PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Point Fighter (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Roman Gruzinsky (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gruzinsky is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Россия. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Fighter
vs
Gruzinsky

180 cm
33
186 lbs
19 - 7 - 1

188 cm
28
212 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Sun-Tzu

Bos Energy MMA159.4
Hellbent

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 19 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Point Fighter!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Roman Gruzinsky!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Albert Achterberg and Radbod Blank.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A decent looking cross lands there for Fighter.
Nice cross by Gruzinsky.
Gruzinsky looks to score with a jab to the body but Fighter is just out of range.
Fighter swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Fighter scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Fighter avoids the body shot from Gruzinsky.
Fighter throws a jab but it's blocked by Gruzinsky.
Fighter closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Gruzinsky ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Fighter moves away.
Fighter was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

Gruzinsky has closed the distance and engaged Fighter in a clinch.
Fighter definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Gruzinsky swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Gruzinsky misses with a punch on the inside.
Gruzinsky tries a body shot but Fighter blocks it.
Fighter wants a takedown but no success here.
Gruzinsky working aggressively here.
Fighter has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Gruzinsky after a bit of a struggle.

Fighter is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Gruzinsky can't fight it off and eventually Fighter manages to take the fight to the floor. Gruzinsky looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fighter throwing strikes but missing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fighter trying to control the position from guard on top but Gruzinsky is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gruzinsky is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Fighter is controlling him.
Gruzinsky looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Fighter looking to pass the guard.
Gruzinsky has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Gruzinsky is continuing to stall.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Fighter lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Gruzinsky at a distance.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Fighter.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Point Fighter. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gruzinsky with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Fighter to score with a decent uppercut.
Gruzinsky misses with a hook. Fighter ducked under it nicely.
Fighter misses with the combination.
Gruzinsky misses with a wild body shot.
Fighter is looking to counter punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fighter with a lazy takedown attempt
and Gruzinsky counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Gruzinsky with a hook.
Fighter throws a big shot that misses.

Gruzinsky rushes Fighter and presses him up against the cage.
Gruzinsky working aggressively here.
Gruzinsky tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Gruzinsky throws a head punch that misses.
Gruzinsky working some nice short punches in the clinch.

It looks like Point Fighter has been cut.
Fighter presses Gruzinsky against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Gruzinsky.

Fighter pulls Gruzinsky into guard.
Gruzinsky has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Fighter is proving hard to escape from.
Gruzinsky sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Gruzinsky got a little sloppy there for a moment and Fighter has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Gruzinsky has managed to get both his arms back between Fighter's legs - danger averted.
Gruzinsky must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fighter has a closed guard, preventing Gruzinsky from standing up.
Fighter keeping full guard, as Gruzinsky tries to pass.
Gruzinsky is stalling in the full guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Fighter is looking for a triangle here but Gruzinsky uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roman Gruzinsky dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Point Fighter'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.

Fighter throws a lazy right hand but Gruzinsky sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Gruzinsky moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Gruzinsky throws a looping overhand right but Fighter ducks down to avoid it.
Gruzinsky shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Gruzinsky connects with a looping right hand.
Fighter scores with a jab to the jaw.
Roman Gruzinsky seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Fighter swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Gruzinsky steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Fighter.
Gruzinsky fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Fighter.

Fighter has taken the fight to the clinch.
Fighter has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Gruzinsky is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Fighter goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gruzinsky lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Gruzinsky lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Gruzinsky throws a head punch that misses.
Fighter tries to work over Gruzinsky's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Gruzinsky misses with a short punch on the inside.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Fighter blocks a body shot from Gruzinsky.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Fighter.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gruzinsky fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Roman Gruzinsky seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Fighter lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Gruzinsky has a couple of punches blocked by Fighter.
Gruzinsky softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Gruzinsky fails to land.
Fighter's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Gruzinsky lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Gruzinsky has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Fighter seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Gruzinsky can turn it around.

Fighter manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Gruzinsky avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Gruzinsky controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Fighter is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Gruzinsky wants to stand but Fighter is controlling his posture from full guard.
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.
Fighter is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gruzinsky trying to control but Fighter postures up.
Gruzinsky blocking the ground and pound attempt from Fighter.

Fighter is looking for a kimura but Gruzinsky is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Fighter to get the leverage.

