PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Trygve Graudheim (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Igor Samsonov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Graudheim comes to the cage accompanied by The Lucky Bullets "Folsom Prison Blues". Trygve Graudheim has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Graudheim
vs
Samsonov

186 cm
27
250 lbs
13 - 8 - 0

210 cm
27
265 lbs
11 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 4 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Trygve Graudheim!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Igor Samsonov!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Chris Downing and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Samsonov lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Graudheim at a distance.
Graudheim slips under a jab from Samsonov.
Samsonov with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Graudheim is breathing heavily.
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!
Samsonov throws an overhand right that lands on Graudheim's shoulder, as Graudheim tries to avoid the shot.
Samsonov staying out of range there.
Samsonov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Graudheim swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Samsonov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Graudheim throws a big shot that misses.
Samsonov is looking to clinch but Graudheim is avoiding it.
Samsonov looks to land a combination. Graudheim sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

It looks like Trygve Graudheim has been cut.
Samsonov fails with an attempt to clinch.

Graudheim shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Graudheim punching from mount but Samsonov doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Samsonov is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Graudheim misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Samsonov keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Graudheim lands a heavy elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Poor strikes thrown by Graudheim there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Graudheim looking to ground and pound but Samsonov is blocking nicely.
Graudheim avoids the attempt from Samsonov to control.
Graudheim landing shots from mount.
Graudheim throwing strikes here but Samsonov is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Graudheim has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Samsonov is trying desperately to improve position.
Graudheim misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Samsonov tries to hold on but Graudheim postures up.
Samsonov might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Graudheim kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's two 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.
Graudheim landing strikes from the mount and Samsonov is in trouble!
Samsonov blocking the ground and pound.
Graudheim wants to control the pace but Samsonov is squirming around nicely.
Samsonov tries to lock up and control but Graudheim gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Graudheim thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Samsonov holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Graudheim tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Graudheim raining down shots from the mount!
Graudheim avoids the attempt from Samsonov to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Graudheim thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Graudheim misses with a head shot.

Graudheim swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Samsonov is now in Graudheim's guard. A big mistake from Graudheim there, giving up the dominant position!
Graudheim tries to strike from the bottom.
Graudheim is trying to control the position but Samsonov postures up.
Graudheim looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Graudheim is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

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.
Graudheim looking for a sweep. Not yet Graudheim, not yet.
Graudheim is working hard here to advance position.
Samsonov trying to stand up but can't free himself from Graudheim's guard.
Samsonov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Graudheim looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Samsonov misses with a looping right.
Graudheim misses with a straight right.
Samsonov looks to land a combination but Graudheim avoids it well.
Graudheim misses with the combination.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Samsonov has taken the fight to the clinch.
A short right from Samsonov.
Samsonov has a couple of punches blocked by Graudheim.
Samsonov working aggressively here.
Samsonov lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Graudheim lands with a short head shot on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Samsonov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Good exchange - Samsonov coming out on top.
Samsonov scores with a nice head shot.
Samsonov scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Graudheim closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Samsonov to the mat! Samsonov manages to get full guard.
Graudheim with a flurry of punches that miss.
Samsonov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Samsonov is adopting a defensive guard.
Samsonov wants to sweep here but Graudheim controlling him for the moment.
Graudheim content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Graudheim accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Graudheim is looking to work some ground and pound but Samsonov has wrist control.
Graudheim missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Samsonov wants to stand and escape but Graudheim is having none of it.
Graudheim is looking to work some ground and pound but Samsonov has wrist control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Graudheim working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Graudheim stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Samsonov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Samsonov pulls Graudheim in close to prevent any damage.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Graudheim changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Graudheim throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Nice cross by Graudheim.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Samsonov.
Samsonov moves away from the strike by Graudheim.
Graudheim slips under a jab from Samsonov.
Graudheim throws a jab when Samsonov was well out of range.
Igor Samsonov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Graudheim closes the distance and clinches up with Samsonov, looking for a takedown. Graudheim pushes Samsonov against the cage but Samsonov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Samsonov throws a shot to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Graudheim fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Graudheim throws a hook to the side of Samsonov's head but Samsonov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Jab by Samsonov.
Graudheim takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Graudheim throws a body punch but Samsonov moves out of range.
Graudheim misses with a straight left.
Samsonov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Graudheim.
Samsonov swings for the body but Graudheim moves out of range.
Samsonov is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Samsonov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Graudheim.
Graudheim throws a big shot that misses.
Samsonov wants to clinch.

