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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Chaz Popizicki (ranked 927 p4p, 617 weight class) and Phil Graves (ranked 138 p4p, 90 weight class). Graves comes into a darkened arena with his song building. I Bring The Darkness. kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!
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| 182 cm
27
187
15 - 12 - 0 |
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185 cm
26
174
11 - 2 - 1 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin |
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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 15 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Chaz Popizicki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 2 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Phil Graves!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Dillan Fox and Steve Smith.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Popizicki closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
The fighters circling - Graves throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Popizicki avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A nice inside leg kick there by Graves. That's going to slow Popizicki down.
Graves pushes Popizicki up against the cage in a clinch.
Graves misses with a punch on the inside.
Graves is leaning against Popizicki and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Popizicki breaks the clinch.
Graves throws a hook but Popizicki avoids it easily.
Graves lands with a good body shot.
Graves is looking to clinch but Popizicki is avoiding it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Popizicki fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Popizicki definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Popizicki checks a low kick from Graves.
A jab from Popizicki misses.
Popizicki misses with a hook. Graves ducked under it nicely.
Graves moves out of range as Popizicki strikes.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Graves tests Popizicki's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Graves misses with a body kick.
Popizicki throws a hook but Graves avoids it easily.
Graves moves into range and connects with a jab.
Graves throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Graves throws a leg kick but Popizicki moved away.
Jab, jab by Graves - just one landing.
Phil Graves seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Graves misses the jab.
Nice body kick there by Graves.
Popizicki keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Graves buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Graves with the inside leg kick.
Popizicki bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Graves cracks Popizicki with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Graves's coach down at Berloga 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.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Graves is looking to land body kicks.
Popizicki attempts a counter takedown but Graves avoids it well and moves away.
Graves throws a looping overhand right but Popizicki ducks down to avoid it.
Popizicki appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
A jab from Popizicki misses.
Popizicki connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Graves's hands.
Graves uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Popizicki.
Popizicki takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Graves scores with a jab to the head.
Graves lands with a cross.
Popizicki throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Popizicki takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Graves ducks under a wild hook from Popizicki.
Graves is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Popizicki had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Graves lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Graves does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Popizicki's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Graves connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Popizicki scrambles back to his feet.
Popizicki moves forwards but Graves connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Popizicki shoots in looking for a takedown but Graves manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Popizicki's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Graves goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Graves moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Phil Graves is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Popizicki throws a predictable looking body shot
and Graves counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Popizicki misses with a looping right.
Popizicki throws a jab when Graves was well out of range.
Graves throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Graves feints and then cracks Popizicki's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Popizicki down.
Graves lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Graves. That's going to slow Popizicki down.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A good leg kick by Graves.
Good standup being displayed there by Popizicki as he connects with a hook.
Popizicki on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Graves ducks under a wild hook from Popizicki.
Popizicki throws a hook to the side of Graves's head but Graves sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Graves lands a front kick.
Graves throws a nice outside leg kick.
Popizicki throws a lazy right hand but Graves sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Graves uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Popizicki.
Graves misses with a wild body shot.
Popizicki slips a jab from Graves.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Graves fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Graves throws a push kick but Popizicki slaps the foot to one side.
Popizicki swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Graves.
Graves scores with a hook.
A shot to the liver by Graves. Beautiful body shot.
Popizicki tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Graves doesn't manage to clinch there - Popizicki circles away.
Graves throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Popizicki manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Graves on his heels. He'll look to pass Graves's guard now, I'm sure.
Popizicki controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Popizicki missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Graves has his hands on Popizicki's head, controlling the position.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Popizicki throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Graves works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Popizicki 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.
Graves wants to sweep here but Popizicki controlling him for the moment.
Graves has Popizicki pulled in close to control his posture.
Popizicki wants to control from the top but Graves keeps moving.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Graves keeping full guard, as Popizicki tries to pass.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Graves scores with a jab to the head.
Graves has closed the distance and engaged Popizicki in a clinch.
Graves softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Popizicki fails to pull guard.
Graves misses with a hook to the ribs.
Popizicki looking to stall.
Popizicki is trying to pull guard but Graves turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chaz Popizicki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Graves misses with a punch to the body.
Popizicki breaks from the clinch.
Popizicki takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Graves throws a lazy uppercut
and Popizicki counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Graves is pulling down on Popizicki's head to control his posture.
