PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Karl Grossman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bod Zio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Grossman comes into the arena with The Devil's Rejects blaring out of the sound system. Zio is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Old Mcdonald had a farm. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Grossman
vs
Zio

173 cm
29
143 lbs
24 - 14 - 1

178 cm
30
145 lbs
20 - 10 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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 24 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Karl Grossman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 10 - 2, fighting out of London, Bod Zio!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Sam Margolis and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A head kick misses from Grossman.
Grossman takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Jab, jab by Grossman - just one landing.
Zio dives in and grabs Grossman's left leg, looking for a takedown. Grossman pushes down on Zio's head and hops out.
Zio is looking to land body kicks.
Zio misses with a body kick.
Zio feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Grossman's calf.
Zio throws a front kick aimed at Grossman's knee but Grossman avoids it well.
Zio misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Grossman misses with a two punch combination.
Grossman fakes the leg kick and cracks Zio in the body.
Zio lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Zio attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zio lands a right hook to the body.

Zio bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Zio in side control lands a decent elbow.
Grossman manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zio regains full guard. Nicely done.
Zio has a closed guard, preventing Grossman from standing up.
Zio trying to control the position.

Zio throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Grossman preventing the sweep.
Zio controls Grossman momentarily but Grossman frees himself.

Zio looking for a guillotine here but Grossman defends easily.
Grossman would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zio has his foot on Grossman's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Grossman works his way back into a safe position though.
Grossman won't allow Zio to sweep him here.
Zio pulls Grossman in close to prevent any damage.
Zio has a closed guard, preventing Grossman from standing up.
Zio trying to control the position.
Grossman is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Karl Grossman has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Grossman jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zio is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Grossman's half guard.
Zio landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zio moves into full mount! Grossman won't be happy about that!
Grossman wants to hold on but Zio pushes him away.
Grossman working to try and regain half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Grossman tries to hold on but Zio postures up.
Grossman tries to reverse the position but Zio maintains control.
Grossman is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Zio lands with some strikes.
Grossman tries to hold on but Zio postures up.

That's four 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!
Zio lands a couple of good shots and Grossman has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
You can see the frustration on Grossman's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Zio keeps control of the position easily here as Grossman tries to buck him off.
Grossman trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
I really don't envy Grossman right now.

Zio looking for the choke but no joy.
Will Zio go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Grossman is looking to stand back up. He's having to work hard to escape but eventually he manages it.
A low kick from Zio is predictable there
and Grossman counters with a thumping low kick.
Grossman misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bod Zio dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Zio dives in and grabs Grossman's left leg, looking for a takedown. Grossman pushes down on Zio's head and hops out.
Grossman tries to clinch up.
Zio lunges at Grossman with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Grossman's hand.
Grossman throws a jab but it's blocked by Zio.
Grossman takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Grossman scores with a hook to the body. Zio takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
A left lands for Grossman.
Zio displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Grossman throws out the jab.
Zio uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Grossman.
Grossman throws a jab but it's blocked by Zio.
Grossman throws a nice head kick!
Grossman lands with a right hand.
Zio lands a right hook to the body.
Zio connects with a looping right hand.
A nice leg kick lands there from Zio.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zio misses with a low kick.
Nice uppercut lands for Zio. That snapped Grossman's head back.
Grossman throws a right hand that Zio ducks under and follows up with a left that Zio also avoids with ease.
Zio uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Grossman.
Zio scores with a head kick.

