PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ernest Graves (ranked 22 p4p, 77 weight class) and Riley Hatfield (ranked 6 p4p, 15 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Hatfield's choice of entrance music: Cruel World- Willie Nelson. 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
Hatfield

172 cm
41
160
45 - 33 - 2

174 cm
30
160
22 - 11 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)
Shadow Realm Apparel

NARCOS
Bondi MMA 🏝️

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 45 - 33 - 2, fighting out of Tokyo, Ernest Graves!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Riley Hatfield!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Ren Mimura and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Graves is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hatfield.
Ernest Graves seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Graves throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A looping hook to the body misses from Graves. Hatfield does a little dance to reset his feet.
Graves misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hatfield.
Graves wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Graves displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hatfield throws out the jab.
Hatfield throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Graves is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Hatfield.
Hatfield lands a front kick.
Graves lands with a good body shot.
Hatfield connects with a looping right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hatfield swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hatfield tries to work over Graves's front leg with a kick but Graves checks it.
Hatfield misses with a shot to the body
and Graves counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Graves is looking to wear down Hatfield with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Hatfield gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Graves makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Graves uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hatfield.
Graves connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Hatfield's hands.

Graves moves into the clinch successfully.
Graves blocks an uppercut.
A right hand to the body from Graves.
Hatfield's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Graves tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hatfield throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Graves blocks it with crossed arms.
Hatfield scores with a shoulder strike.

Hatfield's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Graves throws a body shot but no joy.
Graves swings for the body but Hatfield moves out of range.
Hatfield closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Hatfield loads up on a big right hand but Graves slips the punch.
A counter left hand to the body from Graves misses its target.
Hatfield misses with a lunging right hand
and Graves counters with a lovely shot to the body.
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!
Hatfield tries to move into range but Graves moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Graves with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Hatfield doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Graves throws a body shot but no joy.
Graves smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Graves uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hatfield.
A counter left hand to the body from Graves misses its target.
Hatfield fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Graves manages to avoid it.
Hatfield takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Hatfield avoids the body shot from Graves.
A big right from Hatfield misses.
Graves slips under a jab from Hatfield.
Hatfield clobbers Graves with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Graves lands a jab to Hatfield's midsection.
Hatfield takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hatfield misses with a hook
enabling Graves to counter with a crisp jab.
Graves wants to clinch.
Graves keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Graves just misses with a punch to the body.
The fighters circling - Hatfield throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hatfield misses with a straight right.
Graves wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Graves defending well as Hatfield loads up on a big left hand.
Graves connects with a body shot that sends Hatfield's belly button to the back.
Graves throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hatfield takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
A shot to the liver by Graves. Beautiful body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Graves moves away from the strike by Hatfield.
Graves is looking to counter the offense by Hatfield and move into the clinch.
Hatfield takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Hatfield tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Graves was well out of range. Poor timing from Hatfield.
A looping hook to the body misses from Graves. Hatfield does a little dance to reset his feet.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Hatfield! But no joy.
A combination from Hatfield does no damage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hatfield misses with a double jab.
Graves fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hatfield manages to avoid it.
Hatfield with a nice cross.

