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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Zaid Al Balushi (ranked 17 p4p, 32 weight class) and Ernest Graves (ranked 3 p4p, 5 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!
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| 180 cm
33
155
20 - 5 - 1 |
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172 cm
37
160
36 - 28 - 2 |
Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible |
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BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Zaid Al Balushi!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 36 - 28 - 2, fighting out of Tokyo, Ernest Graves!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Yukihiro Shimada and Yasuomi Hirokawa.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A slow jab from Graves misses its intended target.
Graves misses with a takedown attempt - Al Balushi sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Al Balushi throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Graves closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Al Balushi quickly recovers to half guard.
Graves throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Al Balushi to regain full guard.
Al Balushi looking to hit a scissor sweep but Graves is one step ahead there.
Graves postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Al Balushi avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Graves tries to free his leg and advance position but Al Balushi is retaining full guard.
Graves trying to control the position from guard on top but Al Balushi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Graves stopping the sweep attempt from Al Balushi.
Graves looking to pass the guard.
Graves is looking to advance position but Al Balushi has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Graves can't escape the position.
Graves keeps trying to improve his position.
Graves is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Balushi tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Graves tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Graves sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Graves moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Graves looking to hit a scissor sweep but Al Balushi is one step ahead there.
Al Balushi has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Graves is looking for a triangle but Al Balushi pushes his legs off easily.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Graves is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Al Balushi is aware though and is defending well.
Graves wants to sweep but no luck.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Graves is looking for a triangle but Al Balushi pushes his legs off easily.
Graves wants to improve his position but instead Al Balushi has moved into half guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Graves is looking for a sweep. Al Balushi is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Al Balushi takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Graves makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Graves.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Graves is on top in guard.
Graves looking to pass the guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Al Balushi controlling the position.
Graves trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Ernest Graves dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
Al Balushi displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Graves throws out the jab.
Al Balushi thows a leg kick but Graves checks it
and Graves counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Graves.
Graves trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Al Balushi wants to sweep here but Graves controlling him for the moment.
Graves throws a big right hand that misses.
Graves wants to control from the top but Al Balushi keeps moving.
Graves trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Graves trying to control the position from guard on top but Al Balushi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Graves postures up.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Graves throws a big elbow that misses.
Graves lands a couple of digs.
Al Balushi working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Graves.
Graves looking to pass the guard.
Graves trying to control but Al Balushi is working from the bottom.
Graves throwing strikes from guard but Al Balushi blocks nicely.
Graves wants to control from the top but Al Balushi keeps moving.
Graves throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Al Balushi works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Graves trying to move into half guard but instead Al Balushi has managed to sweep!
Graves is looking to sweep but instead, Al Balushi has passed into half guard.
Graves manages to get to full guard.
Graves working a defensive guard here.
Graves lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
Graves cracks Al Balushi with a solid left hand.
Graves trying to control but Al Balushi is working from the bottom.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Graves trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Graves is looking to work some ground and pound but Al Balushi has wrist control.
Graves wants to pass the guard but Al Balushi is keeping the position.
Graves throws a strike but Al Balushi rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Al Balushi preventing the sweep.
Graves is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Graves stalling away here and it's allowed Al Balushi to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Graves with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Graves wants to pass the guard but Al Balushi is keeping the position.
Ernest Graves has got the better of the ground game so far.
Graves is pushing down on Al Balushi's leg trying to pass to half guard. Al Balushi is fighting to maintain full guard but Graves has managed to sneak the leg through.
Graves content to control rather than advance.
Graves misses with a head shot. Al Balushi uses the momentum to regain guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Graves wants to control from the top but Al Balushi keeps moving.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Ernest Graves showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!
Graves blocks a low kick nicely.
Graves throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Al Balushi looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Al Balushi changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Al Balushi misses with a left hand
and Graves counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A solid leg kick lands there for Al Balushi.
Al Balushi blocks a jab.
Graves looks to throw the jab but Al Balushi is out of range.
It looked like Al Balushi wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Graves misses with a body shot.
Graves shoots in for a double leg but Al Balushi sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Al Balushi scores with a leg kick.
Graves lands the left hand.
Graves ducks under a wild hook from Al Balushi.
Graves has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Graves misses with a few strikes there.
Graves will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Al Balushi misses with a low kick as Graves jumps back.
Al Balushi throws the left hand but Graves avoids the punch easily.
Graves shoots for a double leg takedown but Al Balushi sprawls well. He's pushed Graves's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Graves takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Graves ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Al Balushi moves away.
Graves throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Al Balushi misses with a leg kick.
Graves swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Graves displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Al Balushi throws out the jab.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Balushi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Graves.
Graves scores with a jab to the body.
Graves ducks under a wild hook from Al Balushi.
Graves lands a glancing blow to the side of Al Balushi's head.
Al Balushi tries to work over Graves's front leg with a kick but Graves checks it.
Graves looks to throw the jab but Al Balushi is out of range.
Al Balushi misses with a body kick.
Al Balushi throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Graves swings for the body but Al Balushi moves out of range.
Al Balushi fires out a quick counter leg kick but Graves just manages to avoid it.
Graves scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Zaid Al Balushi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Graves ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Al Balushi moves away.
Graves lunges at Al Balushi with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Al Balushi's hand.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Balushi goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
A combination from Graves does no damage.
A quick step to the side and Al Balushi tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Graves avoids the body shot from Al Balushi.
Graves looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Al Balushi is fending him off so far but Graves persists. Nope, Al Balushi circles away and we're back to standing.
Zaid Al Balushi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ernest Graves.
Graves throws a looping overhand right but Al Balushi ducks down to avoid it.
Al Balushi throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
A looping hook to the body misses from Graves. Al Balushi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Graves swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Al Balushi counters with a stiff right hand.
