PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Thomas Bolleke (ranked 2064 p4p, 1291 weight class) and Misak Grigorian (ranked 275 p4p, 185 weight class). 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.

Bolleke
vs
Grigorian

195 cm
40
205
33 - 22 - 2

193 cm
28
216
11 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter

Northern Zombie
Shadow Realm Apparel

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 33 - 22 - 2, fighting out of Sydney, Thomas Bolleke!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Misak Grigorian!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Jack Bonds and Percy O'Donnell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Grigorian dives in for a single leg takedown but Bolleke sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Bolleke closes the distance and pushes Grigorian back into the cage.
I was talking to Bolleke's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.

Grigorian breaks the clinch.
Bolleke tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Grigorian manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Grigorian unleashes a big counter combination but Bolleke bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.

Grigorian shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Grigorian was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Bolleke sneaks out the side door and pushes Grigorian away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Grigorian circles away from the clinch attempt.
Grigorian shoots in for a takedown but Bolleke shows good takedown defense.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Bolleke gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Bolleke misses with a hook from the clinch.
Grigorian jumps guard but Bolleke turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Thomas Bolleke has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Misak Grigorian.
Bolleke lands a left hand.
Bolleke swings wildly with an uppercut but Grigorian uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bolleke working aggressively here.
Grigorian jumps guard but Bolleke turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Grigorian tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bolleke misses with a short punch on the inside.
Bolleke misses with a punch on the inside.
We've been informed that Grigorian has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
A head punch on the inside from Bolleke fails to land.
Bolleke working aggressively here.
Bolleke tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Grigorian breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bolleke wants to clinch.

Grigorian pushes Bolleke up against the cage in a clinch.
Bolleke working aggressively here.
Grigorian blocks an uppercut.
Bolleke throws a head punch that misses.
Grigorian lands a shoulder strike.
Grigorian blocking some punches.
Bolleke lands a nice uppercut.
Bolleke misses with the head strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grigorian throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
A head punch on the inside from Bolleke fails to land.

Grigorian breaks the clinch.
Bolleke looks to clinch
and Grigorian counters with a straight right hand.

Bolleke moves into the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Grigorian is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Bolleke pulls him back up using the underhooks.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Grigorian.
Bolleke swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Bolleke misses with a hook from the clinch.
Bolleke misses with some punches.
Bolleke swings wildly with an uppercut but Grigorian uses good head movement to avoid it.

Grigorian gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Grigorian wants to take a breather but Bolleke is having none of it.

Bolleke has one foot on Grigorian's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Grigorian keeps the fight on the outside.
Bolleke avoids the head kick by Grigorian.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bolleke rushes Grigorian and presses him up against the cage.
Bolleke stops a takedown attempt from Grigorian.
Bolleke tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Grigorian is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Bolleke to keep the fight standing.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Grigorian.
Bolleke throws a punch but it's blocked by Grigorian.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Grigorian.
Bolleke fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Grigorian breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Bolleke closes the distance and clinches.
Bolleke scores with a shoulder strike.
Grigorian blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Grigorian breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bolleke is looking to clinch.
Grigorian looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Bolleke enables Grigorian to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Bolleke manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Grigorian is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grigorian trying to control the position from guard on top but Bolleke is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Grigorian controlling from the top position.

Grigorian has gone for a leg lock! Bolleke slips out almost immediately though and dives into Grigorian's guard.

Grigorian trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Bolleke dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Grigorian avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Bolleke tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Grigorian with the counter takedown but Bolleke avoids it easily.
Bolleke tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Bolleke gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Bolleke softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Bolleke lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Grigorian tries for a takedown but Bolleke manages to get underhooks.
Bolleke lands a shoulder strike.
Grigorian is looking to take this one to the mat.
Bolleke throws a head punch that misses.
Bolleke has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
A head punch on the inside from Bolleke fails to land.

Grigorian jumps guard.
Bolleke trying to stand up but can't free himself from Grigorian's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Grigorian looking for subs off his back but Bolleke has passed one foot through into half guard.
Bolleke tries to stand and escape but Grigorian is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bolleke stands up and beckons Grigorian to join him on the feet.
Bolleke is looking to clinch.
Grigorian shoots in and drives through. Bolleke sprawls well.
Thomas Bolleke has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Misak Grigorian.

Bolleke darts in and clinches Grigorian up against the cage.
Bolleke misses with a hook from the clinch.

