PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jami Muskeli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Wain Gro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Muskeli
vs
Gro

180 cm
20
210 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

186 cm
21
215 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

Decent wrestler
Good elbows
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jami Muskeli!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Wain Gro!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Anni Minnemäki and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Muskeli throws a right hand that Gro ducks under and follows up with a left that Gro also avoids with ease.
Gro throws a solid leg kick but Muskeli takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Gro.
Muskeli will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Muskeli circles away from the clinch attempt.
Muskeli throws a lazy right hand but Gro sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Gro tries to clinch but Muskeli moves out of range.
Gro avoids the body shot from Muskeli.

Gro takes the fight into the clinch.

Muskeli manages to break the clinch.
Gro takes a shot to the body in his stride.

Gro pushes Muskeli up against the cage in a clinch.
Muskeli wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Gro has him pressed against the cage.
Muskeli is trying to break free.
Gro creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Muskeli's defenses.

It looks like Jami Muskeli has been cut.
Gro misses with an elbow strike.
Muskeli blocks an elbow strike from Gro.
Gro throws an elbow that misses.
Gro misses with an elbow over the top.
Muskeli dodges an elbow strike from Gro.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Muskeli blocks the elbow strike.
Muskeli blocks an elbow strike from Gro.
Gro misses with an elbow strike.

Muskeli escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Muskeli throws a shot to the body.
Gro lands a nice looking kick to the body. Muskeli takes a step back to recover.
Muskeli throws a right hand that Gro ducks under and follows up with a left that Gro also avoids with ease.
Nice cross by Muskeli.

It looks like Wain Gro has been cut.
The fight stays on the outside here - Gro looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
The crowd cheers as Muskeli lands an impressive looking overhand right. Gro doesn't seem phased though.
Muskeli checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
No joy there for Muskeli, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Muskeli misses with the combination.
Gro is looking to clinch.
Muskeli blocks the body kick.
Muskeli throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gro tries to clinch but Muskeli is having none of it.
Gro misses with a low kick.
Gro tries to clinch there but Muskeli circles away.
Gro tries to clinch but Muskeli is having none of it.

Gro has Muskeli up against the cage in a clinch.
Gro pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Muskeli blocks an elbow strike from Gro.
Muskeli blocks the elbow strike.
Muskeli avoids the elbow strike from Gro, against the cage.
Gro misses with an elbow strike.
Gro throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Gro misses with an elbow over the top.
Gro throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Muskeli blocks an elbow strike.
Gro looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Muskeli blocks the elbow strike.
Muskeli avoids the elbow strike from Gro, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gro creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Gro throws an elbow that misses.
Gro misses with an elbow over the top.
Gro throws an elbow that misses.
Muskeli dodges an elbow strike from Gro.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Gro.
Muskeli has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Gro throws an elbow that misses.
Gro throws an elbow that misses.
Gro gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

Muskeli breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Muskeli thows a body shot but no joy.
Gro throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Muskeli lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Gro backs up against the cage.
Gro tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Gro showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Muskeli.

Gro drives through and clinches with Muskeli against the cage.
Muskeli blocks an elbow strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gro throws an elbow but it misses.
Nice elbow from Gro.
Gro pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Gro creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Gro throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
With the fighters up against the cage, Gro throws an elbow but misses.
Gro throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Gro pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Gro throws an elbow that misses.
Muskeli blocks the elbow strike.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Gro.
Muskeli is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Muskeli dodges an elbow strike from Gro.
Gro lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
With the fighters up against the cage, Gro throws an elbow but misses.
Muskeli blocks the elbow strike.
Gro creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Muskeli's defenses.
Muskeli wants to get back to striking at distance but Gro won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jami Muskeli dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Gro has taken the fight to the clinch.
Muskeli avoids the elbow strike from Gro, against the cage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Gro throws an elbow but misses.
Gro creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Gro throws an elbow but it misses.
Gro misses with an elbow strike.
Muskeli wants to break free but Gro has control.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Gro just misses with a elbow thrown towards Muskeli's brow.
Muskeli wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Gro keeps control of Muskeli as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Gro throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Muskeli blocks the elbow strike.
Gro throws an elbow but it misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Muskeli blocks the elbow strike.
Gro throws an elbow but it misses.
Muskeli wants to get back to striking at distance but Gro won't allow it.
Gro lands an elbow inside.
Gro throws an elbow but it misses.
Muskeli blocks an elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Muskeli working hard to break the clinch.
With the fighters up against the cage, Gro throws an elbow but misses.
Muskeli blocks the elbow strike.
Muskeli tries to break free but Gro pushes him back against the cage.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Gro in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Gro throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Gro misses with an elbow over the top.
Gro pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Gro throws an elbow but misses.
A frustrated look appears on Muskeli's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Muskeli blocks the elbow strike.
Gro misses with an elbow strike.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Gro.
Gro throws an elbow that misses.
Gro throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Gro misses with an elbow over the top.
With the fighters up against the cage, Gro throws an elbow but misses.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Gro just misses with a elbow thrown towards Muskeli's brow.
Muskeli wants to break free but Gro has control.

