PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Isreal Todd (ranked 25104 p4p, 0 weight class) and Grove Pathak (ranked 5735 p4p, 0 weight class). Grove Pathak will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Todd
vs
Pathak

168 cm
18
177 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

179 cm
20
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Hates pizza

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Isreal Todd!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Grove Pathak!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Anni Minnemäki and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Pathak gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

Pathak has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Todd regains guard immediately.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Pathak postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Todd trying to control the position here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Todd scrambles and gets back to his feet.

Pathak lands a big head kick that sends Todd tumbling to the mat! Pathak takes a step backwards and waves Todd back to his feet - he wants the finish!

It looks like Isreal Todd has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pathak feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Todd has his feet on Pathak's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Grove Pathak seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Pathak looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Todd looking to control.
Pathak postures up in Todd's guard and throws a big left but Todd blocks it.
Pathak trying to control the position from guard on top but Todd is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pathak is working Todd over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Todd is trying to control the position but Pathak postures up.
Todd is adopting a defensive guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pathak is in close to Todd's body, working some short punches and elbows.
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!
Todd is trying to keep Pathak in close.
Pathak prevents Todd from getting back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pathak stopping the sweep attempt from Todd.
Pathak stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Todd swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Pathak preventing the sweep.
Pathak must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Pathak stops Todd from standing up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Pathak shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Pathak showed some decent athleticism there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pathak prevents Todd from improving his position.
Todd won't allow Pathak to pass to mount.
Todd wants to get back to his feet.
Todd makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Todd.
Pathak really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Todd. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Todd looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Pathak trying to control but Todd is working from the bottom.
Pathak looks winded!

That's four 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.
Todd controlling Pathak's posture.
Todd tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Todd controlling the position.

Todd is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Pathak is aware though and is defending well.
Pathak trying to control the position from guard on top but Todd is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pathak cracks Todd with a solid left hand.
Todd keeping moving, preventing Pathak from controlling successfully.
Pathak prevents Todd from getting back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Grove Pathak dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Isreal Todd's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Pathak misses with a two punch combination.
Todd attempts a counter takedown but Pathak avoids it well and moves away.
Pathak throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Todd throws a half hearted mid kick.

Pathak shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Pathak was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Todd bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Todd could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Pathak closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Pathak gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Pathak wants to control but Todd is keeping him busy.
Pathak is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Todd has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Pathak is working away from the top position though.
Todd is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Pathak's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Pathak's back!
Todd slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.

Todd is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Pathak tries to escape but Todd has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pathak wants to control his opponent's hands but Todd gets his hands free.
Pathak wants to escape the position.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Todd not allowing Pathak to control his hands.
Pathak is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Pathak is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Pathak is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

That's four 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.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Todd controlling the positon.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Todd seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Pathak for as long as he can get away with.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Isreal Todd dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Isreal Todd's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Pathak looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Pathak stops Todd from getting back to his feet.
Todd wants to control but Pathak is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Pathak content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Todd trying to hold on to Pathak's head to control him but Pathak postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Todd gets full guard.
Pathak stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Todd swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Pathak takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Todd looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Todd isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Pathak stacks Todd on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Pathak!
Todd is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Todd slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Pathak wants to control from the top but Todd keeps moving.
Todd throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Todd being controlled here, momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Todd has thrown up a leg looking for a triangle. Pathak doesn't defend quickly enough and Todd has managed to lock this one up! Can Pathak escape?! NO! He's tapping out! Damn, that was a quick submission - congrats to Todd on a fantastic submission victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:23 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Isreal Todd!