PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Slant Grant (ranked 3830 p4p, 4430 weight class) and Antwan Wang (ranked 406 p4p, 436 weight class). Slant Grant has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Grant
vs
Wang

190 cm
25
195
1 - 0 - 0

193 cm
25
198
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Good elbows
Determined

BANZAI COMBAT NUTRITION

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Slant Grant!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Antwan Wang!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Hirohito Nitta and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Grant motions for Wang to come forward. Grant throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Wang follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.

Wang throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Grant was covering up waiting for the punch and Wang finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Wang connects with a couple of short punches.
Grant keeping moving, preventing Wang from controlling successfully.
Wang postures up.
Wang missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Wang trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Wang accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wang postures up in Grant's guard and throws a big left but Grant blocks it.
Grant not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Wang is looking to work some ground and pound but Grant has wrist control.
Wang content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Wang advances position into side control!

Wang is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Grant has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Wang is trying to get an arm triangle but Grant is defending well.

Wang is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Grant is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Wang tries to score with some ground and pound. Grant controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

Wang is trying to get an arm triangle but Grant is defending well.
Grant is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Wang off and has taken his back!

Wang is trying to get back to his feet. He's worked up on to his knees and now he's on his feet with his head on the canvas, trying to shake Grant off. It looks like it's working - Grant slides off, much to his dismay, and we're back to standing! Wang displaying calm under pressure there.
Grant with the inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grant throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Grant tries to work over Wang's front leg with a kick but Wang checks it.
Wang tries to counter with a clinch but Grant shakes him off and moves away.
Grant misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Grant throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Grant moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromWang.
Grant misses with the body kick

and Wang counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Wang is working for a kimura but Grant is defending it quite comfortably.

Wang wants to work for an arm triangle but Grant is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Wang is trying to work for a kimura but Grant is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grant is looking to control Wang's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Grant avoid being mounted?
Grant keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Wang wants to work for an arm triangle but Grant is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Grant is defending against the submission attempts here by Wang.
Wang looks winded!
Grant trying to control here.
Grant tries to kick Wang off but Wang keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Grant is looking to control Wang's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Grant avoid being mounted?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Wang has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Wang wants to work for an arm triangle but Grant is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Wang is just content to waste time from the top position. Grant takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Grant working a defensive guard here.
Wang loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Grant wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Wang trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Grant keeping moving, preventing Wang from controlling successfully.
Grant preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Antwan Wang dominated that round.
That's time! Grant's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Wang gets the takedown into side control.
Wang tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Grant avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Wang.
Grant is pushing Wang's head away, looking to escape. Wang manages to hold on to the position though.
Wang passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Grant!
Wang thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Wang throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Grant because Wang loaded up on that one.
Grant is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.

Wang goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Grant turns into him and now he's in Wang's guard.
Grant wants to get up but he can't break Wang's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Grant wants to control from the top but Wang keeps moving.

Wang working for a triangle but Grant defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wang working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Grant.
Grant trying to control the position from guard on top but Wang is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Antwan Wang has got the better of the ground game so far.
Grant wants to get up but he can't break Wang's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Grant has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Wang wants to sweep here but Grant controlling him for the moment.
Grant trying to stand up but can't free himself from Wang's guard.
Grant stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Wang swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Wang has a closed guard, preventing Grant from standing up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Wang keeping moving, preventing Grant from controlling successfully.
Wang has a closed guard, preventing Grant from standing up.
Wang is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Grant bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Grant looks to land a body kick but Wang moved away.
Grant pivots, looking for a leg kick but Wang is out of range and Grant settles back down.
Wang steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Grant.
Wang checks a low kick from Grant.
Wang is trying to counter with his kicks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grant connects with a high kick.
Wang on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Wang takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Wang blocks a head kick by Grant.
Wang tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Grant scores with a head kick.

Wang looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Grant!
Grant is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Wang asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Grant parries the strikes from Wang easily there. Wang is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Grant to escape.
An elbow from Wang crashes against the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wang has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Grant!
Wang throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Wang tries to control but Grant wriggling away.
Grant looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Grant wants to control but Wang is having none of it.
Poor strikes thrown by Wang there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Grant blocking the ground and pound.

Wang is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Grant has managed to escape the submission attempt.

Wang goes for an armbar but Grant turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Grant.
Wang is breathing heavily.
Grant throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
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 Slant Grant will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Wang checks a low kick from Grant.
Despite the aggression on Wang's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Grant is looking to chop away at Wang's legs.
Wang avoids the head kick by Grant.
Wang is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Antwan Wang is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Wang takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

Wang feints and as Grant raises his hands in defense, Wang changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Grant preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Grant trying to control the position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Wang accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wang content to stall in guard here.
Grant is trying to keep Wang in close.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grant working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Wang.
Grant is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Grant keeping moving, preventing Wang from controlling successfully.
Grant is trying to control the position but Wang postures up.
Wang missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Wang trying to control but Grant is working from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Wang takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
And Wang tries to counter it with a takedown but Grant pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Grant tries to land a leg kick but Wang saw it coming and moves away.
Wang wants to counter the offense by Grant and move into the clinch position.
Grant lands with a slapping head kick.
Slant Grant seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wang shoots in looking for a takedown but Grant manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Wang's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Wang sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Wang on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Grant. Grant obviously looking to wear him down.
Grant pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Wang tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Grant swings away with a leg kick that misses.
And Wang tries to counter it with a takedown but Grant pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Grant lands a nice leg kick that just misses Wang's sensitive parts.
A low kick from Grant misses

and Wang counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Wang.

Wang wants the takedown. Grant is fighting it off but Wang persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Grant's guard against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Grant working a defensive guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Wang accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Wang forces his way into half guard.
Grant trying to control but Wang postures up.

Wang is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Grant defends it well.
Wang takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Wang is looking to take a break and control but Grant is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Grant trying to control here.
Wang throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

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.

Wang is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Grant doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Wang.
Grant is trying to control but can't.
Wang misses with a head shot. Grant uses the momentum to regain guard.

Grant looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Grant utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Grant utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Wang tries to free his leg and advance position but Grant is retaining full guard.
Wang passes Grant's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Antwan Wang.
I think Wang 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 28:29
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 28:29
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Antwan Wang!
Antwan Wang took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, BANZAI COMBAT NUTRITION for their support in the buildup to the fight.