PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Cory Groves (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Mifsud (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cory Groves has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Groves
vs
Mifsud

185 cm
19
130 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

170 cm
18
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Inexperienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Cory Groves!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Michael Mifsud!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Alexandre Firmino and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mifsud throws a nice looking combination but Groves bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Groves closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Groves is looking to break free of the clinch but Mifsud has double underhooks.
Mifsud wants to get back to striking at distance but Groves won't allow it.
Groves is looking to break free of the clinch but Mifsud has double underhooks.

Groves escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Groves displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Nice sprawl there from Mifsud as Groves shoots in.
Groves really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Groves shoots in for a double leg but Mifsud sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Mifsud slips a jab and a cross from Groves.
Groves tries to land a leg kick but Mifsud saw it coming and moves away.
Groves avoids a punch combination nicely.
Groves changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Mifsud tries to avoid it but Groves manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Mifsud to the ground. Mifsud escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cory Groves. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Groves blocks a head kick by Mifsud.
Mifsud avoids a punch combination nicely.
Groves takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Groves misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Groves closes this distance looking for a takedown but Mifsud circles away.
Mifsud misses with a series of wild punches.
Mifsud avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mifsud scores with a spinning back kick!
Groves is breathing heavily.
Groves misses with a series of wild punches.
A shot to de liver by Mifsud. Beautiful body shot.
Groves misses with a wild combination.
Mifsud lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Mifsud plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Groves tries to clinch up but Mifsud circles away and keeps his distance.
Mifsud scores with a nice body kick.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Mifsud.
Mifsud throws a one two combo.
Groves avoids a punch combination nicely.
Groves misses with a kick to the body
and Mifsud counters with a thumping low kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mifsud works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mifsud scores with a kick to the midsection.
Mifsud looks to land a combination but Groves avoids it well.
Mifsud scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Mifsud dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Groves. That did some damage!
Mifsud throws a right hand that Groves ducks under and follows up with a left that Groves also avoids with ease.
Mifsud throws a nice outside leg kick.
Mifsud throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Good standup being displayed there by Mifsud as he connects with a hook.
A slapping leg kick lands for Mifsud.
Mifsud lands a high kick!
Mifsud with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A nice combination there by Mifsud.
Mifsud is looking to slow Groves down with leg kicks.
Mifsud throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Groves.
Groves misses with a takedown attempt
and Mifsud counters with a big head kick but Groves shrugs it off.

