PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Stepan Grachev (ranked 3294 p4p, 23347 weight class) and Alexander Lincoln (ranked 361 p4p, 543 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Grachev
vs
Lincoln

175 cm
24
165
2 - 1 - 0

180 cm
24
160
5 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

UnderGround Supplements

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Stepan Grachev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Alexander Lincoln !
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Chad Campbell and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Grachev misses with a low kick.
Grachev keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Lincoln dives in and grabs Grachev's left leg, looking for a takedown. Grachev pushes down on Lincoln 's head and hops out.
Grachev misses with a head kick.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Lincoln .
Stepan Grachev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexander Lincoln .
Grachev throws a chopping leg kick but Lincoln manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Lincoln shoots for a double leg takedown but Grachev sprawls well. He's pushed Lincoln 's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Grachev connects with a leg kick.
No luck for Lincoln with that takedown attempt.
A head kick from Grachev lands but Lincoln takes it in his stride.
Nice sprawl there from Grachev as Lincoln shoots in.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lincoln dives in for a single leg takedown but Grachev sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
The fight stays on the outside here - Grachev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Lincoln misses with a takedown attempt - Grachev sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Grachev clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lincoln lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Grachev backwards.
Grachev lands with a left to the head.
Lincoln misses with a body punch.
Grachev stalling.
Grachev displaying some good clinch control by pressing Lincoln up against the cage.

Lincoln 's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Grachev leaves Lincoln with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Lincoln fails with the takedown.
Alexander Lincoln seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Grachev closes the distance and pushes Lincoln back into the cage.
Lincoln has had enough of the clinch but Grachev keeps him there for the moment.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Grachev.
Grachev prevents a body shot from Lincoln .
Grachev is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Grachev throws a punch but it's blocked by Lincoln .
Grachev dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Lincoln .
Lincoln misses with a body punch.
Lincoln misses with some punches.
Lincoln tries to throw a body punch but Grachev avoids it by throwing Lincoln back against the cage.
Lincoln looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Lincoln gets through Grachev's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Grachev working aggressively here.
Lincoln lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Grachev swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Lincoln breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Lincoln fails to land the takedown.
Grachev misses with a body shot.
Lincoln slips a jab from Grachev.
Lincoln fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Grachev avoids it really well and circles away.
Lincoln is trying hard to land a takedown here. Grachev sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Grachev misses with a kick to the body.
Lincoln uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Grachev.
Lincoln swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Lincoln shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Grachev sprawls well. Grachev wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Lincoln gets slowly back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grachev thuds his right hand into Lincoln 's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Lincoln has a takedown stuffed.
Lincoln shoots in but Grachev avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Lincoln tries for a takedown but Grachev sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Grachev lands a nice leg kick that just misses Lincoln 's sensitive parts.

Lincoln bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Grachev manages to work his way to half guard, despite Lincoln 's best efforts.
Lincoln wants to pass the guard but Grachev is defending well.
Lincoln controlling the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grachev regains full guard. Nicely done.
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.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Grachev managing to control the position.

Grachev has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Lincoln has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A nice left hand lands by Grachev.
Lincoln has a couple of punches blocked by Grachev.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Stepan Grachev dominated that round.
That's time! Grachev's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Lincoln fails with a takedown attempt.
Lincoln closes the distance and clinches up with Grachev, looking for a takedown. Lincoln pushes Grachev against the cage but Grachev circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Lincoln slips a jab from Grachev.
Lincoln misses with a takedown
and Grachev counters with a left and a right that stings Lincoln .
Stepan Grachev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexander Lincoln .
Grachev thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Lincoln if he has to take too many more of those.
Lincoln looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Grachev is fending him off so far but Lincoln persists. Nope, Grachev circles away and we're back to standing.
Lincoln shoots in for a takedown but Grachev shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Grachev fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Lincoln has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Lincoln shoots in and drives through. Grachev sprawls well.
Lincoln shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Grachev pinned against the cage. Grachev gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Grachev lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Grachev rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Lincoln moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Grachev connects with a solid leg kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lincoln keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Grachev.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lincoln shoots in but no luck this time.
Grachev is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lincoln can do to turn this around?
Lincoln shoots in looking for a takedown. Grachev tries to sprawl out of it but Lincoln keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Grachev manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Nice uppercut lands for Grachev. That snapped Lincoln 's head back.
Grachev jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Grachev ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Lincoln shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Grachev as he jumps to the side.
Lincoln fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
A little feinted left hand from Grachev on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Grachev stuffs the takedown.
Grachev throwing a counter right hand but Lincoln manages to avoid it.
Grachev just misses with a punch to the body.
Grachev keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Grachev throws a looping overhand right but Lincoln ducks down to avoid it.
Lincoln changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Grachev tries to avoid it but Lincoln manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Grachev to the ground. Grachev escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Lincoln shoots in but Grachev avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Grachev stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Grachev wants it to stay on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lincoln takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Grachev moves in looking to clinch but Lincoln pushes him off.
Lincoln keeps the fight on the outside.
Lincoln keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Grachev ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Lincoln moves away.
Lincoln shapes to counter with a head kick.
Grachev scores with a crisp jab that stopped Lincoln in his tracks.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Grachev clinches with his opponent.
Grachev blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Still in the clinch, Lincoln scores with a nice short uppercut.
Grachev misses with a punch on the inside.

