PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Vasily Khrapov Jr (ranked 979 p4p, 994 weight class) and Terrance Graves (ranked 131 p4p, 132 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Khrapov Jr
vs
Graves

178 cm
26
175
6 - 3 - 0

182 cm
24
174
7 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

SynCity Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vasily Khrapov Jr!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Terrance Graves!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, James Atkins and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Khrapov Jr fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Graves manages to avoid it.
Graves with a hook.

It looks like Vasily Khrapov Jr has been cut.
Graves's coach down at FIGHT FOUNDERS (CA) was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Graves's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Khrapov Jr fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Graves steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Graves.
Vasily Khrapov Jr seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Graves misses with a body shot.
Khrapov Jr misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Graves.
Graves takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Khrapov Jr darts in looking for a takedown but Graves gets double underhooks and turns Khrapov Jr into the cage.
Khrapov Jr prevents a body shot from Graves.
Khrapov Jr stalling in the clinch but Graves improves position.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Graves.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Graves's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Khrapov Jr swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Graves counters with a thumping low kick.
Graves throws a low kick, looking for Khrapov Jr's leg but Khrapov Jr calmly moves out of range.
Khrapov Jr swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Graves misses with a low kick.
That kick from Graves tenderised Khrapov Jr's leg. Khrapov Jr is trying to keep his angry face on.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Graves throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Khrapov Jr dips to his left and cracks Graves with an uppercut!

Khrapov Jr shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Graves's guard.
Khrapov Jr is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Graves utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Khrapov Jr trying to control the position from guard on top but Graves is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Graves is pulling down on Khrapov Jr's head to control his posture.
Khrapov Jr with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khrapov Jr is looking to work some ground and pound but Graves has wrist control.
Khrapov Jr in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Graves looking to hit a scissor sweep but Khrapov Jr is one step ahead there.
Graves utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Graves preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Khrapov Jr throwing strikes from guard but Graves blocks nicely.
Khrapov Jr is looking to work some ground and pound but Graves has wrist control.
Khrapov Jr 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.
Khrapov Jr throwing strikes but missing.
Khrapov Jr postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khrapov Jr is looking to work some ground and pound but Graves has wrist control.
Graves looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
We've been hearing that Khrapov Jr has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Graves keeping moving, preventing Khrapov Jr from controlling successfully.
Khrapov Jr throws a big elbow that misses.
Graves wants to sweep here but Khrapov Jr controlling him for the moment.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

Graves gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Khrapov Jr to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Graves avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Graves preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Khrapov Jr is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Graves avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Khrapov Jr won't allow Graves to sweep him here.
Khrapov Jr lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Khrapov Jr working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Khrapov Jr trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Graves working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Khrapov Jr.
Graves keeping moving, preventing Khrapov Jr from controlling successfully.
Khrapov Jr with a flurry of punches that miss.
Khrapov Jr throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Graves works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Khrapov Jr accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Vasily Khrapov Jr dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Vasily Khrapov Jr's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Khrapov Jr on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Khrapov Jr lands with an uppercut that bounces Graves off the cage and back into range.
Khrapov Jr gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Khrapov Jr takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Khrapov Jr digs a good hook to Graves's body.
Khrapov Jr fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Graves on the side of the head.
Khrapov Jr fails in his attempt to clinch.
Khrapov Jr works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Khrapov Jr fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Graves avoids it really well and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Khrapov Jr is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Graves.
Graves connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Khrapov Jr's hands.
Graves throws a body kick that misses

and Khrapov Jr counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khrapov Jr trying to control the position from guard on top but Graves is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
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.

Khrapov Jr regains full guard. Nicely done.
Khrapov Jr is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Graves trying to control but Khrapov Jr is working from the bottom.
Khrapov Jr 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.
Graves lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Graves stopping the sweep attempt from Khrapov Jr.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khrapov Jr lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Graves controlling the position.
Graves looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Khrapov Jr postures up in Graves's guard and throws a big left but Graves blocks it.
Khrapov Jr postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Khrapov Jr wants to control from the top but Graves keeps moving.
Graves is trying to control the position but Khrapov Jr postures up.
Graves tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Khrapov Jr trying to control but Graves is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khrapov Jr scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Khrapov Jr throws a strike but Graves rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Graves slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Khrapov Jr is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Graves can do to turn this around?
Graves won't allow Khrapov Jr to sweep him here.
Graves stands up out of Khrapov Jr's guard for a moment - Khrapov Jr manages to land a nice upkick.
Graves wants to control from the top but Khrapov Jr keeps moving.
Khrapov Jr lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Khrapov Jr throws a strike but Graves rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Graves throws a big elbow that misses.
Graves looking to pass the guard.
Khrapov Jr wants to sweep but no luck.
Graves tries to free his leg and advance position but Khrapov Jr is retaining full guard.
Graves postures up in Khrapov Jr's guard and throws a big left but Khrapov Jr blocks it.
Graves trying to control the position from guard on top but Khrapov Jr is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Graves throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Khrapov Jr works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Khrapov Jr keeping moving, preventing Graves from controlling successfully.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Vasily Khrapov Jr will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Vasily Khrapov Jr's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Khrapov Jr connects with a crisp jab.
Graves pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Graves cracks Khrapov Jr with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Terrance Graves seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Graves pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Khrapov Jr is trying hard to land a takedown here. Graves sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Khrapov Jr lands with an uppercut that bounces Graves off the cage and back into range.
Graves ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Graves swats away the attempt to clinch by Khrapov Jr.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice body kick there by Graves.
Graves throws a wild body kick that Khrapov Jr sees coming a mile off.
Graves bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Khrapov Jr moves into the clinch successfully.
Khrapov Jr can't find room to land a body shot as Graves controls the action.
A short left from Graves.
Graves working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Khrapov Jr blocks an uppercut.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Graves creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Khrapov Jr misses with a hook from the clinch.
Graves throws a knee to the head but misses.
Khrapov Jr is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Graves works on Khrapov Jr's body with a couple of short punches.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Khrapov Jr blocks a body shot from Graves.
Graves struggles to land a body shot inside as Khrapov Jr controls his hands.
Graves goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Graves prevents the takedown attempt.
Terrance Graves has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Graves pushes Khrapov Jr back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Khrapov Jr turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Khrapov Jr manages to end up in side control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Graves manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Khrapov Jr misses with a head shot. Graves uses the momentum to regain guard.
Khrapov Jr is fighting to break Graves's control of his arms but Graves is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Graves utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Khrapov Jr accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Khrapov Jr throws an elbow that misses. Graves uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Khrapov Jr's guard. Nice move by Graves!

Khrapov Jr wants to sweep but no luck.
Vasily Khrapov Jr is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Graves sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Khrapov Jr is adopting a defensive guard.
Graves seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Graves stopping the sweep attempt from Khrapov Jr.
Khrapov Jr trying to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Khrapov Jr is pulling down on Graves's head. It's preventing any offense from Graves, at least for the moment.
Graves tries to free his leg and advance position but Khrapov Jr is retaining full guard.
Khrapov Jr is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Khrapov Jr paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Graves misses the jab.
The fighters circle momentarily. Graves darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

Vasily Khrapov Jr's cut is getting worse.
Khrapov Jr shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Graves but Graves pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A countering left hand to the body from Graves misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vasily Khrapov Jr. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The fighters circling - Graves throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

And that's the end of the fight!
Terrance Graves comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Khrapov Jr has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vasily Khrapov Jr!