PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Peter Aerts (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brett Gray (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gray has chosen Pink Floyd - Any Color You Like as his entrance music. Peter Aerts has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Aerts
vs
Gray

192 cm
27
240 lbs
21 - 13 - 0

193 cm
32
264 lbs
13 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Great elbows
Very quick

ADCC Champion
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Peter Aerts!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Brett Gray!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Arvi Lind and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gray misses with a head kick.
Aerts staying out of range there.
Gray tries for a takedown but Aerts sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Aerts enables Gray to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Aerts manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Gray wants to pass the guard but Aerts is keeping the position.
Gray controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Aerts is controlling Gray's posture.
Gray trying to control but Aerts is working from the bottom.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Brett Gray wasn't active enough on the ground.
Aerts looks to score with a jab to the body but Gray is just out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gray throws a nice looking combination but Aerts bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Gray jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Gray misses the shot to the body.
Aerts throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Gray stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Gray takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Aerts avoids the body shot from Gray.
Aerts slaps away a takedown attempt from Gray, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Aerts uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gray.
Gray connects with a jab.

Aerts clinches.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Aerts scores a nice knee to the body.
Gray looks gassed!
Aerts landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Aerts lands an elbow inside.
Aerts lands a hook to the side of the head.
Aerts connects with a knee to the head.
Aerts lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Still in the clinch, Aerts scores with a nice short uppercut.
Aerts lands an elbow just above Gray 's eye.

Aerts breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aerts works Gray's body with a nice hook.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Aerts.
A thudding body kick lands there by Aerts!
Aerts jabs Gray right on the nose. Gray blinks but takes it well.
Aerts scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Gray shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Aerts lands with a kick to the ribs.
Aerts scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Gray throws a body punch but Aerts moves out of range.
Aerts uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gray.

Gray clinches with his opponent.
A frustrated look appears on Gray's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Aerts lands a shoulder strike.

Aerts escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Gray shoots in but Aerts avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Peter Aerts has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Brett Gray.
Aerts takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Gray misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Aerts.
Gray has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Aerts.
Aerts throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gray just misses with a punch to the body.
Gray takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Gray tries a head kick but it misses.
Aerts checks a leg kick.
A thudding body kick lands there by Aerts!
Peter Aerts is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gray throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gray. Aerts does a little dance to reset his feet.
Aerts lands a body shot.

Gray clinches.
Aerts gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

It looks like Brett Gray has been cut.
Aerts lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Aerts working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Aerts scores with a knee to the head.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Aerts.
Gray has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Aerts.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A nice right hand lands inside from Aerts.
Aerts digs a right hand underneath Gray's ribcage. Gray let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Aerts scores with a nice hook to the head.
Aerts prevents a body shot from Gray.
Aerts putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Gray in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Aerts lands an elbow inside.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Aerts creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Aerts.
Aerts lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Aerts creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Gray's defenses.
Aerts working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Aerts lands an elbow just above Gray 's eye.
Gray is trying to pull guard but Aerts has him pressed against the cage.
Aerts scores with a nice hook to the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Aerts.
Aerts lands an elbow just above Gray 's eye.
Aerts lands a left hand that snaps the head of Gray backwards.
Gray takes an elbow to the forehead.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Aerts lands a damaging elbow.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Aerts.
Gray takes an elbow to the forehead.
Aerts landing some nice looking knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Peter Aerts dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Brett Gray's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Aerts dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Gray fails with the takedown.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Aerts.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gray. Aerts does a little dance to reset his feet.
Aerts steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gray.
No luck for Gray with that takedown attempt.
Gray takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Gray walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Aerts throws a right hand that Gray ducks under and follows up with a left that Gray also avoids with ease.
Aerts with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Gray throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gray fails with the takedown.
Peter Aerts has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Brett Gray.
Gray stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Aerts.
Gray takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Aerts turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Aerts scores with a leg kick.
Good standup being displayed there by Aerts as he connects with a hook.
Peter Aerts is winning the standup battle so far.
An inside leg kick lands from Aerts.
Gray is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aerts scores with a nice strike.
Gray throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Aerts is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gray can do to turn this around?
Nice body kick from Aerts.
Nice takedown defense from Aerts. No joy for Gray on that attempt.
Aerts feints a jab promting Gray to slip. Aerts then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Gray slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Aerts comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Aerts scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Aerts lands with a slapping head kick.
Aerts lands a two punch combo.
Aerts tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Gray manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Gray doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

Gray tries to keep at a distance but Aerts has taken the fight into the clinch.
Aerts landing knees to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Aerts.
Aerts digs a right hand underneath Gray's ribcage. Gray let out a lung full of air as it connected.

