PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Alex Campbell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Robbie Gronkowski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Gronkowski's choice of entrance music: Power. Alex Campbell has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Campbell
vs
Gronkowski

184 cm
20
156 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

173 cm
26
151 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Prefers standup

BioPharm Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Alex Campbell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Robbie Gronkowski!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, Reed Andrews and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Campbell dives in and grabs Gronkowski's left leg, looking for a takedown. Gronkowski pushes down on Campbell's head and hops out.

Campbell gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Campbell tries for a takedown but Gronkowski manages to get underhooks.
Gronkowski tries to circle away but Campbell has him pinned against the cage.
Campbell really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Gronkowski tries to break the clinch but Campbell is controlling the position.
Campbell stalling the fight.
Gronkowski is trying to force a seperation but Campbell has the dominant position.

Campbell's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Campbell drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Gronkowski defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Campbell.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alex Campbell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Campbell tries a head kick but it misses.
Gronkowski looks to land a right hand but Campbell moved out of range.
Gronkowski scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Campbell slips a jab and a cross from Gronkowski.
Nice shot lands for Campbell.
Robbie Gronkowski seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Campbell has a takedown stuffed.

Campbell takes the fight into the clinch.
Campbell pressing his opponent against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gronkowski wants to break the clinch but can't.
Campbell will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Gronkowski up against the cage.
Campbell goes for a takedown in the clinch but Gronkowski prevents it.

Campbell manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Campbell tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Gronkowski with a flurry of punches that miss.
Gronkowski with a flurry of punches that miss.
Campbell has Gronkowski pulled in close to control his posture.
Campbell trying to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gronkowski is pushing down on Campbell's leg trying to pass to half guard. Campbell is fighting to maintain full guard but Gronkowski has managed to sneak the leg through.
The fighters are battling for position here. Campbell manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Gronkowski is pushing down on Campbell's leg trying to pass to half guard. Campbell is fighting to maintain full guard but Gronkowski has managed to sneak the leg through.

Gronkowski is looking for a kimura but Campbell is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Gronkowski to get the leverage.
Campbell tries to roll over but Gronkowski keeps him under control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gronkowski trying to control from half guard but Campbell is working away.
Campbell wants to control but Gronkowski is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Campbell is trying to stand up here but Gronkowski is controlling him well.
Campbell is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gronkowski wants to pass the guard but Campbell is defending well.
Gronkowski sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Campbell defending well though.
Gronkowski is thwarting Campbell's attempts to control the position.
Gronkowski stops Campbell from getting back to his feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Campbell throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Gronkowski's waist but Gronkowski gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Campbell off to one side.
Robbie Gronkowski is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gronkowski tests Campbell's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Campbell avoids the head kick by Gronkowski.
Campbell has a takedown stuffed.
A cross from Gronkowski lands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A cross from Campbell lands.
Gronkowski tries a head kick but it misses.
Campbell tries to clinch up but Gronkowski circles away and keeps his distance.
Nice takedown defense from Gronkowski. No joy for Campbell on that attempt.
Campbell dodges the punch combination from Gronkowski.
Gronkowski lands with a nice combination. Campbell backs away looking to recover.
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!
Nice body kick there by Gronkowski.
Gronkowski stuffs the takedown.
Campbell avoids a punch combination nicely.
Campbell goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Campbell gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Campbell avoids a punch combination nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Robbie Gronkowski will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Gronkowski slaps away a takedown attempt from Campbell, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Gronkowski displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Campbell.
Gronkowski throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Campbell moves into the clinch.

Campbell decides to pull guard.
Gronkowski is looking to stand up but Campbell won't let him.
Campbell can't keep his opponent in guard - Gronkowski advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Campbell is looking for a sweep. Gronkowski is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Gronkowski is working for a submission of some sort.
Campbell is looking for a sweep. Gronkowski is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Gronkowski in particular looking to stall.
Gronkowski trying to pass the guard but Campbell defending well.
Gronkowski not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Gronkowski wants to pass the guard but Campbell is defending well.
Campbell is refusing to be controlled, as Gronkowski sits in half guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Robbie Gronkowski.

Campbell closes the distance and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gronkowski wants to get back to striking at distance but Campbell won't allow it.

Campbell has hold of one of Gronkowski's legs. Gronkowski is fighting the takedown attempt but Campbell gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.

Gronkowski has his foot on Campbell's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Campbell works his way back into a safe position though.
Campbell pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gronkowski is keeping the position for now.

Campbell got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gronkowski has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Campbell has managed to get both his arms back between Gronkowski's legs - danger averted.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Campbell stands up and waves to Gronkowski to follow him.
Gronkowski looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Campbell shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Gronkowski pinned against the cage. Gronkowski gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alex Campbell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Campbell closes this distance looking for a takedown but Gronkowski circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Campbell throws a right and a left that Gronkowski avoids nicely.
Nice sprawl there from Gronkowski as Campbell shoots in.

Campbell clinches.
Gronkowski wants to break the clinch but can't.

Campbell has picked Gronkowski up - he's going for a ride! Campbell dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Campbell throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Gronkowski is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Campbell pulls his head out easily.

Gronkowski looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Gronkowski looking for submissions off his back.
Alex Campbell overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gronkowski tries to roll over but Campbell keeps him under control.
Campbell tries to stand and escape but Gronkowski is controlling the position.
Campbell sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Gronkowski defending well though.
Gronkowski is looking to control Campbell's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Gronkowski avoid being mounted?
Campbell throwing shots but Gronkowski is blocking nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Gronkowski actively working from the bottom here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gronkowski is looking for a sweep. Campbell is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Alex Campbell will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Campbell moves into the clinch successfully.

Campbell breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Campbell throws a body punch but Gronkowski moves out of range.
Gronkowski connects with a crisp jab.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Campbell jumps guard and drags Gronkowski to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Gronkowski forces his way into half guard.
Campbell has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Gronkowski is working away from the top position though.
Gronkowski not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Campbell trying to control but Gronkowski postures up.
Gronkowski throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gronkowski is trying to work for a kimura but Campbell is defending well.
Gronkowski is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Campbell!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Gronkowski looking for a guillotine from mount but Campbell is having none of it.
Gronkowski lands a big elbow.
Campbell is in all sorts of trouble here.
Gronkowski lands with some strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Campbell keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Campbell is in a horrible position here. Gronkowski smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Gronkowski can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Campbell is looking to escape.
Campbell tries to hold on but Gronkowski postures up.
Campbell is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Campbell is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Gronkowski scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Campbell tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Campbell sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Campbell avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Gronkowski.
Campbell preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Campbell won't allow Gronkowski to pass to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gronkowski decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Gronkowski looks to land a combination but Campbell avoids it well.
Campbell uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Gronkowski.
Gronkowski misses with a combination

and Campbell counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Campbell keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Gronkowski's efforts to push away.
Gronkowski wants to break free but Campbell has control.

Campbell jumps guard and drags Gronkowski to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Campbell escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Gronkowski 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.
Campbell keeping full guard, as Gronkowski tries to pass.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Robbie Gronkowski.
I think Gronkowski has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 29:29
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Robbie Gronkowski!
A relieved looking Robbie Gronkowski thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.