PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mikhail Gromov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tim Olifanter (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mikhail Gromov has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Gromov
vs
Olifanter

180 cm
25
206 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

190 cm
21
215 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mikhail Gromov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Tim Olifanter!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Saam Ante and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gromov is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Olifanter's half guard.
Gromov trying to control the pace.
Olifanter is trying to control but can't.
Gromov keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

Gromov looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gromov is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gromov is pressing down on Olifanter's thigh, looking to free his foot. Olifanter is holding on for now.
Olifanter is trying to maintain the position but Gromov is very close to passing his half guard.
Gromov could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Gromov prevents Olifanter from improving his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Gromov looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Olifanter wants to improve his position but Gromov is controlling well.
Still in half guard, Gromov seems content to control.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Olifanter scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Gromov manages to get to full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Gromov is on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Olifanter has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Gromov has passed into side control.

Gromov thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Gromov controls the position.
Olifanter is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
A lull in the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Olifanter is looking to regain half guard here but Gromov keeps moving and retains side control.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Olifanter is looking for a sweep.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Olifanter can't do much from the bottom here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikhail Gromov dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Gromov shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Olifanter is trying to defend but Gromov finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Gromov seems to be looking for submissions.
Gromov wants to pass to mount but Olifanter is defending the position.
Gromov content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Olifanter really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Gromov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Olifanter is trying to get back to full guard.
Olifanter wants to get back to full guard but Gromov has passed into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
You can see the frustration on Olifanter's face as Gromov controls the position.
Olifanter tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Gromov wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Gromov wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Olifanter, who protects the arm well.
Olifanter tries to bench press Gromov off him but Gromov keeps the position.
Olifanter wants to get back to his feet but Gromov drags him back down.

Gromov working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gromov is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Olifanter has escaped the position, nice work there.
Olifanter is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Olifanter keeps trying to improve his position.
You can see the frustration on Olifanter's face as Gromov controls the position.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Mikhail Gromov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Gromov seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Olifanter for as long as he can get away with.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Olifanter throws a head kick that misses.

Olifanter gets caught napping as Gromov dives in and scores a takedown. Olifanter manages to retain guard.
Gromov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Gromov tries to free his leg and advance position but Olifanter is retaining full guard.
Gromov slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Olifanter is striking off his back. Gromov thinks nothing of it though and passes easily into half guard.
Olifanter wants to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikhail Gromov dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Olifanter drives through with a takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gromov is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Olifanter looking to sit in guard and control but Gromov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Olifanter is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Olifanter is trying to control the position here. Gromov has hold of a guillotine from the top though... oh, that looks naaaaasty, will Olifanter tap? Yes he will! The fight is all over! Gromov jumps to his feet and is applauded loudly by the crowd.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:52 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Mikhail Gromov!