PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Johnny Ryback (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Grabsack Turninkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Grabsack Turninkov will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Ryback
vs
Turninkov

191 cm
20
250 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

225 cm
25
280 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Tends to cut

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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Johnny Ryback!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Grabsack Turninkov!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Colin Fray and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Turninkov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ryback's waist but Ryback gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Turninkov off to one side.

Ryback gets tackled into the cage by Turninkov. Turninkov maintains the clinch.
Ryback tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Ryback escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Ryback is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Turninkov's half guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Turninkov is looking to control Ryback's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Turninkov avoid being mounted?
Turninkov gets back to full guard.
Turninkov wants to get back to his feet but Ryback is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Ryback won't allow Turninkov to sweep him here.
Turninkov keeping moving, preventing Ryback from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Turninkov trying to keep a closed guard but Ryback is proving a slippery customer.
Turninkov looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Turninkov is trying to control the position from the bottom.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Grabsack Turninkov hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Turninkov shoots in looking for a takedown. Ryback tries to sprawl out of it but Turninkov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Ryback manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Turninkov tries for a takedown but Ryback sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Johnny Ryback has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Grabsack Turninkov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ryback fails to land the takedown.
Turninkov shoots in for a takedown but Ryback shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Turninkov fails with the takedown.
Ryback keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Ryback shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Ryback showed some decent athleticism there.
Turninkov looks gassed!
Turninkov trying to hold on to Ryback's head to control him but Ryback postures up.

Ryback stands up from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ryback keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Turninkov shoots and misses

so Ryback counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Ryback stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Turninkov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Turninkov trying to keep a closed guard but Ryback is proving a slippery customer.

Turninkov is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Turninkov is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Ryback gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Ryback jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Turninkov walks away with a smile on his face. Ryback gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ryback is looking to clinch.
Ryback changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Turninkov tries to avoid it but Ryback manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Turninkov to the ground. Turninkov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Turninkov blocks a head kick by Ryback.
Turninkov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Turninkov dives in and grabs Ryback's left leg, looking for a takedown. Ryback pushes down on Turninkov's head and hops out.

Turninkov moves into range and clinches up with Ryback.
Ryback has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Ryback dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Ryback will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ryback tries to clinch but Turninkov moves out of range.

Turninkov gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Ryback to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Johnny Ryback overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Turninkov wants to stand but Ryback is controlling the position.
Turninkov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ryback is one step ahead there.

Turninkov is working an open guard so Ryback takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Turninkov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Ryback throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Turninkov.
Turninkov moves in looking to clinch but Ryback pushes him off.
Turninkov tries to clinch but Ryback is having none of it.
Turninkov is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Ryback shoots in looking for a takedown. Turninkov tries to sprawl out of it but Ryback keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Turninkov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Turninkov throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Ryback stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ryback wants it to stay on the feet.
Turninkov closes the distance and clinches up with Ryback, looking for a takedown. Turninkov pushes Ryback against the cage but Ryback circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Ryback throws a jab but it's blocked by Turninkov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ryback shoots in but no luck this time.
Turninkov scores with a head kick. Ryback tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Johnny Ryback is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Turninkov connects with an inside leg kick.
Turninkov is looking to slow Ryback down with leg kicks.
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!
Ryback shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Turninkov pinned against the cage. Turninkov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johnny Ryback. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Turninkov looks for a takedown but Ryback sprawls well.
Some wild striking there from Turninkov.
Turninkov fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Turninkov fails with the takedown

and Ryback decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Turninkov's guard.
Turninkov is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Ryback is controlling him.
Ryback throwing strikes from guard but Turninkov blocks nicely.
Ryback is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Turninkov trying to strike off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Turninkov looking for a sweep. Not yet Turninkov, not yet.
Turninkov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Ryback wants to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Turninkov stands up out of the half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Turninkov tries to clinch up but Ryback circles away and keeps his distance.
Ryback tries to clinch there but Turninkov circles away.
Turninkov lands with a slapping head kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ryback fails with a takedown attempt.
Ryback fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Grabsack Turninkov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Turninkov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Ryback swivels and escapes.
Nice sprawl there from Turninkov as Ryback shoots in.
Ryback keeps the fight on the outside.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ryback looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Turninkov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ryback sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Turninkov somewhat.
Ryback looks for a takedown but Turninkov sprawls well.
Ryback defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Turninkov.
Johnny Ryback has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Grabsack Turninkov.
Turninkov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ryback scores a takedown into full mount!
Turninkov is desperately trying to improve his position but Ryback has a good base and remains in mount.
Ryback unloading with bombs!
Turninkov wants to hold on but Ryback pushes him away.
Turninkov is in all sorts of trouble here.
Turninkov in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Turninkov gets back to half guard.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Ryback here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Ryback is looking to stall here but Turninkov recovers full guard.
Ryback trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Turninkov trying to keep a closed guard but Ryback is proving a slippery customer.
Turninkov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Ryback is stalling in the full guard.

Ryback got a little sloppy there for a moment and Turninkov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Ryback has managed to get both his arms back between Turninkov's legs - danger averted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Turninkov working a defensive guard here.

Turninkov pushes Ryback off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Ryback looks for a takedown but Turninkov sprawls well.

Ryback dives in and scores a takedown into Turninkov's guard.

Turninkov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ryback defends well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Turninkov is pulling down on Ryback's head to control his posture.

Turninkov looking for a guillotine here but Ryback defends easily.
Turninkov wants to sweep here but Ryback controlling him for the moment.

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 Johnny Ryback.
I think Ryback 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 Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 29:29
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 29:28
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Johnny Ryback!