PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Brodie Grundy (ranked 4169 p4p, 452 weight class) and Magnus Magnusson (ranked 4162 p4p, 451 weight class). Magnusson has chosen Little Talks - Of Monsters And Men as his entrance music. 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.

Grundy
vs
Magnusson

203 cm
34
251 lbs
18 - 14 - 0

190 cm
28
250 lbs
9 - 8 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 14 - 0, fighting out of London, Brodie Grundy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Magnus Magnusson!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Johanna Lukiainen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Grundy thumps Magnusson with a low kick.
Good exchange - Grundy coming out on top.

It looks like Magnus Magnusson has been cut.

Grundy throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Magnusson was covering up waiting for the punch and Grundy finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Grundy is looking to stand up but Magnusson won't let him.

Grundy gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Grundy scores with a jab to the head.
Grundy has been working on his boxing with his coaches at AREA 51 in the buildup to the fight.

Grundy closes the distance and pushes Magnusson back into the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Grundy fails to land.
Magnusson is working for takedown but Grundy is calmly controlling the position for now.
Magnusson manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Magnusson changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Grundy fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Magnusson forces Grundy back against the cage and clinches.
Grundy throws a head punch that misses.
Magnusson prevents a body shot from Grundy.

Grundy breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Grundy throws a leg kick but Magnusson moved away.
Grundy is looking to slow Magnusson down with leg kicks.
Grundy sizes up Magnusson with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Grundy is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Grundy pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Grundy throws a right and a left that both miss.
Grundy throws out a powerful jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grundy cracks the inside of Magnusson's front leg.
Grundy connects with the punch.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Magnusson has closed the distance and engaged Grundy in a clinch.
Magnusson throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Grundys head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Grundy.

Magnusson lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Grundy wants to stand back up but Magnusson manages to pass into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Grundy is trying to get back to half guard.
Grundy is trying to control Magnusson's posture but Magnusson avoids it.
Magnusson in side control, throwing shots but Grundy defends.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Grundy struggling a bit here.
Magnusson lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Grundy down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grundy regains half guard.
Magnusson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Grundy tries to roll over but Magnusson keeps him under control.
Grundy slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Grundy managing to control the position.
Grundy will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Magnusson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Grundy is keeping the position for now.
Magnusson wants to control from the top but Grundy keeps moving.
Magnusson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Grundy works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Grundy is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

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.
Magnusson throws a big elbow that misses.
Grundy is controlling Magnusson's posture.
Grundy has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Grundy is trying to keep Magnusson in close.
Magnusson with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Magnusson makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Grundy controlling the position.
Grundy looking to control.
Magnusson works over Grundy with some ground and pound from guard.
Grundy tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Magnusson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brodie Grundy dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Magnus Magnusson's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Grundy feints a jab promting Magnusson to slip. Grundy then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Magnusson slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

Magnusson gets tackled into the cage by Grundy. Grundy maintains the clinch.

Grundy pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Magnusson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Grundy.
Brodie Grundy is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Grundy throws an overhand right that lands on Magnusson's shoulder, as Magnusson tries to avoid the shot.
Magnusson looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Grundy misses with a jab, cross combination.
Magnusson doesn't manage to clinch there - Grundy circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A solid body kick from Grundy.
Magnusson fails with the takedown.

Grundy pushes Magnusson up against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Magnusson.
The referee calls for Magnusson to work.
A shot in the inside from Magnusson.
Magnusson throws a head punch that misses.
Grundy lands a left hand.
Grundy lands a left hand.
Magnusson wants a takedown.
Grundy stalling in the clinch.
Grundy content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Magnusson is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Brodie Grundy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Magnus Magnusson.
Magnusson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Grundy is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Grundy working hard to break the clinch.
Magnusson has Grundy pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Grundy manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grundy stalling the fight.
Grundy is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Magnusson stalling in the clinch but Grundy improves position.
Magnusson changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Grundy fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Grundy connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

That has opened up Magnus Magnusson's cut even more.
Magnusson is breathing heavily.

Grundy has Magnusson up against the cage in a clinch.
Grundy goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Grundy.
A right handed body shot lands from Grundy.
Brodie Grundy has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Magnusson goes for a takedown attempt but Grundy pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Magnusson fails with the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Grundy moves into the clinch successfully.
Magnusson has a couple of punches blocked by Grundy.
Grundy avoiding damage.
A bit of stalling here from Grundy.
A short right from Grundy on the inside.
Grundy lands a body shot.
Grundy is stalling here.
Grundy leaning against his opponent.

Grundy pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Magnusson is defended easily by Grundy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Magnusson stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Grundy.
Grundy doesn't manage to clinch there - Magnusson circles away.
Magnusson is looking for the big counter here.

Grundy moves into the clinch.
Magnusson working aggressively here.

Grundy breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Grundy fails to land with a series of punches.
Magnusson looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Grundy takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Grundy swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Grundy defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Magnusson.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brodie Grundy dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Magnus Magnusson's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Grundy lands with a kick to the ribs.
Grundy fails with an attempt to clinch.
Grundy throws a left and a right that both miss

and Magnusson counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Magnusson.
Magnusson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Grundy pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Grundy lands a right hand.
Grundy working aggressively here.

Grundy escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Grundy is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Magnusson can do to turn this around?
Grundy tries to close the distance and clinch but Magnusson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Magnusson tries to clinch but Grundy moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Grundy lands a nice leg kick that just misses Magnusson's sensitive parts.
Grundy throws a head kick that misses.
A nice leg kick lands there from Grundy.
Magnusson steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Grundy. That one must have hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Magnusson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Grundy lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Magnusson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Grundy wants to clinch
and Magnusson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Grundy throws a series of punches but Magnusson moves out of range.
Magnusson fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Grundy avoids it really well and circles away.
Grundy fails with an attempt to clinch.
Magnusson lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Grundy wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Brodie Grundy is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grundy misses with a wild combination.
Brodie Grundy is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Grundy fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Magnusson looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Grundy wants to clinch.
Grundy smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Grundy ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Magnusson has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

Grundy clinches with his opponent.
Magnusson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Magnusson is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Brodie Grundy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Magnus Magnusson.
Magnusson has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Grundy is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Magnusson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Grundy pressing his opponent against the cage.
Magnusson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Grundy pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Grundy stops a takedown attempt from Magnusson.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

Grundy breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Magnus Magnusson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Magnusson misses with a takedown
and Grundy connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Grundy closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Magnusson to the mat! Magnusson manages to get full guard.
Grundy wants to stand but Magnusson has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Magnusson controls Grundy momentarily but Grundy frees himself.

Grundy gets to his feet - Magnusson follows without any prompting.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brodie Grundy showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Grundy has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brodie Grundy!
Brodie Grundy bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.