PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Little Grasshopper (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Martin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Grasshopper
vs
Martin

190 cm
22
210 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

196 cm
20
217 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Good low kicks
Powerful

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 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Little Grasshopper!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Michael Martin!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Alyssa Summers and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Martin tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Martin misses with a head kick.
Grasshopper uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Martin.
Martin throws a nice looking combination but Grasshopper bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Martin throws a sloppy head kick and Grasshopper moves out of range easily.
Grasshopper blocks a head kick by Martin.
Grasshopper tries to clinch there but Martin circles away.
Martin throws a sloppy head kick and Grasshopper moves out of range easily.
Martin keeps the fight on the outside.
Grasshopper wants to clinch.
Grasshopper has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Martin finds it's way round the side to connect with Grasshopper's head.
Martin tried to score with a low kick but Grasshopper checks it.
Martin tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Michael Martin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Grasshopper showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Martin.
Grasshopper moves in looking to clinch but Martin pushes him off.
Grasshopper wants to clinch up but Martin keeps it at a distance.
Martin looks to land a left hand but Grasshopper moved out of range nicely.
Martin throws the kick towards the body but Grasshopper avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grasshopper fails in his attempt to clinch.

Grasshopper clinches up with Martin and pushes him back against the cage.
Martin on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Grasshopper scores a nice knee to the body.
Grasshopper tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Martin takes a knee to the side of the body.
Martin looks gassed!

Grasshopper tightens his grip and picks Martin up, before dumping him to the ground. Martin manages to land in guard.
Grasshopper throwing strikes but missing.
Grasshopper postures up and lands a big shot to Martin's brow.
Grasshopper wants to control from the top but Martin keeps moving.
Martin looking for a sweep. Not yet Martin, not yet.
Martin keeping moving, preventing Grasshopper from controlling successfully.
Grasshopper trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Grasshopper is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Martin looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grasshopper trying to control the position from guard on top but Martin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Nice takedown defense from Martin. No joy for Grasshopper on that attempt.

Grasshopper has closed the distance and engaged Martin in a clinch.
Martin has had enough of the clinch but Grasshopper keeps him there for the moment.
Grasshopper tries to land knees in the clinch but Martin avoids the damage to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Grasshopper obliges.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Grasshopper tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Martin avoiding damage as Grasshopper throws knees to the body.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Grasshopper.
Grasshopper avoiding damage as Martin throws knees to the body.
Grasshopper is stalling here.
Grasshopper throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Martin blocks it with crossed arms.
Grasshopper with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Grasshopper misses with a knee strike.
Martin tries to break the clinch but Grasshopper is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Martin tries to land a knee to the head but Grasshopper blocks with his arms.
Martin avoiding damage as Grasshopper throws knees to the body.
Martin throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Martin is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Grasshopper has Martin pressed against the cage, preventing Martin from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Grasshopper is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Martin is defending well for now.
Grasshopper is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Martin is defending well for now.
Grasshopper taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Grasshopper using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Martin has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Grasshopper is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Martin gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Little Grasshopper. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Grasshopper tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Grasshopper is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Martin avoiding damage as Grasshopper throws knees to the body.

Martin breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Martin throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Grasshopper moves in looking to clinch but Martin pushes him off.
Grasshopper tries to clinch up but Martin circles away and keeps his distance.
Martin misses with the combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Grasshopper trying to land knees to the body.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Grasshopper is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Grasshopper digs a right hand underneath Martin's ribcage. Martin let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Grasshopper throws a knee to the head but misses.

Grasshopper has Martin pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Grasshopper pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Martin tumbling to the mat - Grasshopper dives into Martin's guard.
Martin looking to control.
Grasshopper is in close to Martin's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Grasshopper trying to control but Martin is working from the bottom.
Martin is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Martin wants to sweep here but Grasshopper controlling him for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Little Grasshopper dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Grasshopper tries to clinch but Martin moves out of range.
Martin misses with a straight right.
Martin throws a big shot that misses.

Grasshopper closes the distance and clinches.
Martin blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Grasshopper looking to throw knees to the head but Martin is blocking nicely.
Grasshopper just leaning against Martin, taking a breather.
Grasshopper tries to land knees in the clinch but Martin avoids the damage to the body.
Martin on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Grasshopper tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Martin avoids it.
Martin has had enough of the clinch but Grasshopper keeps him there for the moment.
Grasshopper with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Martin tries to break free but Grasshopper pushes him back against the cage.
Martin gets underhooks to prevent Grasshopper's takedown attempt.
Grasshopper throws a knee to the head but misses.
Grasshopper misses with a knee strike.
Grasshopper is looking to control Martin's arms but Martin gets an underhook and turns him. Now Grasshopper has his back to the cage.
Grasshopper utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Grasshopper throws a head punch that misses.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Grasshopper manages to pull guard.
Grasshopper keeping moving, preventing Martin from controlling successfully.
Martin forces his way into half guard.
Martin sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Grasshopper wants to control but Martin is keeping busy.
Martin trying to control the pace.
Grasshopper trying to hold on to Martin's head to control him but Martin postures up.
Martin passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Grasshopper!
Grasshopper 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grasshopper sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Martin trying to control the action but Grasshopper is working from the bottom.
Grasshopper is trying to get back to full guard.
Martin content to control rather than advance.
Grasshopper tries to get to full guard but Martin has control of the leg.
Martin is trying to control the action in half guard but Grasshopper is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Martin sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Grasshopper defending well though.

