PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Maciej Gryngor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Erik Saulnier (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.

Gryngor
vs
Saulnier

182 cm
22
213 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

188 cm
21
215 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Maciej Gryngor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Erik Saulnier!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Ian Loll and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saulnier throws a good cross that connects.

It looks like Maciej Gryngor has been cut.
A jab lands there for Gryngor.

It looks like Erik Saulnier has been cut.
Gryngor tries to bum rush Saulnier with a series of wild strikes but Saulnier uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Gryngor throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Gryngor lands a jab followed by a vicious hook that sends Saulnier sprawling to the canvas. Gryngor follows him down, looking for the kill. Can Saulnier hang on?
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Saulnier makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Saulnier.
Gryngor knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Saulnier on the ground.
Gryngor wants to get up but he can't break Saulnier's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Saulnier is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Gryngor is looking to escape.
Saulnier wants to get back to his feet.

Saulnier gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Saulnier closes the distance and clinches up with Gryngor, looking for a takedown. Saulnier pushes Gryngor against the cage but Gryngor circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Maciej Gryngor seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Saulnier shoots in for a takedown but Gryngor shows good takedown defense.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gryngor circles away from the clinch attempt.
Gryngor lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Saulnier circles away quickly and effectively.
Gryngor comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

Gryngor pushes Saulnier up against the cage in a clinch.
Saulnier wants to get back to striking at distance but Gryngor won't allow it.
Saulnier using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Gryngor has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Saulnier looks gassed!
Saulnier stalling in the clinch but Gryngor improves position.
Gryngor lands a damaging elbow.
Gryngor gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Gryngor lands an elbow inside.
Gryngor softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Gryngor creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Saulnier's defenses.
Gryngor lands a shoulder strike.
Gryngor lands an elbow just above Saulnier 's eye.
Saulnier fails to pull guard.
Maciej Gryngor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Erik Saulnier.
Gryngor keeps control of Saulnier as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Saulnier is trying to break free.

Gryngor breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Gryngor gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Maciej Gryngor is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gryngor swinging wildly here.
Saulnier throws a nice looking combination but Gryngor bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Saulnier scores with a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gryngor falls off balance throwing a combination
and Saulnier counters with a two punch combo.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Saulnier changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Gryngor tries to avoid it but Saulnier manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Gryngor to the ground. Gryngor escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Gryngor throws a right and a left that Saulnier avoids nicely.
Saulnier fails in his attempt to clinch.
A right-left combo lands from Gryngor.
Saulnier is looking to clinch.
Saulnier misses with a head kick.
Saulnier throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Saulnier misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Gryngor moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Saulnier fails to land the takedown.

Gryngor darts in and clinches Saulnier up against the cage.
Gryngor lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Saulnier wants to get back to striking at distance but Gryngor won't allow it.
Gryngor lands an elbow that stopped Saulnier in his tracks for a moment.
Saulnier has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Gryngor prevents Saulnier from breaking the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice left hand lands by Gryngor.
Gryngor lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Saulnier backwards.
Saulnier tries to land knees in the clinch but Gryngor avoids the damage to the body.
Gryngor lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Gryngor scores with a nice short uppercut.
Saulnier tries to break the clinch but Gryngor is controlling the position.

Gryngor manages to break the clinch.
Gryngor misses with a double jab.
Saulnier plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Gryngor rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Saulnier moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Saulnier wants to clinch up but Gryngor keeps it at a distance.
Saulnier tries to score a power double leg takedown but Gryngor sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Saulnier somewhat.

Gryngor moves into range and clinches up with Saulnier.
Saulnier can't break the clinch.
Gryngor has Saulnier pressed against the cage, preventing Saulnier from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Gryngor.
Gryngor lands a damaging elbow.
Saulnier is trying to break the clinch but Gryngor has him pressed against the cage.
Gryngor lands an elbow inside that Saulnier shrugs off.
Saulnier takes an elbow to the forehead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gryngor putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Saulnier in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Gryngor has Saulnier pressed against the cage, preventing Saulnier from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Gryngor throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Saulnier changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Gryngor fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Saulnier will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Saulnier tries to clinch up.
Saulnier looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Gryngor looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Gryngor throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Saulnier sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Saulnier connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Saulnier fails with a takedown attempt.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Saulnier is defended easily by Gryngor.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A combination from Saulnier does no damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Maciej Gryngor will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Gryngor!
Saulnier rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Gryngor moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Gryngor darts in and clinches Saulnier up against the cage.
Gryngor lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Gryngor lands an elbow inside that Saulnier shrugs off.
Gryngor creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Saulnier's defenses.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Gryngor.
Saulnier tries to score a body lock takedown but Gryngor shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Saulnier wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Gryngor has him pressed against the cage.
Saulnier looking to slow down the pace here.
Gryngor is pushing Saulnier up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

