PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Aric Alacantara (ranked 4220 p4p, 422 weight class) and Justin Graham (ranked 5224 p4p, 485 weight class). Alacantara comes to the cage accompanied by Alpha Omega - MGK. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Alacantara
vs
Graham

178 cm
19
160 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

176 cm
18
156 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Aric Alacantara!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Justin Graham!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Chris Edwards and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Alacantara avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
We've been told by Alacantara's head coaches at Fallen Angels that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
A chopping leg kick lands by Alacantara.
Alacantara pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Graham is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Nice sprawl there from Alacantara as Graham shoots in.
Alacantara jabs at Graham's body.
Graham throws a good cross that connects.
A solid body kick from Alacantara.
Alacantara avoids the body shot from Graham.
Graham walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alacantara fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Good leg kick by Alacantara there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Alacantara lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Nice jab there from Alacantara.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Alacantara works the jab nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Graham walks into a straight right hand from Alacantara.
Alacantara throws a sloppy head kick and Graham moves out of range easily.
Alacantara misses with a head kick.
Graham changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Alacantara turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Graham takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
A chopping leg kick lands by Alacantara.
Alacantara scores with a head kick. Graham tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Alacantara misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Graham.
Graham appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Graham swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Alacantara counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Alacantara fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Graham manages to avoid it.
And Graham tries to counter it with a takedown but Alacantara pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Graham cracks a nice hook into Alacantara's ribs.
Graham throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Graham has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Alacantara finds it's way round the side to connect with Graham's head.
Alacantara works Graham's body with a nice hook.
Alacantara scores with a kick to the midsection.
Aric Alacantara seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Good leg kick by Alacantara there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Graham walks into a straight right hand from Alacantara.
Alacantara misses with an uppercut. Graham saw that one coming.
And Graham tries to counter it with a takedown but Alacantara pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Alacantara misses with a body shot.
Graham changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Alacantara misses with a series of wild punches.
Graham tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Alacantara scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Alacantara throws a leg kick that is checked
letting Graham counter with a right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Graham misses with a hook. Alacantara ducked under it nicely.
Alacantara throws a shot to the body.
Alacantara misses with a body shot.
Alacantara swings away with a body shot that misses

and Graham counters with a single leg into guard. Alacantara didn't expect that.
Graham trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
We've been informed that Graham has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Graham is stalling in the full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Graham chips away with some ground and pound.
Graham preventing the sweep.
Alacantara is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Alacantara seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Graham does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Graham gets full guard.
Alacantara has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Graham not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Alacantara avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Graham 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.
Alacantara slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Graham tries to land a sweep but no joy.
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!

Graham is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Alacantara content to stall in guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aric Alacantara dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Graham gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Alacantara dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Alacantara - that will leave a mark!
Alacantara slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Alacantara throws a hook to the side of Graham's head but Graham sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Alacantara looks to score with a jab to the body but Graham is just out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alacantara pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A nice inside leg kick there by Alacantara. That's going to slow Graham down.
Alacantara feints and then cracks Graham's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Graham down.
Alacantara lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alacantara throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Graham uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Alacantara.
Graham dodges the punch combination from Alacantara.
Graham's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Alacantara lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Graham takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Graham uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Alacantara.
Alacantara throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Graham's head.
Alacantara takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
An inside leg kick lands from Alacantara.
Alacantara bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Graham displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Alacantara throws out the jab.
Alacantara will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Alacantara misses with a hook.
Aric Alacantara is winning the standup battle so far.
Alacantara lands a front kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Graham takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Alacantara lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Alacantara.
Alacantara scores with a head kick.
Graham misses with a wild body shot.
Alacantara is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Graham can do to turn this around?
Alacantara tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Graham was well out of range. Poor timing from Alacantara.
Graham uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Alacantara.
Alacantara plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Graham has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Alacantara.
Alacantara misses with a body shot.
And Graham tries to counter it with a takedown but Alacantara pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Graham jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Aric Alacantara is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Alacantara swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Aric Alacantara is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Some wild striking there from Alacantara.
Alacantara thuds his right hand into Graham's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Alacantara throws a jab when Graham was well out of range.
Alacantara plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Graham chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Alacantara can pounce on him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alacantara throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Graham is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Alacantara lands a nice looking body kick.
Alacantara misses with a body shot.
Graham throws a good cross that connects.
Graham has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Alacantara.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Alacantara turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Alacantara misses with a head kick.
Alacantara looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Alacantara misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Graham drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Alacantara defends it well.
Alacantara throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Alacantara takes one to the chin there.
Alacantara scoring well with a low kick there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aric Alacantara dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Alacantara's corner calls for a 1-2. Alacantara obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Alacantara lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Alacantara throws a right and a left that both miss.
Good exchange - Alacantara coming out on top.
Graham steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Alacantara.
Alacantara lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Alacantara looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
That kick from Alacantara tenderised Graham's leg. Graham is trying to keep his angry face on.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Graham tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Alacantara was well out of range. Poor timing from Graham.
Nice jab there from Alacantara.
Alacantara throws a wild body kick that Graham sees coming a mile off.
Graham feints the counter takedown.
Graham slips a jab and a cross from Alacantara.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alacantara ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
A nice inside leg kick there by Alacantara. That's going to slow Graham down.
Alacantara pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Alacantara misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Graham.
A looping hook to the body misses from Alacantara. Graham does a little dance to reset his feet.
Alacantara swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Alacantara blocks a jab.
Nice shot by Graham.
Alacantara throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Horrible takedown attempt by Graham or perhaps it was just good defense by Alacantara, which made it look bad.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alacantara misses with a head kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for Alacantara.
Graham uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Alacantara.
And Graham tries to counter it with a takedown but Alacantara pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Graham shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Alacantara sprawls well. Alacantara wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Graham gets slowly back to his feet.
Alacantara connects with a body shot.
Graham changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Alacantara throws a nice outside leg kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Graham looks for a takedown but Alacantara sprawls well.
Aric Alacantara has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Justin Graham.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Graham walks into a stiff left hand from Alacantara.
Alacantara lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Alacantara pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Alacantara tries a head kick but it misses.
Graham changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
A punch combination from Alacantara misses.
Alacantara will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Graham feints the counter takedown.
Graham throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Alacantara misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alacantara 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.
Alacantara lands a nice looking kick to the body. Graham takes a step back to recover.
Alacantara throws a nice head kick!
Graham displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Alacantara throws out the jab.
Graham with the counter takedown but Alacantara avoids it easily.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Alacantara.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Alacantara throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A slow jab from Alacantara misses its intended target.
Graham changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Alacantara misses the body punch
and Graham counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Alacantara misses with a jab, cross combination.
Graham with the counter takedown but Alacantara avoids it easily.
Justin Graham has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Graham takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aric Alacantara showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Alacantara, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 30:27
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aric Alacantara!
An intense looking Aric Alacantara took to the microphone post fight and gave a little speech: 'Respect to Justin and his team. Good luck to you in the future. I want a fight as soon as possible. '.