PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rocko Graney (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aleksandar Dobren (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Aleksandar Dobren told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Graney
vs
Dobren

198 cm
25
249 lbs
7 - 6 - 1

195 cm
20
270 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rocko Graney!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Aleksandar Dobren!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Edson Gomes and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dobren shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Graney as he jumps to the side.
No joy there for Graney, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Graney throws a big shot that misses.
Graney throws a head kick but Dobren moves out of range.
Graney throws a right and a left that both miss.
Graney misses with an uppercut. Dobren saw that one coming.
Graney throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Dobren takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

It looks like Aleksandar Dobren has been cut.
Nice defenses there by Graney.
Dobren pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Dobren looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Dobren tries a head kick but it misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dobren shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Graney but Graney pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Rocko Graney has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aleksandar Dobren.
Graney lands with a straight right. Dobren didn't see that one coming.
Dobren avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Graney checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
A head kick misses from Graney.
Aleksandar Dobren seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Graney lands a big head kick that sends Dobren tumbling to the mat! Graney takes a step backwards and waves Dobren back to his feet - he wants the finish!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Graney misses with a series of wild punches.
Dobren is trying desperately to land a takedown but Graney is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Dobren.
Dobren misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Graney.
Some wild striking there from Graney.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Graney staying out of range there.
Graney throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Graney lands an overhand right.
Dobren tries to score a power double leg takedown but Graney sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Dobren somewhat.
Graney moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
The fighters circling - Dobren throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Rocko Graney is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Graney misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Dobren.
Dobren shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Graney defends it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Graney ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Dobren moves away.
Dobren throws a low kick but Graney avoids it.
A head kick misses from Graney.
Graney ducks under a wild hook from Dobren.
Graney throws a looping overhand right but Dobren ducks down to avoid it.
Graney sizes up Dobren with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Dobren fails with the takedown.
Dobren closes this distance looking for a takedown but Graney circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dobren lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

It looks like Rocko Graney has been cut.
Dobren is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Graney.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Dobren looks to land a body kick but Graney moved away.
A big left from Dobren misses.
Graney misses with a jab, cross combination.
Graney slaps away a takedown attempt from Dobren, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Graney misses with a few strikes there.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Graney tries to bum rush Dobren with a series of wild strikes but Dobren uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Graney smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Graney chopping away at his opponent's legs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rocko Graney dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Graney pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Dobren drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Graney sneaks back into half guard.
Dobren passes to full mount!
Graney is looking to improve his position but Dobren isn't that keen on the idea.
Dobren controlling from the full mount.
Graney swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Graney working to try and regain half guard.
Dobren looking to control but Graney is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Graney here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Dobren takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Dobren fails to take his opponent's back.
Graney slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Dobren trying to control from half guard but Graney is working away.
Dobren wants to pass to mount but Graney is defending the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Graney wants to improve his position but Dobren is controlling well.
Dobren tries to pass the half guard into mount. Graney knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Graney moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Graney is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Graney is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Graney keeping full guard, as Dobren tries to pass.
Dobren works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Graney punching from the bottom.
Graney is trying to get back to full guard.

Dobren is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Graney is just riding it out for now. Dobren eventually gives up the hold.
Graney is looking to improve his position.
Well, if Dobren is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Dobren wants to pass the guard but Graney is defending well.
Graney is staying active underneath Dobren, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's four 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.
Graney is looking for a sweep. Dobren is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Graney is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Dobren.
Graney defending well as Dobren loads up on a big left hand.
Rocko Graney is winning the standup battle so far.
Dobren keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Graney throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Graney throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Dobren.
Dobren tries for a takedown but Graney sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Graney goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
A solid body kick from Dobren.
Graney moves out of range as Dobren strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Aleksandar Dobren will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Dobren throws a series of punches but Graney moves out of range.
Graney lands with a right hand.
The fighters circling - Dobren throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Graney throws a shot from downtown. Dobren moves away and avoids it.
Graney throws a jab but it's blocked by Dobren.
Graney keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Dobren.
Dobren shoots in looking for a takedown. Graney tries to sprawl out of it but Dobren keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Graney manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
A slow jab from Graney misses its intended target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Graney slaps away a takedown attempt from Dobren, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dobren needs to keep his hands up - Graney had a free shot at his head there.
Dobren throws a right and a left that both miss.
Graney scores with a jab to the body.
Dobren takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Dobren takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Dobren thows a leg kick but Graney checks it
and Graney counters with a series of strikes. Dobren will be more careful next time no doubt.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Dobren throws a head kick that misses.
Dobren drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Dobren throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Dobren shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rocko Graney has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aleksandar Dobren.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Graney looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Graney is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Dobren can do to turn this around?
Graney keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Dobren fails to land with a series of punches.
Graney cracks Dobren with an open hand slap.
Dobren throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Graney sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Graney ducks under a wild hook from Dobren.
Graney misses with a straight right.
Graney throws a head kick but Dobren moves out of range.
Dobren fails with the takedown
and Graney makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Dobren really felt that one!
Graney moves into range and connects with a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dobren throws a jab but it's blocked by Graney.
Graney lands a nice looking body shot.
Dobren on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Graney throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Graney thumps Dobren with a low kick.
Dobren walks into a left hand.
Nice uppercut lands for Graney. That snapped Dobren's head back.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Graney lands a nice hook to Dobren's body. Dobren takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Dobren takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Graney fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Dobren looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Graney lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Graney.
A head kick misses from Graney.
Graney keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Dobren avoids the head kick by Graney.
Graney throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Dobren's head.
Graney looks to land a combination but Dobren avoids it well.
Dobren ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Graney moves away.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Graney waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Dobren.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Rocko Graney showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Graney 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 Thiago Cunha scores the fight 29:27
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 29:27
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rocko Graney!