Gray has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Aerts uses from the top position.
Gray trying to keep a closed guard but Aerts is proving a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aerts wants to control from the top but Gray keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Peter Aerts wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Aerts lands with a cross.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Gray crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Aerts - the referee stops the clock and Gray gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Aerts. Gray manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Aerts ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Gray takes a swing at Aerts's ribcage but misses.
Aerts connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Gray's hands.

Gray scores with a takedown into Aerts's guard.
Gray wants to control from the top but Aerts keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Aerts pushes Gray off and scrambles back to his feet.
Aerts comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Gray throws a sloppy head kick and Aerts moves out of range easily.
Aerts stuffs the takedown.
Aerts fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Aerts clinches.
Aerts creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Gray's defenses.
Aerts lands a left hand that snaps the head of Gray backwards.
Aerts comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Gray has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Gray has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Aerts is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Aerts lands an elbow inside.

That has opened up Brett Gray's cut even more.
Gray tries for a takedown but Aerts manages to get underhooks.
Aerts scores with a nice hook to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A body shot lands from Aerts.
Aerts lands an elbow that stopped Gray in his tracks for a moment.
Aerts lands with a light punch inside.
Aerts lands a shoulder strike.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Aerts lands a body punch.
Aerts lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Aerts unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Aerts lands with a short shot to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Peter Aerts dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Brett Gray's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Gray looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Aerts is fending him off so far but Gray persists. Nope, Aerts circles away and we're back to standing.
Gray takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Aerts throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
A swing and a miss from Gray.
Gray misses with a wild body shot.
Gray swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gray swings for the body but Aerts moves out of range.
Nice body kick there by Aerts.
Aerts throws a head kick that half lands.
Aerts scores with a leg kick.
Aerts keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A solid body kick from Aerts.

Aerts moves into the clinch.
Gray tries to circle away but Aerts has him pinned against the cage.
Gray takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Aerts lands a right hand.
Nice elbow from Aerts.
Aerts working some nice short punches in the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Aerts comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Aerts softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aerts creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Gray's defenses.

The cut above Brett Gray's eye is starting to cause him problems now.

Aerts breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gray. Aerts does a little dance to reset his feet.
Aerts plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Aerts plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Gray.
Aerts connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Aerts on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Gray drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Aerts's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Aerts duly obliges.
Aerts scores with a push kick.
Gray throws an overhand right that lands on Aerts's shoulder, as Aerts tries to avoid the shot.
Gray throws a hook but Aerts avoids it easily.
Aerts slaps away a takedown attempt from Gray, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Peter Aerts has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Brett Gray.
Aerts wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Aerts throws a combination. Gray tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Aerts digs a good hook to Gray's body.
Brett Gray has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aerts uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Gray.
Gray throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gray misses with a wild body shot.
Aerts with a nice cross.
Nice uppercut there from Aerts.
Gray takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Aerts throws a quick inside leg kick.
Aerts scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Aerts displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Gray.
Gray thows a body shot but no joy.
Aerts throws a head kick that Gray semi-blocks.
Gray is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Aerts rather than just go for the knockout.
Gray on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Gray throws a one two combo.

It looks like Peter Aerts has been cut.
Aerts lands a slapping body shot.
Gray lands a nice looking body shot.
Jab by Aerts.
Aerts ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Gray fails to land with a series of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aerts bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Gray takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Aerts lands a nice looking kick to the body. Gray takes a step back to recover.
Aerts turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Aerts keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gray swinging wildly here.
Gray takes a jab right on the kisser.

Gray drives through and clinches with Aerts against the cage.

Aerts's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Aerts scores with a jab to the body.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Aerts, right into the meat.

Gray looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Aerts!
Gray thowing shots but they're missing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gray is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Gray lands a big shot there that rocks Aerts but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Gray working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Gray unloads with some shots from mount but Aerts bucks and avoids them well.
Gray thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Peter Aerts is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gray landing shots from mount.

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 Peter Aerts.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Aerts, 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Peter Aerts!
During a confident post fight interview, Peter Aerts thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.