PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Benito Graffagnino (ranked 25515 p4p, 6311 weight class) and Ranganathan Iyer (ranked 591 p4p, 580 weight class). Ranganathan Iyer has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Benito Graffagnino's chin.

Graffagnino
vs
Iyer

180 cm
25
205
2 - 2 - 0

195 cm
27
216
2 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin

Furnace Performance ðŸ”¥

Furnace Performance ðŸ”¥
Silverguard Outfitters ðŸ›¡

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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Benito Graffagnino!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ranganathan Iyer!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Micheangelo Fripello and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Iyer shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Graffagnino napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Iyer tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Graffagnino sneaks back into half guard.
Graffagnino is staying active underneath Iyer, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Iyer stops Graffagnino from getting back to his feet.
Graffagnino is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Iyer's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Iyer's back!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Graffagnino controlling well, preventing Iyer from escaping the position.
Iyer trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Graffagnino controls the action.

Graffagnino has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Iyer has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Iyer is trying to stand back up.

Graffagnino is looking for the choke from the back position but Iyer is controlling his hands well.
Graffagnino biding his time, looking for the opening.

Graffagnino looking for the choke from the back.
Iyer tries to escape the position.

That's two 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.

Graffagnino tightening his grip on Iyer, looking for the choke.
Iyer rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Graffagnino keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Graffagnino seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Iyer for as long as he can get away with.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Iyer wants to improve his position but Graffagnino is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Iyer is trying to stand back up but Graffagnino is controlling him
Iyer is trying to control but can't.
Iyer tries to kick Graffagnino off but Graffagnino keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Iyer trying to hold on to Graffagnino's head to control him but Graffagnino postures up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
The fight stays on the outside here - Graffagnino looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Graffagnino dives in for a single leg takedown but Iyer sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Graffagnino wants a takedown but no success here.
Iyer leaning against his opponent.
We've been informed that Iyer has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Graffagnino on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

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.
Iyer tries to land a knee to the head but Graffagnino blocks with his arms.
Graffagnino tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Iyer smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Benito Graffagnino. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Iyer moves into the clinch successfully.
Iyer taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

Iyer manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Graffagnino controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Graffagnino postures up in Iyer's guard and throws a big left but Iyer blocks it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Graffagnino is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Benito Graffagnino 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.

Iyer shoots in but Graffagnino avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Iyer connects with a leg kick.

Iyer shoots in and bounces Graffagnino off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Graffagnino pushes Iyer off and gets back to his feet.
Iyer is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Iyer throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Graffagnino's waist but Graffagnino gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Iyer off to one side.
Graffagnino misses with the combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Graffagnino slaps away a takedown attempt from Iyer, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Benito Graffagnino has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ranganathan Iyer.

Graffagnino moves into the clinch successfully.

Iyer escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Iyer checks a leg kick.

Iyer closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Graffagnino's guard.
Graffagnino has control of Iyer's left arm, preventing Iyer from doing any damage.
Graffagnino wants to sweep here but Iyer controlling him for the moment.
Graffagnino has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Iyer trying to control but Graffagnino is working from the bottom.
Iyer tries to free his leg and advance position but Graffagnino is retaining full guard.
Graffagnino looking for a sweep. Not yet Graffagnino, not yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Iyer trying to control but Graffagnino is working from the bottom.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Graffagnino has control of Iyer's left arm, preventing Iyer from doing any damage.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Iyer takes the fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Graffagnino is trying to pull guard but Iyer turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Graffagnino is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Iyer pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Graffagnino is working Iyer over against the cage.
Graffagnino tries to circle away but Iyer has him pinned against the cage.

Iyer breaks the clinch.
Graffagnino looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Iyer goes for a double leg but Graffagnino avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Graffagnino continues to drive forward.
Graffagnino swats away the attempt to clinch by Iyer.
Graffagnino closes the distance and clinches up with Iyer, looking for a takedown. Graffagnino pushes Iyer against the cage but Iyer circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Benito Graffagnino is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Graffagnino fails with a takedown attempt.

Iyer gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Iyer tries for a takedown. No joy.
Iyer tries for a takedown. No joy.
Graffagnino managing to block the knees to the body from Iyer.
Graffagnino jumps guard but Iyer stands there with Graffagnino around his waist. Graffagnino gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Iyer tries for a takedown. No joy.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ranganathan Iyer will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Graffagnino wants to clinch.
Iyer slaps away a takedown attempt from Graffagnino, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Graffagnino sets himself, and Iyer steps forward looking for the clinch! Graffagnino avoids it this time.
Nice sprawl there from Graffagnino as Iyer shoots in.
Graffagnino misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Iyer tries to score a power double leg takedown but Graffagnino sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Iyer somewhat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Iyer has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Iyer stuffs the takedown attempt from Graffagnino. Graffagnino gets slowly back to his feet.

Iyer closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Graffagnino looking to slow down the pace here.
Iyer slowing the pace effectively.
Iyer looking for a takedown.
Benito Graffagnino has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ranganathan Iyer.
Graffagnino is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Iyer is defending well.
Graffagnino is trying to break free.

Iyer's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Iyer throws a body punch but Graffagnino moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Graffagnino tries to clinch but Iyer moves out of range.
Iyer throws a right and a left that both miss.
It looked like Graffagnino was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Graffagnino fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
And Iyer tries to counter it with a takedown but Graffagnino pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Graffagnino is trying hard to land a takedown here. Iyer sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Graffagnino fails with a takedown attempt.

Iyer gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Iyer lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Graffagnino kicks off Iyer and gets to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Iyer lands with a kick to the temple. Graffagnino shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

It looks like Benito Graffagnino has been cut.
Graffagnino throws a head kick but Iyer moves out of range.
Iyer doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.

Iyer fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Graffagnino sprawls well initially but Iyer persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Graffagnino scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Iyer manages to mount him!
Iyer can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Graffagnino is looking to escape.
Graffagnino sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Graffagnino tries to get to full guard but Iyer has control of the leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Iyer sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Graffagnino defending well though.
Iyer is trying to control the action in half guard but Graffagnino is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Graffagnino keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Graffagnino is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Iyer is looking for submissions but instead, Graffagnino has regained full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ranganathan Iyer.
I think Iyer has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Chris Saunders scores the fight 28:30
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 30:27
Judge Josh West scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a draw!