PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Max Onera (ranked 3265 p4p, 364 weight class) and Michael Grundmann (ranked 3845 p4p, 416 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Onera
vs
Grundmann

196 cm
25
191 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

180 cm
25
180 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Good gas tank

RISE Nutrition

Knockdown Clothes
Evil Empire Nutrition - 160Q $150

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Max Onera!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Michael Grundmann!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Onera doesn't manage to clinch there - Grundmann circles away.
Onera lands with a straight right. Grundmann didn't see that one coming.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Onera enables Grundmann to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Onera manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Onera looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Grundmann wants to pass the guard but Onera is keeping the position.
Grundmann wants to control from the top but Onera keeps moving.
Grundmann looking to pass the guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Onera is on top in guard.

Onera missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Grundmann working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Onera.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Grundmann is on top in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Onera keeping moving, preventing Grundmann from controlling successfully.

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

You can see the frustration on Grundmann's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Grundmann tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Onera wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
We've been hearing good reports from Onera's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Grundmann struggling a bit here.

Onera is trying to get an arm triangle but Grundmann is defending well.
Grundmann can't do much from the bottom here.
Onera wants to control but Grundmann is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Grundmann's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Onera tries to advance to mount but can't.
Grundmann is trying to control Onera's posture but Onera avoids it.
Grundmann might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Onera haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Onera will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Onera sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Grundmann is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.

Onera tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Grundmann is looking to reverse the position.
Onera staying calm.
Onera working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grundmann manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Grundmann looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Onera is looking to take a break and control but Grundmann is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Grundmann is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Onera scores with a couple of nice shots.
Grundmann is trying is best to control the position here.
Well, if Onera 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.

Grundmann is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Onera pulls his head out easily.
Grundmann wants to control but Onera is keeping busy.
Grundmann is pressing down on Onera's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Onera stopping the sweep attempt from Grundmann.
Grundmann controls Onera momentarily but Onera frees himself.
Onera postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Grundmann not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Onera is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Onera looking to pass the guard.
Onera trying to control the position from guard on top but Grundmann is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Grundmann is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Grundmann keeping moving, preventing Onera from controlling successfully.
Onera looking to pass the guard.

Onera drops back looking for a leg! Grundmann is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Grundmann manages to kick Onera off! Onera jumps back into Grundmann's guard.
Grundmann has Onera pulled in close to control his posture.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Onera slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Max Onera dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Grundmann shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Onera is trying to defend but Grundmann finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Grundmann is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Onera defends it well.
Onera is refusing to be controlled, as Grundmann sits in half guard.

Grundmann is working for a kimura but Onera is defending it quite comfortably.
Onera wants to get back to full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Onera trying to control from the bottom.
Onera is looking for a sweep. Grundmann is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Max Onera overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Grundmann is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Onera sees it coming and defends easily.
Onera is trying to maintain the position but Grundmann is very close to passing his half guard.
Grundmann is trying to control. Onera wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Grundmann seems to be working for a kimura but Onera defends the submission attempt.
Onera is not content to let Grundmann control the position.
Onera slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Grundmann trying to control but Onera is working from the bottom.
Grundmann stopping the sweep attempt from Onera.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Onera is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Grundmann is holding on to half guard well.
Onera wants to take a breather but Grundmann is having none of it.

Onera is trying to work for a kimura but Grundmann is defending well.
Onera is trying to control. Grundmann wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Onera is looking to advance position but Grundmann won't allow it.
Grundmann slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Grundmann looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Onera trying to control the position from guard on top but Grundmann is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grundmann controlling Onera's posture.
Grundmann wants to sweep here but Onera controlling him for the moment.
Onera postures up.
Onera trying to control but Grundmann is working from the bottom.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Onera wants to pass the guard but Grundmann is keeping the position.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Grundmann holds on and takes a little breather.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Grundmann has a takedown stuffed.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Onera gets a double leg takedown into Grundmann's guard.
Grundmann is trying to keep Onera in close.
Grundmann is controlling Onera's posture.
Onera throwing strikes from guard but Grundmann blocks nicely.
Onera postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Onera thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Onera trying to control but Grundmann is working from the bottom.
Onera preventing the sweep.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Grundmann is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Grundmann is pulling down on Onera's head to control his posture.
Onera sitting in guard here, content to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Max Onera dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Some wild striking there from Onera.
Onera wants to clinch up but Grundmann keeps it at a distance.

Grundmann gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Onera is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Grundmann trying to control the position.
Grundmann pulls Onera in close to prevent any damage.
Grundmann working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Onera.
Onera wants to control from the top but Grundmann keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Onera postures up.
Onera controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Onera trying to control but Grundmann is working from the bottom.
Grundmann is adopting a defensive guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grundmann looking to control.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Grundmann shoots for a double leg takedown but Onera sprawls well. He's pushed Grundmann's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Onera gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Onera working a defensive guard here.
Grundmann trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Onera manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Grundmann wants to sweep here but Onera controlling him for the moment.
Onera postures up.
Onera passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Onera working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Max Onera is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Grundmann's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Onera just content to control the position.
Grundmann takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Grundmann is looking to regain half guard here but Onera keeps moving and retains side control.
Grundmann wants to control but Onera postures up.
Grundmann trying to remain calm as Onera controls from the top position.
Grundmann is not content to let Onera control the position.
Onera works to advance to full mount. Grundmann defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Onera controlling the position easily from mount.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Grundmann is trying to escape the mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grundmann tries to lock up and control but Onera gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Grundmann is working to get back to half guard.
Onera seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Grundmann is holding on tight.
Grundmann is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Onera with the ground and pound from mount.
Onera tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Michael Grundmann has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Onera looking to control but Grundmann is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Grundmann tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grundmann wants to hold on but Onera pushes him away.
Onera wants to control the pace but Grundmann is squirming around nicely.
Onera controlling from mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Grundmann is in a horrible position here. Onera smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Onera controlling the pace for now.
Onera avoids the attempt from Grundmann to control.
Onera tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Grundmann keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Grundmann gets back to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Max Onera showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Onera 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Max Onera!
An out of breath and clearly excited Max Onera thanked RISE Nutrition for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).