Zeynalabdinov's cut even more.
Graves misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Zeynalabdinov.
Graves throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Zeynalabdinov blocks it with crossed arms.
Zeynalabdinov takes a knee right on the jaw!
Graves taking a breather.
Graves with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Graves has Zeynalabdinov pushed against the cage.
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!
Graves gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Graves blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Graves with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Zeynalabdinov fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Zeynalabdinov letting Graves take a breather here.
Zeynalabdinov tries for a takedown but Graves manages to get underhooks.
Zeynalabdinov avoiding damage as Graves throws knees to the body.
Zeynalabdinov takes a knee right on the jaw!
Zeynalabdinov jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Graves walks away with a smile on his face. Zeynalabdinov gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Zeynalabdinov takes a kick to the side of the head.
Doug Graves is winning the standup battle so far.
Graves throws a big shot that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zeynalabdinov fails to land the takedown.
Zeynalabdinov takes one on the chin but seems OK.

The cut above Seyran Zeynalabdinov's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Graves tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zeynalabdinov shoots in but Graves avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Zeynalabdinov throws a low kick, looking for Graves's leg but Graves calmly moves out of range.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Graves wants to clinch.
Graves misses with a head kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Doug Graves dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Seyran Zeynalabdinov'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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Graves lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Graves, as that shot connected.
Zeynalabdinov tries for a takedown but Graves circles away easily

and Graves counters with a head kick that drops Zeynalabdinov to the mat! Zeynalabdinov scrambles across the canvas and gets back to his feet, still wobbly!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Graves moves in looking to clinch but Zeynalabdinov pushes him off.
Zeynalabdinov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Zeynalabdinov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Graves.
Zeynalabdinov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Graves sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Zeynalabdinov somewhat.
Doug Graves has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Seyran Zeynalabdinov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zeynalabdinov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Graves sprawls well. Graves wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Zeynalabdinov gets slowly back to his feet.
Graves scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Graves misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nice cross by Graves.
A slow jab from Graves misses its intended target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Graves goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

Seyran Zeynalabdinov's cut is absolute horrible now. This looks like something out of a horror film with blood covering both fighters.
Graves is looking to clinch but Zeynalabdinov is avoiding it.
Graves throws a sloppy head kick and Zeynalabdinov moves out of range easily.
Graves doesn't manage to clinch there - Zeynalabdinov circles away.
Zeynalabdinov finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Zeynalabdinov on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Graves throws a head kick but Zeynalabdinov moves out of range.
Zeynalabdinov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Graves sprawls well. Graves wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Zeynalabdinov gets slowly back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zeynalabdinov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Graves sprawls well. Graves wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Zeynalabdinov gets slowly back to his feet.
Graves misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Graves lands a head kick!
Zeynalabdinov blocks a head kick by Graves.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zeynalabdinov keeps the fight on the outside.

Graves fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Zeynalabdinov, pushing him back against the cage.
Graves scores a nice knee to the body.

Zeynalabdinov has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Graves uses from the top position.

Zeynalabdinov has his foot on Graves's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Graves works his way back into a safe position though.

Zeynalabdinov working for a triangle but Graves defends it easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Doug Graves showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Graves 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 Paulo Santos scores the fight 29:28
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Doug Graves!
Doug Graves was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.