PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Edgars Grundmanis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and rinalds dzirvinskis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Grundmanis
vs
dzirvinskis

190 cm
21
200 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

180 cm
22
200 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Edgars Grundmanis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, rinalds dzirvinskis!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Aleksandr Martynov and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

dzirvinskis bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

dzirvinskis thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Grundmanis is pushing dzirvinskis's head away, looking to escape. dzirvinskis manages to hold on to the position though.

dzirvinskis tries for a kimura but Grundmanis is defending well.

dzirvinskis thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Grundmanis is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, dzirvinskis asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Grundmanis on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Grundmanis tries to get out of the position.

dzirvinskis is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Grundmanis is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grundmanis is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the ropes but dzirvinskis has just dragged him back down to the mat.

dzirvinskis goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Grundmanis has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for dzirvinskis but great work by Grundmanis.
Grundmanis working the body and head with strikes.
dzirvinskis tries to escape but Grundmanis is in control.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
dzirvinskis defending against the ground and pound.
dzirvinskis takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Grundmanis scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at dzirvinskis to see if he's OK.
dzirvinskis pushes Grundmanis away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Grundmanis gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
dzirvinskis looks gassed!
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Grundmanis wants to control but dzirvinskis is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
dzirvinskis takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
dzirvinskis wants to get back to his feet.
Grundmanis works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
dzirvinskis pushes Grundmanis away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Grundmanis gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Grundmanis working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Grundmanis looks up at the clock and then as dzirvinskis takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Grundmanis smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
dzirvinskis is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Grundmanis is controlling him well.
Grundmanis cracks dzirvinskis with a big right hand but dzirvinskis just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.

Grundmanis has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
dzirvinskis closes the distance and clinches up with Grundmanis, looking for a takedown. dzirvinskis pushes Grundmanis against the ropes but Grundmanis circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Grundmanis shoots in and bounces dzirvinskis off the ropes to secure the takedown into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grundmanis is looking to work some ground and pound but dzirvinskis has wrist control.

dzirvinskis manages to escape and get back to his feet.

Grundmanis closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Grundmanis lands in his opponent's guard.
Grundmanis chips away with some ground and pound.
Grundmanis connects with a couple of short punches.
Grundmanis trying to control the position from guard on top but dzirvinskis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

dzirvinskis has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Grundmanis off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Grundmanis with a poor takedown

and dzirvinskis counters with a nice double leg into side control. Grundmanis won't be happy with that.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Grundmanis is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the ropes but dzirvinskis has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Grundmanis trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

dzirvinskis wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Grundmanis, who protects the arm well.
Grundmanis is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the ropes but dzirvinskis has just dragged him back down to the mat.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

dzirvinskis is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Grundmanis is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

dzirvinskis looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

rinalds dzirvinskis dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Grundmanis fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Grundmanis fails with the takedown

and dzirvinskis decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Grundmanis's guard.
Grundmanis is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Grundmanis knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for dzirvinskis on the ground.

dzirvinskis is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Grundmanis is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Grundmanis has escaped and now he's on top!
dzirvinskis wants to stand up but Grundmanis is controlling him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Grundmanis is looking to work some ground and pound but dzirvinskis has wrist control.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

That's one minute gone in the round.
dzirvinskis keeping moving, preventing Grundmanis from controlling successfully.
Grundmanis postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

dzirvinskis manages to escape and get back to his feet.

dzirvinskis gets the takedown into side control.

dzirvinskis wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Grundmanis, who protects the arm well.
Grundmanis is pushing dzirvinskis's head away, looking to escape. dzirvinskis manages to hold on to the position though.

dzirvinskis is trying to get an arm triangle but Grundmanis is defending well.
Grundmanis is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
dzirvinskis advances to full mount.

dzirvinskis goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Grundmanis turns into him and now he's in dzirvinskis's guard.
Grundmanis has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Grundmanis makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Grundmanis makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Grundmanis working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of dzirvinskis's head.
Grundmanis thows a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grundmanis stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. dzirvinskis swivels though and keeps the full guard.

dzirvinskis wriggles free and stands up.
dzirvinskis gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and dzirvinskis takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Grundmanis misses with a takedown

so dzirvinskis counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

dzirvinskis drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Grundmanis dives on top into guard.
dzirvinskis is looking to stand up but Grundmanis isn't so interested in that idea.
Grundmanis scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Grundmanis postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grundmanis postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Grundmanis stops dzirvinskis from standing up.
Grundmanis works over dzirvinskis with some ground and pound from guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
dzirvinskis shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Grundmanis counters with a nice double leg into side control. dzirvinskis won't be happy with that.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
dzirvinskis avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Grundmanis.
Grundmanis scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at dzirvinskis to see if he's OK.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

dzirvinskis explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
dzirvinskis displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Grundmanis.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Edgars Grundmanis. That's going to take a lot out of him.
dzirvinskis with a poor takedown

and Grundmanis counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in dzirvinskis's guard now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

rinalds dzirvinskis showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Grundmanis feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Grundmanis throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Grundmanis throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
dzirvinskis wants to get back to his feet but Grundmanis is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Grundmanis landing with the ground and pound.
Grundmanis missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
dzirvinskis is looking to stand up but Grundmanis isn't so interested in that idea.
Grundmanis scoring with some ground and pound.
Grundmanis stops dzirvinskis from standing up.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Grundmanis shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
dzirvinskis wants to stand but Grundmanis is controlling the position.
Grundmanis is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grundmanis is standing up over dzirvinskis. dzirvinskis looks to escape but Grundmanis dives into side control.
Grundmanis lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
An elbow from Grundmanis crashes against the mat.
Grundmanis misses with the ground and pound.
dzirvinskis is pushing Grundmanis's head away, looking to escape. Grundmanis manages to hold on to the position though.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Grundmanis shoots and misses

and dzirvinskis decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Grundmanis's guard.

dzirvinskis has gone for a leg lock! Grundmanis slips out almost immediately though and dives into dzirvinskis's guard.
Grundmanis distracts dzirvinskis with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grundmanis pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. dzirvinskis is keeping the position for now.

dzirvinskis has his feet on Grundmanis's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

dzirvinskis gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
dzirvinskis wants to get back to his feet but Grundmanis is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
dzirvinskis is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Grundmanis pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. dzirvinskis is keeping the position for now.
dzirvinskis wants to stand and escape but Grundmanis is having none of it.
Grundmanis wants to control from the top but dzirvinskis keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grundmanis lands a couple of digs.
dzirvinskis avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

dzirvinskis pushes Grundmanis off and scrambles back to his feet.
rinalds dzirvinskis seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
dzirvinskis has his takedown stuffed

and Grundmanis decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in dzirvinskis's guard.
dzirvinskis wants to stand and escape but Grundmanis is having none of it.
Grundmanis is working dzirvinskis over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Grundmanis with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Grundmanis throws and elbow that misses. dzirvinskis uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Grundmanis's guard. Nice move by dzirvinskis!

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

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grundmanis distracts dzirvinskis with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Grundmanis is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Grundmanis lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

dzirvinskis has his feet on Grundmanis's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
dzirvinskis gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Grundmanis counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for dzirvinskis!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
dzirvinskis wants to get back to his feet.
Edgars Grundmanis has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Grundmanis pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Edgars Grundmanis showed his dominance in that final round.
I think dzirvinskis 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 Illya Tyunina scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... rinalds dzirvinskis!