PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Borys Grabowski (ranked 2925 p4p, 300 weight class) and Gray Maynard (ranked 2790 p4p, 288 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Grabowski
vs
Maynard

171 cm
43
155 lbs
35 - 29 - 0

173 cm
34
155 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Good gas tank

FORCEE

Sportivité

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 35 - 29 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Borys Grabowski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Gray Maynard !
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Steve Smith and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maynard looks to throw the jab but Grabowski is out of range.
Grabowski throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Maynard scores with a jab. Grabowski acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Grabowski has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Maynard .

Maynard shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Grabowski napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Grabowski is looking for a sweep.
Maynard tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

Maynard working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Maynard wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Grabowski, who protects the arm well.
Grabowski is not content to let Maynard control the position.
Maynard has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maynard throws an elbow but Grabowski slips to the side and avoids it well.
Maynard cracks Grabowski with a big right hand but Grabowski just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Grabowski managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Maynard .
An elbow from Maynard crashes against the mat.
Maynard scoring with punches and elbows.

Maynard tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Grabowski tries to buck Maynard off but Maynard is having none of it.
Maynard tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Maynard lands a nice forearm strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maynard scoring with punches and elbows.
Maynard tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Maynard lands some shots froms side control.
Maynard is looking to take a break and control but Grabowski is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Maynard working the ground and pound but Grabowski is defending the strikes.
Grabowski gets back to half guard.
Maynard throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Maynard lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Maynard working over Grabowski with some ground and pound. Grabowski looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
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!
Maynard throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maynard missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Maynard connects with a nice short shot to Grabowski's temple.

Maynard is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Grabowski has managed to free his arm - good work.

Maynard wants to work for an arm triangle but Grabowski is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Grabowski wants to control but Maynard is keeping busy.
Grabowski is staying active underneath Maynard , who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Grabowski avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Maynard .
Maynard is pressing down on Grabowski's thigh, looking to free his foot. Grabowski is holding on for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maynard wants to lay and pray for a moment but Grabowski keeps working.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Grabowski is looking to improve his position.
Maynard seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Grabowski does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Grabowski is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Maynard 's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Maynard 's back!
Grabowski is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Maynard is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gray Maynard dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Grabowski misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Grabowski takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Maynard lands a lovely overhand right.
A jab from Grabowski misses.
Grabowski lunges at Maynard with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Maynard 's hand.
Grabowski on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Maynard connects with an inside leg kick.
Maynard throws a body punch but Grabowski moves out of range.
Maynard moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Maynard scores with a jab to the jaw.
Good exchange - Maynard coming out on top.
Maynard looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
A swing and a miss from Maynard .
It looked like Grabowski wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Gray Maynard seems to be getting the better of the standup.
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!
Maynard connects with a looping right hand.
A shot to the body from Maynard misses
and Grabowski counters with a slapping leg kick.
Gray Maynard seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Maynard misses the jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maynard 's corner calls for a 1-2. Maynard obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Maynard lands a jab to the nose.
Maynard throws a right and a left that Grabowski avoids nicely.
Borys Grabowski is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Grabowski avoids the body shot from Maynard .
It looked like Grabowski wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Grabowski takes one on the button.
Maynard lands a glancing blow to the side of Grabowski's head.
Nice body punch from Maynard .
Maynard throws a body kick that misses.
Maynard tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Maynard keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Maynard lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Maynard tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Grabowski paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Grabowski moves out of range of the strikes.
Some wild striking there from Grabowski.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maynard connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
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!
Maynard throws a head kick that half lands.
Maynard lands an overhand right.
Grabowski takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Grabowski throws a hook to the side of Maynard 's head but Maynard sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Maynard throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Grabowski was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Grabowski scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Maynard throws a quick inside leg kick.
Grabowski drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Maynard has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Maynard ducks under a wild hook from Grabowski.
Maynard ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A thudding body kick lands there by Grabowski!
Grabowski misses with a looping left.
Grabowski lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Maynard will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Maynard keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Grabowski.
Grabowski on the wrong end of a nice hook.
A nice inside leg kick there by Maynard . That's going to slow Grabowski down.
Grabowski missing with a left hand there. Maynard was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nice defenses there by Grabowski.
Maynard swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Grabowski.
Maynard lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Maynard fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Grabowski has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Maynard tries to clinch up.
Maynard looks to throw the jab but Grabowski is out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grabowski looks to score with a jab to the body but Maynard is just out of range.
Maynard misses with a jab to the body
and Grabowski counters with a stiff right hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Maynard connects with a right hand. Grabowski shakes it off.
Grabowski throws a jab when Maynard was well out of range.
Maynard misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Grabowski throws a looping overhand right but Maynard ducks down to avoid it.
Maynard connects with a nice looking jab.
Maynard scores with a nice strike.
Maynard tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Maynard shoots in looking for a takedown but Grabowski manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Maynard 's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Maynard gets a clinch.

