PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Thiago Grove (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hazel Johnston (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Grove
vs
Johnston

178 cm
22
133 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

158 cm
19
140 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

Attliction Inc. - badass sold out last night....

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Thiago Grove!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Hazel Johnston!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Jack Bonds and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Grove bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnston sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Johnston is looking to improve his position.
Johnston trying to hold on to Grove's head to control him but Grove postures up.
Johnston won't allow Grove to pass to mount.
Johnston is trying to maintain the position but Grove is very close to passing his half guard.
Johnston is looking to improve his position.
Grove wants to get back to his feet.
Johnston tries to kick Grove off but Grove keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Grove throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Thiago Grove seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Johnston shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Johnston showed some decent athleticism there.
Johnston trying to control from half guard but Grove is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Grove actively working from the bottom here.
Grove tries to roll over but Johnston keeps him under control.
Grove is staying active underneath Johnston, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Grove tries to roll over but Johnston keeps him under control.
Johnston is trying to control the action in half guard but Grove is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Grove wants to get back to full guard.

Johnston wants to work for an arm triangle but Grove is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Grove has his takedown stuffed
and Johnston counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Grove is breathing heavily.
Grove with a lazy takedown attempt

and Johnston decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Grove's guard.

Grove is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Johnston trying to control but Grove is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Johnston avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Johnston gets to his feet. Grove looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Grove fails with the takedown

and Johnston counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thiago Grove. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Grove regains full guard. Nicely done.
Grove looking for a sweep. Not yet Grove, not yet.

Grove working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Johnston doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oh but Grove is tightening it up a little... Johnston has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! Johnston reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! Johnston taps out! nice BJJ there by Grove!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:50 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Thiago Grove!
Thiago Grove is the new bantamweight champion!