PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Simen Nielsen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dan McGrew (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Simen Nielsen has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Simen Nielsen seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Nielsen
vs
McGrew

188 cm
24
189 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

178 cm
25
188 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Experienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Simen Nielsen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Dan McGrew!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Paulsen Ambrosius and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nielsen throws a right hand that McGrew ducks under and follows up with a left that McGrew also avoids with ease.
Nielsen lands a nice hook to McGrew's body. McGrew takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Nielsen fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Simen Nielsen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nielsen throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and McGrew counters with a stiff right hand.
Nielsen misses with a few strikes there.
Nielsen's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Nielsen duly obliges.
Nielsen swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
McGrew takes a jab right on the kisser.
Nielsen slaps away a takedown attempt from McGrew, before circling back to the center of the mat.
McGrew connects with a solid leg kick.
Nielsen throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Nielsen throws a right hand that McGrew ducks under and follows up with a left that McGrew also avoids with ease.
Nielsen throws a nice looking combination but McGrew bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Simen Nielsen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nielsen slips a straight right by McGrew.
McGrew slips a jab and a cross from Nielsen.
Nice uppercut lands for Nielsen. That snapped McGrew's head back.
Nielsen throws a right hand that McGrew ducks under and follows up with a left that McGrew also avoids with ease.
Nielsen keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Nielsen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Nielsen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Nielsen misses with a jab, cross combination.
Nielsen swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
McGrew misses with a jab, cross combination.
McGrew throws a low kick but Nielsen moves out of range easily.
Nielsen lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Nielsen does no damage.

McGrew bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Nielsen avoids any damage from the ground and pound of McGrew.

McGrew thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Nielsen is looking for a sweep.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Who's going to make the next move?
Nielsen regains half guard there - taking advantage of McGrew's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGrew prevents Nielsen from improving his position.
McGrew wants to free his trapped foot but Nielsen is holding on for dear life with his legs.
McGrew thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
McGrew wants to pass the guard but Nielsen is defending well.
McGrew seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Nielsen does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
McGrew tries to pass to full mount but Nielsen defends it.
McGrew frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McGrew goes for an armbar but Nielsen turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Nielsen.

McGrew throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

McGrew escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Nielsen gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nielsen advances to half guard.
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 Simen Nielsen will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Nielsen swings for the body but McGrew moves out of range.
McGrew has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
A combination from Nielsen does no damage.
Nielsen uses good head movement to avoid the hook from McGrew.
Nielsen slaps away a takedown attempt from McGrew, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Nielsen misses with a series of wild punches.

McGrew scores with a takedown into Nielsen's guard.
Nielsen bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in McGrew's guard.
Nielsen trying to control the position from guard on top but McGrew is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

McGrew is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Nielsen is aware though and is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGrew working a defensive guard here.
Nielsen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Nielsen wants to stand but McGrew is controlling his posture from full guard.
Nielsen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. McGrew is keeping the position for now.

Nielsen decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nielsen stalks McGrew and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into McGrew's face. McGrew staggers backwards, shaken.
Nielsen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Nielsen scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Nielsen gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Nielsen will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Nielsen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
McGrew misses with a left hand
and Nielsen counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Nielsen scores with a nice head shot.
Some wild striking there from Nielsen.
Simen Nielsen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nielsen swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and McGrew counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by McGrew.
McGrew trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

McGrew drops back, looking for a kneebar! Nielsen looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Nielsen looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Nielsen!

Nielsen decides to stand back up.
McGrew tries to bum rush Nielsen with a series of wild strikes but Nielsen uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
McGrew throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Nielsen counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Nielsen goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!

McGrew feints and as Nielsen raises his hands in defense, McGrew changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
McGrew sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Nielsen's guard.
Nielsen slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
McGrew wants to pass the guard but Nielsen is keeping the position.
McGrew is breathing heavily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nielsen pulls McGrew in to control the position.
Nielsen can't keep his opponent in guard - McGrew advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Dan McGrew will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

McGrew takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Nielsen lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but McGrew circles away quickly and effectively.

McGrew shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
McGrew looking to finish with strikes here!
Nielsen regains half guard.
Nielsen has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. McGrew is working away from the top position though.
McGrew is keen to just control but Nielsen is a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McGrew is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Nielsen is just riding it out for now. McGrew eventually gives up the hold.
Nielsen wants to control the action here but instead McGrew manages to pass to full mount!
Nielsen tries to hold on but McGrew postures up.

McGrew goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Nielsen turns into him and now he's in McGrew's guard.

Nielsen gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nielsen dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
McGrew looks to score with a jab to the body but Nielsen is just out of range.
Nielsen lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but McGrew circles away quickly and effectively.
Nielsen avoids a kick to the body.
Nielsen is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
A lazy left from Nielsen finds it's target.
McGrew swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Nielsen fails to land with a series of punches.
Nielsen throws a left and a right that both miss
and McGrew cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
McGrew shoots in looking for a takedown. Nielsen tries to sprawl out of it but McGrew keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Nielsen manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nielsen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but McGrew moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nielsen throws a series of punches but McGrew moves out of range.
A jab from McGrew finds it's way through Nielsen's defenses.
A shot to the body from McGrew misses
and Nielsen cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Nielsen moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
McGrew has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from McGrew there as he acknowledges the shot.
Nielsen goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
No joy there for Nielsen, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
No luck for McGrew with that takedown attempt.
Nielsen throws a series of punches but McGrew avoids them all with ease.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
McGrew swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nielsen lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
McGrew shoots in for a double leg but Nielsen sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Simen Nielsen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dan McGrew.

McGrew scores with a takedown into Nielsen's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nielsen tries to land a sweep but no joy.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McGrew looking to sit in guard and control but Nielsen gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Simen Nielsen.
I think Nielsen has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Saam Ante scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 28:29
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Dan McGrew!
After winning the bout, Dan McGrew thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.