PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ernest Graves (ranked 4168 p4p, 447 weight class) and Costel Rohozeanu (ranked 3523 p4p, 388 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Graves
vs
Rohozeanu

172 cm
19
160 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

176 cm
23
150 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

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 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ernest Graves!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Costel Rohozeanu!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, Michael Johnstone and Winston Alpacca.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Graves throws out a loose jab but Rohozeanu uses good head movement to avoid it.
A jab from Graves misses.
We've been hearing reports that Graves has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Graves fails with a takedown attempt.
Graves swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Graves lands a jab to the nose.
Graves misses with a straight left.
Rohozeanu swings for the body but Graves moves out of range.
Graves scores with a jab. Rohozeanu acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Some wild striking there from Rohozeanu.
Graves throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Graves scores with a jab to the head.
Ernest Graves seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rohozeanu on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Graves waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rohozeanu.
Rohozeanu throws a big counter head kick but Graves avoids it with no problem.
Graves looks to throw the jab but Rohozeanu is out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rohozeanu swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Graves counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Rohozeanu closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Rohozeanu lands in his opponent's guard.
Graves looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rohozeanu is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Graves looking to control but Rohozeanu passes into half guard.
Rohozeanu prevents Graves from improving his position.
Graves regains full guard. Nicely done.

Graves is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Rohozeanu stopping the sweep attempt from Graves.
Rohozeanu postures up and lands a big shot to Graves's brow.
Graves looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rohozeanu is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rohozeanu landing with the ground and pound.

Graves working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rohozeanu doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Rohozeanu manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Rohozeanu must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Rohozeanu lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Rohozeanu lands a couple of elbows.
Graves manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Rohozeanu manages to get himself to full guard.

Graves is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Rohozeanu is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Rohozeanu has escaped and now he's on top!

Rohozeanu is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rohozeanu stopping the sweep attempt from Graves.
Rohozeanu is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Graves not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Rohozeanu trying to control the position from guard on top but Graves is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Graves is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Rohozeanu is aware though and is defending well.
We've been informed that Rohozeanu has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Graves looking for a sweep. Not yet Graves, not yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rohozeanu distracts Graves with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Graves manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Rohozeanu manages to get himself to full guard.

Graves wants to pass the guard but Rohozeanu is keeping the position.

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

Rohozeanu postures up.
Graves tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Rohozeanu content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Rohozeanu keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Graves's head.

