PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Nikolay Capriotti (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gary Grice (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Capriotti kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Immigrant Song - Karen O (feat. Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross). Grice is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by GZA - Shadowboxin'. Nikolay Capriotti has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Capriotti
vs
Grice

187 cm
27
186 lbs
8 - 6 - 0

184 cm
26
194 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Project Mayhem

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Nikolay Capriotti!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Gary Grice!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Paul Tew and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice defenses there by Grice.
Grice jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Capriotti takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Grice throws a leg kick that is checked

and Capriotti counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Capriotti.
Grice prevents a takedown attempt there.
A nice left hand lands by Grice.
A short right from Grice on the inside.

Capriotti pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nice shot by Capriotti.
Capriotti checks a leg kick.
Grice connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Grice has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Grice throws a series of punches but Capriotti avoids them all with ease.
Grice thows a body shot but no joy.
Grice takes a swing at Capriotti's ribcage but misses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Grice fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Capriotti has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Capriotti closes this distance looking for a takedown but Grice circles away.
Capriotti swings for the body but Grice moves out of range.
A solid leg kick lands there for Grice.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grice connects with a high kick.
Grice throws a looping overhand right but Capriotti ducks down to avoid it.
Gary Grice is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A slow jab from Capriotti misses its intended target.
Grice feints and then cracks Capriotti's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Capriotti down.
Gary Grice seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Capriotti looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nikolay Capriotti. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Capriotti fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Grice manages to avoid it.

Capriotti moves into range and clinches up with Grice.
Grice lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Capriotti goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Grice's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Grice misses with a hook from the clinch.
Grice tries to throw a body punch but Capriotti avoids it by throwing Grice back against the cage.

Capriotti has picked Grice up - he's going for a ride! Capriotti dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Capriotti thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Capriotti not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
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.
Capriotti throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Grice is defending against the submission attempts here by Capriotti.
Capriotti not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Capriotti is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Grice defends it well.
Grice regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Capriotti.
Grice wants to sweep but no luck.
Capriotti missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grice controls Capriotti momentarily but Capriotti frees himself.
Capriotti wants to pass the guard but Grice is keeping the position.
Grice has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Capriotti working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Capriotti missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Capriotti trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Capriotti postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Capriotti is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Grice avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grice 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.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Capriotti accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Capriotti accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Grice is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Capriotti 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.
Grice preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Grice is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Capriotti throws a big elbow that misses.

Grice had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Capriotti defends it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Nikolay Capriotti will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Capriotti fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Grice, pushing him back against the cage.
Grice working aggressively here.
Grice slowing the pace effectively.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Capriotti.
Capriotti blocks an uppercut.
Grice misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Capriotti goes for a takedown in the clinch but Grice prevents it.
Capriotti is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Grice pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Grice misses with some punches.
Capriotti goes for a takedown attempt but Grice pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nikolay Capriotti. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Grice lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

Capriotti rushes Grice and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Capriotti blocks a body shot from Grice.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Capriotti will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Grice up against the cage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Capriotti works on Grice's body with a couple of short punches.
Grice can't find room to land a body shot as Capriotti controls the action.
Capriotti wants to take the fight to the mat but Grice manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Capriotti wants a takedown.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Grice.
Capriotti jumps guard but Grice stands there with Capriotti around his waist. Capriotti gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Grice is trying to break free.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Capriotti wants to get back to striking at distance but Grice won't allow it.
Capriotti tries to work over Grice's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Grice goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Capriotti misses with a punch to the body.
Grice lands a body punch in the clinch.
Capriotti misses with a punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Grice's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Capriotti takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Grice takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Capriotti keeps the fight on the outside.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Grice. Capriotti shrugs it off though.
Capriotti with a lazy takedown attempt
and Grice counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Grice bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Capriotti's head backwards.
Capriotti closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Grice connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Grice checks a leg kick.
Capriotti checks the leg kick.
Grice works Capriotti's body with a nice hook.
Capriotti checks a low kick from Grice.
Grice connects with an inside leg kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Grice.
A head kick misses from Grice.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grice uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Capriotti.
Capriotti takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Grice looks to throw the jab but Capriotti is out of range.
Nice body kick from Grice.
Capriotti waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Grice.
Grice moves into range and lands a nice body kick.

Capriotti gets tackled into the cage by Grice. Grice maintains the clinch.
Grice lands a shoulder strike.
Grice is struggling to control the position.
Capriotti jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Grice walks away with a smile on his face. Capriotti gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Capriotti scores with a jab to the head.
A head kick misses from Grice.
Grice throws a sloppy head kick and Capriotti moves out of range easily.

Grice darts in and clinches Capriotti up against the cage.
Capriotti drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Capriotti lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Grice wants to control but Capriotti is keeping busy.
Capriotti thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Grice's head.
Capriotti thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Grice's head.
Grice wants to improve his position but Capriotti is controlling well.
Grice moves into full guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Capriotti throws a strike but Grice rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Capriotti working for a triangle but Grice defends it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gary Grice showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Grice clobbers Capriotti with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

Capriotti forces Grice back against the cage and clinches.
Capriotti tries to pull guard but Grice holds him up against the cage and eventually Capriotti drops back down to his feet.
Grice is trying to maintain a safe position but Capriotti gets an underhook and turns Grice into the cage.
Capriotti misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Grice lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Grice is trying to break free.
Capriotti misses with a hook to the ribs.
Capriotti tries to pull guard but Grice forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Grice lands a hook that snaps the head of Capriotti backwards.
Capriotti drops down looking for an ankle pick but Grice pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nikolay Capriotti. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Grice thumps Capriotti with a low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grice scores with a jab to the body.
Grice fails in his attempt to clinch.
Crunch! Grice slams his shin into Capriotti's torso.
A chopping leg kick lands by Grice.
Capriotti fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Grice.
Grice tries to clinch up but Capriotti circles away and keeps his distance.
Grice bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Gary Grice seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Grice, right into the meat.

Grice rushes Capriotti and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Capriotti stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

Grice breaks from the clinch.
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!

Capriotti gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Grice prevents a body shot from Capriotti.
Grice lands a shoulder strike.
Grice's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Grice tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Capriotti is trying to pull guard but Grice turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Grice escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Capriotti throws the left hand but Grice avoids the punch easily.
Grice throws a head kick that misses

and Capriotti counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Grice's guard now.
Grice not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Grice pulls Capriotti in close to prevent any damage.
Capriotti postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Capriotti throwing strikes but missing.
Capriotti works over Grice with some ground and pound from guard.
Nikolay Capriotti overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Grice looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Capriotti works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Grice trying to control here.
Capriotti throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Capriotti lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Grice is trying to get back to full guard.
Grice blocking the ground and pound attempt from Capriotti.
Capriotti thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Grice's head.

Capriotti is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Grice doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Capriotti.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Capriotti not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Capriotti thows a huge punch but Grice dodges it nicely.
Grice makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Grice.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Capriotti accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Grice preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
We've been hearing that Capriotti has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.

Capriotti drops back, looking for a kneebar! Grice looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Grice looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Grice!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Grice throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Gary Grice.
I think Grice 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 29:29
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 28:29
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!