PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ernest Graves (ranked 857 p4p, 792 weight class) and Wasyl Plutov (ranked 114 p4p, 106 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Graves
vs
Plutov

172 cm
34
160
26 - 25 - 2

178 cm
39
155
30 - 21 - 1

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Altitude Clothing

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 26 - 25 - 2, fighting out of Tokyo, Ernest Graves!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 21 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Wasyl Plutov!
The judges for this bout are Ben Hemmingworth, Bruno Hogan and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Graves lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Plutov lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Graves swats away the attempt to clinch by Plutov.
Graves with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Plutov to score with a decent uppercut.
Graves wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Plutov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Graves lands with a cross.
Plutov closes the distance but Graves moves to the side
and Graves counters with a nice uppercut.
The fight stays on the outside here - Plutov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Plutov throws a big shot that misses.
Plutov moves forwards but Graves connects with a nice, crisp jab.
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!
Plutov throws a series of punches but Graves avoids them all with ease.
Plutov throws a left and a right that both miss

and Graves counters with a nice double leg into side control. Plutov won't be happy with that.

Plutov throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Plutov tries to clinch there but Graves circles away.
A jab from Graves misses.
Plutov connects with a high kick.

It looks like Ernest Graves has been cut.
Donk. Graves catches Plutov right on the button with a cross.
Graves scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Plutov throws a chopping leg kick but Graves manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
As Plutov looks to move away, Graves throws a big counter combo but Plutov just gets out of the way.
Graves avoids the head kick by Plutov.
Graves takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Graves misses with a wild combination.
As Graves backs off Plutov throws a huge counter combo but Graves manages to avoid it all.
Plutov lands with a slapping head kick.
Graves has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Tōshi in the buildup to the fight.
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!
Plutov wants to clinch.
Graves attempts a counter takedown but Plutov avoids it well and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Plutov scores with a jab to the body.
Graves connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

Graves feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Plutov wants to get back to his feet but Graves passes into half guard.

Plutov pushes Graves off looking to stand but Graves dives back in and keeps control.
Graves controlling the pace.
Graves wants to lay and pray for a moment but Plutov keeps working.
Graves working Plutov over with strikes.
Graves working over Plutov with some ground and pound. Plutov looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Plutov is trying to stand back up but Graves is controlling him
Graves landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Graves tries to pass the half guard into mount. Plutov knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Graves missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Graves wants to free his trapped foot but Plutov is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Plutov tries to kick Graves off but Graves keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Graves is keen to just control but Plutov is a slippery customer.
Graves tries to pass the half guard into mount. Plutov knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Graves wants to lay and pray for a moment but Plutov keeps working.
Plutov taking some punishment here, with Graves in his half guard.
Plutov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Graves throwing shots but Plutov is blocking nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Plutov is looking to escape.
Graves is looking to advance position but Plutov won't allow it.
Graves working over Plutov with some ground and pound. Plutov looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Plutov has one foot on Graves's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

