PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Cato McGraw (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sam Williams (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Williams has chosen Purity by Slipknot as his entrance music. Cato McGraw has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

McGraw
vs
Williams

195 cm
19
210 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

183 cm
22
209 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Intelligent

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

XXX Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Cato McGraw!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sam Williams!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Daniel Franklin and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McGraw stuffs the takedown attempt from Williams. Williams gets slowly back to his feet.

Williams shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
McGraw is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Williams lands a nice shot to the head.
McGraw is looking to improve his position but Williams isn't that keen on the idea.
McGraw bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

Williams looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Williams wants to sweep here but McGraw controlling him for the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McGraw trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Williams throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
McGraw stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Williams swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Williams manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. McGraw manages to get himself to full guard.
McGraw will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Williams stopping the sweep attempt from McGraw.
Williams working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Williams tries to free his leg and advance position but McGraw is retaining full guard.
McGraw looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Williams working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
McGraw is breathing heavily.
Williams is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Williams works a leg free and moves into half guard.
McGraw wants to get back to full guard.

Williams is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, McGraw has managed to free his arm - good work.
Williams has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Williams looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
McGraw is looking to control Williams's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can McGraw avoid being mounted?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
McGraw moves into full guard.

McGraw looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
McGraw wants to stand up but Williams is controlling him.
McGraw looking to control.

McGraw looking for a guillotine here but Williams defends easily.
McGraw wants to sweep but no luck.
McGraw not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGraw striking off his back but it's not causing Williams any problems.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Williams fails with an attempt to clinch.

McGraw bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
McGraw advances to mount.
Williams is squirming around, avoiding McGraw's attempts to control the action.
Williams is trying desperately to improve position.
McGraw landing punches.
Williams is wriggling around trying to escape.
Williams flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Williams manages to regain half guard. Good work.
McGraw looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Williams with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Williams works his way to full guard. Good work.
Williams manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. McGraw manages to get himself to full guard.

McGraw working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Williams doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Williams manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Williams with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
McGraw is trying to keep Williams in close.

McGraw looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Williams trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

McGraw throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
McGraw is trying to control the position but Williams postures up.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McGraw punching to the body, from the bottom.
Williams postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Williams stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. McGraw swivels though and keeps the full guard.
McGraw working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Williams.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Williams dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Sam Williams's cut.
That's time! McGraw's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

McGraw looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Sam Williams has got the better of the ground game so far.
Williams keeping moving, preventing McGraw from controlling successfully.
McGraw stands up out of Williams's guard for a moment - Williams manages to land a nice upkick.
Williams looking for a sweep. Not yet Williams, not yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGraw is looking to improve his position but Williams isn't that keen on the idea.

Williams working for a guillotine from mount but McGraw is in no mood to give up.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Williams landing punches.
The referee warns McGraw that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Williams connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
McGraw manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Williams is nestled in close to McGraw, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Williams uses his free foot to push down on McGraw's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for McGraw.
McGraw is trying desperately to improve position.
Williams lands with some vicious ground and pound - can McGraw hang on?
Williams landing strikes, looking to finish!
McGraw can't escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGraw tries to hold on but Williams postures up.
McGraw is trying desperately to improve position.
McGraw is working hard here to advance position.
A nice elbow there by Williams.
Williams landing strikes from the mount and McGraw is in trouble!
McGraw gets back to half guard.
Williams is nestled in close to McGraw, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
McGraw wants to improve his position but Williams is controlling well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McGraw is trying to control but can't.
McGraw manages to get to full guard.
Williams postures up and lands a big shot to McGraw's brow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Williams drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and McGraw dives on top into guard.

Williams looking for a guillotine here but McGraw defends easily.
McGraw is on the wrong end of a couple of strikes there.

McGraw avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
McGraw wants to pass the guard but Williams is keeping the position.
Williams wants to sweep here but McGraw controlling him for the moment.

Williams is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Williams is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGraw stops a takedown attempt from Williams.
McGraw wants a takedown.
Williams has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. McGraw avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Cato McGraw has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sam Williams.

McGraw tightens his grip and picks Williams up, before dumping him to the ground. Williams manages to land in guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Williams is on top in guard.
Williams passes McGraw's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Williams missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
McGraw avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Williams.

McGraw actively working from the bottom here.
Williams lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Williams seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Williams takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Williams looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Williams tries to pass the half guard into mount. McGraw knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Williams missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Williams is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Williams showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Sam Williams's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

McGraw keeps the fight on the outside.
Williams has his takedown stuffed

and McGraw counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Williams's guard now.

Williams working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. McGraw doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. McGraw manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
McGraw trying to control but Williams is working from the bottom.
McGraw stopping the sweep attempt from Williams.
Williams throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
McGraw wants to control from the top but Williams keeps moving.
Williams bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in McGraw's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Williams postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Williams lands a couple of elbows.
McGraw is trying to control the position but Williams postures up.
Williams landing some decent shots from guard.

McGraw is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Williams landing with the ground and pound.
Williams advances position into side control!
McGraw tries to buck Williams off but Williams is having none of it.
Williams cracks McGraw with a big right hand but McGraw just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
McGraw takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Williams scores with punches from side control.
You can see the frustration on McGraw's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
McGraw regains half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Williams lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Williams throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Williams throwing shots but McGraw is blocking nicely.
Williams is pressing down on McGraw's thigh, looking to free his foot. McGraw is holding on for now.
Williams working the head and body with strikes.

Williams stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

Williams shoots in and bounces McGraw off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
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!
Williams wants to pass the guard but McGraw is keeping the position.
McGraw looking to hit a scissor sweep but Williams is one step ahead there.

McGraw is looking for a triangle but Williams pushes his legs off easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Williams thows a big elbow that misses.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now McGraw is on top in guard.
Williams trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Williams striking off his back, scoring a few points.
Williams looking to hit a scissor sweep but McGraw is one step ahead there.
McGraw pushing down on Williams's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
McGraw thows a huge punch but Williams dodges it nicely.
Williams moves into full guard.
McGraw preventing the sweep.
Williams manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. McGraw manages to get himself to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Williams scoring with punches to the head and body.
Williams postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Cato McGraw has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

McGraw is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

Williams turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Williams working away.
McGraw is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
McGraw takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.

Williams stands up and we're back to a striking position.

McGraw gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

McGraw pulls guard. Williams throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
McGraw throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sam Williams comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Williams 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight for Sam Williams!
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight for Sam Williams!
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight for Sam Williams!

Sam Williams wins by unanimous decision!