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.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Graves passes the guard and advances to mount!
Graves controlling the pace for now.
Popizicki tries to reverse the position but Graves maintains control.
Popizicki is working hard here to advance position.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Graves controlling his opponent.
Popizicki is in all sorts of trouble here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Phil Graves dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
Graves lands a nice looking kick to the body. Popizicki takes a step back to recover.
Popizicki misses with an uppercut
and Graves counters with a nice leg kick.
Graves blocks a jab.
Graves closes the distance and clinches.
Popizicki fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Popizicki blocks a body shot from Graves.
Popizicki blocks a body shot from Graves.
Popizicki wants to get back to striking at distance but Graves won't allow it.
Popizicki blocks an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Graves.
Graves goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Graves has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A short body shot lands from Graves as the two fighters clinch.
Popizicki tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Graves's elbow.
Graves fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Graves stops a takedown attempt from Popizicki.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Graves lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Popizicki can't break the clinch.
Graves misses with a punch to the body.
Graves misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Popizicki escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Popizicki displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Graves throws out the jab.
Popizicki checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Popizicki tries to counter with a takedown but Graves is quick to defend against it.
Popizicki blocks a head kick by Graves.
Popizicki changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Graves tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Popizicki was well out of range. Poor timing from Graves.
Popizicki is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
A decent looking cross lands there for Graves.
Popizicki throws a jab when Graves was well out of range.
Popizicki slips under a jab from Graves.
Popizicki is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Graves misses with a body kick.
Popizicki bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Popizicki appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Graves throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Graves misses with a wild body shot.
Popizicki attempts a counter takedown but Graves avoids it well and moves away.
Popizicki misses with a wild body shot.
Popizicki moves out of range as Graves throws a body kick.
Graves throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Graves.
Popizicki keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Popizicki feinted with a counter takedown.
Phil Graves seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Popizicki throws a jab when Graves was well out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Graves throws a hook but Popizicki blocks it.
Graves throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Popizicki decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Graves's guard.
Popizicki showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Popizicki loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Popizicki is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Popizicki wants to control from the top but Graves keeps moving.
Popizicki stands up over Graves, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Chaz Popizicki overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Popizicki throwing strikes from guard but Graves blocks nicely.
Graves is trying to control the position from the bottom.
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.
Popizicki trying to control the position from guard on top but Graves is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Graves fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Popizicki manages to avoid it.
Graves throws a half hearted mid kick.
Popizicki attempts a counter takedown but Graves avoids it well and moves away.
Graves misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Popizicki.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Graves.
Graves lands a leg kick that knocks Popizicki off balance momentarily.
Popizicki ducks under a wild hook from Graves.
Popizicki connects with a right hand. Graves shakes it off.
Graves lands a front kick.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Graves slips under a jab from Popizicki.
Graves throws a body kick that misses.
Popizicki avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
The fighters circling - Popizicki throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Graves only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Popizicki throws an off balance right hand
and Graves counters with a thumping low kick.
Graves dips to his left and cracks Popizicki with an uppercut!
Popizicki will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Popizicki rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Graves counters with a nice leg kick.
A slapping body kick lands there for Graves.
Popizicki ducks under a wild hook from Graves.
Graves moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
No joy there for Graves, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Graves lands a lovely overhand right.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Popizicki darts in looking for a takedown but Graves gets double underhooks and turns Popizicki into the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chaz Popizicki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
This has been an exciting period of action!
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Popizicki.
Graves lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Graves misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Popizicki jumps guard but Graves stands there with Popizicki around his waist. Popizicki gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Graves misses with a hook from the clinch.
Graves lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Graves tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Popizicki's elbow.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Graves.
Phil Graves seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Popizicki blocking some punches.
Graves scores with a hook to the body.
Graves lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Graves struggles to land a body shot inside as Popizicki controls his hands.
Graves misses with a hook to the ribs.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Graves swings wildly with an uppercut but Popizicki uses good head movement to avoid it.
Graves presses Popizicki against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Graves prevents the takedown attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Popizicki tries to pull guard but Graves forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Good body shot from Graves.
Popizicki wants to get back to striking at distance but Graves won't allow it.
Graves's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Graves bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Graves cracks Popizicki with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Graves throws a lazy body kick
so Popizicki counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Graves looking for a sweep. Not yet Graves, not yet.
Graves pulls Popizicki in close to prevent any damage.
