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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Gunnar Grimes (ranked 2404 p4p, 2385 weight class) and Futoshi Matsunaga (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gunnar Grimes had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business
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| 176 cm
25
155
17 - 2 - 0 |
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170 cm
45
145
46 - 29 - 2 |
Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick |
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Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Gunnar Grimes !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 46 - 29 - 2, fighting out of New York, Futoshi Matsunaga!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Grimes shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Matsunaga looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Grimes is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Grimes is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Grimes looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Matsunaga is trying to control but can't.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Grimes seems to be looking for submissions.
Matsunaga is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Grimes pulls his head out easily.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Grimes moves into full mount! Matsunaga won't be happy about that!
Grimes goes for an armbar but Matsunaga turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Matsunaga.
Grimes is looking for a triangle but Matsunaga pushes his legs off easily.
Matsunaga 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.
Matsunaga trying to control the position from guard on top but Grimes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Grimes has his foot on Matsunaga's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Matsunaga works his way back into a safe position though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grimes looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Matsunaga passes into side control.
Matsunaga is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Grimes is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Matsunaga is trying to get an arm triangle but Grimes is defending well.
Grimes is not content to let Matsunaga control the position.
Matsunaga is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Grimes is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Grimes looking for a sweep but Matsunaga has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Grimes is looking to improve his position but Matsunaga isn't that keen on the idea.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsunaga with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Grimes is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Grimes slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Matsunaga seems to be working for a kimura but Grimes defends the submission attempt.
Grimes looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Matsunaga wants to lay and pray for a moment but Grimes keeps working.
Grimes is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Matsunaga pulls his head out easily.
Grimes is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Matsunaga pulls his head out easily.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matsunaga is looking for a kimura here.
Grimes looking for subs from the bottom but Matsunaga mounts him!
Grimes is trying desperately to improve position.
Grimes sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Matsunaga seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Grimes does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Matsunaga is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Grimes !
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Grimes really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Matsunaga can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Grimes is looking to escape.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Futoshi Matsunaga will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.
Matsunaga tries to bum rush Grimes with a series of wild strikes but Grimes uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Matsunaga listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Grimes is trying hard to land a takedown here. Matsunaga sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Grimes shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Matsunaga but Matsunaga pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Grimes darts in looking for a takedown but Matsunaga gets double underhooks and turns Grimes into the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gunnar Grimes . That's going to take a lot out of him.
Grimes jumps guard but Matsunaga turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Grimes tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Grimes fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Matsunaga pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Matsunaga misses with a looping right.
Matsunaga lands with an uppercut that bounces Grimes off the cage and back into range.
Matsunaga displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Grimes .
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matsunaga lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Matsunaga lands with a right hand.
Grimes takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Matsunaga thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Grimes if he has to take too many more of those.
Matsunaga throws a quick inside leg kick.
Grimes shoots in for a takedown but Matsunaga shows good takedown defense.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Grimes darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Grimes is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Grimes is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Matsunaga is just riding it out for now. Grimes eventually gives up the hold.
Grimes is thwarting Matsunaga's attempts to control the position.
Matsunaga wants to improve his position but Grimes is controlling well.
Matsunaga is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Grimes pulls his head out easily.
Matsunaga has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grimes seems to be looking for submissions.
Grimes is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Matsunaga defends it well.
Grimes seems to be working for a kimura but Matsunaga defends the submission attempt.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Grimes is working for a submission of some sort.
Matsunaga trying to hold on to Grimes 's head to control him but Grimes postures up.
Grimes seems to be looking for submissions.
Matsunaga trying to control but Grimes postures up.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grimes is looking for a kimura but Matsunaga is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Grimes to get the leverage.
Matsunaga is looking for a sweep. Grimes is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Matsunaga is doing well to control the position and prevent Grimes from advancing to side control.
Grimes is trying to work for a kimura but Matsunaga is defending well.
Grimes looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Grimes is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Matsunaga has managed to free his arm - good work.
Grimes looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
That's four 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.
Grimes is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Matsunaga doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Grimes .
Matsunaga looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Grimes is thwarting Matsunaga's attempts to control the position.
Grimes is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Matsunaga has managed to free his arm - good work.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Futoshi Matsunaga showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!
Matsunaga cracks Grimes with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Grimes shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Matsunaga counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Matsunaga tests Grimes 's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Grimes slips a jab and a cross from Matsunaga.
A slapping leg kick lands for Matsunaga.
Grimes shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Matsunaga sprawls well. Matsunaga wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Grimes gets slowly back to his feet.
Matsunaga misses with a jab, cross combination.
Matsunaga lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Futoshi Matsunaga seems to be getting the better of the standup.
The fighters circling - Matsunaga throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Grimes shoots in for a takedown but Matsunaga shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Matsunaga has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gunnar Grimes . That's going to take a lot out of him.
Grimes manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Matsunaga on his heels. He'll look to pass Matsunaga's guard now, I'm sure.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Grimes avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Matsunaga controls Grimes momentarily but Grimes frees himself.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
That's one minute gone in the round.
Matsunaga looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Matsunaga is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Grimes is aware though and is defending well.
Grimes is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Matsunaga is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Matsunaga has escaped and now he's on top!
Gunnar Grimes overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Grimes is looking for a triangle but Matsunaga pushes his legs off easily.
Matsunaga trying to control the position from guard on top but Grimes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Grimes escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Matsunaga gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Grimes is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Matsunaga 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.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grimes is looking for a triangle but Matsunaga pushes his legs off easily.
Grimes keeping full guard, as Matsunaga tries to pass.
Grimes looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Grimes is looking for a triangle but Matsunaga pushes his legs off easily.
Grimes looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Matsunaga drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Matsunaga jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Grimes looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Matsunaga passes into side control.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matsunaga thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Matsunaga tries for a kimura but Grimes is defending well.
Matsunaga advances to full mount.
Grimes is looking to get to half guard.
Matsunaga has control of Grimes 's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Grimes regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Grimes is squirming around, avoiding Matsunaga's attempts to control the action.
Futoshi Matsunaga is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grimes is desperately trying to improve his position but Matsunaga has a good base and remains in mount.
Grimes 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.
Grimes looking for submissions off his back.
Grimes looking for submissions off his back.
Gunnar Grimes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Matsunaga keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Matsunaga trying to control from half guard but Grimes is working away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Matsunaga looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Grimes missing with punches from the bottom.
And that's the end of the fight!
Futoshi Matsunaga comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Matsunaga winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 28:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Futoshi Matsunaga!
Futoshi Matsunaga decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
33% |
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