PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Fred Daniels (ranked 4516 p4p, 467 weight class) and Michael Grundmann (ranked 4623 p4p, 472 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Daniels
vs
Grundmann

188 cm
26
185 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

180 cm
25
180 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Good in bed

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Good gas tank

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Fred Daniels!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Michael Grundmann!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Grundmann will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Daniels tries to counter by clinching up but Grundmann breaks away and moves out of range.
Grundmann fails with a takedown attempt.
Daniels is looking to clinch.
Grundmann is looking for the big counter here.

Grundmann gets caught napping as Daniels dives in and scores a takedown. Grundmann manages to retain guard.
Daniels throws a big elbow that misses.
Grundmann controls Daniels momentarily but Daniels frees himself.
Daniels controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Daniels trying to control but Grundmann is working from the bottom.
Grundmann pulls Daniels in to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Daniels won't allow Grundmann to sweep him here.
Daniels postures up.
Grundmann looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Daniels seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Grundmann is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Grundmann misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Fred Daniels has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Grundmann.

Grundmann forces Daniels back against the cage and clinches.
Daniels misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Grundmann.

Grundmann manages to pull guard.
Daniels looking to pass the guard.
Grundmann wants to sweep here but Daniels controlling him for the moment.
Grundmann not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Daniels not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grundmann has a closed guard, preventing Daniels from standing up.
Daniels pushing down on Grundmann's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Grundmann is trying to control but can't.
Grundmann gets full guard.
Grundmann has control of Daniels's left arm, preventing Daniels from doing any damage.
Daniels won't allow Grundmann to sweep him here.
Grundmann looking to control.
Grundmann pulls Daniels in close to prevent any damage.
Daniels sitting in guard here, content to control.
Grundmann 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grundmann trying to control the position.
Grundmann might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Daniels haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Daniels looking to score a takedown here. Grundmann is defending well but Daniels drives through and ends up in Grundmann's guard.
Daniels looking to pass the guard.
Grundmann wants to sweep here but Daniels controlling him for the moment.
Daniels tries to stand but Grundmann is controlling from the bottom.
Grundmann pulls Daniels in close to his closed guard and prevents Daniels from doing any damage or advancing position.
Daniels stopping the sweep attempt from Grundmann.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Daniels seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Grundmann has his hands on Daniels's head, controlling the position.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Grundmann is trying to keep Daniels in close.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Daniels scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Daniels missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Grundmann is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Daniels scores with a couple of nice shots.
Daniels trying to control the pace.

Grundmann looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fred Daniels dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Grundmann tries for a takedown but Daniels sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Grundmann shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Daniels manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Daniels wriggles free and stands up.
Fred Daniels is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Daniels tries to sprawl but Grundmann drives through with a takedown into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Grundmann is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Daniels doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Grundmann.
Daniels controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Grundmann tries to pass to full mount but Daniels defends it.

Grundmann looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Daniels is refusing to be controlled, as Grundmann sits in half guard.
Daniels is trying to stand back up but Grundmann is controlling him

Daniels actively working from the bottom here.

Grundmann is working for a kimura but Daniels is defending it quite comfortably.
Daniels keeping hold of Grundmann's head, controlling as best he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Daniels tries to roll over but Grundmann keeps him under control.

Grundmann is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Grundmann is working for a submission of some sort.
Grundmann trying to control from Daniels's half guard. Daniels has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Grundmann won't allow Daniels to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grundmann wants to pass the guard but Daniels is keeping the position.
Grundmann must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Grundmann won't allow Daniels to get back to his feet.
Daniels 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.

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

Grundmann shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Daniels's guard.
Daniels wants to sweep here but Grundmann controlling him for the moment.

Daniels has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Grundmann has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.

Grundmann manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Daniels stands and steps away. Grundmann gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Daniels enables Grundmann to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Daniels manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Daniels wriggles free and stands up.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Grundmann dives in and grabs Daniels's left leg, looking for a takedown. Daniels pushes down on Grundmann's head and hops out.
Daniels is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Grundmann can do to turn this around?
Daniels swings for the body but Grundmann moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Daniels throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Grundmann was covering up waiting for the punch and Daniels finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Daniels is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Grundmann is trying to control the position but Daniels postures up.
Grundmann is pulling down on Daniels's head to control his posture.
Grundmann is trying to keep Daniels in close.
Daniels wants to stand but Grundmann is controlling his posture from full guard.
Grundmann trying to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fred Daniels dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Grundmann rushes Daniels and presses him up against the cage.

Grundmann pulls guard.

Grundmann throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Daniels trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Daniels is fighting to break Grundmann's control of his arms but Grundmann is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Grundmann not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Daniels stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Grundmann swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Grundmann can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Daniels controls the pace.
Daniels would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Daniels stopping the sweep attempt from Grundmann.
Daniels trying to control the position from guard on top but Grundmann is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
A punch combination from Daniels misses.
Michael Grundmann seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Daniels gets a takedown into half guard.
Grundmann trying to hold on to Daniels's head to control him but Daniels postures up.
Daniels prevents Grundmann from improving his position.
Grundmann trying to control but Daniels postures up.
Daniels sitting and controlling from the half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Daniels sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Grundmann defending well though.
Grundmann trying to control here.
Daniels thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Daniels wants to free his trapped foot but Grundmann is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Grundmann tries to roll over but Daniels keeps him under control.
Daniels wants to control but Grundmann is keeping him busy.
Grundmann manages to get to full guard.
Grundmann is trying to keep Daniels in close.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Daniels trying to stand up but can't free himself from Grundmann's guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Daniels closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Grundmann to the mat! Grundmann manages to get full guard.
Grundmann manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Daniels manages to get himself to full guard.

Daniels keeping full guard, as Grundmann tries to pass.
Michael Grundmann has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Grundmann prevents Daniels from getting back to his feet.
Grundmann wants to control from the top but Daniels keeps moving.
Daniels trying to keep a closed guard but Grundmann is proving a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Daniels working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Grundmann has passed into half guard!
Grundmann controlling the action here.
Daniels tries to get to full guard but Grundmann has control of the leg.
Grundmann wants to control but Daniels is keeping him busy.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Grundmann lands strikes from half guard.
Fred Daniels is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Grundmann looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Fred Daniels.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Daniels, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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... Fred Daniels!
An out of breath Fred Daniels thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.