PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Nate Masvidal (ranked 3732 p4p, 389 weight class) and Christopher Graves (ranked 3106 p4p, 353 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Masvidal
vs
Graves

188 cm
19
185 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

188 cm
19
195 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin

Threads of HARDCORE

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Nate Masvidal!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Christopher Graves !
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Dillan Fox and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Masvidal slips under a jab.
Masvidal looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Masvidal doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Graves counters with a straight right hand.
Masvidal throws a shot from downtown. Graves moves away and avoids it.
Graves doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Jab, jab by Graves - just one landing.
A jab from Masvidal misses.
Graves uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Masvidal.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Graves ! But no joy.
Masvidal moves away from the strike by Graves .
Masvidal shoots in but Graves avoids the takedown attempt easily.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Graves has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Graves throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Graves defending well as Masvidal loads up on a big left hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Masvidal walks into a jab.
Graves tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Masvidal was well out of range. Poor timing from Graves .
Graves lands a nice shot that snaps Masvidal's head back.
Masvidal misses with a hook.
Graves bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Masvidal's head backwards.
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 throws a big shot that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Masvidal misses with an uppercut
and Graves counters with a left and a right that stings Masvidal.
Masvidal slips under a jab from Graves .
The fighters circling - Masvidal throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Graves takes a swing at Masvidal's ribcage but misses.
A big right from Masvidal misses.
Graves looks to score with a jab to the body but Masvidal is just out of range.
Masvidal throws out a powerful jab.
Graves walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Masvidal scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Masvidal is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Masvidal moves out of range of the strikes.
Masvidal was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Masvidal misses with a lunging right hand
letting Graves counter with a right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Graves misses with a combination
and Masvidal cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Graves swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Graves shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Graves was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Graves controlling the position.
Masvidal tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Masvidal sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Graves throwing shots but Masvidal is blocking nicely.
Masvidal is refusing to be controlled, as Graves sits in half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Masvidal is trying to maintain the position but Graves is very close to passing his half guard.
Masvidal moves into full guard.
Masvidal working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Graves .

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Graves throws a big right hand that misses.
Graves being controlled here momentarily.
Graves is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Graves wants to control from the top but Masvidal keeps moving.
Masvidal is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Graves is looking to work some ground and pound but Masvidal has wrist control.
Masvidal is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Graves stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Masvidal swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Masvidal preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Graves wants to control from the top but Masvidal keeps moving.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Masvidal bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Graves tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Masvidal paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Masvidal takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Masvidal takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Masvidal misses with a right hand
and Graves counters with a stiff right hand.
Graves misses with the combination.
Graves misses with a wild body shot.
Graves misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Masvidal counters with a series of strikes. Graves will be more careful next time no doubt.
Graves is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

Graves is rocked!
Graves is wiping some vaseline out of his eye. Masvidal doesn't give a rats ass about fair play and cracks him with a massive hook to the side of the head! Graves crumples to the floor out cold! The cornerman is going to be in Graves 's bad books for that mishap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Nate Masvidal!