Graves drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Graves is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Graves slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Hatfield wants to stand and escape but Graves is having none of it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ernest Graves dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Graves moves out of range of the strikes.
Graves swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Graves lands a nice shot to the body.
Graves slips under a jab from Hatfield.
Hatfield avoids the body shot from Graves.
Graves misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Graves tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hatfield was well out of range. Poor timing from Graves.
Hatfield throws a counter combo.
Ernest Graves is winning the standup battle so far.
Graves tries to clinch up but Hatfield circles away and keeps his distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Graves lands with a nice body punch.
Graves uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hatfield.
Graves ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Graves lands a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Graves ducks under a wild hook from Hatfield.
Graves misses with a body shot.
Graves ducks under a wild hook from Hatfield.
It looked like Graves was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Hatfield.
Hatfield avoids the body shot from Graves.
Jab by Graves.
Graves is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hatfield can do to turn this around?
A shot to the body from Graves misses
letting Hatfield counter with a right hand.
Hatfield throws a lazy right hand but Graves sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hatfield ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Graves moves away.
A counter left hand to the body from Graves misses its target.
Graves throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A looping hook to the body misses from Graves. Hatfield does a little dance to reset his feet.
Graves looks to score with a jab to the body but Hatfield is just out of range.
Hatfield pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hatfield scores with a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Graves scores with a jab to the body.
Graves misses with a wild body shot.
Hatfield throws a leg kick but Graves moved away.
Graves lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Graves lands a right hook to the body.
Graves looks to score with a jab to the body but Hatfield is just out of range.
A combination from Hatfield does no damage.
Hatfield attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Graves moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Graves lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Hatfield at a distance.
Hatfield misses with a hook.
Graves tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hatfield was well out of range. Poor timing from Graves.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Graves tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hatfield was well out of range. Poor timing from Graves.
Hatfield misses the shot to the body.
Hatfield misses with a right hand
and Graves counters with a left to the body.
Hatfield misses with an uppercut. Graves saw that one coming.
Hatfield leaves Graves with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Graves shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Hatfield has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Graves has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Graves digs a right hand into Hatfield's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Hatfield's gas tank.
Hatfield is breathing heavily.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hatfield.
Graves tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Graves lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Hatfield.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Graves effectively controlling the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Graves struggles to land a body shot inside as Hatfield controls his hands.
Hatfield is pressed up against the cage. Graves has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Hatfield down to the mat. Hatfield avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ernest Graves. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Graves with a hook.
Graves defending well as Hatfield loads up on a big left hand.
The fighters circling - Hatfield throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hatfield looks to land a left hand but Graves moved out of range nicely.
Graves fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hatfield manages to avoid it.
Graves tries to clinch up but Hatfield circles away and keeps his distance.
Graves dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Graves lands a nice shot to the body.
Hatfield takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Hatfield misses with a hook.
Hatfield takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ernest Graves dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Graves fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Graves swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Graves stuns Hatfield with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

Graves has Hatfield up against the cage in a clinch.
Hatfield is looking to control Graves's arms but Graves gets an underhook and turns him. Now Hatfield has his back to the cage.

Graves breaks from the clinch.
Graves fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Graves looks to score with a jab to the body but Hatfield is just out of range.
A little jabbing left from Hatfield on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Graves misses with a double jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Graves scores with a jab to the body.
Hatfield thows a left - swing and a miss!
Graves is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Graves throws a body punch but Hatfield moves out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Graves. Hatfield does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hatfield lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Graves shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hatfield but Hatfield pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Hatfield throws a series of punches but Graves avoids them all with ease.
Graves thuds a left hand into Hatfield's body.
Hatfield misses with an uppercut
and Graves makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Hatfield takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Graves misses with a body shot.
A little jabbing left from Hatfield on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Hatfield misses with a lunging right hand
and Graves counters with a stiff right hand.
Graves bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Hatfield's head.
Graves misses with a wild body shot.
Hatfield misses with a low kick.

Graves closes the distance and pushes Hatfield back into the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Graves tries to throw a body punch but Hatfield avoids it by throwing Graves back against the cage.
Graves tries to throw a body punch but Hatfield avoids it by throwing Graves back against the cage.
Graves stalling in the clinch but Hatfield improves position.
Hatfield misses with a short punch on the inside.
Graves tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hatfield's elbow.
Hatfield fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Graves tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hatfield's elbow.
Graves tries to throw a body punch but Hatfield avoids it by throwing Graves back against the cage.
Graves lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Hatfield backwards.
Hatfield misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hatfield misses with a short punch on the inside.
Graves trying to control the position but instead, Hatfield has worked for underhooks and has pushed Graves into the cage.
Hatfield wants to break the clinch but can't.
Hatfield is trying to maintain a safe position but Graves gets an underhook and turns Hatfield into the cage.

Graves breaks from the clinch.
Graves swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hatfield throws a big shot that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Graves throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Hatfield 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 Graves has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Graves and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Hatfield throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Graves stuns Hatfield with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Hatfield takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Graves lands with a good body shot.
Nice uppercut there from Graves.
Graves jabs Hatfield to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Graves lands an overhand right.
Hatfield takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Graves lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hatfield swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hatfield misses with a right hand
and Graves connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Graves digs a good hook to Hatfield's body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Graves. Hatfield does a little dance to reset his feet.
Graves bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Hatfield's head backwards.
Riley Hatfield is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Graves walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Hatfield rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Graves moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Hatfield keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Graves just misses with a punch to the body.
Graves throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hatfield doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Hatfield connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Riley Hatfield has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ernest Graves is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hatfield misses with a body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ernest Graves showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Graves has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ernest Graves!
After winning the bout, Ernest Graves thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.