PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Scotty McGruber (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dorian Walker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

McGruber
vs
Walker

190 cm
23
215 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

190 cm
20
214 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Knockout power

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 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Scotty McGruber!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Dorian Walker!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Bruno Lombardi and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Walker shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. McGruber manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
McGruber pulls Walker in close to his closed guard and prevents Walker from doing any damage or advancing position.
McGruber preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Walker lands a couple of digs.
Walker throws and elbow that misses. McGruber uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Walker's guard. Nice move by McGruber!
McGruber throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Walker doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
McGruber trying to control the position from guard on top but Walker is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McGruber throws a big right hand that misses.
Walker preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Walker seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Walker is on top in guard.
McGruber wants to stand and escape but Walker is having none of it.
McGruber is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
McGruber preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
McGruber manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Walker manages to get himself to full guard.
McGruber is looking to work some ground and pound but Walker has wrist control.
Walker is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

McGruber is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Walker is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Walker has escaped and now he's on top!
Walker is working McGruber over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Walker missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Walker stands up over McGruber, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Walker trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
McGruber working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Walker.
Walker looking to pass the guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Walker throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as McGruber works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
McGruber controlling Walker's posture.
Walker wants to pass the guard but McGruber is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Walker is looking to work some ground and pound but McGruber has wrist control.
McGruber controls Walker momentarily but Walker frees himself.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
McGruber leaves Walker with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Walker throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
McGruber jabs at Walker's body.
McGruber wants to clinch.
McGruber bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Walker's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGruber waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Walker.
McGruber misses with a double jab

and Walker counters with a single leg into guard. McGruber didn't expect that.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Walker's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McGruber utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Walker thows a big elbow that misses.
Walker throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Walker throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as McGruber works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Walker throws and elbow that misses. McGruber uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Walker's guard. Nice move by McGruber!
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as McGruber accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McGruber throws a big right hand that misses.
McGruber missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dorian Walker dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

McGruber throws a nice looking combination but Walker bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
McGruber looks to clinch
and Walker connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A slow jab from McGruber misses its intended target.

McGruber clinches.

McGruber breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
McGruber misses with a body shot
and Walker counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Walker bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Walker throws a strike aimed at the side of McGruber's head but McGruber avoids it well.
McGruber takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Walker working the head and body with strikes.
Walker throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and McGruber works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Walker thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing McGruber to regain full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Walker accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Walker tries to free his leg and advance position but McGruber is retaining full guard.
McGruber is adopting a defensive guard.
McGruber preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
McGruber is adopting a defensive guard.
Walker must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Walker throws a strike but McGruber rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as McGruber accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Walker bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in McGruber's guard.
Walker stands and throws McGruber's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Dorian Walker has got the better of the ground game so far.
Walker working the body and head with strikes.
McGruber taking punishment in the form of punches.
Walker throws an elbow but McGruber slips to the side and avoids it well.
Walker has knee on belly momentarily but McGruber bucks him off and regains half guard.
Walker looks to land a strike but McGruber avoids it nicely and regains full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Walker throws a strike but McGruber rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
McGruber trying to control the position from guard on top but Walker is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McGruber missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Walker wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

McGruber is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Walker is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Walker has escaped and now he's on top!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McGruber avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Walker trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Walker is working McGruber over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Walker is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Walker throws a big right hand that misses.
Walker postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
McGruber is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Walker throws a big right hand that misses.
Walker wants to pass the guard but McGruber is keeping the position.
McGruber trying to control the position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dorian Walker showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

McGruber takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
McGruber tries to close the distance and clinch up but Walker swats him away and circles back towards the center.
McGruber stuffs the takedown.
Walker is on the wrong end of a nice combination from McGruber.
Left hook, right uppercut from McGruber.
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!

McGruber clinches up with Walker and pushes him back against the cage.

McGruber breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

McGruber drops Walker with a left right combo! McGruber follows him down to the ground into side control.

Walker is rocked!

