PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Billy NoMates (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexander Graham (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.

NoMates
vs
Graham

178 cm
23
144 lbs
3 - 8 - 0

168 cm
27
138 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Billy NoMates!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Alexander Graham!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Colin Fotheringham and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Graham ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
NoMates looks for a takedown but Graham sprawls well.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
NoMates tries to stall but Graham uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

NoMates breaks from the clinch.

Graham looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Graham pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. NoMates is keeping the position for now.
Graham is looking to work some ground and pound but NoMates has wrist control.
Graham throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as NoMates works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Graham trying to control but NoMates is working from the bottom.
Graham pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. NoMates is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Graham throws and elbow that misses. NoMates uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Graham's guard. Nice move by NoMates!
NoMates has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Graham working for a triangle but NoMates defends it easily.
Graham looks gassed!
Graham throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
NoMates stays in close to Graham's body and controls the position.
Graham has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
NoMates passes Graham's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

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.

NoMates stands up and beckons Graham to join him on the feet.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from NoMates. Graham shrugs it off though.
NoMates rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Graham moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

NoMates shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Graham gets full guard.

Graham has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but NoMates can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
NoMates is pushing down on Graham's leg trying to pass to half guard. Graham is fighting to maintain full guard but NoMates has managed to sneak the leg through.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

NoMates is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Graham sees it coming and defends easily.
Graham is trying to get back to full guard.
Graham is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Graham trying to control but NoMates postures up.
NoMates keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

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.

NoMates wants to work for an arm triangle but Graham is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Graham manages to get to full guard.

Graham working for submissions but it's allowed NoMates to get to half guard.
NoMates content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Billy NoMates dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Graham shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Graham showed some decent athleticism there.

NoMates looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Graham works his way into full mount!
NoMates is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
NoMates is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Graham avoids the attempt from NoMates to control.

Graham is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But NoMates has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from NoMates!
Graham working a defensive guard here.
Graham keeping moving, preventing NoMates from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Graham has his foot on NoMates's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. NoMates works his way back into a safe position though.
Graham looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but NoMates puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
NoMates is thwarting Graham's attempts to control the position.
Graham tries to get to full guard but NoMates has control of the leg.
It looks like NoMates is going to stand back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
NoMates wants to free his trapped foot but Graham is holding on for dear life with his legs.
NoMates wants to take a breather but Graham is having none of it.
NoMates wants to pass to mount but Graham is defending the position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Graham closes the distance and pushes NoMates back into the cage.
NoMates looks to throw an elbow but misses.

Graham drags the fight down to the ground.

Graham isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. NoMates stacks Graham on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by NoMates!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Graham is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
NoMates 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.

NoMates tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Graham striking from the bottom but nothing landed.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Graham showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Graham doesn't manage to clinch there - NoMates circles away.

Graham shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. NoMates is trying to defend but Graham finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Graham is working for a submission of some sort.
NoMates is looking for a sweep. Graham is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

NoMates looking for submissions off his back.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Graham connects with a nice short shot to NoMates's temple.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Graham prevents NoMates from standing back up.
Graham not landing any meaningful shots this time.
NoMates avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Graham.
Alexander Graham has got the better of the ground game so far.
NoMates works his way to full guard. Good work.
NoMates preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
NoMates is trying to keep Graham in close.
Graham looking to sit in guard and control but NoMates gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
NoMates passes Graham's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Graham moves into full guard.
NoMates keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Graham's head.
NoMates trying to control the position from guard on top but Graham is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Graham has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but NoMates can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
NoMates advances position into side control!
Graham sneaks back into half guard.

Graham looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Graham is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Graham looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Graham looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Graham is looking to improve his position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Graham is trying to maintain the position but NoMates is very close to passing his half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Graham comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Graham 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 28:29
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexander Graham!