PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Keenwah Granes (ranked 851 p4p, 836 weight class) and Charlie River (ranked 64 p4p, 63 weight class). Granes comes to the cage accompanied by 敢不敢. River has chosen Waylon Jennings - I've Always Been Crazy as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Granes
vs
River

167 cm
29
140
19 - 11 - 0

170 cm
32
142
31 - 19 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Northern Zombie
NARCOS

Bondi MMA 🏝️

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Keenwah Granes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 31 - 19 - 1, fighting out of New York, Charlie River!
The judges for this bout are Ben Hemmingworth, Steve Erwin and Winston Howard.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
River is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Granes.
River loads up on a big right hand but Granes slips the punch.
Granes has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Zombie MMA in the buildup to the fight.
River connects with a good right hand that stumbles Granes. Granes circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
River scores with a sloppy right hand. Granes should have avoided that one.
River catches Granes with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

River clinches.
River tries to throw a body punch but Granes avoids it by throwing River back against the cage.
Granes lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Granes tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
River misses with some punches.
River misses with a short punch on the inside.
River lands with a short shot to the head.
River trying to stall but Granes improves his position.
River wants to break the clinch but can't.
Granes tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Granes lands a right hand that snaps the head of River backwards.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A right hook to the body lands for River.
A right hook to the body lands for Granes.
River pushes Granes back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
River stalls.

That's one minute gone in the round.
River takes a shot to the head.
River controlling the action here for a moment.
River stalling against the cage.
We've been informed that River 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.
River tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
River lands a hook that snaps the head of Granes backwards.
River swings away with an uppercut that misses.
River misses with the head strike.
River misses with a hook from the clinch.
River lands a hook that snaps the head of Granes backwards.
River lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Granes backwards.
River lands with a light punch inside.
River lands a hook to the side of the head.
Granes has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
River tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
River lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Granes scores with an uppercut up the middle.
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!

River escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
River fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Granes checks it well.
The fighters circling - River throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
River missing with a left hand there. Granes was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
River throws a lazy body kick
and Granes counters with a nice uppercut.
Granes shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts River as he jumps to the side.
Granes stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from River.
Granes fails with an attempt to clinch.
Granes lands with a cross.
Granes tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. River manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
River misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Granes counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
River misses with an uppercut. Granes saw that one coming.
River looks to throw the jab but Granes is out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
River thows a leg kick but Granes checks it
and Granes counters with a nice uppercut.
Charlie River is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

River breaks from the clinch.
Granes digs a good hook to River's body.
Nice cross by River.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Granes.
A lull in the action here.
River is looking to get back to his feet here but Granes is keeping cool and he's managed to take River's back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

River manages to escape to his feet.
Granes slips under a jab.
River throws a jab but it's blocked by Granes.
Granes ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
River misses with a hook.

River clinches up against the cage.

Granes works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Charlie River dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Granes takes a body punch but keeps moving.

Granes instigates a clinch.

Granes has picked River up - he's going for a ride! Granes dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
River is trying to stand back up but Granes is controlling him
Granes lands strikes from half guard.
Granes drops an elbow to the side of River's head.
Granes missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Granes wants to lay and pray for a moment but River keeps working.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
River looks like he's trying to stand up.
Granes lands strikes from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Granes throwing shots but River is blocking nicely.
Granes not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Granes with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Granes is trying to control the action in half guard but River is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Granes stalling.
River is trying to stand up here but Granes is controlling him well.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Granes content to control rather than advance.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

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.
River throws a leg kick that is checked
and Granes counters with a nice body shot.
River jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
River takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
River throws a body punch but Granes moves out of range.
Granes ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Granes lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
River connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Granes's hands.

Granes shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches River napping and manages to drive through into side control!
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if River can do anything to dispel that myth.
Granes trying to control the action but River is working from the bottom.

River sneaks out the side door and pushes Granes away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
River loads up on a big right hand but Granes slips the punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
River 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.
River walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Granes checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
An attempted straight right counter from Granes misses the target.
River displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Granes throws out the jab.
Granes moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
River lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
River throws a head kick but Granes moves out of range.
River just misses with a punch to the body.
Charlie River seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Granes moves into the clinch.

Granes pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A cross from River lands.
Granes throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent River stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Granes throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Charlie River seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
River misses with a straight left.
River takes a body punch but keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
River is looking to slow Granes down with leg kicks.
Granes tries to clinch but River is having none of it.
A nice side step and River releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
River misses with a body shot.
Granes connects with a body shot.
Granes swats away the attempt to clinch by River.
Granes avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Granes listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Granes takes a shot to the body in his stride.
River thows a left - swing and a miss!
River throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

River takes the fight into the clinch.
Granes scores with a hook to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Keenwah Granes will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

River looks to land a left hand but Granes moved out of range nicely.
Granes appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
River throws a hook to the side of Granes's head but Granes sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Jab by River.
River ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Granes moves away.
River loads up on a big right hand but Granes slips the punch.
Granes attempts a counter takedown but River avoids it well and moves away.
River throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
River rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Granes counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Granes misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
As Granes backs off River throws a huge counter combo but Granes manages to avoid it all.
River lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Granes has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from River finds it's way round the side to connect with Granes's head.
Granes is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
River throws a hook but Granes blocks it.
Granes tries to counter with a takedown but River is quick to defend against it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
River will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
River misses with a straight right.
River takes a body punch but keeps moving.

River closes the distance and pushes Granes back into the cage.
River misses with a short punch on the inside.
River working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Granes blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Granes tries to score a body lock takedown but River shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Granes struggles to land a body shot inside as River controls his hands.
River tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Granes scores with a shot to the side of River's head.
Granes lands with a light punch inside.
A body shot lands from River.
Granes blocks an uppercut.
Granes scores with a hook to the body.
Granes tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A right hand to the body from River.
Granes makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Granes tries to work over River's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
River misses with a punch on the inside.
Granes blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Granes blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Granes can't find room to land a body shot as River controls the action.
Granes using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Granes tried to land a shot to the body but connects with River's elbow.
Granes changes levels and goes for a takedown here. River fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Keenwah Granes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
River throws a leg kick that is checked
and River takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Granes punishes River's body with a nice straight punch.
River comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
A nice inside leg kick there by River. That's going to slow Granes down.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by River.
Granes is looking to wear down River with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Granes moves away from the strike by River.
Granes slips under a jab from River.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Granes needs to keep his hands up - River had a free shot at his head there.
Granes moves in looking to clinch but River pushes him off.
River slips a straight right by Granes.
River attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Granes slips under a jab from River.
Granes appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Granes swings away with a body shot that misses
and River counters with a good low kick that Granes was not able to check.
Granes moves out of range as River strikes.
River swings for the body but Granes moves out of range.
Granes half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Granes throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck River on the side of the head.
The fighters circling - River throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Granes was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
River throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Granes tries to clinch up but River circles away and keeps his distance.
River wants to counter with a clinch but Granes pushes him away.
River delivers a nice body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
River tries to clinch but Granes is having none of it.
River scores with a head kick. Granes tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Granes checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
River connects with a looping right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Granes closes the distance and clinches up with River, looking for a takedown. Granes pushes River against the cage but River circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Granes shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. River defends it nicely.
River has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

River fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Granes, pushing him back against the cage.
River lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Granes backwards.
Granes doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Granes lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Charlie River comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think River has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Charlie River!
Charlie River decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.