PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Gustav Graves (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexander Lara (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lara has chosen 'I Stand Alone' by Godsmack as his entrance music. 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.

Graves
vs
Lara

180 cm
22
161 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
20
160 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Nice elbows
Likes ground

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Gustav Graves!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alexander Lara!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Gwen Towbar and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Graves wants to clinch.
Graves closes this distance looking for a takedown but Lara circles away.
Lara dodges the punch combination from Graves.
Gustav Graves seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Graves is looking to clinch but Lara is avoiding it.
Graves looks for a takedown but Lara sprawls well.
Horrible takedown by Graves or perhaps it was just good defense by Lara which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gustav Graves. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Graves closes this distance looking for a takedown but Lara circles away.
Lara tries to clinch up.
Graves tries to clinch but Lara is having none of it.
Lara throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Graves.

Lara 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.
Graves tries to strike from the bottom.
Lara working some strikes from top position.
Lara must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Graves looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Graves bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Lara's guard.

Lara looking for a guillotine here but Graves defends easily.
Graves has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Lara is proving hard to escape from.
Graves is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Graves prevents Lara from getting back to his feet.
Lara avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Graves trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Lara is trying to control the position but Graves postures up.

Graves is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Graves drops back looking for a leg! Lara is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Lara manages to kick Graves off! Graves jumps back into Lara's guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Lara scores a takedown into full mount!
Lara controlling the pace for now.
Lara really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Graves. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Graves is in all sorts of trouble here.
Graves regains half guard.
Graves is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Lara's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Lara's back!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Graves is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Oooh a big shot gets through from Graves. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!

Lara defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Graves has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Lara has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!

Lara fending off the submission attempt from Graves.

Graves has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.

Lara defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Graves's arms.
Lara tries to escape but Graves has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lara is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Graves cracks Lara with a big shot to body and one to the head - really punishing Lara from the back mount here, looking to soften him up.

Graves is looking for the choke from the back position but Lara is controlling his hands well.
Graves struggling to land strikes to the head as Lara covers up.
Graves 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.
Lara wants to escape the position.

Lara is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Lara is in bad spot here.

Graves has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Lara has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!

Graves looking for the rear naked choke. And he's got it! Lara taps!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:54 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Gustav Graves!