Graves shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Plutov napping and manages to drive through into side control!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Graves trying to control the action but Plutov is working from the bottom.
Plutov is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Graves trying to control the action but Plutov is working from the bottom.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Plutov tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ernest Graves will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Ernest Graves's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A slapping body kick lands there for Plutov.
Graves uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Graves ducks under a wild hook from Plutov.
Plutov misses with a looping left.
Plutov tries to close the distance and clinch but Graves swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Graves misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Plutov.
Graves misses with a wild body shot.
Graves connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Plutov throws a lazy uppercut
enabling Graves to counter with a crisp jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Plutov drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Graves bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Plutov's head backwards.
Plutov throws a shot from downtown. Graves moves away and avoids it.
Plutov throws a body kick that misses
and Graves connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Plutov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Graves manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Plutov throws a body shot but no joy.
Plutov misses with a looping left.
It looked like Graves wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Wasyl Plutov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Plutov misses with a body shot.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Graves, as that shot connected.
Graves showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Plutov.
Plutov lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Plutov looks to land a right hand but Graves moved out of range.
A decent looking cross lands there for Graves.
Graves is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Graves dodges the punch combination from Plutov.
Graves misses with an uppercut. Plutov saw that one coming.
Plutov misses with a lunging right hand
and Plutov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Plutov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Graves.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Plutov stuffs the takedown.
Graves lands a nice shot that snaps Plutov's head back.
Wasyl Plutov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Plutov doesn't manage to clinch there - Graves circles away.
Plutov slips a jab from Graves.
Graves slips a jab from Plutov.
Graves is looking to counter punch.
Graves throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Plutov.
Plutov misses with a lunging right hand
and Graves counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Plutov just misses with a punch to the body.
Graves throwing a counter right hand but Plutov manages to avoid it.
Plutov scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Graves throws a right and a left that both miss.
As Graves backs off Plutov throws a huge counter combo but Graves manages to avoid it all.
A head kick misses from Plutov.
Graves attempts a counter takedown but Plutov avoids it well and moves away.
Plutov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Graves manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Graves avoids the head kick by Plutov.
Graves was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Plutov slips a straight right by Graves.
Wasyl Plutov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Plutov throws a right hand that misses
enabling Graves to counter with a crisp jab.
Plutov misses with a left hand
and Graves makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Plutov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Graves was well out of range. Poor timing from Plutov.
Graves feinted with a counter takedown.
Graves is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Plutov can do to turn this around?
A swing and a miss from Graves.
Graves 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.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Plutov lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Graves has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Graves and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
A jab from Plutov misses.
Plutov throws a right hand that Graves ducks under and follows up with a left that Graves also avoids with ease.
Graves appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Plutov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Graves.
Plutov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Plutov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Plutov throws a head kick that half lands.
Graves connects with a good right hand that stumbles Plutov. Plutov circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Plutov is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Graves throws a right hand that Plutov ducks under and follows up with a left that Plutov also avoids with ease.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Plutov misses with a double jab
and Graves counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Graves with a jab.
Graves moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Graves swats away the attempt to clinch by Plutov.
Plutov swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
enabling Graves to counter with a crisp jab.
Plutov misses the jab.
Jab by Graves.
Plutov tries to clinch
and Plutov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
The fight stays on the outside here - Plutov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Graves takes a shot to the body in his stride.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ernest Graves dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Ernest Graves's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Graves throws a big shot that misses.
Plutov looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

Plutov closes the distance and clinches.
Still in the clinch, Graves scores with a nice short uppercut.
Plutov takes a shot to the head.
Graves tries to score a body lock takedown but Plutov shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Plutov pushes Graves back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Plutov lands a nice uppercut.
Graves is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Plutov has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Graves presses Plutov against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Plutov looking to throw knees to the head but Graves is blocking nicely.

Graves pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Graves takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Graves takes a head kick and keeps coming.
A slow jab from Graves misses its intended target.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A decent looking cross lands there for Graves.
Plutov throws a series of punches but Graves moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Graves bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Plutov misses with a head kick.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Graves.
Graves connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

Graves throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Plutov was covering up waiting for the punch and Graves finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Graves advances position into side control!
Graves trying to control the action but Plutov is working from the bottom.
Graves working the ground and pound.
Plutov tries to escape but Graves is in control.
The strikes coming from Graves are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Graves 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Graves working the ground and pound but Plutov is defending the strikes.
Plutov is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Graves has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Plutov stops Graves from passing to mount.
Graves prevents Plutov from escaping the position.
Graves is looking to take a break and control but Plutov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Plutov pushes Graves away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Graves gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Graves taking a breather here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Plutov tries to escape but Graves is in control.
Graves is chipping away with strikes.
Plutov is pushing Graves's head away, looking to escape. Graves manages to hold on to the position though.
Graves wants to lay and pray for a moment but Plutov keeps working.
Ernest Graves overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Graves is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Plutov has escaped the position, nice work there.
Plutov stops Graves from passing to mount.
Plutov tries to escape but Graves is in control.

Plutov explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Graves scores with a body shot.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Graves.
Plutov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Graves manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Graves feinted with a counter takedown.
Plutov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
enabling Graves to counter with a crisp jab.
Plutov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Graves.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Plutov throws out a loose jab but Graves uses good head movement to avoid it.
Plutov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Plutov misses with a series of wild punches.
Graves attempts a counter takedown but Plutov avoids it well and moves away.
Graves smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Graves steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Plutov.
Plutov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Plutov misses with a double jab
and Graves counters with a left and a right that stings Plutov.
Wasyl Plutov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Plutov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Graves dives in for a single leg takedown but Plutov sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ernest Graves. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Plutov is trying to maintain a safe position but Graves gets an underhook and turns Plutov into the cage.
Ernest Graves is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Graves.
Graves takes an elbow to the temple.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ernest Graves showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Graves, 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 Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 30:27
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ernest Graves!
Ernest Graves seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.