Graves looking for a sweep. Not yet Graves, not yet.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Popizicki trying to control the position from guard on top but Graves is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Graves pulls Popizicki in to control the position.
Graves is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Popizicki on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Popizicki loads up on a big right hand but Graves slips the punch.
Graves swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Graves keeps Popizicki at a distance using the push kick.
Graves lands a really nice looking cross but Popizicki seems unphased.
Graves closes the distance and pushes Popizicki back into the cage.
Popizicki blocks a body shot from Graves.
Graves tries to throw a body punch but Popizicki avoids it by throwing Graves back against the cage.
Popizicki blocks an uppercut.
A nice left hand lands by Graves.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Graves.
Popizicki pulls guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Graves content to stall in guard here.
Graves must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Graves postures up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Phil Graves showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!
Graves throws a leg kick
and Popizicki counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Graves tries to roll over but Popizicki keeps him under control.
Popizicki is trying to control. Graves wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Popizicki content to control rather than advance.
Popizicki is working for a kimura but Graves is defending it quite comfortably.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Popizicki prevents Graves from improving his position.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Graves is still trying to improve position.
Graves is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Popizicki keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Graves lands a jab.
Popizicki chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Graves can pounce on him.
Popizicki fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Graves throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Graves lands a nice looking kick to the body. Popizicki takes a step back to recover.
Popizicki is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Graves with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Popizicki to score with a decent uppercut.
Graves scores with a jab to the body.
Popizicki looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Popizicki tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Graves was well out of range. Poor timing from Popizicki.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Popizicki scores with a jab to the head.
Popizicki blocks a jab.
An inside leg kick lands from Graves.
Graves slips a jab from Popizicki.
Graves throws a leg kick which misses Popizicki's front leg but catches the back leg as Popizicki tries to avoid it.
Popizicki shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Graves defends it nicely.
A countering left hand to the body from Graves misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A combination from Graves does no damage.
Graves looks to score with a jab to the body but Popizicki is just out of range.
Popizicki feinted with a counter takedown.
Popizicki takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Popizicki just misses with a punch to the body.
A nice side step and Graves releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
A slapping leg kick lands for Graves.
Popizicki checks the leg kick.
Graves missing with a left hand there. Popizicki was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Graves lands the left hand.
Popizicki misses with a straight left.
Graves throws a good cross that connects.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Graves swings for the body but Popizicki moves out of range.
Popizicki throws a hook but Graves avoids it easily.
Graves throws a hook to the side of Popizicki's head but Popizicki sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Popizicki slips a jab from Graves.
Popizicki appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Phil Graves is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Graves throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
A low kick from Graves misses
and Popizicki counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Popizicki is looking to work some ground and pound but Graves has wrist control.
Popizicki wants to control from the top but Graves keeps moving.
Popizicki postures up in Graves's guard and throws a big left but Graves blocks it.
Graves looking to hit a scissor sweep but Popizicki is one step ahead there.
Popizicki wants to pass the guard but Graves is keeping the position.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
Graves looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Popizicki puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Popizicki missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Popizicki thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Graves's head.
Popizicki is looking to pass Graves's guard but actually Graves recovers to full guard.
Graves trying to control the position.
Popizicki 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.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Graves lands with a hook. Popizicki tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Popizicki lands a jab-cross combination.
Popizicki misses with a double jab.
Chaz Popizicki has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Popizicki swats away the attempt to clinch by Graves.
Popizicki attempts a counter takedown but Graves avoids it well and moves away.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Popizicki keeps the fight on the outside.
Graves throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Popizicki missing with a left hand there. Graves was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Graves closes the distance and pushes Popizicki back into the cage.
Popizicki is looking for a takedown.
Popizicki is trying to drag Graves to the mat but Graves just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chaz Popizicki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Graves misses with a body punch.
Graves tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Graves misses with a punch to the body.
Graves working aggressively here.
Popizicki blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Graves lands with a short punch from the clinch.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Popizicki breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Graves paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Graves swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Graves lands a nice hook to Popizicki's body. Popizicki takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Popizicki throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Graves misses with a low kick.
Popizicki takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Popizicki pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Popizicki misses the jab.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Popizicki fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Graves sprawls well initially but Popizicki persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Graves is holding on to half guard well.
And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Phil Graves.
I've got Graves winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 William Peck scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 27:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Phil Graves!
After winning the bout, Phil Graves thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.
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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
48% |
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