PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Norbert Grupe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pedro LePlaga (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Grupe comes into the arena with Organized Konfusion - Bring It On (Buckwild Remix) blaring out of the sound system. 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.

Grupe
vs
LePlaga

186 cm
24
178 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

180 cm
21
170 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

Conviction
Convicted Trap House

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Norbert Grupe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Pedro LePlaga!
The judges for this bout are , Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
LePlaga throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
LePlaga misses with a body punch
and Grupe counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Nice body kick there by LePlaga.
LePlaga is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Grupe.
LePlaga staying out of range there.
A punch combination from Grupe misses.
Grupe thows a leg kick but LePlaga checks it
and LePlaga counters with a two punch combo.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
LePlaga loads up on a big right hand but Grupe slips the punch.
LePlaga jabs Grupe to the body, keeping him at a distance.
LePlaga dodges the punch combination from Grupe.
Grupe looks to land a left hand but LePlaga moved out of range nicely.
Grupe throws a combination that misses
and LePlaga counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A head kick misses from LePlaga.
Grupe scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

It looks like Pedro LePlaga has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grupe fails to land with a series of punches.
LePlaga throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Grupe.
Grupe misses with a wild combination.
Grupe throws a nice looking combination but LePlaga bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A slapping leg kick lands for LePlaga.

Grupe gets tackled into the cage by LePlaga. LePlaga maintains the clinch.
LePlaga connects with a knee to the head.
A short uppercut from LePlaga.
LePlaga with a knee to the head.
LePlaga tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Grupe smiles and moves away.
LePlaga moves in looking to clinch but Grupe pushes him off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grupe blocks a head kick by LePlaga.
LePlaga moves in looking to clinch but Grupe pushes him off.
LePlaga ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Grupe moves away.
A head kick from LePlaga lands but Grupe takes it in his stride.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A looping hook to the body misses from LePlaga. Grupe does a little dance to reset his feet.
LePlaga swings for the body but Grupe moves out of range.
LePlaga throws a nice head kick!

Grupe is rocked!

LePlaga moves into the clinch.
Oh Grupe is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
LePlaga makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
LePlaga misses with a punch to the body.
LePlaga connects with a nasty looking knee right to Grupe's face.
A short right from LePlaga on the inside.
Grupe throws a head punch that misses.
LePlaga tries for a takedown. No joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grupe tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
LePlaga blocks an elbow strike from Grupe.
LePlaga with an attempt at a knee that misses.
LePlaga doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for LePlaga.
Grupe seems to have got his legs back now.
LePlaga stalls.
LePlaga throws a head punch that misses.
Grupe working some nice short punches in the clinch.
LePlaga misses with some punches.
LePlaga goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
LePlaga tries a body shot but Grupe blocks it.
LePlaga trying to land knees to the body.
Grupe blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grupe pressing his opponent against the cage.
LePlaga stalling in the clinch.
Grupe holding his opponent close, against the cage.
LePlaga throws a head punch that misses.
LePlaga looking to slow down the pace here.
The referee is keeping an eye on LePlaga - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
LePlaga doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
LePlaga fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Norbert Grupe has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pedro LePlaga.
Grupe softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pedro LePlaga dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Pedro LePlaga's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Grupe fails to land the takedown.

Grupe gets tackled into the cage by LePlaga. LePlaga maintains the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by LePlaga.
LePlaga trying to land knees to the body.
Grupe lands with a light punch inside.
Grupe is trying to break the clinch but LePlaga is controlling him.
Grupe blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Grupe effectively controlling the action here.
Grupe managing to block the knees to the body from LePlaga.
LePlaga with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
LePlaga tries to score a body lock takedown but Grupe shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Pedro LePlaga seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
LePlaga lands a good knee to the midsection. Grupe won't want to take too many of those.

That's one minute gone in the round.
LePlaga misses with a knee strike.

