PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nikolay Grigoriev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Carlos Sanchez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Carlos Sanchez is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Grigoriev
vs
Sanchez

185 cm
18
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
18
210 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Basic striking
Self confident

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Nikolay Grigoriev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Carlos Sanchez!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Felipe Paraventi and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Grigoriev misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sanchez.
Grigoriev looks for a takedown but Sanchez sprawls well.

Sanchez gets caught flat footed, as Grigoriev shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Grigoriev postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Sanchez can't keep his opponent in guard - Grigoriev advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Grigoriev prevents Sanchez from standing back up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Grigoriev connects with a nice short shot to Sanchez's temple.
Sanchez missing with punches from the bottom.
Grigoriev content to control rather than advance.
Grigoriev wants to pass the guard but Sanchez is defending well.
Grigoriev is taking a breather. Sanchez says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Sanchez has hold of Grigoriev's hands but Grigoriev slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanchez has hold of Grigoriev's hands but Grigoriev slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Sanchez trying to hold on to Grigoriev's head to control him but Grigoriev postures up.
Grigoriev lands with a punch from half guard.
Grigoriev scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Grigoriev perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Grigoriev tries to pass the half guard into mount. Sanchez knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Still in half guard, Grigoriev seems content to control.
Grigoriev tries to pass the half guard into mount. Sanchez knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Grigoriev is working hard here to advance position.
Grigoriev frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Sanchez can do anything to dispel that myth.
Grigoriev landing punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grigoriev controlling the pace for now.
A nice elbow there by Grigoriev.
Grigoriev is stalling here but it's allowed Sanchez to get half guard.
Grigoriev uses his free foot to push down on Sanchez's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Sanchez.
Grigoriev controlling from mount.
Sanchez is in a horrible position here. Grigoriev smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Sanchez really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Grigoriev. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Grigoriev has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Sanchez's face.
Grigoriev looking to finish Sanchez with some ground and pound. This is bad for Sanchez!

Sanchez is rocked!
Sanchez looks gassed!
Grigoriev landing strikes from the mount and Sanchez is in trouble!
Sanchez is still in real trouble! Can Grigoriev finish him?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grigoriev blocks Sanchez's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Grigoriev putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Grigoriev with the ground and pound from mount.
Grigoriev pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Grigoriev lands a heavy elbow.
Sanchez takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Grigoriev dominating with strikes here.
Grigoriev landing strikes from the mount.
Grigoriev with a couple of short strikes.
Grigoriev controlling from the full mount.
BOOM! Grigoriev connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Grigoriev sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Grigoriev landing strikes from the mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grigoriev scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Grigoriev controlling from mount.
Grigoriev in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Grigoriev dominating with strikes here.
Grigoriev looking to control and managing it successfully.
Grigoriev cracks Sanchez with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

Grigoriev has hold of Sanchez's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Sanchez manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Grigoriev in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Grigoriev has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Sanchez's face.
A nice elbow there by Grigoriev.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolay Grigoriev dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Grigoriev misses the shot to the body.

Grigoriev gets a takedown into half guard.
Sanchez makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Sanchez.
Grigoriev chips away with some ground and pound.
Grigoriev controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Sanchez seems to have recovered his senses.
Nikolay Grigoriev overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Sanchez is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Grigoriev is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Grigoriev with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Grigoriev seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Grigoriev content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Sanchez is breathing heavily.
Sanchez keeping moving, preventing Grigoriev from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanchez being controlled here, momentarily.
Grigoriev landing some decent shots from guard.
Sanchez is looking to stand up but Grigoriev isn't so interested in that idea.
Grigoriev works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Grigoriev scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Grigoriev seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Grigoriev is looking to take a break and control but Sanchez is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sanchez tries to get to full guard but Grigoriev has control of the leg.
Grigoriev working the head and body with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grigoriev is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Sanchez tries to get to full guard but Grigoriev has control of the leg.
Sanchez is refusing to be controlled, as Grigoriev sits in half guard.
Grigoriev drops an elbow to the side of Sanchez's head.
Grigoriev lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Grigoriev is looking to take a break and control but Sanchez is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Grigoriev working Sanchez over with strikes.
Grigoriev passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Sanchez!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grigoriev content just to control the position here.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Nikolay Grigoriev just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Grigoriev throws a body punch but Sanchez moves out of range.
Grigoriev thows a body shot but no joy.