Graves has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rohozeanu can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Rohozeanu drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Rohozeanu jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Rohozeanu stopping the sweep attempt from Graves.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ernest Graves will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Graves drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Rohozeanu keeping full guard, as Graves tries to pass.
Graves preventing the sweep.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rohozeanu pulls Graves in to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Graves content to stall in guard here.
Graves trying to control but Rohozeanu is working from the bottom.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rohozeanu tries to bum rush Graves with a series of wild strikes but Graves uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Rohozeanu gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Rohozeanu throws a body kick that misses.
Rohozeanu takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Rohozeanu steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Graves.
Rohozeanu appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Graves is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Graves throws a jab but it's blocked by Rohozeanu.
Rohozeanu throws a big shot that misses.
Graves moves into range and connects with a jab.
Rohozeanu throws a sloppy head kick
and Graves counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Rohozeanu throws a sloppy head kick and Graves moves out of range easily.
Rohozeanu waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Graves.
Ernest Graves is winning the standup battle so far.
Rohozeanu keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Graves.
Rohozeanu drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Graves defends it well.
Rohozeanu on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Graves avoids the head kick by Rohozeanu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rohozeanu uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Graves.
Rohozeanu blocks a jab.
Rohozeanu swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Rohozeanu swats away the attempt to clinch by Graves.
Rohozeanu throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rohozeanu throws a right hand that Graves ducks under and follows up with a left that Graves also avoids with ease.
Graves is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rohozeanu can do to turn this around?
Rohozeanu throws a head kick that Graves semi-blocks.
Graves jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Rohozeanu takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Costel Rohozeanu is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Graves keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Graves was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Graves fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rohozeanu manages to avoid it.
Rohozeanu tries to score with a low kick but Graves moves his leg out of the way.
A jab lands there for Rohozeanu.
Graves swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Rohozeanu moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Graves uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rohozeanu.
Graves looks to score with a jab to the body but Rohozeanu is just out of range.
Graves blocks a head kick by Rohozeanu.
Rohozeanu steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Graves.
Graves misses with a right hand
and Rohozeanu counters with a left and a right that stings Graves.
A swing and a miss from Graves.
Graves misses with a looping left.
Rohozeanu looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Rohozeanu ducks under a wild hook from Graves.
Rohozeanu misses with an uppercut. Graves saw that one coming.
Graves fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Graves enables Rohozeanu to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Graves manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Rohozeanu lands a couple of elbows.
Rohozeanu working some strikes from top position.
Graves looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rohozeanu is one step ahead there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rohozeanu trying to control but Graves is working from the bottom.
Graves lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Costel Rohozeanu has got the better of the ground game so far.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Rohozeanu holds on and takes a little breather.
Graves sitting in guard here, content to control.
Graves stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rohozeanu swivels though and keeps the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Ernest Graves will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Rohozeanu takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Rohozeanu thows a left - swing and a miss!
Graves swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Rohozeanu throws a right and a left that both miss.
Graves was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Rohozeanu rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Graves counters with a nice uppercut.
Graves lands with a nice body punch.
Graves tries to clinch but Rohozeanu is having none of it.
Graves works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Graves swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rohozeanu uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Graves.
Rohozeanu staying out of range there.
Rohozeanu misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Graves thuds a left hand into Rohozeanu's body.
Graves misses with an uppercut. Rohozeanu saw that one coming.
Graves misses with a body shot
and Graves takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sloppy strikes from Rohozeanu. Those never looked like landing.
A looping hook to the body misses from Graves. Rohozeanu does a little dance to reset his feet.
Rohozeanu looks like he wants to counter punch here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rohozeanu with a jab.
Rohozeanu uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Graves.
Graves looks to score with a jab to the body but Rohozeanu is just out of range.
Graves uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rohozeanu.
Graves jabs Rohozeanu to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Graves misses with a right hand
and Rohozeanu counters with a head kick. That will keep Graves thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Rohozeanu misses with a jab, cross combination.
Rohozeanu uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Graves.
Rohozeanu thuds a left hand into Graves's body.
Graves just misses with a punch to the body.
And Rohozeanu tries to counter it with a takedown but Graves pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Rohozeanu uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Graves.
Graves swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A head kick misses from Rohozeanu.
Graves misses with a body shot
letting Rohozeanu counter with a right hand.
Rohozeanu tries a head kick but it misses.
Rohozeanu slips under a jab from Graves.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Graves waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rohozeanu.
Graves throws a jab but it's blocked by Rohozeanu.
Rohozeanu takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Graves throws a body shot but no joy.
Rohozeanu throws a series of punches but Graves moves out of range.
A slow jab from Graves misses its intended target.
Graves misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rohozeanu.
Graves takes a swing at Rohozeanu's ribcage but misses.
Graves checks a low kick from Rohozeanu.
The fighters circling - Graves throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Sloppy strikes from Rohozeanu. Those never looked like landing.
Graves was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
The crowd cheers as Graves lands an impressive looking overhand right. Rohozeanu doesn't seem phased though.
Graves looks to land a right hand but Rohozeanu moved out of range.
Graves throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Graves swings widly with a right hand

and Rohozeanu counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Graves!
Graves tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Graves regains half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rohozeanu takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Rohozeanu lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Graves wants to get back to full guard but Rohozeanu has mounted him!
Graves is looking to get to half guard.
Rohozeanu cracks Graves with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Graves really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Rohozeanu working away from the top, dropping strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Graves taking shots to the head.
BOOM! Rohozeanu connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Rohozeanu postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Graves looks a forlorn figure.
Rohozeanu controlling the pace for now.
Costel Rohozeanu has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Graves takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Graves is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Graves is bucking up trying to escape but Rohozeanu cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Graves is trying desperately to improve position.
Rohozeanu scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Graves?

Graves is rocked!

And that's the end of the fight!
Costel Rohozeanu comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Graves 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 Dirk Anderson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 29:28
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ernest Graves!
Ernest Graves seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
Costel Rohozeanu spoke after the fight, saying 'Congratulations to my opponent. He was the better fighter tonight.'.