PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between James Graves (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marcos Martini (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Graves's entrance music is I Want War by Pastor Troy. A fine choice. James Graves had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 156.5lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. Marcos Martini 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!

Graves
vs
Martini

185 cm
26
170 lbs
11 - 6 - 1

175 cm
25
168 lbs
16 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Powerful

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 11 - 6 - 1, fighting out of New York, James Graves!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Marcos Martini!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Jorge Garcia and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Martini throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

It looks like James Graves has been cut.
No joy there for Graves, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A nice combination there by Graves.
Martini swinging wildly here.
Graves throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Graves swinging wildly here.

Martini moves into the clinch.
Martini lands a nice elbow.
Martini trying to land knees to the body.
Martini misses with a hook from the clinch.
Martini tries to stall but Graves uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Martini looking to throw knees to the head but Graves is blocking nicely.
Graves swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Graves lands a takedown into guard.
Graves stopping the sweep attempt from Martini.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Graves wants to control from the top but Martini keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Martini wants to sweep here but Graves controlling him for the moment.

Martini is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Graves defends well.
Martini controls Graves momentarily but Graves frees himself.
Martini 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.

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.
Graves lands a couple of digs.
Graves is looking to work some ground and pound but Martini has wrist control.
Graves stands up over Martini, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Martini preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Martini working a defensive guard here.
Martini looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Graves lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Graves chips away with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Graves won't allow Martini to sweep him here.

Martini is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Graves postures up and lands a big shot to Martini's brow.
Martini bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Graves's guard.
Martini in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Graves utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Martini sitting in guard doing not very much at all here. Graves doesn't need a second invitation though! He's locked up a guillotine and he's squeezing tight! That is tiiiiiiiiight! Martini paying the price for stalling here - he's pushing hard on the arm trying to free himself but it's no use! He's tapped! WOW, quick submission from Graves - great work!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:19 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). James Graves!