PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Grigor Borisov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jonny Grove (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Borisov
vs
Grove

185 cm
20
200 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

200 cm
23
190 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Grigor Borisov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jonny Grove!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Igor Prikhodko and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Borisov with a hook.
Grove scores with a shot to the body.
Grove uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Borisov.
Borisov with a jab.

It looks like Jonny Grove has been cut.

Grove throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Borisov was covering up waiting for the punch and Grove finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Borisov keeping full guard, as Grove tries to pass.
Borisov keeping moving, preventing Grove from controlling successfully.
Borisov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Grove looking to pass the guard.
Borisov is pulling down on Grove's head. It's preventing any offense from Grove, at least for the moment.

Grove drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Borisov manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Grove has Borisov in his guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Borisov looking to sit in guard and control but Grove gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grove prevents Borisov from getting back to his feet.
Borisov keeping moving, preventing Grove from controlling successfully.
Grove won't allow Borisov to sweep him here.
Grove keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Borisov's head.
Borisov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Grove drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Grove jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Grove gets to his feet. Borisov looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Grove uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Borisov.
Borisov ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Grove shoots for a takedown but Borisov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Grove lands a high kick!
Borisov keeps the fight on the outside.
Borisov takes a swing at Grove's ribcage but misses.
Grigor Borisov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Borisov looks to land a right hand but Grove moved out of range.
Grove fails with the takedown.
Grove shoots in looking for a takedown. Borisov tries to sprawl out of it but Grove keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Borisov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Grigor Borisov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jonny Grove.
Grove moves out of range of the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Borisov scores with a hook.
Grigor Borisov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Grove is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Borisov misses the jab.
Grove tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Grove is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Borisov misses with an uppercut.
Borisov misses with a body shot
and Grove counters with a good low kick that Borisov was not able to check.
Borisov thows a body shot but no joy.
Borisov misses with an uppercut.
Borisov misses with a wild combination.
Borisov misses with a jab to the body

and Grove counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Grove.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grove trying to control but Borisov is working from the bottom.
Grove wants to pass the guard but Borisov is keeping the position.
Borisov wants to stand up but Grove is controlling him.
Grove postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Grove postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Borisov is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Grove, into his guard.

Grove is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jonny Grove dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jonny Grove's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Borisov looks to land a right hand but Grove moved out of range.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Grove.
Borisov misses the shot to the body.
Grove fails to land the takedown.
Borisov looks to throw the jab but Grove is out of range.
Grove tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Borisov throws a sloppy body shot

and Grove counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Grove is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Borisov reverses the position - he's now on top in Grove's guard.

Borisov stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grove is trying hard to land a takedown here. Borisov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Grigor Borisov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jonny Grove.
Borisov throws a big shot that misses.
Borisov throws the left hand but Grove avoids the punch easily.
Borisov lands a slapping body shot.
Grove fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Borisov throws a body punch but Grove moves out of range.
Borisov connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Grove momentarily.
Borisov takes a swing at Grove's ribcage but misses.
Borisov misses the body punch

and Grove counters by clinching up.
Grove tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Borisov wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Grove has him pressed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grove tries to score a body lock takedown but Borisov shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Borisov is looking to break free of the clinch but Grove has double underhooks.
Borisov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Borisov is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Borisov wants to get back to striking at distance but Grove won't allow it.
Borisov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Borisov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Grove shoots for a double leg takedown but Borisov sprawls well. He's pushed Grove's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Grove shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Borisov pinned against the cage. Borisov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Grove is breathing heavily.
Borisov just misses with a punch to the body.
Grove takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
A telegraphed right hand from Borisov misses the target.
Borisov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Grove fails to land the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Borisov missing with a left hand there. Grove was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Borisov throws a looping overhand right but Grove ducks down to avoid it.
Borisov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Grove takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Borisov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Grove.
Borisov misses with an uppercut.
Borisov misses with the combination.
Grove doesn't manage to clinch there - Borisov circles away.
Grove dives in and grabs Borisov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Borisov pushes down on Grove's head and hops out.
Borisov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Grove manages to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Borisov missing with a left hand there. Grove was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Borisov throws a lazy right hand but Grove sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Grove tries to clinch but Borisov moves out of range.
Borisov misses the body punch

and Grove counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Grove.
Grove is pushing down on Borisov's leg trying to pass to half guard. Borisov is fighting to maintain full guard but Grove has managed to sneak the leg through.

Grove is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Borisov wants to get back to full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Borisov works his way to full guard. Good work.

Grove drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Borisov manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Grove has Borisov in his guard.

Borisov decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Grigor Borisov will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Jonny Grove's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Borisov missing with a left hand there. Grove was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Borisov throws a hook to the side of Grove's head but Grove sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Nice takedown defense from Borisov. No joy for Grove on that attempt.
Grove is looking to clinch.

Grove moves into the clinch.
Grove fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Borisov is pressed up against the cage. Grove has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Borisov down to the mat. Borisov avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Grigor Borisov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jonny Grove.
Borisov swings for the body but Grove moves out of range.
Borisov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Borisov wants it to stay on the feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Borisov leaves Grove with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Borisov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Grove moves away.
Grove defending well as Borisov loads up on a big left hand.
Grove takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grove ducks under a wild hook from Borisov.
Grove has a takedown stuffed.
Borisov swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Grove counters with a nice double leg into side control. Borisov won't be happy with that.
Grove throws an elbow but Borisov slips to the side and avoids it well.

