PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between aaron graf (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tyquan Durden (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). graf's entrance music is T.N,T,. A fine choice. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

graf
vs
Durden

200 cm
18
185 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

185 cm
19
195 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, aaron graf!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tyquan Durden!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Stewart Dunkirk and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Durden throws a good cross that connects.
graf looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!

Durden forces graf back against the cage and clinches.

Durden breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Durden shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Durden showed some decent athleticism there.
graf tries to get to full guard but Durden has control of the leg.
Durden not doing much here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
graf misses with some strikes from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Durden trying to pass the guard but graf defending well.
graf missing with punches from the bottom.
Durden slows the pace down in half guard.
Durden moves into side control, avoiding the strikes from graf.
graf throws a few strikes from the bottom but Durden takes advantage and mounts!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Durden controlling from the full mount.

Durden working for a submission but graf is keeping him at bay.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Durden controlling from the full mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Despite being in the dominant position, Tyquan Durden just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Durden tries to clinch up but graf circles away and keeps his distance.

Durden gets in close and instigates a clinch.
graf looking for a takedown.

Durden jumps guard.
Durden trying to control the position here.

Durden is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Durden lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Durden lands a hook that snaps the head of graf backwards.
Durden leaning against his opponent.

Durden breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
graf stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Durden.
A cross from Durden lands.
Durden scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
graf takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Durden throws a wild body kick that graf sees coming a mile off.
Both fighters circling a little - Durden finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
No joy there for Durden, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Durden shoots in and bounces graf off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tyquan Durden dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Durden has graf up against the cage in a clinch.
Durden prevents a takedown attempt there.

Durden breaks the clinch.

Durden drives through with a takedown into guard.
Durden passes graf's left leg - he's now in half guard.

graf is defending against the submission attempts here by Durden.
graf misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Durden is taking a breather. graf says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Durden wants to control but graf is keeping him busy.
Durden controlling the action here.
Durden blocks the strikes from graf.
graf really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Durden blocks the strikes from graf.
graf 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.
Durden blocks the strikes from graf.

That's two 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.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Durden gets a clinch.

Durden pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Durden darts in and clinches graf up against the cage.

Durden ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Durden no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Durden kicks graf off and gets to his feet.
graf takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Durden closes the distance and lands a one-two.
graf avoids a punch combination nicely.
Durden lands a head kick. graf smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
graf tries for a takedown but Durden circles away easily
and Durden counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
graf fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for aaron graf. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Durden darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
graf flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Durden blocks the strikes from graf.

Durden stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows graf to get to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
graf misses with a takedown attempt

and Durden counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for graf!
graf throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
graf swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Durden prevents graf from getting the reversal.
Durden blocks graf's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Durden controlling his opponent.
Durden trying to control but he's not successful this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tyquan Durden showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Durden tries for a takedown but graf circles away easily

and graf counters with a single leg into guard. Durden didn't expect that.
graf throws a strike but Durden rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
graf trying to strike off his back.
Durden must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
graf keeping moving, preventing Durden from controlling successfully.
graf tries to strike from the bottom.
graf throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
graf wants to sweep here but Durden controlling him for the moment.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Durden passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Durden slips into full mount, dodging the strikes by graf.
graf is desperately trying to improve his position but Durden has a good base and remains in mount.
Durden sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
graf keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

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.
graf is working hard here to advance position.
Durden lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Durden blocks graf's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
graf throwing hammer fists to the chest of Durden. What's that going to do exactly?
graf throwing hammer fists to the chest of Durden. What's that going to do exactly?
graf flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
graf throwing hammer fists to the chest of Durden. What's that going to do exactly?
graf 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.
graf wants to sweep but Durden has passed to side control!
graf tries to strike from the bottom but misses.
Durden blocks the strikes from graf.
Durden is looking to take a break and control but graf is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Durden is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
graf regains half guard.
aaron graf has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Durden is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, graf has managed to free his arm - good work.
graf punching from the bottom.
graf tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Durden wants to clinch but graf slips to the side

and graf counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Nice strikes from graf there.
Tyquan Durden is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Durden keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
aaron graf showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Durden has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 26:29
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 26:29
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 26:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tyquan Durden!