PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ethan Grey (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ruslan Khabilov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ruslan Khabilov told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Grey
vs
Khabilov

191 cm
26
210 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

191 cm
26
212 lbs
4 - 2 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

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 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ethan Grey!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Ruslan Khabilov!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Gregory Folan and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Grey misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Khabilov gets a clinch.
Grey is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Khabilov pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Khabilov wants a takedown.
Grey tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ethan Grey. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Khabilov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Grey.
Khabilov jumps guard but Grey stands there with Khabilov around his waist. Khabilov gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Khabilov decides to pull guard.
Grey is looking to work some ground and pound but Khabilov has wrist control.
Khabilov trying to keep a closed guard but Grey is proving a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grey being controlled here momentarily.
Khabilov controls Grey momentarily but Grey frees himself.
Grey wants to control from the top but Khabilov keeps moving.
Khabilov pulls Grey in close to his closed guard and prevents Grey from doing any damage or advancing position.
Khabilov keeping full guard, as Grey tries to pass.

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.

Khabilov escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Grey gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Grey shoots in for a takedown but Khabilov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Grey closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
A hook to the body from Grey.

Grey breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Grey shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Khabilov as he jumps to the side.
Khabilov has his takedown stuffed

and Grey holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Khabilov manages to break the clinch.
Khabilov fails with a takedown attempt.
Khabilov has a takedown stuffed.
Grey throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Khabilov's waist but Khabilov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Grey off to one side.

Khabilov clinches.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
A bit of stalling here from Grey.
A frustrated look appears on Grey's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Grey working hard to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Khabilov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Khabilov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Grey misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Grey fails with a takedown attempt.
Khabilov shoots for a double leg takedown but Grey sprawls well. He's pushed Khabilov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Khabilov throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Grey counters with a series of strikes. Khabilov will be more careful next time no doubt.
Khabilov looks winded!
Khabilov dives in and grabs Grey's left leg, looking for a takedown. Grey pushes down on Khabilov's head and hops out.
Grey closes this distance looking for a takedown but Khabilov circles away.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Khabilov clinches up against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Grey tries for a takedown but Khabilov manages to get underhooks.

Khabilov manages to break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ruslan Khabilov will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Khabilov swings for the body but Grey moves out of range.
Grey fails in his attempt to clinch.
Khabilov shoots in looking for a takedown but Grey manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Khabilov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Grey is defended easily by Khabilov.
Grey shoots in but Khabilov avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Grey keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Grey seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Khabilov is looking to clinch.
Grey tries to counter by clinching up but Khabilov breaks away and moves out of range.
Khabilov throws a sloppy head kick and Grey moves out of range easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grey throws out a powerful jab.
Khabilov stuffs the takedown.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Khabilov! But no joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ethan Grey. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Khabilov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Khabilov trying to land knees to the body.
Khabilov throws a head punch that misses.
Khabilov is trying to break the clinch but Grey is controlling him.
Grey tries for a takedown but Khabilov manages to get underhooks.
Grey taking a breather.
Grey is trying to break the clinch but Khabilov has him pressed against the cage.
Grey wants a takedown but no success here.
Khabilov is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Grey gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Khabilov breaks the clinch.

Grey gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Khabilov manages to break the clinch.
Grey tries to clinch there but Khabilov circles away.
Grey shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Grey fails with a takedown attempt.
Khabilov shoots in but no luck this time.

Khabilov rushes Grey and presses him up against the cage.
Khabilov lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Grey or not.
Khabilov tries to pull guard but Grey won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Khabilov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Grey throws a low kick but it's checked well by Khabilov.

Khabilov gets tackled into the cage by Grey. Grey maintains the clinch.
A bit of stalling here from Khabilov.

Grey drags the fight down to the ground.
Grey is trying to hold Khabilov in close to prevent damage but Khabilov has managed to pass into half guard.
Grey tries to roll over but Khabilov keeps him under control.
Grey looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Khabilov tries to pass to full mount but Grey defends it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Khabilov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Khabilov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Grey's head.
Grey avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Khabilov.
Khabilov is pressing down on Grey's thigh, looking to free his foot. Grey is holding on for now.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Grey is trying to stand.
Well, if Khabilov is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ruslan Khabilov 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! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Khabilov drives through with a takedown into guard.
Grey trying to control the position.
Grey keeping moving, preventing Khabilov from controlling successfully.
Grey throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Grey seems keen to control Khabilov's posture.
Khabilov looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Grey working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Khabilov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Khabilov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Khabilov gets to his feet - Grey follows without any prompting.
Khabilov tries to clinch but Grey moves out of range.
Ethan Grey is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Grey clinches with his opponent.
Grey is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Khabilov pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's two 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.
Grey jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Khabilov walks away with a smile on his face. Grey gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Khabilov fails with a takedown attempt.
Khabilov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Grey pinned against the cage. Grey gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Khabilov clinches with his opponent.
Khabilov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Grey is trying to push Khabilov away but Khabilov has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grey is looking to take this one to the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ethan Grey. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Khabilov wants to stall.
Khabilov tries to pull guard but Grey holds him up against the cage and eventually Khabilov drops back down to his feet.

Khabilov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Grey misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Khabilov shoots in and drives through. Grey sprawls well.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Grey is defended easily by Khabilov.
Despite the aggression on Khabilov's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Khabilov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Khabilov wants it to stay on the feet.
Khabilov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Khabilov throws a sloppy head kick and Grey moves out of range easily.
Grey scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Nice takedown defense from Khabilov. No joy for Grey on that attempt.
Khabilov misses with a body kick.
Grey tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Khabilov swivels and escapes.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Khabilov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Grey as he avoids it easily.
Khabilov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ethan Grey has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ruslan Khabilov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Khabilov fails with a takedown attempt.
Grey throws a big counter combination but Khabilov scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ruslan Khabilov.
Well Khabilov has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Alec Ball scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ruslan Khabilov!