Gruzinsky has one foot on Fighter's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fighter tries to bum rush Gruzinsky with a series of wild strikes but Gruzinsky uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Gruzinsky has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Fighter showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gruzinsky.
Fighter misses with a hook. Gruzinsky ducked under it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fighter comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Gruzinsky lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Fighter has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Fighter and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
A slow jab from Fighter misses its intended target.
Fighter dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Gruzinsky has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Fighter throws a hook but Gruzinsky blocks it.
Fighter sets himself, and Gruzinsky steps forward looking for the clinch! Fighter avoids it this time.
A combination from Fighter does no damage.
Fighter shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Gruzinsky but Gruzinsky pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Gruzinsky works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Gruzinsky throws a looping overhand right but Fighter ducks down to avoid it.
Fighter lands a nice hook to Gruzinsky's body. Gruzinsky takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Fighter swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gruzinsky lands a nice hook to Fighter's body. Fighter takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Fighter tries for a takedown but Gruzinsky sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Point Fighter. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Fighter has taken the fight to the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Gruzinsky.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gruzinsky doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Gruzinsky lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Fighter backwards.
Fighter blocks a body shot from Gruzinsky.
Gruzinsky lands a right hand that snaps the head of Fighter backwards.
Gruzinsky makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Gruzinsky lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Gruzinsky lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Fighter or not.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Fighter misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Gruzinsky lands with a right to the head.
Gruzinsky throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Fighters head.
Fighter's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Fighter is rocked!
Gruzinsky lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Oh Fighter is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Gruzinsky works on Fighter's body with a couple of short punches.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Gruzinsky.
Gruzinsky has a couple of punches blocked by Fighter.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Gruzinsky.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Gruzinsky creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Gruzinsky lands a nice uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roman Gruzinsky showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Point Fighter's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

A slow jab from Fighter misses its intended target.
Fighter seems to have got his legs back now.

Fighter moves into the clinch successfully.
Gruzinsky misses with a hook from the clinch.
Gruzinsky scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Gruzinsky is working Fighter over against the cage.
Gruzinsky goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Fighter blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Gruzinsky lands a nice uppercut.
Gruzinsky tries to work over Fighter's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Fighter tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Gruzinsky misses with a hook to the ribs.
Gruzinsky lands a hook to the side of the head.
Fighter blocks a punch to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gruzinsky misses with some punches.
Fighter blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Gruzinsky misses with a punch to the body.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Gruzinsky.
Gruzinsky tries to work over Fighter's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gruzinsky lands with a short shot to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gruzinsky swings wildly with an uppercut but Fighter uses good head movement to avoid it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Gruzinsky.
Gruzinsky misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Fighter.
Gruzinsky swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Gruzinsky swings wildly with an uppercut but Fighter uses good head movement to avoid it.
Fighter looking to slow down the pace here.
Fighter displaying some good clinch control by pressing Gruzinsky up against the cage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Gruzinsky.
Fighter misses with a body punch.
Gruzinsky tries to throw a body punch but Fighter avoids it by throwing Gruzinsky back against the cage.
Fighter wants to take the fight to the mat but Gruzinsky manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gruzinsky pushes Fighter back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Gruzinsky scores with a shot to the side of Fighter's head.
Gruzinsky throws a punch but it's blocked by Fighter.
Gruzinsky lands with a light punch inside.
Gruzinsky misses with a hook to the ribs.
A short right from Gruzinsky.
Gruzinsky lands a hook that snaps the head of Fighter backwards.
Gruzinsky lands a nice shot to the body.
Gruzinsky misses with a hook from the clinch.
Gruzinsky lands a right hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gruzinsky digs a right hand into Fighter's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Fighter's gas tank.
Gruzinsky lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Gruzinsky swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Gruzinsky throws a punch but it's blocked by Fighter.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Gruzinsky creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Gruzinsky tries a body shot but Fighter blocks it.
Gruzinsky misses with a short punch on the inside.
Fighter has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Gruzinsky after a bit of a struggle.
Roman Gruzinsky is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gruzinsky misses with a punch to the body.
Gruzinsky prevents a body shot from Fighter.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Fighter.
Fighter lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Gruzinsky.
A shot in the inside from Fighter.
Fighter misses with a hook to the ribs.
Fighter struggles to land a body shot inside as Gruzinsky controls his hands.
Gruzinsky lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Fighter lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Fighter missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gruzinsky keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Fighter throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Fighter is looking to stall here but Gruzinsky recovers full guard.
Gruzinsky wants to sweep here but Fighter controlling him for the moment.
Point Fighter has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fighter lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Fighter postures up in Gruzinsky's guard and throws a big left but Gruzinsky blocks it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Roman Gruzinsky comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Gruzinsky 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 Blasius scores the fight 27:30
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 27:30
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Roman Gruzinsky!
During a confident post fight interview, Roman Gruzinsky thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.