Samsonov lands a big head kick that sends Graudheim tumbling to the mat! Samsonov takes a step backwards and waves Graudheim back to his feet - he wants the finish!
A shot to the body from Graudheim misses

and Samsonov counters with a nice right hand that sends Graudheim toppling to the canvas! Graudheim scrambles and gets back to his feet - can Samsonov finish him?!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Samsonov does it's job there.

Graudheim is rocked!
Graudheim misses with an uppercut. Samsonov saw that one coming.
Samsonov ducks right into an uppercut from Graudheim.
Graudheim cracks Samsonov with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Graudheim misses with an uppercut.
Graudheim looks to throw the jab but Samsonov is out of range.
Graudheim scores with a punch to the head.
Graudheim is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Graudheim dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Samsonov. That did some damage!
Samsonov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Samsonov throws a series of punches but Graudheim avoids them all with ease.
Trygve Graudheim seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice jab there from Samsonov.
Graudheim throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Graudheim misses the jab.
Samsonov connects with a jab.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Samsonov lands a nice hook to Graudheim's body. Graudheim takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Graudheim moves away from the strike by Samsonov.
Samsonov has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

Samsonov drops Graudheim with a beautiful combination! Graudheim stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Samsonov is looking for the KO!
Samsonov lands with a nice body punch.
Donk. Samsonov catches Graudheim right on the button with a cross.
Samsonov misses with a wild body shot.

Samsonov rushes Graudheim and presses him up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Samsonov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Samsonov works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Samsonov lands a shot to the body.
Graudheim blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Samsonov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Graudheim misses with a short punch on the inside.
Samsonov lands with a right to the head.
Graudheim wants a takedown.
Samsonov scores with a shot to the side of Graudheim's head.
A left hand lands to the body for Samsonov.
Samsonov scores with a nice hook to the head.
Samsonov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Graudheim blocks an uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Samsonov.
Samsonov lands with a left to the head.
Samsonov lands a shoulder strike.
Samsonov lands a right hand.
Samsonov presses Graudheim against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Samsonov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Samsonov leaning his opponent against the cage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Samsonov.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Samsonov pushes Graudheim back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Graudheim blocking some punches.
Graudheim misses with a punch on the inside.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
A shot in the inside from Samsonov.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Igor Samsonov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Trygve Graudheim's cut.
That's time! Graudheim's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Samsonov thuds a left hand into Graudheim's body.
Samsonov connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Samsonov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Samsonov gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Graudheim to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Graudheim throws a strike but Samsonov rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Graudheim might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Graudheim is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Samsonov tries to stand but Graudheim is controlling from the bottom.
Graudheim looking to hit a scissor sweep but Samsonov is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Samsonov wants to stand but Graudheim is controlling his posture from full guard.
Samsonov postures up.
Graudheim looking to hit a scissor sweep but Samsonov is one step ahead there.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Samsonov fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Graudheim is out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Graudheim lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Samsonov walks into a straight right hand from Graudheim.
Samsonov walks into a stiff left hand from Graudheim.
Graudheim ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Graudheim throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Graudheim fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Samsonov is out of range.
Graudheim lands a really nice looking cross but Samsonov seems unphased.
Samsonov is looking to clinch.
Igor Samsonov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Graudheim pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Samsonov connects with a body shot.
Samsonov moves out of range of the strikes.
Graudheim ducks under a wild hook from Samsonov.

