PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Steven Knight (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Graves (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Graves has chosen Kottonmouth Kings - King Klick as his entrance music. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Knight
vs
Graves

170 cm
23
160 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

185 cm
21
170 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Monster MMA

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Steven Knight!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, James Graves!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Steve Montenegro and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Graves misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Graves tries to bum rush Knight with a series of wild strikes but Knight uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Knight drives through with a takedown into guard.
Knight might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Knight looking to pass the guard.
Knight won't allow Graves to get back to his feet.
Knight sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Graves's guard.
Graves trying to control but Knight postures up.

Knight is trying to work for a kimura but Graves is defending well.
Graves keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Knight wants to pass to mount but Graves is defending the position.
Graves really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Knight. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Graves is trying to get back to full guard.
Knight looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Graves with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Graves is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Knight is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Graves doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Knight.
Knight is trying to control the action in half guard but Graves is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Knight missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Graves is looking to improve his position.
Knight missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Knight is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

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

Knight shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knight passes the guard and advances to mount!
Knight lands a big elbow.
Knight tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Graves keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
A nice elbow there by Knight.
Graves tries to hold on but Knight postures up.
Graves is squirming around, avoiding Knight's attempts to control the action.
Graves trying desperately to get to his feet.

Knight is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Graves has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Knight prevents Graves from getting the reversal.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steven Knight dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Knight darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Knight moves into full mount! Graves won't be happy about that!

Knight jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Graves manages to avoid the submission attempt.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Knight tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Knight has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Graves sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Knight is tying to control. Graves wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Knight wants to pass to mount but Graves is defending the position.

Knight seems to be working for a kimura but Graves defends the submission attempt.
Graves tries to kick Knight off but Knight keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knight is looking to advance position but Graves won't allow it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Knight is working for a submission of some sort.
Knight 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.
Graves wants to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Knight dodges the punch combination from Graves.
Steven Knight seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Knight shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Graves but Graves pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Graves throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Graves throws a series of punches but Knight moves out of range.
Knight has a takedown stuffed.
Knight changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Graves tries to avoid it but Knight manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Graves to the ground. Graves escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steven Knight. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Graves steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Knight.
Knight closes this distance looking for a takedown but Graves circles away.
James Graves is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Knight dodges the punch combination from Graves.
The fight stays on the outside here - Graves looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Knight shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steven Knight dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Knight misses with a takedown attempt - Graves sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Graves keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Knight wants to clinch but Graves slips to the side
and Graves counters with a three punch combo that has Knight backing up. Knight nods at Graves to acknowledge the strikes.
Graves stuffs the takedown attempt from Knight. Knight gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steven Knight. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Knight fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Knight looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Graves is fending him off so far but Knight persists. Nope, Graves circles away and we're back to standing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Knight fails with the takedown
and Graves counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Knight is rocked!
Graves throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knight looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Knight shoots in but Graves avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Graves drives through and clinches with Knight against the cage.
Knight's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Graves lands a nice uppercut.
Knight lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Graves looking to stall.
Knight changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Graves fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Graves clinches.
Knight is working for takedown but Graves is calmly controlling the position for now.
Knight is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Graves pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Graves lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Graves lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Knight goes for a takedown in the clinch but Graves prevents it.
Graves lands a hook that snaps the head of Knight backwards.
Oh Knight is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Graves manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Knight seems to have got his legs back now.
Graves working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Knight is trying to drag Graves to the mat but Graves just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Graves lands a shot to the body.
A left hand lands to the body for Graves.
Graves lands a hook to the side of the head.
Graves stalling.
Still in the clinch, Graves scores with a nice short uppercut.
Graves lands with a left to the head.
Knight takes a shot to the head.
Graves lands a left hand.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stalling in the clinch from Graves.
Graves gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Knight.
Graves working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
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!
Graves pushes Knight back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A short body shot lands from Graves as the two fighters clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Graves really dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Graves tries to clinch

and Knight counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Knight.
Graves is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Graves wants to stand but Knight is controlling the position.
Knight forces his way into half guard.
Graves is trying to control but can't.
Knight tries to pass to full mount but Graves defends it.
Still in half guard, Knight seems content to control.
Graves is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Knight's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Knight's back!
Graves avoiding Knight 's attempts to control his hands.
Knight turns into Graves and is now in his guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Knight tries to free his leg and advance position but Graves is retaining full guard.
Graves is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knight in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Knight is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Knight is pushing down on Graves's leg trying to pass to half guard. Graves is fighting to maintain full guard but Knight has managed to sneak the leg through.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Graves can do anything to dispel that myth.
Graves wants to improve his position but Knight is controlling well.
Graves is not content to let Knight control the position.
Knight not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Knight shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Graves pinned against the cage. Graves gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Graves tries to clinch but Knight is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Knight clinches but Graves breaks the clinch
and Graves counters with a three punch combo that has Knight backing up. Knight nods at Graves to acknowledge the strikes.
Knight wants to clinch

and Graves counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Knight jumps guard but Graves stands there with Knight around his waist. Knight gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Graves lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Knight.
Knight tries to pull guard but Graves holds him up against the cage and eventually Knight drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steven Knight. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Graves lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Knight fails to pull guard.
Graves is pushing Knight up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Knight lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Knight throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Gravess head.
A hook to the body from Graves.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Knight drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Knight jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Graves walks away with a smile on his face. Knight gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Steven Knight will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Knight closes the distance and clinches up with Graves, looking for a takedown. Knight pushes Graves against the cage but Graves circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Graves avoids a punch combination nicely.
Graves misses with a double jab

and Knight counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Knight.
Knight jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Graves walks away with a smile on his face. Knight gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Graves stuffs the takedown attempt from Knight. Knight gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steven Knight. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Knight tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Graves swivels and escapes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Knight fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Knight has a takedown stuffed.
Graves lands a left and a right that sends Knight crashing to the canvas! Graves dives into mount looking to finish!
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Graves looking to control and managing it successfully.
Knight tries to lock up and control but Graves gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Knight is working to get back to half guard.
Knight wants to control but Graves is having none of it.
James Graves has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Steven Knight overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Graves content just to control the position here.
Knight is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Graves looking to control but Knight is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Graves lands a heavy elbow.

Graves looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.

Graves looking for a guillotine from mount but Knight is having none of it.

Graves looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Graves punching from mount but Knight doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Knight is looking to get to half guard.
BOOM! Graves connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Steven Knight is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Knight tries to lock up and control but Graves gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Knight manages to regain half guard. Good work.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Graves comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Knight has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 48:47
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 47:47
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 47:47

The fight is ruled a majority draw!