It looks like Dorian Walker has been cut.
Walker tries to improve position but can't.
Walker defending against the ground and pound.
McGruber throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Walker is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on McGruber's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGruber throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Walker can do anything to dispel that myth.
McGruber thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Walker tries to roll over but McGruber keeps him under control.
Walker regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from McGruber.
McGruber is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
McGruber is looking to work some ground and pound but Walker has wrist control.
Walker tries to land a sweep but no joy.
McGruber with a flurry of punches that miss.
Walker working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from McGruber.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Walker pulls McGruber in close to prevent any damage.
Walker preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Walker is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
McGruber is in trouble now - Walker has advanced to mount!
McGruber regains half guard.
McGruber 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.
Walker landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGruber blocking the ground and pound attempt from Walker.
McGruber is trying to control but can't.
McGruber is trying is best to control the position here.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Walker lands a nice short elbow.
McGruber taking some punishment here, with Walker in his half guard.
McGruber works his way to full guard. Good work.
Walker throws a big right hand that misses.
Walker throwing strikes but missing.
McGruber looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Walker pushes down on McGruber's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Walker throwing shots but McGruber is blocking nicely.
McGruber is pressing down on Walker's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Walker postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
McGruber preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Walker working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Walker throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Walker is looking to work some ground and pound but McGruber has wrist control.
Walker working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Scotty McGruber clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Dorian Walker's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

McGruber misses with a few strikes there.
McGruber connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
McGruber misses with a double jab

and Walker counters with a nice double leg into side control. McGruber won't be happy with that.
The strikes coming from Walker are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Walker lands a decent elbow from side control.
McGruber gets back to half guard.
Walker throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
McGruber regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Walker.
Walker throwing strikes but missing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Walker trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
McGruber working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Walker.
Walker is looking to advance position but McGruber has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Walker is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
McGruber thowing shots but they're missing.
Poor strikes thrown by McGruber there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
McGruber misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Walker blocking the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
McGruber misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
McGruber misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Poor strikes thrown by McGruber there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Walker blocking the ground and pound.
Walker is desperately trying to improve his position but McGruber has a good base and remains in mount.
McGruber thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Walker bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Walker stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. McGruber swivels though and keeps the full guard.
McGruber pulls Walker in close to prevent any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Walker throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Walker with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Walker makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Walker trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Walker sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed McGruber's guard.
Walker misses with a head shot. McGruber uses the momentum to regain guard.
McGruber preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

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.
Walker trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Walker throws and elbow that misses. McGruber uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Walker's guard. Nice move by McGruber!
Walker looking to control.
Walker avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
McGruber thows a big elbow that misses.
McGruber throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
McGruber misses with a two punch combination.
McGruber misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
McGruber walks into a straight right hand from Walker.
The fighters circling - McGruber throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Walker changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. McGruber looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dorian Walker dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Dorian Walker'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!

Walker is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in McGruber's half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Walker thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
McGruber tries to roll over but Walker keeps him under control.
Walker works his way into full mount!
Walker thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
McGruber is looking to get to half guard.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Poor strikes thrown by Walker there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Walker throws a sloppy strike and McGruber uses the opportunity to reverse the position! A bit of a scramble here and McGruber has ended up in Walker's guard.
Walker looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Walker working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from McGruber.
Walker trying to keep a closed guard but McGruber is proving a slippery customer.
Walker lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for McGruber!
Walker with the ground and pound from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGruber manages to work a leg through to get back to half guard here. Good work there by McGruber, under a barage of strikes from Walker.
McGruber is looking for a sweep. Walker is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Walker with the ground and pound but McGruber uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Walker throwing strikes but missing.
Walker thows a big elbow that misses.
Walker is fighting to break McGruber's control of his arms but McGruber is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Walker throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as McGruber works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Walker postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
A swing and a miss from McGruber.
Walker lands a straight punch to the body, keeping McGruber at a distance.
Scotty McGruber is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Walker is on the wrong end of a nice combination from McGruber.
McGruber avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
McGruber falls off balance throwing a combination

and Walker counters with a shoot takedown. McGruber fights it but they end up in guard.
McGruber preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Walker throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as McGruber works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Walker throwing strikes from guard but McGruber blocks nicely.
Walker throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Scotty McGruber has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Walker stops McGruber from standing up.
Walker is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Walker won't allow McGruber to sweep him here.
McGruber avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Walker swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Walker takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Walker getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
McGruber closes the distance looking to clinch
and Walker connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Walker gets a takedown into half guard.
Walker scoring with strikes to the body and head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dorian Walker comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Walker 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 Jorge Garcia scores the fight 46:49
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 46:49
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dorian Walker!
Dorian Walker is the new light heavyweight champion!