Grigorian ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Grigorian no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Grigorian wants to sweep here but Bolleke controlling him for the moment.
Grigorian seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bolleke wants to stand but Grigorian has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Grigorian not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Grigorian is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Bolleke would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Grigorian has his foot on Bolleke's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Bolleke works his way back into a safe position though.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Bolleke looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Bolleke tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Grigorian manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Bolleke has taken the fight to the clinch.
Grigorian leaning against his opponent.
Grigorian blocking some punches.

Grigorian manages to break the clinch.
Thomas Bolleke seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bolleke tries to clinch up.
Thomas Bolleke is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bolleke tries to clinch there but Grigorian circles away.
Bolleke tries to clinch up but Grigorian circles away and keeps his distance.
Bolleke tries to clinch up.

Grigorian gets tackled into the cage by Bolleke. Bolleke maintains the clinch.
Grigorian blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Bolleke has a couple of punches blocked by Grigorian.
Grigorian blocking some punches.
Bolleke swings wildly with an uppercut but Grigorian uses good head movement to avoid it.
Grigorian is trying to push Bolleke away but Bolleke has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Thomas Bolleke has scored more points in the clinch so far.
A head punch on the inside from Bolleke fails to land.
Bolleke working aggressively here.
Bolleke working aggressively here.
Grigorian wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Bolleke has him pressed against the cage.
Bolleke misses with a hook from the clinch.

Grigorian ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Grigorian no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Grigorian is striking but Bolleke is not phased and passes to half guard.
Grigorian keeps control of the position for the meantime.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Grigorian is trying to stand.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Bolleke dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Bolleke tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Grigorian manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Bolleke doesn't manage to clinch there - Grigorian circles away.
Grigorian shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Bolleke as he avoids it easily.
Grigorian swats away the attempt to clinch by Bolleke.
And Grigorian tries to counter it with a takedown but Bolleke pushes his down on his head and steps out.

Bolleke clinches with his opponent.

Grigorian pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Bolleke is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Grigorian can do to turn this around?
Bolleke fails in his attempt to clinch.
Grigorian tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Bolleke paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Bolleke gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Grigorian has Bolleke pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Grigorian pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Bolleke tumbling to the mat - Grigorian dives into Bolleke's guard.
Bolleke keeping moving, preventing Grigorian from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Grigorian wants to pass the guard but Bolleke is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grigorian trying to control the position from guard on top but Bolleke is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Grigorian pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bolleke is keeping the position for now.
Grigorian slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Bolleke utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Grigorian working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Bolleke wants to clinch but Grigorian slips to the side
and Grigorian counters with a straight right hand.
Grigorian throws a nice inside leg kick.
Bolleke tries to clinch up.

Grigorian rushes Bolleke and presses him up against the cage.
Grigorian tries for a takedown. No joy.
Bolleke lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Bolleke tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Bolleke.
Grigorian blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Bolleke has a couple of punches blocked by Grigorian.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Bolleke creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Grigorian tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Thomas Bolleke has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Misak Grigorian.
Bolleke misses with a punch on the inside.
Grigorian jumps guard but Bolleke stands there with Grigorian around his waist. Grigorian gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Grigorian.
Grigorian jumps guard but Bolleke stands there with Grigorian around his waist. Grigorian gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Grigorian tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Bolleke smiles and moves away.

Grigorian gets a clinch.
Misak Grigorian has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Grigorian breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bolleke doesn't manage to clinch there - Grigorian circles away.
Bolleke is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Bolleke wants to clinch.
Bolleke avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Bolleke has closed the distance and engaged Grigorian in a clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Grigorian.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bolleke throws a punch but it's blocked by Grigorian.
Grigorian blocking some punches.
Bolleke misses with a punch on the inside.
Bolleke lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Grigorian tries for a takedown but Bolleke manages to get underhooks.
Bolleke prevents a body shot from Grigorian.
Grigorian blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Grigorian is stalling here.
Bolleke gets through Grigorian's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Bolleke blocks an elbow strike from Grigorian.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Grigorian.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Bolleke fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Grigorian breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bolleke tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Grigorian dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Bolleke moves to clinch but Grigorian breaks away
and Grigorian counters with a lovely straight right hand!

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Misak Grigorian.
I think Bolleke 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thomas Bolleke!
After winning the bout, Thomas Bolleke thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.