PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mario Graves (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nerijus Stakevicius (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mario Graves has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Graves
vs
Stakevicius

158 cm
24
178 lbs
0 - 6 - 1

180 cm
25
176 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mario Graves!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Nerijus Stakevicius!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Wagner Zegers and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Stakevicius is defended easily by Graves.
Graves went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Stakevicius has his takedown stuffed
and Graves counters with a nice body shot.
Graves punishes Stakevicius's body with a nice straight punch.
Stakevicius dives in for a single leg takedown but Graves sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Mario Graves has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nerijus Stakevicius.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Stakevicius moves into the clinch successfully.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Graves takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Stakevicius wants a takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stakevicius can't get the takedown.
Stakevicius being controlled against the cage.
Stakevicius can't get the takedown.
Graves really is a fat lump.
Graves holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Graves tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Graves taking a breather.
Graves holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Graves holding his opponent close, against the cage.

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.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Mario Graves.

Stakevicius moves into the clinch successfully.
Stakevicius tries to score a body lock takedown but Graves shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Stakevicius tries to pull guard but Graves forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Stakevicius leaning his opponent against the cage.
Stakevicius tries to pull guard but Graves won't allow it.

Graves jumps into guard, dragging Stakevicius to the mat.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Graves tries to strike from the bottom.

Stakevicius drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Graves manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Stakevicius has Graves in his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Graves with a flurry of punches that miss.
Graves is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stakevicius seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Graves throwing strikes from guard but Stakevicius blocks nicely.
Graves loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

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.
Graves prevents Stakevicius from getting back to his feet.
Graves postures up and lands a big shot to Stakevicius's brow.
Stakevicius has a closed guard, preventing Graves from standing up.
Graves working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Graves has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Stakevicius looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Graves is looking to work some ground and pound but Stakevicius has wrist control.
Stakevicius avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Stakevicius is adopting a defensive guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Stakevicius wriggles free and stands up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mario Graves dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Stakevicius gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Graves dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Stakevicius tries to break the clinch but Graves is controlling the position.
Graves is pressed up against the cage. Stakevicius has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Graves down to the mat. Graves avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Graves is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Stakevicius can do to turn this around?

Stakevicius drives through and clinches with Graves against the cage.

Stakevicius ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Stakevicius no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stakevicius avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Graves postures up in Stakevicius's guard and throws a big left but Stakevicius blocks it.
Graves preventing the sweep.
Stakevicius managing to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stakevicius avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Graves might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Stakevicius controlling the position.
Stakevicius avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Graves cracks Stakevicius with a solid left hand.
Stakevicius is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Graves is looking to work some ground and pound but Stakevicius has wrist control.
Graves trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Graves throws a big right hand that misses.
Stakevicius controlling the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Stakevicius pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Graves checks a low kick from Stakevicius.
Graves seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Stakevicius shoots in for a double leg but Graves sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Stakevicius is breathing heavily.
Stakevicius misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Stakevicius keeps the fight on the outside.
Stakevicius throws a sloppy head kick and Graves moves out of range easily.

Stakevicius shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Stakevicius is looking for a kimura but Graves is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Stakevicius to get the leverage.
Graves works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Graves working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Stakevicius doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Stakevicius manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Graves wants to sweep but no luck.
Stakevicius throws a big right hand that misses.
Stakevicius wants to pass the guard but Graves is keeping the position.
Graves thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Mario Graves overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Stakevicius trying to control but Graves is working from the bottom.
Stakevicius postures up in Graves's guard and throws a big left but Graves blocks it.

Graves has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Stakevicius can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Stakevicius scoring with some ground and pound.

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.
Graves throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Stakevicius postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Graves keeping moving, preventing Stakevicius from controlling successfully.
Graves throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Stakevicius closes the distance and clinches.
Graves manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Stakevicius wants to break free but Graves has control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Graves stalling.
Stakevicius fails to pull guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nerijus Stakevicius showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Stakevicius shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Graves counters with a left and a right that stings Stakevicius.

Stakevicius closes the distance and clinches.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Graves takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
A short left from Stakevicius.
Stakevicius is trying to break free.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stakevicius tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Graves smiles and moves away.
Stakevicius shoots for a double leg takedown but Graves sprawls well. He's pushed Stakevicius's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Graves is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Stakevicius.
Mario Graves has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nerijus Stakevicius.
Stakevicius has a takedown stuffed.
Stakevicius takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Stakevicius clinches.
Graves trying to control the position but instead, Stakevicius has worked for underhooks and has pushed Graves into the cage.
Graves lands an elbow inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Graves content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Stakevicius tries to pull guard but Graves forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

Stakevicius jumps guard and drags Graves to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Stakevicius thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Stakevicius doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Graves in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Graves is fighting to break Stakevicius's control of his arms but Stakevicius is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Stakevicius is trying to control the position but Graves postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Graves accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Stakevicius working for a triangle but Graves defends it easily.
Stakevicius utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Graves has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Stakevicius avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Graves pulls guard effortlessly.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Graves 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.
Stakevicius lands a couple of elbows.
Stakevicius wants to control from the top but Graves keeps moving.
Stakevicius working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Graves working a defensive guard here.
Graves striking from the bottom.
Graves working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Stakevicius.
Stakevicius throws a big elbow that misses.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Stakevicius postures up.
Stakevicius works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Graves is defending against the submission attempts here by Stakevicius.
Graves blocking the ground and pound attempt from Stakevicius.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Nerijus Stakevicius.
I think Stakevicius 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 Radbod Blank scores the fight 28:29
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 28:29
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nerijus Stakevicius!