PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Umberto Grena (ranked 3564 p4p, 433 weight class) and Yordan Andonov (ranked 5085 p4p, 557 weight class). The key to victory for Umberto Grena has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Grena
vs
Andonov

165 cm
27
169 lbs
9 - 14 - 0

185 cm
29
176 lbs
10 - 7 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Fast

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Umberto Grena!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Yordan Andonov!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Yuuki Gou and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Andonov decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Grena might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Andonov lands strikes from half guard.
Andonov throws a strike but Grena avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Andonov tries to free his leg and advance position but Grena is retaining full guard.

Grena is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Andonov defends well.
Grena striking from his own guard.
Grena is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Grena manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Andonov manages to get himself to full guard.

Andonov looking for a sweep. Not yet Andonov, not yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Andonov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Andonov striking off his back but it's not causing Grena any problems.
Andonov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Grena throwing strikes but missing.

Grena drops back, looking for a kneebar! Andonov looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Andonov looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Andonov!

Andonov cracks Grena with a big elbow.
Grena is looking to regain half guard here but Andonov keeps moving and retains side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Andonov scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Grena to see if he's OK.
Grena wants to control but Andonov postures up.
Andonov grinds an elbow into Grena's temple.
You can see the frustration on Grena's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Andonov landing strikes.
Andonov is working Grena over with some ground and pound from side control.
Andonov creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Andonov creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Andonov scoring with punches and elbows.
Andonov working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

Grena is rocked!
Grena stops Andonov from passing to mount.
Grena tries to buck Andonov off but Andonov is having none of it.
Andonov creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Andonov landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Andonov in side control lands a decent elbow.
Andonov cracks Grena with a big elbow.
Andonov creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Andonov lands a nice forearm strike.
Oh Grena is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Andonov works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Andonov lands a strong strike to the head of Grena. That's dazed him! Andonov looking to finish here. Grena is waving his arms around trying to block but he's hurt badly - Andonov lands more strikes and the referee steps in to end the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:22 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Yordan Andonov!
During a confident post fight interview, Yordan Andonov thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.