It looks like Karl Grossman has been cut.
Bod Zio seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Grossman goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Zio feints and then cracks Grossman's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Grossman down.
Grossman checks a low kick from Zio.
Zio throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Zio looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zio is thwarting Grossman's attempts to control the position.
Zio trying to control from half guard but Grossman is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grossman is trying to stand.
Zio wants to lay and pray for a moment but Grossman keeps working.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Grossman is looking for a sweep. Zio is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Zio wants to work for an arm triangle but Grossman is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Zio throwing shots but Grossman is blocking nicely.
Zio trying to mount his opponent but Grossman defends it.
Grossman trying to control from the bottom.
Zio looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

Zio is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Grossman defends it well.
Grossman trying to control but Zio postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Grossman kicks Zio off and gets back to his feet.
Zio throws a leg kick that is checked
and Grossman counters with a nice leg kick.
Grossman tries to clinch but Zio moves out of range.
Zio keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Grossman.
Zio throws a body punch but Grossman moves out of range.
Grossman misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Zio looks to score with a jab to the body but Grossman is just out of range.
Zio throws a hook but Grossman avoids it easily.
Grossman throws a wild body kick that Zio sees coming a mile off.
Grossman pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Zio throws a sloppy body shot
and Zio takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Zio is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Grossman rather than just go for the knockout.
Grossman throws a front kick that sends Zio stumbling back into the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grossman is looking to clinch but Zio is avoiding it.
Zio connects with a high kick.
Grossman uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zio.
Zio throws a chopping leg kick but Grossman manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Zio walks into a stiff left hand from Grossman.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Grossman tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Zio paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Zio misses with an uppercut.
Grossman throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Zio sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Nice sprawl there from Grossman as Zio shoots in.
Grossman explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Zio moves away from the strike by Grossman.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A left lands for Grossman.
Grossman lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

Zio is rocked!
Grossman scores with the left hand. Zio knows he should have avoided that one.
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 Karl Grossman will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Karl Grossman's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Grossman tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Zio was well out of range. Poor timing from Grossman.
Zio is still on wobbly legs! Can Grossman finish him?
Grossman throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zio lands with an uppercut that bounces Grossman off the cage and back into range.
Zio swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zio seems to have recovered his senses.
Zio attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Zio gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Grossman throws an overhand right that lands on Zio's shoulder, as Zio tries to avoid the shot.
Zio throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Grossman counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Grossman lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Zio tries a low kick but Grossman avoids it.
A head kick by Grossman misses
and Zio counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
A lazy left from Zio finds it's target.
Grossman moves out of range as Zio throws a body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Left hook, right uppercut from Grossman.
Grossman defending well as Zio loads up on a big left hand.
Zio throws a leg kick
and Grossman connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Grossman connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Zio's hands.
Grossman falls off balance throwing a combination
and Zio counters with a straight right hand.
Grossman looks to throw the jab but Zio is out of range.
Grossman lands a right hook to the body.
Zio throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Nice defenses there by Zio.
Grossman is looking to land body kicks.
Zio throws a body kick that misses.
Grossman takes one to the side of the head.
Grossman throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grossman tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Zio paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Grossman checks a leg kick.

Grossman gets a clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Grossman swings wildly with an uppercut but Zio uses good head movement to avoid it.
Zio lands a right hand.
Zio wants to break the clinch but can't.
Grossman blocks a body shot from Zio.
Grossman working aggressively here.
Zio jumps guard but Grossman turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Grossman struggles to land a body shot inside as Zio controls his hands.
Grossman lands a left hand that snaps the head of Zio backwards.
Grossman tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Zio misses with an elbow over the top.
Grossman is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Grossman.
Grossman blocking some punches.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Grossman.
A short right from Zio on the inside.
Zio softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Grossman fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Zio escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Grossman throws out a powerful jab.
Zio swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A nice leg kick lands there from Grossman.
Grossman misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zio.
Zio takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Karl Grossman is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Grossman cracks Zio with an open hand slap.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grossman throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Grossman throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Zio gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Grossman keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zio chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Grossman can pounce on him.
A head kick misses from Grossman.
Grossman looks to land a combination but Zio avoids it well.

Zio manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Grossman on his heels. He'll look to pass Grossman's guard now, I'm sure.
Zio in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zio chips away with some ground and pound.
Zio trying to control the position from guard on top but Grossman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Grossman wants to stand but Zio is controlling the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Karl Grossman showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Grossman 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Karl Grossman!
Karl Grossman decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.