Gryngor manages to break the clinch.
Saulnier takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Saulnier wants to clinch.
A head kick misses from Saulnier.

Gryngor has closed the distance and engaged Saulnier in a clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Gryngor scores with a shot to the side of Saulnier's head.
Gryngor lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saulnier working hard to break the clinch.
Saulnier tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Gryngor lands an elbow inside.
Gryngor lands a nice uppercut.
Gryngor creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Saulnier's defenses.
Gryngor connects with a nasty looking knee right to Saulnier's face.
Saulnier wants to get back to striking at distance but Gryngor won't allow it.
Saulnier has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Gryngor is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Maciej Gryngor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Erik Saulnier.
Saulnier wants to break the clinch but can't.
Gryngor looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Gryngor lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Saulnier has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Gryngor lands an elbow that stopped Saulnier in his tracks for a moment.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Saulnier is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Saulnier takes an elbow to the forehead.
Gryngor scores with a shoulder strike.
Saulnier wants to get back to striking at distance but Gryngor won't allow it.
Gryngor with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Saulnier drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Gryngor lands a hook that snaps the head of Saulnier backwards.
Saulnier wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A short right from Gryngor on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Saulnier fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Gryngor keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Saulnier's efforts to push away.
Saulnier wants to get back to striking at distance but Gryngor won't allow it.

Gryngor breaks the clinch.
Saulnier slips a jab and a cross from Gryngor.
Saulnier tries to score a power double leg takedown but Gryngor sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Saulnier somewhat.
Saulnier misses with a series of wild punches.
Saulnier tries to clinch but Gryngor is having none of it.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Gryngor keeps the fight on the outside.
Saulnier showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gryngor.
Saulnier lands a body shot.
Saulnier tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Gryngor paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Gryngor keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Saulnier lands with a nice combination. Gryngor backs away looking to recover.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gryngor digs a good body shot into Saulnier's ribs.
No joy there for Saulnier, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Saulnier on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Saulnier throws a nice looking combination but Gryngor bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Saulnier is looking to land body kicks.
Gryngor throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Saulnier rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Gryngor moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Saulnier lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Gryngor lands a two punch combo.
Saulnier is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Saulnier lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Gryngor lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Gryngor swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Saulnier throws a head kick that misses.
Saulnier tries to bum rush Gryngor with a series of wild strikes but Gryngor uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Gryngor lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Saulnier circles away quickly and effectively.
Maciej Gryngor is winning the standup battle so far.
Saulnier throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Some wild striking there from Saulnier.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Saulnier throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Gryngor.
Saulnier closes this distance looking for a takedown but Gryngor circles away.

Gryngor clinches with his opponent.
Gryngor lands a damaging elbow.
Saulnier tries to pull guard but Gryngor won't allow it.
Gryngor lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Saulnier wants to break the clinch but can't.
Gryngor misses with an elbow strike.
Gryngor throws a head punch that misses.
Saulnier is trying to drag Gryngor to the mat but Gryngor just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Saulnier is trying to force a seperation but Gryngor has the dominant position.
Saulnier is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Gryngor comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Gryngor keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Saulnier's efforts to push away.
Saulnier has had enough of the clinch but Gryngor keeps him there for the moment.
Still in the clinch, Gryngor scores with a nice short uppercut.
Saulnier tries to break the clinch but Gryngor is controlling the position.
Gryngor lands an elbow inside.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maciej Gryngor dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Gryngor misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Saulnier shoots in and drives through. Gryngor sprawls well.
Gryngor slips a jab and a cross from Saulnier.
Gryngor lands with a right hand.
Gryngor scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Gryngor throws a series of punches but Saulnier avoids them all with ease.
Saulnier lands a high kick!
Saulnier throws a sloppy head kick and Gryngor moves out of range easily.
Gryngor lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Gryngor.
A head kick misses from Saulnier.