Grupe manages to break the clinch.
LePlaga lands a nice looking body kick.
LePlaga misses the shot to the body.
Pedro LePlaga seems to be getting the better of the standup.
LePlaga throws a head kick but Grupe moves out of range.
LePlaga stuns Grupe with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Grupe looks to land a combination but LePlaga avoids it well.
Grupe connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed LePlaga momentarily.
Grupe looks to throw the jab but LePlaga is out of range.
LePlaga tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Grupe was well out of range. Poor timing from LePlaga.
Norbert Grupe is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Grupe scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
A head kick misses from LePlaga.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A head kick misses from LePlaga.
LePlaga jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Grupe throws a right and a left that LePlaga avoids nicely.
Grupe misses with a double jab.
LePlaga misses with a two punch combination.
A decent looking cross lands there for Grupe.
LePlaga fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Grupe manages to avoid it.
LePlaga throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
LePlaga throws a right and a left that Grupe avoids nicely.
LePlaga lands a nice shot to the body.
Pedro LePlaga seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
LePlaga misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
LePlaga is breathing heavily.
LePlaga dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

LePlaga gets a clinch.
Grupe gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from LePlaga.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from LePlaga 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.
LePlaga looking to throw knees to the head but Grupe is blocking nicely.
Grupe working aggressively here.
Grupe trying to control the position but instead, LePlaga has worked for underhooks and has pushed Grupe into the cage.
LePlaga missing with knees to the body.

Grupe's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A jab from Grupe finds it's way through LePlaga's defenses.
LePlaga throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
LePlaga tries to close the distance and clinch up but Grupe swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Grupe tries to bum rush LePlaga with a series of wild strikes but LePlaga uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
LePlaga has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
LePlaga scores with a kick to the body.
LePlaga tries to clinch up but Grupe circles away and keeps his distance.
Grupe uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from LePlaga.
LePlaga thows a body shot but no joy.
A swing and a miss from LePlaga.

LePlaga fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Grupe, pushing him back against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
LePlaga throws a knee to the head but misses.
LePlaga misses with a punch to the body.
Grupe 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.

A close second round but Pedro LePlaga will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Pedro LePlaga's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Grupe fails to land with a series of punches.
LePlaga is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Grupe rather than just go for the knockout.
LePlaga throws a head kick that misses.
LePlaga tries to clinch but Grupe moves out of range.
LePlaga tries a head kick but it misses.
Grupe throws a leg kick
and LePlaga counters with a head kick.
LePlaga lands a high kick!
Grupe tries to bum rush LePlaga with a series of wild strikes but LePlaga uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Grupe swings and misses with a hook to the body.
LePlaga throws a lazy right hand but Grupe sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
LePlaga swings for the body but Grupe moves out of range.
LePlaga is looking to clinch.
LePlaga throws out a loose jab but Grupe uses good head movement to avoid it.
LePlaga tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Grupe counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

That has opened up Pedro LePlaga's cut even more.

That's one minute gone in the round.
LePlaga tries a head kick but it misses.
LePlaga throws a body punch but Grupe moves out of range.
Grupe avoids the head kick by LePlaga.
LePlaga looks to land a left hand but Grupe moved out of range nicely.
Grupe misses with a series of wild punches.
LePlaga lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Grupe circles away quickly and effectively.
LePlaga takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
LePlaga misses with a lunging right hand
and Grupe counters with a straight right hand.

Grupe lands a left and a right that send LePlaga crashing to the mat, dazed. Grupe thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
LePlaga throws a left and a right that both miss
and Grupe counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grupe throws a right and a left that LePlaga avoids nicely.
Grupe fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Grupe displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

The cut above Pedro LePlaga's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Grupe throws an overhand right that lands on LePlaga's shoulder, as LePlaga tries to avoid the shot.
Grupe fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
LePlaga avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
LePlaga throws out a loose jab but Grupe uses good head movement to avoid it.
LePlaga fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Grupe manages to avoid it.
LePlaga misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
LePlaga scores with a spinning back kick!

Grupe drops LePlaga with a beautiful combination! LePlaga stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Grupe is looking for the KO!

LePlaga is rocked!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
LePlaga misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Grupe.
A shot to the liver by LePlaga. Beautiful body shot.
LePlaga throws a hook but Grupe blocks it.
Nice defenses there by Grupe.
LePlaga dodges the punch combination from Grupe.
Pedro LePlaga is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
LePlaga throws a head kick but Grupe moves out of range.
Norbert Grupe has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Grupe will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Grupe throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Grupe fails to land with a series of punches.
LePlaga wants to clinch up but Grupe keeps it at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grupe scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

Pedro LePlaga's cut is absolute horrible now. This looks like something out of a horror film with blood covering both fighters.
LePlaga throws a combination. Grupe tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Grupe slips a jab and a cross from LePlaga.
Grupe misses with a few strikes there.
LePlaga pulls out of a head kick attempt.
LePlaga misses with a double jab.
LePlaga jabbing away but nothing is landing.
LePlaga throws a jab when Grupe was well out of range.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
LePlaga is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Grupe.

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

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Norbert Grupe!