Samsonov gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Graudheim blocking some punches.
Samsonov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Samsonov is trying to stall.
Samsonov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Samsonov lands with a left to the head.
Samsonov lands a shot to the body.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Samsonov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Samsonov digs a right hand into Graudheim's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Graudheim's gas tank.
A right hook to the body lands for Samsonov.
Samsonov lands a shoulder strike.
Igor Samsonov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Samsonov works on Graudheim's body with a couple of short punches.
A shot in the inside from Samsonov.
Graudheim takes a shot to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Samsonov misses with some punches.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Samsonov lands a body punch.
Graudheim blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Samsonov lands a nice shot to the body.
Samsonov lands a nice uppercut.
Samsonov scores with a hook to the body.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Samsonov.
Samsonov lands a left hand.
Graudheim swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Graudheim looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Graudheim's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A nice right hand lands inside from Samsonov.
Samsonov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Samsonov.
Samsonov lands a body shot in the clinch.
Samsonov lands an uppercut.
Samsonov scores with a shot to the side of Graudheim's head.
Samsonov is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Samsonov swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Samsonov.
Samsonov lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Samsonov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Samsonov lands a hook to the side of the head.
Samsonov lands a left hand.
A short uppercut from Samsonov.
Graudheim misses with a hook to the ribs.
Graudheim has a couple of punches blocked by Samsonov.
Samsonov lands a right hand that snaps the head of Graudheim backwards.
Samsonov lands a shoulder strike.
A head punch on the inside from Graudheim fails to land.
Samsonov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Samsonov working aggressively here.
Samsonov lands a shoulder strike.
Samsonov throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Samsonov pushes Graudheim back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Samsonov lands a hook that snaps the head of Graudheim backwards.
Samsonov lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Samsonov works on Graudheim's body with a couple of short punches.
Samsonov lands on the inside with an uppercut.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Samsonov will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Graudheim up against the cage.
Samsonov throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Samsonov scores with a shoulder strike.
Samsonov lands a nice uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Igor Samsonov really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Trygve Graudheim's cut.
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!

Graudheim drops his hands momentarily and Samsonov takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Graudheim lands with a nice body punch.
Samsonov thuds a left hand into Graudheim's body.
Samsonov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Samsonov tries to close the distance and clinch but Graudheim swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Graudheim is looking to chop away at Samsonov's legs.
Samsonov throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Graudheim on the side of the head.
Samsonov moves in looking to clinch but Graudheim pushes him off.
Samsonov uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Graudheim circles away from the clinch attempt.
Samsonov lands an overhand right.
Samsonov throws a hook but Graudheim avoids it easily.
Graudheim fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Samsonov on the side of the head.
Samsonov wants to clinch.
Samsonov lands with a hook. Graudheim tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Graudheim avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Samsonov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Graudheim uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Samsonov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Graudheim lands an overhand right.
Graudheim misses with a straight left.
Graudheim moves away from the strike by Samsonov.
Samsonov throws out a loose jab but Graudheim uses good head movement to avoid it.
The fighters circle momentarily. Graudheim darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Samsonov takes one to the chin there.
Samsonov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Graudheim lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Samsonov takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Graudheim scores with a hook.
Graudheim lunges at Samsonov with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Samsonov's hand.
Graudheim rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Samsonov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Graudheim takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Graudheim wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Graudheim throws a good cross that connects.
Graudheim lands a nice shot to the body.
Graudheim scores with a nice right hand.
Graudheim avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Samsonov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Graudheim blocks a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Samsonov lands with a good body shot.
Graudheim bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Samsonov scores with a sloppy right hand. Graudheim should have avoided that one.
Samsonov misses with an uppercut.
Samsonov takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Samsonov looks to land a combination. Graudheim sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A jab lands there for Samsonov.
The fighters circling - Samsonov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nice straight punches there by Graudheim. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Graudheim.
Samsonov lunges at Graudheim with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Graudheim's hand.
The fight stays on the outside here - Samsonov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A punch combination from Samsonov misses.
Samsonov gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Graudheim connects with a jab.
Graudheim throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Samsonov stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Graudheim scores with a jab to the body.
Samsonov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Graudheim.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Graudheim misses with an uppercut.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Samsonov.
A jab from Graudheim finds it's way through Samsonov's defenses.
Graudheim lands a body shot.
Igor Samsonov seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Graudheim tries to keep at a distance but Samsonov has taken the fight into the clinch.
Graudheim lands with a short shot to the head.
Graudheim lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A short right from Graudheim on the inside.

Graudheim works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Samsonov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Graudheim loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Graudheim wants to control from the top but Samsonov keeps moving.
Graudheim loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Graudheim controlling from the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Graudheim working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Graudheim passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Samsonov takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Trygve Graudheim has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Graudheim throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Igor Samsonov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Graudheim throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Samsonov works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.

And that's the end of the fight!
Igor Samsonov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Samsonov winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 35:40
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 35:40
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 35:40

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Igor Samsonov!