Al Balushi moves away from the strike by Graves.
Graves defending well as Al Balushi loads up on a big left hand.
Graves misses with a wild body shot.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Graves pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Graves scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
A shot to the body from Graves misses
and Al Balushi counters with a nice kick to the body.
Al Balushi on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Graves doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Al Balushi counters with a body kick.
Graves throws a hook but Al Balushi blocks it.
Al Balushi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Graves.
Al Balushi slips under a jab from Graves.
A low kick lands for Al Balushi.
Ernest Graves seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Graves swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Graves takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
A close third round but Ernest Graves just about did enough to take it.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.
Graves throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Al Balushi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Graves just misses with a punch to the body.
Ernest Graves seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Al Balushi thumps Graves with a low kick.
Graves darts in looking for a takedown but Al Balushi gets double underhooks and turns Graves into the cage.
Al Balushi quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Graves keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Al Balushi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Graves.
Graves throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Al Balushi counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Graves pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Graves throws a big shot that misses.
Graves connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Al Balushi momentarily.
Al Balushi throws a leg kick which misses Graves's front leg but catches the back leg as Graves tries to avoid it.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Balushi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Graves.
A punch lands to the side of Al Balushi 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Graves shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Al Balushi but Al Balushi pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Al Balushi throws a body kick that misses.
Graves throws a hook but Al Balushi avoids it easily.
An attempted straight right counter from Al Balushi misses the target.
Al Balushi throws a big shot that misses.
Graves changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Graves connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Al Balushi momentarily.
Al Balushi takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Graves swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Al Balushi appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Al Balushi throws a leg kick but Graves checks it.
Graves misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Al Balushi.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Balushi keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Graves.
Graves misses with a shot to the body
and Al Balushi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Al Balushi tries to move into range but Graves moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Al Balushi jabs Graves to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Graves shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Zaid Al Balushi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ernest Graves.
Graves misses with an uppercut. Al Balushi saw that one coming.
A little feinted left hand from Al Balushi on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Graves connects with a crisp jab.
Graves lands a slapping body shot.
Al Balushi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
As Al Balushi backs off Graves throws a huge counter combo but Al Balushi manages to avoid it all.
Graves takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Al Balushi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Balushi moves out of range as Graves strikes.
Al Balushi looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
The fighters circle momentarily. Graves darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Al Balushi throws a leg kick which misses Graves's front leg but catches the back leg as Graves tries to avoid it.
Graves digs a good hook to Al Balushi's body.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Graves crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Al Balushi - the referee stops the clock and Graves gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Al Balushi. Graves manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Graves tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Al Balushi defends well and Graves ends up having to push Al Balushi into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Al Balushi tries to score with a low kick but Graves moves his leg out of the way.
Al Balushi misses with a low kick.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Graves, as that shot connected.
Al Balushi connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Al Balushi gets caught napping as Graves dives in and scores a takedown. Al Balushi manages to retain guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Al Balushi working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Graves.
Graves pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Al Balushi is keeping the position for now.
Graves connects with a couple of short punches.
Graves wants to pass the guard but Al Balushi is keeping the position.
Al Balushi preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Ernest Graves dominated that fourth 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!
Al Balushi throws a lazy right hand but Graves sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Al Balushi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Al Balushi misses with the combination.
Al Balushi scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Graves swings widly with a right hand
and Al Balushi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Graves fails with the takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Graves shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Al Balushi sprawls well. Al Balushi wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Graves gets slowly back to his feet.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Balushi throws a low kick but it's checked well by Graves.
Al Balushi tries to land a leg kick but Graves saw it coming and moves away.
Graves pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Al Balushi misses with a looping right.
Graves throws a series of punches but Al Balushi moves out of range.
Al Balushi throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Graves counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Al Balushi throws a low kick but Graves avoids it.
Graves misses with a jab to the body
and Al Balushi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Graves misses with a straight right.
Nice defenses there by Al Balushi.
As Graves backs away, Al Balushi returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Graves waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Al Balushi.
A quick step to the side and Al Balushi tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Zaid Al Balushi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Graves misses with an uppercut.
Graves scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Graves swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
letting Al Balushi counter with a right hand.
A looping hook to the body misses from Graves. Al Balushi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Graves throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Al Balushi looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Al Balushi lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Al Balushi throws a right hand that Graves ducks under and follows up with a left that Graves also avoids with ease.
Al Balushi walks into a left hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Al Balushi thumps Graves with a low kick.
Al Balushi 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.
A telegraphed right hand from Graves misses the target.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Balushi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Graves.
Graves throws an off balance right hand
and Al Balushi counters with a nice leg kick.
Al Balushi tests Graves's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Graves's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Al Balushi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Graves.
Al Balushi lands a nice leg kick that just misses Graves's sensitive parts.
Graves scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Al Balushi thuds his right hand into Graves's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Graves swings for the body but Al Balushi moves out of range.
A jab from Graves finds it's way through Al Balushi's defenses.
Graves will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Zaid Al Balushi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ernest Graves.
Graves misses with a right hand
enabling Al Balushi to counter with a crisp jab.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Balushi misses with a leg kick.
Graves will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Graves fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Al Balushi misses with a straight right.
Graves throws out a counter right but Al Balushi avoids it with no problem.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Graves throws a body punch but Al Balushi moves out of range.
A little feinted left hand from Al Balushi on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Graves dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Graves misses the shot to the body.
Al Balushi looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Graves misses with a looping right.
Graves takes one to the chin there.
Graves shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Al Balushi as he jumps to the side.
And that's the end of the fight!
Zaid Al Balushi showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Graves has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 46:49
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 46:49
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 46:49
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ernest Graves!
Ernest Graves is the new lightweight champion!
A very excited looking Ernest Graves made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
44% |
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