PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Cory Groves (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jimi Olktori (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Groves
vs
Olktori

185 cm
19
130 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

225 cm
22
130 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Dangerous knees
Likes ground

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Cory Groves!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jimi Olktori!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Luis Engracia and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Olktori throws a head kick that half lands.
Olktori shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Olktori shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Olktori showed some decent athleticism there.
Groves misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Groves misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Groves is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Groves has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Olktori passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Groves!
Groves is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Groves defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Olktori.
Olktori prevents Groves from getting the reversal.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Groves bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

Olktori is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Groves pushing down on Olktori's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Olktori looks gassed!
Olktori blocking the ground and pound attempt from Groves.
Olktori makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Olktori.
Olktori preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Olktori is working an open guard so Groves takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Groves lands a jab-cross combination.
Groves fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Groves tries to clinch but Olktori moves out of range.

Groves shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Groves is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Olktori is just riding it out for now. Groves eventually gives up the hold.
Groves throws a strike but Olktori avoids it easily and moves to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Groves cracks Olktori with a solid left hand.
Groves loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Olktori is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Groves might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Groves throwing strikes but missing.
Groves in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cory Groves dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Olktori looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Cory Groves is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Olktori lands a head kick!
Groves misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Groves misses with a wild combination.

Groves drives through and clinches with Olktori against the cage.

Olktori has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Groves regains guard immediately.
Groves is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Olktori wants to pass the guard but Groves is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Groves looking to hit a scissor sweep but Olktori is one step ahead there.
Groves throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Olktori postures up.
Olktori trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Groves is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Olktori.

Groves clinches up with Olktori and pushes him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Groves escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nice takedown defense from Groves. No joy for Olktori on that attempt.
Cory Groves has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jimi Olktori.
Olktori is breathing heavily.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Groves.
The ground and pound from Groves seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Groves working the head with strikes.
Groves scoring with punches from side control.
Olktori takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Olktori dodges the ground and pound from Groves.
Groves landing a few strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Olktori is looking to regain half guard here but Groves keeps moving and retains side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Groves in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.

Olktori is rocked!
Olktori is trying to improve his position.
Olktori manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Olktori gets back to full guard.
Groves preventing the sweep.

Olktori has his foot on Groves's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Groves works his way back into a safe position though.
Groves stopping the sweep attempt from Olktori.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Groves trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Groves is looking to work some ground and pound but Olktori has wrist control.
Olktori preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Groves lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Cory Groves overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Olktori manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Groves is desperately trying to improve his position but Olktori has a good base and remains in mount.
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 Cory Groves will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Olktori looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Groves!
Groves tries to control the position but Olktori now has his back.

Olktori looking for the choke but no joy.
Groves manages to reverse the position and now he's in Olktori's guard. Nice work there by Groves.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Groves postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Olktori is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Groves, into his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Olktori tries to free his leg and advance position but Groves is retaining full guard.

Olktori thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Groves throws a nice elbow from the bottom.
Groves looking for a sweep. Not yet Groves, not yet.
Groves is striking but Olktori is not phased and passes to half guard.

Groves is defending against the submission attempts here by Olktori.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Groves looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Groves is looking for a sweep. Olktori is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Olktori wants to pass to mount but Groves is defending the position.
Groves slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Groves looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Groves working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Olktori doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Olktori manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Groves is striking off his back. Olktori thinks nothing of it though and passes easily into half guard.
Olktori prevents Groves from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Groves really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Groves is working hard here to advance position.
Olktori is looking to advance position but Groves won't allow it.
Olktori prevents Groves from improving his position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Groves moves into full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jimi Olktori comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Groves has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Matheus Silva scores the fight 29:28
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 29:28
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cory Groves!