PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Shika Kriston (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thomas Grossman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kriston comes to the cage accompanied by All I Do is Win. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kriston
vs
Grossman

180 cm
19
135 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

175 cm
20
141 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Self confident

Good wrestler
Brawler
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Shika Kriston!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Thomas Grossman!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kriston changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Grossman tries to avoid it but Kriston manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Grossman to the ground. Grossman escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kriston shoots in for a takedown but Grossman shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Kriston misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shika Kriston. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Grossman shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Grossman showed some decent athleticism there.
Grossman thows a huge punch but Kriston dodges it nicely.
Grossman prevents Kriston from improving his position.
Kriston on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Kriston really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Kriston keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Grossman is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Grossman scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Kriston is looking for a sweep. Grossman is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Kriston looking for submissions off his back.
Grossman tries to pass to full mount but Kriston defends it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kriston wants to get back to his feet.

Grossman is trying to work for a kimura but Kriston is defending well.
Grossman throwing shots but Kriston is blocking nicely.
Kriston is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Grossman scores with a couple of nice shots.
Kriston avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Grossman.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Grossman takes a kick to the side of the head.
Grossman closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kriston circles away.
Kriston misses with a takedown attempt

and Grossman counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Kriston's guard now.
Kriston is breathing heavily.
Grossman prevents Kriston from getting back to his feet.
Grossman wants to stand but Kriston has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grossman working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Kriston is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Grossman postures up and lands a big shot to Kriston's brow.
Grossman must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Kriston utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kriston wants to stand but Grossman is controlling the position.
Grossman is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Kriston trying to control the position.
Kriston manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Grossman is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kriston working for a guillotine from mount but Grossman is in no mood to give up.
Grossman wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Kriston lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Grossman really wants to buck Kriston off and get back to his feet.
Kriston trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Grossman is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Kriston working away from the top, dropping strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Kriston trying to control but Grossman is having none of it.

Kriston with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Grossman is trying to stand up.
Grossman taking shots to the head.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Grossman can do anything to dispel that myth.
Grossman tries to buck Kriston off but he can't manage it.
Kriston landing strikes, looking to finish!
Grossman trying desperately to get to his feet.
Kriston landing shots from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Grossman dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kriston tries to clinch but Grossman moves out of range.
Kriston fails with the takedown

and Grossman counters with a shoot takedown. Kriston fights it but they end up in guard.

Kriston throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Grossman looking to pass the guard.

Kriston looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Grossman wants to pass the guard but Kriston is keeping the position.
Thomas Grossman has got the better of the ground game so far.
Grossman with a flurry of punches that miss.
Kriston looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grossman passes into half guard.
Grossman thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kriston's head.
Grossman lands with a punch from half guard.
Grossman is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kriston manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Kriston tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kriston is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Kriston wants to pass the guard but Grossman is defending well.
Grossman really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kriston. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Grossman is looking to escape.

Kriston stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kriston doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Grossman counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Grossman is looking to work some ground and pound but Kriston has wrist control.
Grossman in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Grossman trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Grossman makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Kriston wants to get back to his feet but Grossman is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kriston looking for a sweep. Not yet Kriston, not yet.
Grossman is looking to work some ground and pound but Kriston has wrist control.

Kriston had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Grossman defends it easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kriston trying to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grossman pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kriston is keeping the position for now.
Kriston wants to stand but Grossman is controlling the position.

Grossman stands up from Kriston's guard - Grossman perhaps looking for a knockout.
Kriston fails with the takedown

and Grossman counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Kriston's guard now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shika Kriston. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kriston is trying to control the position but Grossman postures up.

Kriston looking for a guillotine here but Grossman defends easily.
Grossman trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grossman throws a strike but Kriston rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Kriston stands up and waves to Grossman to follow him.
Kriston shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Grossman counters with a single leg into guard. Kriston didn't expect that.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Grossman trying to move into half guard but instead Kriston has managed to sweep!
Kriston passes easily into side control. Nice work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kriston tries to move into full mount but can't pass Grossman's legs.

Kriston decides to stand up, so the ref orders Grossman to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Grossman showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Grossman bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Kriston defending against the ground and pound.
Kriston manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Kriston has hold of Grossman's hands but Grossman slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Grossman thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Kriston to regain full guard.
Grossman in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kriston wants to stand but Grossman is controlling the position.
Grossman trying to move into half guard but instead Kriston has managed to sweep!
Grossman working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kriston.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kriston in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kriston tries to free his leg and advance position but Grossman is retaining full guard.

Grossman wriggles free and stands up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kriston closes the distance and clinches up with Grossman, looking for a takedown. Kriston pushes Grossman against the cage but Grossman circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kriston shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Grossman counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Grossman throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Grossman is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Kriston is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Kriston has escaped and now he's on top!
Kriston trying to control but Grossman is working from the bottom.
Grossman preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Grossman has his feet on Kriston's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Kriston leaves Grossman with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grossman fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kriston avoids it really well and circles away.

Grossman shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Kriston manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kriston is looking to stand up but Grossman isn't so interested in that idea.
Grossman postures up and lands a big shot to Kriston's brow.
Grossman advances to half guard.
Grossman prevents Kriston from standing back up.
Grossman seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Kriston taking some punishment here, with Grossman in his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kriston wants to improve his position but Grossman is controlling well.
Grossman stops Kriston from getting back to his feet.
Grossman prevents Kriston from improving his position.
Kriston is working hard here to advance position.
Kriston avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Grossman.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Kriston leaves Grossman with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Shika Kriston has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thomas Grossman.
Kriston with a poor takedown

so Grossman counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Kriston preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Grossman stopping the sweep attempt from Kriston.
Grossman chips away with some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grossman makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Grossman stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kriston swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Shika Kriston has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kriston avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kriston tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Grossman tries to free his leg and advance position but Kriston is retaining full guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Grossman drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Kriston struggling a bit here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Grossman creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Kriston sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Thomas Grossman is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Grossman lands a decent elbow from side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thomas Grossman comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Grossman winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Suge Night scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thomas Grossman!