Grasshopper is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Martin pulls his head out easily.
Grasshopper tries to get to full guard but Martin has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Grasshopper moves in looking to clinch but Martin pushes him off.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Martin, as that shot connected.
Grasshopper tries to clinch there but Martin circles away.
Grasshopper tries to clinch up.
Martin misses with a body kick.
Martin throws a sloppy head kick and Grasshopper moves out of range easily.
A punch combination from Martin misses.
Grasshopper fails in his attempt to clinch.
Martin fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Grasshopper manages to avoid it.
Martin tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Grasshopper was well out of range. Poor timing from Martin.

Grasshopper closes the distance and pushes Martin back into the cage.
Grasshopper tries to land knees in the clinch but Martin avoids the damage to the body.
Grasshopper taking a breather.
Grasshopper lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Martin or not.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Martin has had enough of the clinch but Grasshopper keeps him there for the moment.
Grasshopper missing with knees to the body.
Martin on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Grasshopper tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Grasshopper will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Martin up against the cage.
Martin is trying to maintain a safe position but Grasshopper gets an underhook and turns Martin into the cage.
Grasshopper lands a body punch in the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Grasshopper scores with a nice short uppercut.
Grasshopper is struggling to control the position.
Grasshopper missing with knees to the body.
Martin avoiding damage as Grasshopper throws knees to the body.
Martin tries to break the clinch but Grasshopper is controlling the position.
Grasshopper lands a hook to the side of the head.
Martin wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Little Grasshopper dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Some wild striking there from Martin.
Martin avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Grasshopper fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Martin, pushing him back against the cage.
Grasshopper using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Martin has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Grasshopper tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Martin blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Grasshopper is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Martin is defending well for now.
Grasshopper tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Martin avoids it.
Grasshopper misses with a knee strike.
Grasshopper has Martin pressed against the cage, preventing Martin from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Martin's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Martin tries a head kick but it misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Martin throws the kick towards the body but Grasshopper avoids it.
A head kick misses from Martin.
Martin throws a head kick that misses.
Martin takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Grasshopper is looking to clinch.
Grasshopper is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Martin throws a right and a left that Grasshopper avoids nicely.
Grasshopper tries to clinch up.
Grasshopper tries to close the distance and clinch but Martin swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Martin keeps the fight on the outside.
Martin keeps the fight on the outside.
Martin avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Grasshopper is looking to clinch.
Michael Martin is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Grasshopper with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Martin to score with a decent uppercut.
A shot to de liver by Martin. Beautiful body shot.
Grasshopper fails in his attempt to clinch.
Grasshopper takes a kick to the side of the head.
Martin tries a head kick but it misses.
Martin loads up on a big right hand but Grasshopper slips the punch.

Grasshopper moves into range and clinches up with Martin.
Grasshopper using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Little Grasshopper is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Martin has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Martin takes a knee to the side of the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Grasshopper tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Grasshopper tries to score a body lock takedown but Martin shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Grasshopper lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

It looks like Michael Martin has been cut.
Grasshopper tries a knee to the head but Martin blocks it.
Grasshopper throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Martin blocks it with crossed arms.
A hook to the body from Grasshopper.
Grasshopper trying to land knees to the body.
A knee to the head by Grasshopper.
Grasshopper landing knees to the head.
Grasshopper misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Martin.
Grasshopper scores with a knee to the head.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Martin is trying to break free.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Martin wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Grasshopper has him pressed against the cage.
Grasshopper lands a good knee to the midsection. Martin won't want to take too many of those.
Little Grasshopper has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Grasshopper utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Grasshopper misses with a knee strike.
Grasshopper just leaning against Martin, taking a breather.
Grasshopper trying to land knees to the body.
Grasshopper controlling the action here for a moment.
Martin is trying to force a seperation but Grasshopper has the dominant position.
Martin on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Martin blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Grasshopper lands a good knee to the midsection. Martin won't want to take too many of those.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grasshopper is working Martin over against the cage.
Martin wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Grasshopper has him pressed against the cage.
Grasshopper landing knees to the head.
Martin tries to break free but Grasshopper pushes him back against the cage.
Martin wants to break free but Grasshopper has control.
Grasshopper tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Grasshopper scores with a knee to the head.
Grasshopper leaning against his opponent.
Martin throws a knee to the head but misses.
Grasshopper with a knee to the head.
Martin wants to break free but Grasshopper has control.
Martin avoiding damage as Grasshopper throws knees to the body.
Grasshopper with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Martin is trying to break the clinch but Grasshopper has him pressed against the cage.
Martin wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Michael Martin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Martin tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Martin throws an elbow that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Little Grasshopper showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Grasshopper, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 30:27
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Little Grasshopper!