It looks like Cory Groves has been cut.
Mifsud throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Mifsud buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
An inside leg kick lands from Mifsud.
Groves tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Mifsud feints and then cracks Groves's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Groves down.
Mifsud tries a head kick but it misses.
Mifsud closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Cory Groves seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mifsud fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Groves.
Mifsud rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Groves moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Groves throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Mifsud counters with a flying knee. Nice.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Groves. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Mifsud lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Mifsud.
Groves misses with a double jab.
Groves takes a kick to the side of the head.
Mifsud throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Groves will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Mifsud moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mifsud lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Groves throws a series of punches but Mifsud avoids them all with ease.
Mifsud is working the combinations to good effect here.
Mifsud bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Mifsud throws a head kick that misses.
Mifsud scores with a head kick.
Mifsud fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Groves.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mifsud lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Michael Mifsud is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The crowd cheers as Mifsud lands an impressive looking overhand right. Groves doesn't seem phased though.
Mifsud throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Mifsud throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Groves thows a body shot but no joy.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mifsud goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
A left and a right from Mifsud both land. Nice combination.
Groves has a takedown stuffed.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Mifsud dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Cory Groves's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Groves misses with a double jab
and Mifsud counters with an outside leg kick.
Groves throws a right and a left that both miss.
Some wild striking there from Mifsud.
Groves with a lazy takedown attempt
and Mifsud counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Groves swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Mifsud scoring well with a low kick there.
Mifsud throws a good cross that connects.
Groves changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Mifsud tries to avoid it but Groves manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Mifsud to the ground. Mifsud escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Mifsud throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Mifsud swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Groves tries to clinch but Mifsud moves out of range.
Mifsud lands a high kick!
Mifsud throws a sloppy head kick and Groves moves out of range easily.
Groves is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nice sprawl there from Mifsud as Groves shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cory Groves. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mifsud cracks the inside of Groves's front leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mifsud lunges at Groves with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Groves's hand.
Groves misses with a double jab
and Mifsud counters with a head kick. That will keep Groves thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Nice uppercut there from Mifsud.
Groves misses with a double jab
and Mifsud counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Mifsud lands a nice leg kick that just misses Groves's sensitive parts.
Mifsud rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Groves moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Mifsud closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Mifsud throws a front kick that sends Groves stumbling back into the cage.
Mifsud misses with a wild combination.
Groves shoots in looking for a takedown. Mifsud tries to sprawl out of it but Groves keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Mifsud manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Michael Mifsud seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Groves takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Mifsud.
Groves thows a leg kick but Mifsud checks it
and Mifsud makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Groves really felt that one!
Mifsud throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Groves's head.
Mifsud misses with a two punch combination.
Mifsud throws a right hand that Groves ducks under and follows up with a left that Groves also avoids with ease.
Mifsud feints and then cracks Groves's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Groves down.
Cory Groves is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Groves throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Mifsud counters with a one-two to the body.
Mifsud pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A nice leg kick lands there from Mifsud.
A head kick by Groves misses
and Mifsud counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mifsud throws a nice inside leg kick.
Mifsud looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Mifsud connects with a solid leg kick.
Mifsud lands a head kick. Groves smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Groves misses with a looping left.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Mifsud.
Groves falls off balance throwing a combination
and Mifsud counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Groves is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Mifsud lands a nice looking body kick.
Mifsud plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Groves takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Groves will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
A low kick from Groves misses
and Mifsud counters with a slapping leg kick.
Mifsud misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
An inside leg kick lands from Mifsud.
Groves tries to clinch but Mifsud moves out of range.
Groves throws a nice looking combination but Mifsud bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Groves tries to clinch up but Mifsud circles away and keeps his distance.
Both fighters circling a little - Mifsud finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Mifsud checks a leg kick nicely.
Mifsud tests Groves's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Groves misses with a double jab.
Groves fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Mifsud has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Mifsud lands a nice looking kick to the body. Groves takes a step back to recover.
Groves takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Mifsud throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Groves misses with a combination
and Mifsud counters with a nice body kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Mifsud.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Groves shoots in but Mifsud avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Mifsud moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Mifsud throws a series of punches but Groves avoids them all with ease.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Mifsud showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Cory Groves's cut.
That's time! Groves's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Mifsud throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Groves waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Mifsud.
Mifsud swinging wilding here.
Groves throws a combination that misses
and Mifsud counters with a nice low kick that buckles Groves's knee momentarily.
Nice shot lands for Mifsud.
No luck for Groves with that takedown attempt.
Groves fails to land the takedown.
Groves misses with a takedown attempt - Mifsud sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cory Groves. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Groves changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Mifsud tries to avoid it but Groves manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Mifsud to the ground. Mifsud escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Mifsud lands a jab-cross combination.
Groves takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Mifsud with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mifsud scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mifsud lands a head kick. Groves smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Mifsud has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Mifsud throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Groves looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Groves throws a combination that misses
and Mifsud counters with a left and a right that stings Groves.
Mifsud swinging wilding here.
Mifsud throws a one two combo.
Groves takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Some wild striking there from Mifsud.
Mifsud throws a nice looking combination but Groves bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Groves tries to close the distance and clinch but Mifsud swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Mifsud throws a sloppy head kick and Groves moves out of range easily.
Groves misses with a takedown
and Mifsud counters with a head kick. That will keep Groves thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Groves chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Mifsud can pounce on him.
Michael Mifsud is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Groves shoots for a double leg takedown but Mifsud sprawls well. He's pushed Groves's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Mifsud lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Groves tries to clinch but Mifsud moves out of range.
Groves fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Mifsud moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Mifsud lands with a thumping leg kick.
Mifsud throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Groves fails in his attempt to clinch.
Mifsud connects with a crisp jab.
Groves takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Mifsud lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Groves is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Groves swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Mifsud counters with an inside leg kick.
Groves is looking to clinch but Mifsud is avoiding it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Groves misses
and Mifsud counters with a nice body kick.
Nice uppercut there from Mifsud.
Mifsud lands with a nice combination. Groves backs away looking to recover.
Groves has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Good exchange - Mifsud coming out on top.
Groves throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Mifsud counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Mifsud scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Cory Groves has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mifsud throws a combination. Groves tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Groves shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Mifsud as he jumps to the side.
A right-left combo lands from Mifsud.
Groves has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Mifsud.
Groves chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Mifsud can pounce on him.
Mifsud lands with a kick to the temple. Groves shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Groves will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Mifsud throws a nice head kick!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Groves takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Groves misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Mifsud scores with a three punch combo!
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Mifsud!
Mifsud closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Groves swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Mifsud counters with a two punch combo.
Groves takes a kick to the side of the head.
Groves takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Mifsud cracks the inside of Groves's front leg.
Mifsud misses with a series of wild punches.
Groves looks to clinch
and Mifsud counters with a nice leg kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Groves throws a lazy head kick
and Mifsud connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Mifsud throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Mifsud throws a series of punches but Groves avoids them all with ease.
Mifsud fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Groves.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michael Mifsud comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Mifsud winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Daniel Cesar scores the fight 25:30
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 25:30
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michael Mifsud!