Grigoriev scores with a takedown into Sanchez's guard.
Grigoriev distracts Sanchez with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Grigoriev controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Grigoriev wants to control from the top but Sanchez keeps moving.
Grigoriev pushing down on Sanchez's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez tries to push off, looking to stand up, but Grigoriev manages to move to mount!
Grigoriev dominating with strikes here.
Grigoriev is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Sanchez can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Grigoriev trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Grigoriev sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Grigoriev cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Grigoriev controlling the position easily from mount.
Grigoriev has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Grigoriev lands with some strikes.
Grigoriev landing shots from mount.

Sanchez defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Grigoriev.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolay Grigoriev dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Grigoriev tries for a takedown but Sanchez sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A shot to de liver by Grigoriev. Beautiful body shot.
Grigoriev lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Sanchez at a distance.
Grigoriev changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Grigoriev is looking to wear down Sanchez with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Grigoriev swings for the body but Sanchez moves out of range.
Grigoriev takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Grigoriev fails with the takedown.
Grigoriev misses with a jab to the body
and Sanchez counters with a nice body shot.
Grigoriev looks to score with a jab to the body but Sanchez is just out of range.
Grigoriev is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sanchez can do to turn this around?
Grigoriev throws a body punch but Sanchez moves out of range.
Sanchez swings for the body but Grigoriev moves out of range.
Nikolay Grigoriev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sanchez misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Grigoriev counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Grigoriev trying to control but Sanchez is working from the bottom.
Grigoriev is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Sanchez takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Sanchez keeping moving, preventing Grigoriev from controlling successfully.
Grigoriev is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanchez wants to get back to his feet but Grigoriev is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Grigoriev slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Grigoriev is in close to Sanchez's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Grigoriev stands up over Sanchez, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Grigoriev advances to half guard.
Grigoriev with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Sanchez trying to control but Grigoriev postures up.
Sanchez tries to roll over but Grigoriev keeps him under control.
Grigoriev looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Grigoriev is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Grigoriev lands strikes from half guard.
Sanchez has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Grigoriev is working away from the top position though.
Grigoriev is looking to take a break and control but Sanchez is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Grigoriev ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sanchez moves away.
Sanchez moves into range and connects with a jab.
Grigoriev shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sanchez as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nikolay Grigoriev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sanchez throws a nice head kick!

Grigoriev is rocked!
Grigoriev takes a jab right on the kisser.
Oh Grigoriev is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Grigoriev swings for the body but Sanchez moves out of range.
Sanchez misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Grigoriev.
Grigoriev misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Sanchez counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

Sanchez takes the fight into the clinch.
Grigoriev tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grigoriev has Sanchez pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Sanchez manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Sanchez breaks from the clinch.
Grigoriev seems to have got his legs back now.
Sanchez takes a swing at Grigoriev's ribcage but misses.
Grigoriev looks to score with a jab to the body but Sanchez is just out of range.
Grigoriev tries for a takedown but Sanchez sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Grigoriev misses with a body shot.
Sanchez keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Grigoriev just misses with a punch to the body.
Grigoriev misses with a body shot.
Grigoriev fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sanchez manages to avoid it.
Sanchez takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Grigoriev throws a body punch but Sanchez moves out of range.
A shot to the body from Grigoriev misses

and Sanchez counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Sanchez.
Grigoriev has his hands on Sanchez's head, controlling the position.
Grigoriev working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sanchez.

Grigoriev working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Sanchez doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Sanchez manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Grigoriev looking for a sweep. Not yet Grigoriev, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grigoriev controls Sanchez momentarily but Sanchez frees himself.
Grigoriev avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Grigoriev looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Carlos Sanchez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sanchez working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nice defenses there by Grigoriev.

Grigoriev closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Sanchez defending against the ground and pound.
Sanchez is not content to let Grigoriev control the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Grigoriev creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Sanchez sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

Grigoriev is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Sanchez is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Sanchez striking from the bottom but nothing landed.

And that's the end of the fight!
Carlos Sanchez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Grigoriev 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 Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 29:27
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 29:27
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 29:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nikolay Grigoriev!