Gryngor gets a clinch.
Saulnier is trying to break the clinch but Gryngor is controlling him.
Gryngor lands an elbow that stopped Saulnier in his tracks for a moment.
Saulnier tries to stall but Gryngor uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Saulnier with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Gryngor lands a damaging elbow.
Gryngor keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Saulnier's efforts to push away.
Saulnier is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Gryngor gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gryngor lands a damaging elbow.
Saulnier jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Gryngor walks away with a smile on his face. Saulnier gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Maciej Gryngor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Erik Saulnier.
Saulnier misses with a few strikes there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gryngor throws a series of strikes that have Saulnier backpedaling.
Saulnier tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Gryngor paws at him with a jab and circles away.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Saulnier.
Gryngor throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Saulnier.
Saulnier fakes the leg kick and cracks Gryngor in the body.
Saulnier throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Gryngor lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Gryngor takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Gryngor defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Saulnier.
Gryngor lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Gryngor avoids the head kick by Saulnier.
Saulnier tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Gryngor looks to land a combination. Saulnier sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Gryngor stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Gryngor wants it to stay on the feet.
Maciej Gryngor is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Saulnier shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Gryngor lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Gryngor lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Gryngor.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saulnier misses with the combination.
Saulnier pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Gryngor lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Saulnier circles away quickly and effectively.
Saulnier avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Gryngor looks to throw the jab but Saulnier is out of range.
Saulnier lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Gryngor backs up against the cage.
Gryngor throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Saulnier counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Gryngor tries to bum rush Saulnier with a series of wild strikes but Saulnier uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Gryngor with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Saulnier tries a head kick but it misses.
Gryngor misses with the combination.
Saulnier throws a shot from downtown. Gryngor moves away and avoids it.
Gryngor displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Saulnier.
Gryngor dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Saulnier. That did some damage!
Saulnier tries to clinch up but Gryngor circles away and keeps his distance.
Nice sprawl there from Gryngor as Saulnier shoots in.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gryngor stalks Saulnier and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Saulnier's face. Saulnier staggers backwards, shaken.
Saulnier shoots in for a takedown but Gryngor shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Gryngor is working the combinations to good effect here.
Gryngor fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
The fighters circling - Gryngor throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Saulnier works over Gryngor's head and body with a nice combination.
Saulnier slips a jab and a cross from Gryngor.
Gryngor looks to land a right hand but Saulnier moved out of range.
Saulnier doesn't manage to clinch there - Gryngor circles away.
A punch combination from Saulnier misses.
Saulnier tries to clinch but Gryngor moves out of range.
Gryngor lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Saulnier circles away quickly and effectively.
Gryngor throws out a powerful jab.
Gryngor is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Saulnier dives in and grabs Gryngor's left leg, looking for a takedown. Gryngor pushes down on Saulnier's head and hops out.
Saulnier throws a right and a left that both miss.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Gryngor!
Saulnier bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Gryngor's head.
Gryngor looks to land a combination but Saulnier avoids it well.
Saulnier misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gryngor misses with a jab, cross combination.
A slapping body kick lands there for Saulnier.
Gryngor misses with the combination.
Gryngor fails to land with a series of punches.
Erik Saulnier has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Saulnier fails to land with a series of punches.
Saulnier looks to throw the jab but Gryngor is out of range.
Gryngor tests Saulnier's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Saulnier changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Gryngor tries to avoid it but Saulnier manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Gryngor to the ground. Gryngor escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
A right-left combo lands from Gryngor.
Gryngor falls off balance throwing a combination
and Saulnier counters with a nice uppercut.
Saulnier connects with a right hand. Gryngor shakes it off.
Saulnier misses with an attempted mid kick.
Gryngor lands a jab-cross combination.
Gryngor lands with a nice body punch.
Saulnier tries to clinch there but Gryngor circles away.
Maciej Gryngor is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Gryngor looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

And that's the end of the fight!
Maciej Gryngor showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Gryngor, 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 William Peck scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 30:27
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Maciej Gryngor!