Grabowski pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Maynard lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Grabowski uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Maynard .
Grabowski was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gray Maynard showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Maynard tries a head kick but it misses.
A big left from Maynard misses.
Grabowski swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Grabowski looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Grabowski walks forward, straight into a front kick from Maynard .
Maynard misses the shot to the body.
Grabowski uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Maynard .
Grabowski throws a hook but Maynard avoids it easily.
Maynard connects with a jab.
Maynard misses the shot to the body.
Grabowski thows a left - swing and a miss!
A nice side step and Maynard releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Grabowski looks to land a left hand but Maynard moved out of range nicely.
Maynard tries a quick counter leg kick but Grabowski is wise to it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maynard fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Grabowski has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Maynard fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Grabowski has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Grabowski ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Maynard shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Grabowski but Grabowski pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maynard throws a leg kick but Grabowski sees it coming and moves out of range.
Maynard 's jab looks to have found its range, popping Grabowski under the eye.
Grabowski misses with a hook. Maynard ducked under it nicely.
Maynard is looking to land body kicks.
A looping hook to the body misses from Maynard . Grabowski does a little dance to reset his feet.
Grabowski misses the shot to the body.
Grabowski blocks the body kick.
Maynard jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Maynard fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Grabowski manages to avoid it.
Maynard swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Maynard throws a poor cross that misses
and Maynard takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Maynard misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Grabowski.
Maynard throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Borys Grabowski has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maynard connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Maynard scores with a jab. Grabowski acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Maynard misses with a right hand
and Grabowski counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Maynard swings for the body but Grabowski moves out of range.
A little feinted left hand from Grabowski on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Maynard 's jab looks to have found its range, popping Grabowski under the eye.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Grabowski moves out of range of the strikes.
Grabowski was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Nice straight punches there by Maynard . You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Maynard .
Maynard getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Maynard connects with an inside leg kick.
Grabowski slips a jab and a cross from Maynard .
Maynard throws a body punch but Grabowski moves out of range.
Grabowski swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Maynard takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Maynard lands a leg kick that knocks Grabowski off balance momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grabowski blocks a jab.
Grabowski takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Maynard works the jab nicely.

Maynard moves into the clinch.
Grabowski is trying to break free.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Maynard .
Maynard lands a left hand that snaps the head of Grabowski backwards.

Grabowski breaks from the clinch.
Grabowski avoids the body shot from Maynard .
Maynard lands the left hand.
Grabowski takes one to the chin there.
Maynard lands a jab to the head.
Maynard misses with a kick to the body
and Grabowski cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Maynard blocks a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maynard uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Grabowski.
Maynard lands a nice hook to Grabowski's body. Grabowski takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Maynard connects with a body shot that sends Grabowski's belly button to the back.
Maynard lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
A big right from Maynard misses.
An attempted straight right counter from Grabowski misses the target.
Grabowski throws a chopping leg kick but Maynard manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Nice shot lands for Grabowski.

Maynard is rocked!
Grabowski chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Maynard can pounce on him.
Grabowski throws a looping overhand right but Maynard ducks down to avoid it.
Maynard lands the left hand.
Jab, jab by Maynard - just one landing.
Grabowski's corner calls for a 1-2. Grabowski obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Maynard is still on wobbly legs! Can Grabowski finish him?
Maynard throws a body punch but Grabowski moves out of range.
Grabowski waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Maynard .

And that's the end of the fight!
Gray Maynard comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Maynard 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gray Maynard !
Gray Maynard seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.