PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Max Gripton (ranked 4033 p4p, 4274 weight class) and Aayush Pande (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Gripton
vs
Pande

178 cm
18
185
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
185
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Very quick

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight 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, Max Gripton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Aayush Pande!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Alan Glass and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pande misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gripton.

Pande tries to keep at a distance but Gripton has taken the fight into the clinch.
Pande takes a knee right on the jaw!
Pande tries to circle away but Gripton has him pinned against the cage.
Gripton is trying to pull guard but Pande turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Gripton managing to block the knees to the body from Pande.

Pande pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Gripton throws a body kick that misses.
Gripton avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pande doesn't manage to clinch there - Gripton circles away.

Gripton fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Pande, pushing him back against the cage.
Gripton wants to take the fight to the mat but Pande manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Gripton escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Pande fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Gripton has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pande throws a series of punches but Gripton moves out of range.

Gripton clinches.
Gripton tries to break the clinch but Pande is controlling the position.
Pande keeps control of Gripton as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Gripton is looking to take this one to the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Max Gripton. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Pande successfully pulls guard.
Pande manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Gripton manages to get himself to full guard.

Gripton thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Gripton wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Pande manages to pass to side control.
Gripton has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Pande is working away from the top position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pande is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Pande works his way into side control.
Gripton tries to control but Pande manages to take his back.
Gripton trying to get back to his feet but Pande is in full control for now.
Gripton trying to control the hands but Pande won't let him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pande controls the action.
You can see the frustration on Gripton's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

Pande has the rear naked choke here! This is very bad for Gripton! Can he survive? No! He's out! Pande gets to his feet and celebrates with his cornermen. He looks absolutely delighted. In the post fight interviews he takes time to thank his parents and everyone who has believed in him from the start. How sweet.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:53 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Aayush Pande!