PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Lars De Groot (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jay Bird (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.

De Groot
vs
Bird

150 cm
21
144 lbs
4 - 2 - 1

160 cm
28
136 lbs
7 - 8 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Very strong

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

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 4 - 2 - 1, fighting out of New York, Lars De Groot!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jay Bird!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Reed Andrews and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bird misses with a takedown
and De Groot counters with a leg kick.
Bird lands with an uppercut that bounces De Groot off the cage and back into rage.

De Groot pushes Bird up against the cage in a clinch.

De Groot breaks from the clinch.
Bird closes the distance but De Groot moves to the side
and De Groot counters with a one-two to the body.
Bird misses with the body kick
and De Groot counters with an inside leg kick.
Bird throws a leg kick

and De Groot counters by moving into the clinch.
De Groot lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
De Groot working some nice short punches in the clinch.
De Groot keeps control of Bird as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

De Groot manages to break the clinch.
Bird swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and De Groot counters with an outside leg kick.
Bird misses with a takedown attempt
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Bird swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and De Groot counters with a one-two to the body.
Bird looks gassed!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bird takes a kick to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bird throws an ugly left hook that misses

and De Groot counters by clinching up.
De Groot is pushing Bird up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
De Groot lands a body punch in the clinch.

De Groot breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bird darts in trying to clinch
and De Groot makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.

Bird throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. De Groot tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Bird is in De Groot's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
De Groot has Bird pulled in close to control his posture.
De Groot utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
De Groot has Bird pulled in close to control his posture.
Bird trying to control the position from guard on top but De Groot is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bird with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
De Groot looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Bird has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
De Groot avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
De Groot avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Bird pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. De Groot is keeping the position for now.
Bird trying to control the position from guard on top but De Groot is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
De Groot turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bird gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Lars De Groot has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jay Bird.
De Groot lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
A slapping leg kick lands for De Groot.
Bird takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Bird throws a left and a right that both miss
and De Groot counters with a head kick.
De Groot pulls out of a head kick attempt.
De Groot throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Bird misses with an uppercut
and De Groot counters with a three punch combo that has Bird backing up. Bird nods at De Groot to acknowledge the strikes.
A lazy body kick from Bird
and De Groot counters with a good low kick that Bird was not able to check.
Bird throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and De Groot counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Bird is lucky that one didn't land flush.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
De Groot goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
De Groot fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Bird paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Jay Bird seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
De Groot buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
De Groot shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Bird eats them both and turns towards De Groot to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
De Groot turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
De Groot throws a head kick that half lands.
Bird on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by De Groot. De Groot obviously looking to wear him down.
De Groot scores with a head kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
De Groot lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
De Groot scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
De Groot misses with a wild combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lars De Groot dominated that round.
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.

De Groot lands with a kick to the temple. Bird shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Bird darts in trying to clinch
and De Groot counters with a low kick, right behind Bird 's knee.
Lars De Groot is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bird throws a leg kick
and De Groot counters with a head kick. That will keep Bird thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!

De Groot clinches up against the cage.

De Groot manages to break the clinch.
Bird throws a combination that misses
and De Groot counters with a thumping low kick.

De Groot has Bird up against the cage in a clinch.
Bird is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Bird is breathing heavily.
De Groot tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Bird avoids it.

De Groot breaks the clinch.
Bird swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and De Groot counters with an inside leg kick.
Lars De Groot is winning the standup battle so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Groot throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Bird shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and De Groot counters with an inside leg kick.

De Groot has managed to clinch.