That's two 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.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Gro just misses with a elbow thrown towards Muskeli's brow.
With the fighters up against the cage, Gro throws an elbow but misses.
Nice elbow from Gro.
With the fighters up against the cage, Gro throws an elbow but misses.
Muskeli dodges an elbow strike from Gro.
Gro looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Gro creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Gro lands a damaging elbow.
Muskeli tries to break the clinch but Gro is controlling the position.
Gro throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Gro pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Muskeli tries to break free but Gro pushes him back against the cage.
Muskeli blocks an elbow strike.
Muskeli dodges an elbow strike from Gro.
Muskeli dodges an elbow strike from Gro.
Gro pushes off an throws an elbow but Muskeli leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Muskeli avoids the elbow strike from Gro, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Muskeli is trying to break the clinch but Gro is controlling him.
Muskeli avoids a wild elbow strike from Gro.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Gro just misses with a elbow thrown towards Muskeli's brow.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Gro.
Gro misses with an elbow strike.
Muskeli blocks an elbow strike from Gro.
Gro throws an elbow that misses.
Gro pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Muskeli avoids the elbow strike from Gro, against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Gro.
Muskeli avoids the elbow strike from Gro, against the cage.
Gro pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Gro throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Gro throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Muskeli blocks an elbow strike from Gro.
Muskeli blocks an elbow strike.
Muskeli dodges an elbow strike from Gro.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Gro just misses with a elbow thrown towards Muskeli's brow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Muskeli wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Gro has him pressed against the cage.
Gro lands an elbow inside.
Gro pushes off an throws an elbow but Muskeli leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Gro just misses with a elbow thrown towards Muskeli's brow.
Gro misses with an elbow over the top.
Gro misses with an elbow over the top.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Gro.
Nice elbow from Gro.
Muskeli blocks an elbow strike from Gro.
Gro pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Muskeli wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Muskeli avoids a wild elbow strike from Gro.
Muskeli wants to break free but Gro has control.
Muskeli takes an elbow to the forehead.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gro looks to throw an elbow but misses.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Gro just misses with a elbow thrown towards Muskeli's brow.
Gro keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Muskeli's efforts to push away.
Muskeli takes an elbow to the forehead.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wain Gro showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Muskeli throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Some wild striking there from Muskeli.
Gro throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Muskeli thuds a left hand into Gro's body.
Gro moves in looking to clinch but Muskeli pushes him off.
Gro throws a head kick that misses.
Muskeli tries to bum rush Gro with a series of wild strikes but Gro uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Gro pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Gro takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Gro cracks the inside of Muskeli's front leg.
Gro throws a leg kick but Muskeli sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Muskeli connects with a good right hand that stumbles Gro. Gro circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Jami Muskeli is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gro takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Jab, jab by Muskeli - just one landing.
Muskeli dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice body punch from Muskeli.
Gro takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Muskeli lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gro circles away quickly and effectively.
Nice shot by Muskeli.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Muskeli checks a low kick from Gro.
Muskeli moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Gro showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Muskeli.
Muskeli throws a right and a left that Gro avoids nicely.
Muskeli moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Gro tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Muskeli paws at him with a jab and circles away.
No joy there for Muskeli, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A punch combination from Muskeli misses.
Muskeli swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A nice combination there by Muskeli.

That has opened up Wain Gro's cut even more.
Muskeli lands the left hand.
Gro pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Gro wants to clinch up but Muskeli keeps it at a distance.
Muskeli will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Muskeli checks a leg kick.
Jami Muskeli is winning the standup battle so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gro is looking to clinch but Muskeli is avoiding it.
Muskeli lands a two punch combo.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Muskeli stuns Gro with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Jami Muskeli seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A big left from Muskeli misses.
Gro throws a low kick, looking for Muskeli's leg but Muskeli calmly moves out of range.
Muskeli jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Muskeli swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Gro tries to clinch but Muskeli is having none of it.
Muskeli throws a hook but Gro avoids it easily.
Gro wants to clinch.
Muskeli scores with a shot to the body.
Muskeli lands with a nice combination. Gro backs away looking to recover.
Muskeli misses with the combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Muskeli lunges at Gro with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Gro's hand.
Gro takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

The cut above Wain Gro's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Muskeli ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gro moves away.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Muskeli!
Muskeli lands with a nice body punch.
Muskeli misses with a two punch combination.
Gro takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Good standup being displayed there by Muskeli as he connects with a hook.
Muskeli lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

Wain Gro's cut is absolute horrible now. This looks like something out of a horror film with blood covering both fighters.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Muskeli misses with a double jab.
Muskeli lands a jab.
Muskeli with a jab.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Wain Gro's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:56 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Jami Muskeli!
Jami Muskeli retains his light heavyweight title!