PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sergey Gribov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shinichi Onizuka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Onizuka has chosen The Weeknd - Kiss Land as his entrance music. 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.

Gribov
vs
Onizuka

182 cm
30
180 lbs
21 - 12 - 1

185 cm
28
181 lbs
16 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Meet the Future

Steel Penn's All 160
CEC Nutrition Q160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Sergey Gribov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Shinichi Onizuka!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, William Gold and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gribov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Onizuka avoids it really well and circles away.
Gribov misses with a takedown attempt - Onizuka sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Gribov shoots and misses

and Onizuka decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Gribov's guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sergey Gribov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Onizuka sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Onizuka works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Gribov is looking to improve his position.
Gribov trying to control but Onizuka postures up.
Onizuka moves nicely into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gribov prevents Onizuka from improving position.
Gribov struggling a bit here.
Gribov stops Onizuka from passing to mount.
Gribov struggling a bit here.
Gribov is looking for a sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Onizuka wants to control but Gribov is keeping him busy.
Onizuka advances to full mount.
Onizuka tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Gribov is squirming around, avoiding Onizuka's attempts to control the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gribov tries to hold on but Onizuka postures up.
Gribov is trying to escape the mount.
Onizuka content just to control the position here.
Gribov reaches up to try and control the position but Onizuka seems to have an arm triangle now! Uh oh! Gribov rolls and tries to escape and now Onizuka has his back!
Gribov is trying to break free.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Onizuka just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
It looks like Onizuka might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Gribov tries to roll but Onizuka sticks to his back.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Gribov is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
A lull in the action here.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Gribov is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Onizuka gets his way!

Gribov fending off the submission attempt from Onizuka.
A lull in the action here.
I really don't envy Gribov right now.

That's six minutes gone in the round.

Onizuka working for a choke but Gribov is defending well.

Gribov defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Onizuka's arms.
Onizuka avoiding Gribov 's attempts to control his hands.
What can Gribov do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
Gribov is trying to break free.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Onizuka tries to keep control of the position but Gribov is staying busy.

Onizuka looking to break Gribov's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Gribov remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Onizuka will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Onizuka has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Gribov's body.

Onizuka looking for the choke but no joy.

Onizuka patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Gribov tries to roll but Onizuka sticks to his back.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Onizuka's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.

Gribov is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Onizuka gets his way!
Gribov rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

Gribov actively working from the bottom here.
Gribov wants to get back to full guard.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Gribov is not content to let Onizuka control the position.

Onizuka is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Gribov wants to control but Onizuka is keeping busy.

Onizuka is trying to work for a kimura but Gribov is defending well.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Onizuka is looking to take a break and control but Gribov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shinichi Onizuka dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Gribov closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Gribov is looking to take a break and control but Onizuka is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Onizuka is trying to get back to half guard.
Onizuka manages to get back to half guard.
Onizuka trying to control here.
Onizuka makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Onizuka.

Onizuka is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Gribov is aware though and is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gribov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Onizuka lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Gribov!
Onizuka prevents Gribov from getting the reversal.
Gribov is squirming around, avoiding Onizuka's attempts to control the action.
Onizuka controlling from mount.
Gribov working to try and regain half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Onizuka trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Gribov is controlling an arm, preventing Onizuka from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.

Onizuka is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Gribov has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Onizuka trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gribov tries to reverse the position but Onizuka maintains control.
Gribov sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Gribov wants to improve his position but Onizuka is controlling well.
Onizuka passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Gribov!
Gribov regains half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Onizuka wants to take a breather but Gribov is having none of it.
Gribov won't allow Onizuka to pass to mount.
Gribov is trying is best to control the position here.
Gribov moves into full guard.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Onizuka trying to control the position from guard on top but Gribov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Onizuka looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Onizuka trying to control but Gribov is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Shinichi Onizuka was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Gribov fails with the takedown

and Onizuka counters with a takedown into side control.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Gribov manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Onizuka wants to improve his position but Gribov is controlling well.
Gribov wants to free his trapped foot but Onizuka is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Onizuka is defending against the submission attempts here by Gribov.
Gribov with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Onizuka is trying to control but can't.