De Groot escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
De Groot has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from De Groot there as he acknowledges the shot.
De Groot's corner calls for a 1-2. De Groot obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Bird misses with a shot to the body

and De Groot counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

De Groot breaks the clinch.
Bird chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before De Groot can pounce on him.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Bird.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by De Groot!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bird looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Bird dodges the punch combination from De Groot.
De Groot plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Bird misses with a combination
and De Groot counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
De Groot misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Bird fails to land the takedown.
Lars De Groot has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jay Bird.
De Groot throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bird takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De Groot lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
De Groot throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Bird.
A head kick from De Groot lands but Bird takes it in his stride.
De Groot lands a head kick. Bird smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
De Groot tries to bum rush Bird with a series of wild strikes but Bird uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Bird misses with a right hand
and De Groot counters with a nice leg kick.
Bird throws a leg kick

and De Groot holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

De Groot escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
De Groot ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
De Groot lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
De Groot fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
De Groot pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
De Groot throws a sloppy head kick and Bird moves out of range easily.
Bird swings away with a body shot that misses

and De Groot counters by moving into the clinch.
De Groot has Bird pressed against the cage, preventing Bird from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

De Groot manages to break the clinch.
Bird misses with a leg kick
and De Groot connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A nice inside leg kick there by Bird. That's going to slow De Groot down.
De Groot misses with a head kick.

De Groot clinches with his opponent.

De Groot breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
De Groot swings and misses with a hook to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
De Groot cracks the inside of Bird's front leg.
Bird misses with a combination
and De Groot counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lars De Groot dominated that second round.
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. This is the final round!

A slapping leg kick lands for De Groot.
Bird misses with a hook to the body
and De Groot counters with an inside leg kick.
Bird circles away from the clinch attempt.
Bird throws a lazy body kick
and De Groot counters with a head kick. That will keep Bird thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Bird throws a lazy body kick
and De Groot counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Bird takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
De Groot misses with a combination
and Bird counters with a straight right hand.
De Groot throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Bird.
Bird misses with a right hand
and De Groot counters with a nice low kick that buckles Bird's knee momentarily.
Bird takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Bird throws a head kick that misses
and De Groot counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Bird is lucky that one didn't land flush.
De Groot throws a series of punches but Bird avoids them all with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bird throws a predictable looking body shot
and De Groot counters with a good low kick that Bird was not able to check.
An inside leg kick lands from De Groot.
Bird is trying hard to land a takedown here. De Groot sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
De Groot throws a head kick that Bird semi-blocks.

De Groot has managed to clinch.

De Groot escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
De Groot throws a left and a right that both miss
and Bird counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
A head kick from De Groot lands but Bird takes it in his stride.
A combination from De Groot does no damage.
De Groot gets cracked there but stands up to it.

De Groot closes the distance and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bird has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. De Groot is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

De Groot breaks from the clinch.
Bird has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
De Groot throws a quick inside leg kick.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Bird.
Lars De Groot has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jay Bird.
Bird misses with a body shot
and De Groot counters with a leg kick.
De Groot lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Bird takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Bird misses with a combination
and De Groot counters with a nice leg kick.

De Groot moves into the clinch.
De Groot leaning his opponent against the cage.
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!
De Groot prevents the takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

De Groot escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Bird misses with a hook
and De Groot counters with a leg kick.
De Groot misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
De Groot throws a leg kick which misses Bird's front leg but catches the back leg as Bird tries to avoid it.
De Groot connects with a high kick.
Bird falls off balance throwing a combination
and De Groot counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Bird is lucky that one didn't land flush.
De Groot connects with a leg kick. Bird looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Lars De Groot is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

De Groot clinches.

De Groot breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bird throws a combination that misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
De Groot lands a nice leg kick that just misses Bird's sensitive parts.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
De Groot looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Bird dodges the punch combination from De Groot.
Bird misses with a combination
and De Groot counters with a nice low kick that buckles Bird's knee momentarily.
De Groot shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Bird eats them both and turns towards De Groot to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Jay Bird has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bird misses with a shot to the body
and De Groot counters with a big head kick but Bird shrugs it off.
A head kick from De Groot lands but Bird takes it in his stride.
De Groot pulls out of a head kick attempt.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
De Groot lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
De Groot fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Bird has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
De Groot takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lars De Groot showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for De Groot, 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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 30:26
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 30:26
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lars De Groot!