PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Devon Graves (ranked 2708 p4p, 24278 weight class) and Hubert Zoerner (ranked 330 p4p, 530 weight class). The key to victory for Devon Graves has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Graves
vs
Zoerner

190 cm
22
215
4 - 2 - 0

188 cm
23
220
4 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Brawler
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Devon Graves!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Hubert Zoerner!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Bruno Lombardi and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Graves paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Graves connects with a leg kick.
Nice straight punches there by Graves. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Graves.
Graves slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Graves is looking to slow Zoerner down with leg kicks.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Zoerner.
Nice body kick there by Graves.

Zoerner manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Graves on his heels. He'll look to pass Graves's guard now, I'm sure.
Zoerner wants to pass the guard but Graves is keeping the position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Graves is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Zoerner must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Zoerner stops Graves from standing up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zoerner showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Graves is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Zoerner won't allow Graves to sweep him here.
Zoerner looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
Zoerner passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Zoerner taking a breather here.
Graves tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Zoerner wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Graves can't do much from the bottom here.
Graves definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Zoerner controls the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Graves tries to get back to half guard but can't.
A bit of a lull in the action here.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Graves.
Graves throws a sloppy head kick

and Zoerner counters with a single leg into guard. Graves didn't expect that.
Graves is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Graves looking for a sweep. Not yet Graves, not yet.
Zoerner controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Graves trying to control the position.
Zoerner pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Graves is keeping the position for now.
Graves is trying to keep Zoerner in close.
Graves can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Zoerner controls the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Zoerner misses with a leg kick
and Graves counters with a nice kick to the body.
Graves throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Zoerner.
Zoerner has a takedown stuffed.
Zoerner shoots in but Graves avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Devon Graves has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hubert Zoerner.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Graves's corner calls for a 1-2. Graves obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zoerner is trying hard to land a takedown here. Graves sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Graves appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Zoerner chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Graves can pounce on him.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Devon Graves dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Jab from Graves.
Zoerner rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Graves moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A nice leg kick lands there from Graves.
Zoerner takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Graves cracks a nice hook into Zoerner's ribs.
Zoerner has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Graves.
Graves lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Zoerner circles away quickly and effectively.
Zoerner feints the counter takedown.
Graves stuns Zoerner with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Graves throws a nice head kick!

Graves moves into the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
A short left from Graves.
Zoerner managing to block the knees to the body from Graves.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Graves tries to throw a body punch but Zoerner avoids it by throwing Graves back against the cage.
Graves lands a nice uppercut.
Zoerner has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Graves is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Graves lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Graves looking to throw knees to the head but Zoerner is blocking nicely.
Graves lands with a light punch inside.
Graves misses with a punch on the inside.

Graves escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
No luck for Zoerner with that takedown attempt.
Graves appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

Zoerner throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Graves tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Zoerner is in Graves's guard.
Zoerner sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Graves is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Hubert Zoerner has got the better of the ground game so far.
Graves looking to hit a scissor sweep but Zoerner is one step ahead there.
Zoerner showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Zoerner works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Graves is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Zoerner can do to turn this around?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Graves wants to improve his position but Zoerner is controlling well.
Graves wants to get back to his feet.
We've been informed that Zoerner has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Graves regains full guard. Nicely done.
Zoerner showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Graves tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Zoerner wants to pass the guard but Graves is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Zoerner controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Devon Graves is winning the standup battle so far.
Graves fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Zoerner has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Zoerner takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Zoerner tries to move into range but Graves moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Zoerner tries to score a power double leg takedown but Graves sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Zoerner somewhat.
Devon Graves has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hubert Zoerner.
Zoerner swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Graves counters with a stiff right hand.
Zoerner misses with a double jab.
Zoerner takes one to the side of the head.
Graves lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Zoerner dodges the punch combination from Graves.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Devon Graves dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Graves misses with a wild body shot.

Graves gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Graves misses with the head strike.
Zoerner wants a takedown but no success here.
Graves misses with a short punch on the inside.
Graves is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Graves manages to break the clinch.
Zoerner gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Graves.
Graves throws a right and a left that both miss.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Graves fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Zoerner.
Zoerner fails with a takedown attempt.
Devon Graves has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hubert Zoerner.
A nice inside leg kick there by Graves. That's going to slow Zoerner down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good shot there by Graves.
A slapping leg kick lands for Graves.
Graves lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

Zoerner looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Graves can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Zoerner controls the pace.
Graves seems keen to control Zoerner's posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Graves 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.
Zoerner engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Graves working a defensive guard here.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Zoerner controls from within his opponent's guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zoerner jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Graves half committed to a counter leg kick.
Graves fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Zoerner shoots and misses
and Graves counters with a left to the body.
Graves darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Zoerner's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Graves connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Devon Graves seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Graves stuffs the takedown attempt from Zoerner. Zoerner gets slowly back to his feet.
Zoerner misses with an uppercut. Graves saw that one coming.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Zoerner crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Graves - the referee stops the clock and Zoerner gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Graves. Zoerner manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.

Graves instigates a clinch.
Zoerner is working for takedown but Graves is calmly controlling the position for now.
Graves gets through Zoerner's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Devon Graves is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Graves lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Graves breaks from the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zoerner stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Graves.
Graves misses with a wild combination.
Graves fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Good exchange - Graves coming out on top.
Graves moves into range and connects with a jab.
Graves fakes the leg kick and cracks Zoerner in the body.
Graves dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Zoerner. That did some damage!
Hubert Zoerner has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zoerner misses with a takedown
and Graves cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

And that's the end of the fight!
Devon 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 30:27
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 30:27

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