Grove is trying to get an arm triangle but Borisov is defending well.
Borisov is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
You can see the frustration on Borisov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Borisov tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Grove has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grove fails with a takedown attempt.
Grove fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Grigor Borisov is winning the standup battle so far.
Grove showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Borisov.
Grove steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Borisov.
Borisov misses with a body shot.
Grove uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Borisov.
Grove shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Borisov as he jumps to the side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Borisov with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Borisov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Grove.
Borisov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Borisov misses with a shot to the body

and Grove counters by clinching up.
A frustrated look appears on Borisov's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Grove tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Grove drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Borisov gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Borisov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Borisov tries to circle away but Grove has him pinned against the cage.
Grove tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Borisov wants to get back to striking at distance but Grove won't allow it.

Borisov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Borisov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Grove.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grove avoids the body shot from Borisov.
Grove shoots in looking for a takedown. Borisov tries to sprawl out of it but Grove keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Borisov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Borisov misses the body punch

so Grove counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Borisov lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Grove!
Grove is working to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jonny Grove really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jonny Grove's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Borisov misses with a straight left.
Grove fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Good shot there by Borisov.
Jonny Grove is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Borisov throws a jab but it's blocked by Grove.
Borisov misses with a body shot.
Nice body punch from Borisov.
Grove avoids the body shot from Borisov.
Grove moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
A slow jab from Borisov misses its intended target.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Borisov misses with a looping left.
Borisov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Borisov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Grove manages to avoid it.
Grove slips under a jab.
Borisov misses with a hook. Grove ducked under it nicely.
Borisov with a jab.
Grove looks for a takedown but Borisov sprawls well.
Borisov thuds a left hand into Grove's body.

Grove moves into range and clinches up with Borisov.
Borisov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Groves head.
Grove lands a knee to the body.
Borisov is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Grove can't get the takedown.
Grigor Borisov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jonny Grove.
Borisov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Grove lands a knee to the head.
Grove tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Borisov smiles and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jab, jab by Borisov - just one landing.
Nice uppercut there from Borisov.
Borisov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Borisov throws a body punch but Grove moves out of range.
Borisov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nice uppercut lands for Borisov. That snapped Grove's head back.
Borisov throws a lazy right hand but Grove sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Borisov works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Borisov takes a swing at Grove's ribcage but misses.
Borisov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Grove.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grove goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Grove closes the distance and clinches up with Borisov, looking for a takedown. Grove pushes Borisov against the cage but Borisov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Borisov throws a combination that misses
and Grove counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Grove uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Borisov.
Borisov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Grove was well out of range. Poor timing from Borisov.
Horrible takedown by Grove or perhaps it was just good defense by Borisov which made him look bad.

Grove forces Borisov back against the cage and clinches.
Borisov is trying to break the clinch but Grove has him pressed against the cage.
Grove tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Borisov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Borisov is pressed up against the cage. Grove has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Borisov down to the mat. Borisov avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Grove avoids a punch combination nicely.
Borisov just misses with a punch to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Borisov throws a sloppy body shot

and Grove counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Grove.
Borisov wants to stand but Grove is controlling the position.

Grove drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Grove jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Grove postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Borisov is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Grove, into his guard.
Grove trying to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Grigor Borisov will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Jonny Grove's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Borisov scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Grove doesn't seem bothered though.
Grove moves out of range of the strikes.
Borisov thows a body shot but no joy.
Borisov misses with a jab to the body

and Grove counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Grove.
Grove tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Borisov just stands there and leans against the cage.

Grove breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Borisov stalks Grove and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Grove's face. Grove staggers backwards, shaken.
Borisov connects with a body shot.
Grove shoots in looking for a takedown. Borisov tries to sprawl out of it but Grove keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Borisov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Borisov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Grove is looking to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circle momentarily. Borisov darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Borisov lands a really nice looking cross but Grove seems unphased.
Borisov just misses with a punch to the body.
Borisov scores with the left hand. Grove knows he should have avoided that one.
Grove misses with a head kick.
Grove doesn't manage to clinch there - Borisov circles away.
Grove fails in his attempt to clinch.
Grove doesn't manage to clinch there - Borisov circles away.
Borisov misses the body punch

and Grove moves into the clinch.
Grove jumps guard but Borisov stands there with Grove around his waist. Grove gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Grigor Borisov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jonny Grove.
Grove is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Grove wants a takedown but no success here.
Borisov wants to break the clinch but can't.
Borisov stops a takedown attempt from Grove.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grove is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Borisov gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Borisov wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Grove keeps control of Borisov as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Borisov is trying to break the clinch but Grove is controlling him.
Grove is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Borisov gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Grove keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Borisov's efforts to push away.

Borisov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Borisov looks to score with a jab to the body but Grove is just out of range.
A shot to the body from Borisov misses

and Grove counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Grove.
Borisov seems keen to control Grove's posture.

Borisov working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Grove doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Grove manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Grove prevents Borisov from getting back to his feet.

Grove drops back looking for a leg! Borisov is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Borisov manages to kick Grove off! Grove jumps back into Borisov's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grove pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Borisov is keeping the position for now.
Borisov is trying to control the position but Grove postures up.
Grove trying to control the position from guard on top but Borisov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Borisov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Grove fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Grove is trying hard to land a takedown here. Borisov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Borisov lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Grove at a distance.
A lazy left from Borisov finds it's target.
Borisov thows a body shot but no joy.
Borisov swings for the body but Grove moves out of range.
Borisov scores with a body shot.
Borisov throws a body punch but Grove moves out of range.
Grove keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Borisov.
Borisov misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Grove counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Grove stopping the sweep attempt from Borisov.

Grove thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Jonny Grove.
I think Grove 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 47:48
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 47:48
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jonny Grove!
Jonny Grove is the new middleweight champion!