Lincoln pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A big right from Grachev misses.
Lincoln shoots in looking for a takedown. Grachev tries to sprawl out of it but Lincoln keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Grachev manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Lincoln shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Grachev as he avoids it easily.
Grachev swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Stepan Grachev is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Grachev tries to land a leg kick but Lincoln saw it coming and moves away.
A jab from Grachev finds it's way through Lincoln 's defenses.
Lincoln shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Grachev but Grachev pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lincoln has his takedown stuffed
and Grachev counters with a stiff right hand.
Stepan Grachev is winning the standup battle so far.
Lincoln shoots and misses
and Grachev counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Lincoln shoots in and drives through. Grachev sprawls well.
Lincoln is breathing heavily.
Lincoln fails with a takedown attempt.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Lincoln .
Grachev throws the kick towards the body but Lincoln avoids it.
Grachev scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Grachev goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Lincoln tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Grachev swivels and escapes.
Lincoln darts in looking for a takedown but Grachev gets double underhooks and turns Lincoln into the cage.
Lincoln shoots in but Grachev avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Grachev moves into range and connects with a jab.
Lincoln shoots in but Grachev avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lincoln changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Grachev tries to avoid it but Lincoln manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Grachev to the ground. Grachev escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Grachev stuffs the takedown.
Grachev connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lincoln shoots for a takedown but Grachev saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Grachev tries to counter by clinching up but Lincoln breaks away and moves out of range.
Lincoln changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Grachev tries to avoid it but Lincoln manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Grachev to the ground. Grachev escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Grachev has managed to clinch.
Grachev throws a head punch that misses.
Grachev lands a right hand that snaps the head of Lincoln backwards.
Grachev lands a right hand.
Lincoln tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Grachev's elbow.
A head punch on the inside from Lincoln fails to land.
Grachev misses with some punches.
Lincoln misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Lincoln breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Lincoln fails with the takedown.
Lincoln 's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Grachev connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Lincoln scrambles back to his feet.
Grachev misses the shot to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Stepan Grachev dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Lincoln changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Grachev tries to avoid it but Lincoln manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Grachev to the ground. Grachev escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
A little feinted left hand from Grachev on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Lincoln circles away from the clinch attempt.
Grachev defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Lincoln .
Lincoln shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A quick step to the side and Grachev tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Stepan Grachev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexander Lincoln .
Lincoln uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Grachev.
Lincoln looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Grachev swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Grachev lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Lincoln at a distance.
Lincoln slips a straight right by Grachev.
Grachev slaps away a takedown attempt from Lincoln , before circling back to the center of the mat.
Lincoln with a poor takedown
and Grachev counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Lincoln shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Grachev tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Lincoln manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Grachev throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Lincoln stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Lincoln shoots in but no luck this time.
Lincoln fails with a takedown attempt.
Lincoln takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nice uppercut lands for Grachev. That snapped Lincoln 's head back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grachev cracks a nice hook into Lincoln 's ribs.

Grachev has closed the distance and engaged Lincoln in a clinch.
Grachev struggles to land a body shot inside as Lincoln controls his hands.
Lincoln has had enough of the clinch but Grachev keeps him there for the moment.
Grachev lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Lincoln or not.
Grachev swings wildly with an uppercut but Lincoln uses good head movement to avoid it.
Lincoln being controlled against the cage.
Grachev misses with a punch on the inside.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Lincoln .
Lincoln lands a body shot in the clinch.
I was talking to Grachev's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Lincoln can't find room to land a body shot as Grachev controls the action.
Lincoln fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Grachev lands with a light punch inside.
Lincoln lands with a left to the head.
Lincoln misses with the head strike.

Grachev pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Alexander Lincoln has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lincoln tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Grachev defends well and Lincoln ends up having to push Grachev into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Lincoln swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Lincoln goes for a double leg but Grachev avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Grachev continues to drive forward.
Grachev lands with a slapping head kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lincoln shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Grachev sprawls well. Grachev wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Lincoln gets slowly back to his feet.
Lincoln shoots for a double leg takedown but Grachev sprawls well. He's pushed Lincoln 's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Grachev swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Grachev throws a jab when Lincoln was well out of range.
Grachev turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Grachev swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Lincoln closes this distance looking for a takedown but Grachev circles away.
Nice sprawl there from Grachev as Lincoln shoots in.
Grachev takes a swing at Lincoln 's ribcage but misses.
Grachev scores with a jab to the head.
Lincoln shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Grachev as he avoids it easily.
Lincoln gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Grachev.
Grachev connects with a good right hand that stumbles Lincoln . Lincoln circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Lincoln fails with a takedown attempt.
Stepan Grachev is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grachev lands an overhand right.
Lincoln shoots and misses
and Grachev counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Lincoln fails with a takedown attempt.
Grachev looks to land a body kick but Lincoln moved away.
Lincoln is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Grachev stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Grachev wants it to stay on the feet.
Grachev fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Lincoln has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Grachev keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Nice uppercut there from Grachev.
Grachev goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Grachev is looking to clinch.
Lincoln takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lincoln goes for a double leg but Grachev avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Grachev continues to drive forward.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lincoln will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A jab from Grachev finds it's way through Lincoln 's defenses.
Nice shot by Grachev.
Grachev smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Grachev scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Lincoln shoots in looking for a takedown but Grachev manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Lincoln 's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Grachev scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Grachev - that will leave a mark!
Lincoln takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Grachev pushes Lincoln away with a front kick.
Grachev throws a head kick that misses.
A chopping leg kick lands by Grachev.
Grachev throws out a powerful jab.
Lincoln just misses with a punch to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lincoln 's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Grachev connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Lincoln scrambles back to his feet.
Grachev with a nice calf kick.
Grachev darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Grachev throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Grachev getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

And that's the end of the fight!
Stepan Grachev showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Grachev has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Jorge Garcia scores the fight 30:25
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 30:25
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Stepan Grachev!