Gribov seems to be working for a kimura but Onizuka defends the submission attempt.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Onizuka wants to control but Gribov is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Onizuka wants to get back to full guard.

Gribov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Onizuka defends it well.

Gribov is trying to work for a kimura but Onizuka is defending well.
Onizuka wants to get back to full guard.
Onizuka is still trying to improve position.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Gribov is looking to take a break and control but Onizuka is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Gribov wants to free his trapped foot but Onizuka is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Onizuka desperately trying to maintain half guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Onizuka trying to control from the bottom.
Onizuka gets full guard.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Gribov looking to pass the guard.
Onizuka is trying to keep Gribov in close.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Onizuka is defended easily by Gribov.

Gribov shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gribov looking to sit in guard and control but Onizuka gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Gribov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Shinichi Onizuka will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Onizuka dives in and grabs Gribov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Gribov pushes down on Onizuka's head and hops out.

Onizuka gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Gribov to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Onizuka looking to control.
Onizuka can't keep his opponent in guard - Gribov advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Gribov seems to be looking for submissions.
Gribov prevents Onizuka from improving his position.
Gribov wants to control but Onizuka is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Onizuka looking for submissions off his back.
Onizuka is not content to let Gribov control the position.
Shinichi Onizuka has got the better of the ground game so far.
Onizuka gets full guard.
Onizuka is trying to control the position but Gribov postures up.
Gribov trying to control the position from guard on top but Onizuka is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Onizuka looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Onizuka is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Gribov defends well.
Onizuka is trying to control the position but Gribov postures up.

Onizuka is looking for a triangle but Gribov pushes his legs off easily.

Onizuka working for a triangle but Gribov defends it easily.
Onizuka takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Gribov advances to half guard.
Onizuka wants to improve his position but Gribov is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gribov is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Onizuka sees it coming and defends easily.
Onizuka makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Onizuka.

Onizuka is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Onizuka keeping full guard, as Gribov tries to pass.
Onizuka trying to keep a closed guard but Gribov is proving a slippery customer.
Gribov slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gribov is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Onizuka has escaped the position, nice work there.
Gribov gets to mount! Onizuka was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Onizuka wants to control but Gribov is having none of it.
Onizuka is squirming around, avoiding Gribov's attempts to control the action.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Onizuka is working to get back to half guard.
Onizuka tries to hold on but Gribov pushes him away.
Gribov trying to control but he's not successful this time.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Gribov content just to control the position here.
Onizuka regains half guard.

That's six minutes gone in the round.

Gribov is looking for a kimura but Onizuka is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Gribov to get the leverage.
Gribov trying to control the action but Onizuka is working from the bottom.
Onizuka trying to control here.

Gribov wants to work for an arm triangle but Onizuka is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Onizuka is trying to get back to full guard.

Onizuka is defending against the submission attempts here by Gribov.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Gribov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Onizuka does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Onizuka wants to control the action here but instead Gribov manages to pass to full mount!
Onizuka manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Onizuka is looking to improve his position.

Onizuka looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Onizuka moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Onizuka is trying to keep Gribov in close.

Onizuka is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Gribov is aware though and is defending well.
Onizuka wants to sweep but no luck.
Gribov trying to control but Onizuka is working from the bottom.
Onizuka not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Gribov preventing the sweep.
Gribov passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Gribov wants to control but Onizuka is keeping him busy.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Onizuka is trying to control Gribov's posture but Gribov avoids it.
Gribov advances to mount.
Onizuka sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Gribov is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Onizuka sees it coming and defends easily.
Gribov content to control rather than advance.

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 Sergey Gribov.
I think Onizuka 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 Donald Grub scores the fight for Shinichi Onizuka!
Judge William Gold scores the fight for Shinichi Onizuka!
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight for Shinichi Onizuka!

Shinichi Onizuka wins by unanimous decision!
Shinichi Onizuka decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.