PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Dixie Normous (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jon McGruder (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McGruder comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Jesus is a Friend of Mine kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Dixie Normous is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Normous
vs
McGruder

180 cm
20
170 lbs
10 - 1 - 0

186 cm
21
161 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Cardio machine

Decent wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Milwaukee's Best 160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Dixie Normous!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jon McGruder!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Hogan, Steve Erwin and Winston Howard.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A nice leg kick lands there from McGruder.

Normous shoots in and gets a takedown into McGruder's guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Normous seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Normous trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Normous trying to control the position from guard on top but McGruder is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Normous throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
McGruder being controlled here, momentarily.
We've been hearing that Normous has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Normous trying to control the position from guard on top but McGruder is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dixie Normous has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
A jab from McGruder finds it's way through Normous's defenses.

Normous shoots in and gets a takedown into McGruder's guard.
Normous trying to control but McGruder is working from the bottom.
Normous is really struggling to control McGruder but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Normous throwing strikes but missing.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Normous missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
McGruder keeping moving, preventing Normous from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGruder tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Normous wants to control from the top but McGruder keeps moving.

Normous thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Normous tries to free his leg and advance position but McGruder is retaining full guard.
Normous not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Normous working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Normous slips nicely into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McGruder avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Normous.
McGruder trying to control from the bottom.

Normous is working for a kimura but McGruder is defending it quite comfortably.
McGruder is trying to maintain the position but Normous is very close to passing his half guard.

Normous is working for a kimura but McGruder is defending it quite comfortably.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Normous is keen to just control but McGruder is a slippery customer.

McGruder is defending against the submission attempts here by Normous.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if McGruder can do anything to dispel that myth.
McGruder is trying to get back to full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Normous sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. McGruder defending well though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dixie Normous dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Normous with a lazy takedown attempt
and Normous takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Normous fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging McGruder to the ground. Normous is now in McGruder's guard.
Normous pushes down on McGruder's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Normous is trying to control. McGruder wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
McGruder felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Normous is looking to advance position but McGruder won't allow it.
Normous missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Normous is looking to advance position but McGruder won't allow it.
Normous thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed McGruder's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGruder blocking the ground and pound attempt from Normous.

Normous is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Normous throwing shots but McGruder is blocking nicely.

Normous is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. McGruder doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Normous.
Normous sitting and controlling from the half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Normous is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

McGruder is defending against the submission attempts here by Normous.
Normous trying to pass the guard but McGruder defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Normous is looking for a kimura but McGruder is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Normous to get the leverage.
Normous is looking to stall here but McGruder recovers full guard.
Normous is looking to work some ground and pound but McGruder has wrist control.
Normous trying to control but McGruder is working from the bottom.
McGruder really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Normous. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
McGruder wants to stand up but Normous is controlling him.

Normous is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! McGruder is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! McGruder has escaped and now he's on top!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Normous is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Normous missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Normous is trying to work for a kimura but McGruder is defending well.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Normous is trying to work for a kimura but McGruder is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dixie Normous dominated that second 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.

McGruder connects with a leg kick. Normous looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
McGruder lands a nice hook to Normous's body. Normous takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
McGruder scores with a push kick.
Normous will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
McGruder throws a good cross that connects.
A decent looking body kick lands there for McGruder.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as McGruder checks a leg kick.
McGruder lands with a nice body punch.
McGruder throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McGruder lands with a kick to the ribs.
A nice inside leg kick there by McGruder. That's going to slow Normous down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A lazy body kick from Normous
and McGruder counters with a nice leg kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Normous tries to clinch but McGruder moves away
and McGruder counters with a thumping low kick.
Dixie Normous seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McGruder lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Crunch! McGruder slams his shin into Normous's torso.
McGruder scores with a shot to the body.
McGruder throws a nice outside leg kick.
McGruder scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
McGruder changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
McGruder connects with an inside leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McGruder throws a nice inside leg kick.
Nice jab there from McGruder.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Normous.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Normous fails with the takedown
and McGruder counters with a straight right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dixie Normous. That's going to take a lot out of him.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Normous crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from McGruder - the referee stops the clock and Normous gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says McGruder. Normous manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
McGruder keeps Normous at a distance using the push kick.
McGruder connects with an inside leg kick.
McGruder lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
McGruder is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
McGruder lands with a nice body punch.
McGruder bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Normous's head.
McGruder scores with a kick to the body.
McGruder lands a nice hook to Normous's body. Normous takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
McGruder lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
McGruder scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
McGruder connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Jon McGruder seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Normous on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Normous chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before McGruder can pounce on him.
McGruder lands with a cross.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from McGruder. Normous shrugs it off though.
McGruder connects with a good right hand that stumbles Normous. Normous circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

Normous is rocked!
McGruder throws a leg kick which misses Normous's front leg but catches the back leg as Normous tries to avoid it.
McGruder feints and then cracks Normous's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Normous down.
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!
Good leg kick by McGruder there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Jon McGruder is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McGruder lands a slapping body shot.
McGruder bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Normous is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Normous gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and McGruder counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Oh Normous is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGruder lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Normous seems to have got his legs back now.
A nice inside leg kick there by McGruder. That's going to slow Normous down.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by McGruder.
A chopping leg kick lands by McGruder.
Normous takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Normous will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
McGruder bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
An inside leg kick lands from McGruder.
Normous on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by McGruder. McGruder obviously looking to wear him down.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A nice leg kick lands there from McGruder.
McGruder lands with a hook. Normous tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
A jab lands there for McGruder.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jon McGruder really 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.

A telegraphed takedown attempt from Normous is defended easily by McGruder.
A decent looking body kick lands there for McGruder.
McGruder scores with a leg kick.
Normous closes the distance looking to clinch
and McGruder counters with a nice low kick that buckles Normous's knee momentarily.
Normous closes this distance looking for a takedown but McGruder circles away.
Normous misses with a takedown
and McGruder counters with a nice low kick that buckles Normous's knee momentarily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dixie Normous. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McGruder lands with a good body shot.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
That kick from McGruder tenderised Normous's leg. Normous is trying to keep his angry face on.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGruder throws a quick inside leg kick.
Normous on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
McGruder goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
McGruder jabs at Normous's body.
McGruder lands with a thumping leg kick.
McGruder fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Normous.
Normous shoots and misses
and McGruder connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McGruder lands a head kick!
McGruder drops Normous with a big left hand! Normous is injured, injured bad! McGruder jumps in and finished him with strikes! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:50 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Jon McGruder! Jon McGruder retains his lightweight title!
A relieved looking Jon McGruder thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.