PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Gruzdev (ranked 3038 p4p, 274 weight class) and Mon Ster (ranked 2690 p4p, 243 weight class). Ster has chosen The Automatic - Monster as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Gruzdev
vs
Ster

190 cm
27
250 lbs
12 - 10 - 0

194 cm
30
270 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Bullet Proof System
Zenith Nutrition (160q/$200)

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 12 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Alexander Gruzdev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mon Ster!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Paul Aken and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gruzdev shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ster defends it nicely.
Gruzdev swats away the attempt to clinch by Ster.
Gruzdev is looking to counter punch.
Ster wants to clinch
and Gruzdev cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Gruzdev misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ster.
Ster appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Ster tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ster throws the left hand but Gruzdev avoids the punch easily.
Gruzdev is looking to counter punch.
Ster is looking to chop away at Gruzdev's legs.
Sloppy strikes from Ster. Those never looked like landing.
Gruzdev ducks under a wild hook from Ster.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gruzdev lands a jab.

It looks like Mon Ster has been cut.
Gruzdev throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Gruzdev scores with a jab to the head.
Gruzdev tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ster was well out of range. Poor timing from Gruzdev.
Ster fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Gruzdev has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Gruzdev moves away from the strike by Ster.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gruzdev stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Ster.
Gruzdev fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Ster looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Gruzdev lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Gruzdev looks to land a combination but Ster avoids it well.
Ster throws a nice looking combination but Gruzdev bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Gruzdev misses the shot to the body.
Gruzdev misses with an uppercut
and Ster counters with a body kick that stops Gruzdev in his tracks momentarily.
Gruzdev throws a series of strikes that have Ster backpedaling.
Ster missing with a left hand there. Gruzdev was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Gruzdev takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
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!
Gruzdev has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Sloppy strikes from Ster. Those never looked like landing.
A telegraphed right hand from Gruzdev misses the target.
Ster throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Gruzdev counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Ster thinking.
Gruzdev throws a body punch but Ster moves out of range.
Gruzdev tries to bum rush Ster with a series of wild strikes but Ster uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gruzdev checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Ster avoids the body shot from Gruzdev.
A shot to the body from Gruzdev misses
and Ster counters with a one-two to the body.
Ster throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Ster lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Gruzdev backs up against the cage.
Gruzdev scores with a jab to the body.
Ster throws a head kick that misses.
A decent looking cross lands there for Gruzdev.
Gruzdev just misses with a punch to the body.
Ster keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

Nice combo by Ster! Oh, that's hurt him - Gruzdev falls to the canvas and Ster follows him into side control.

It looks like Alexander Gruzdev has been cut.
Ster tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
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.
Ster controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gruzdev is trying to control Ster's posture but Ster avoids it.
Ster misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
A lull in the action here as Ster stalls from top position.
Ster cracks Gruzdev with a big elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Gruzdev tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Ster wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Gruzdev is not content to let Ster control the position.

Ster decides to stand back up. Ster steps back and let's Gruzdev get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mon Ster dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

The fighters circle momentarily. Ster darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Gruzdev throws a lazy right hand but Ster sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Gruzdev walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Ster throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ster throws a hook but Gruzdev blocks it.
Gruzdev lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Gruzdev throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Ster has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Gruzdev lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Ster throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A slow jab from Ster misses its intended target.
Ster looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Gruzdev tries to counter by clinching up but Ster breaks away and moves out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ster moves out of range as Gruzdev strikes.
Ster displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Gruzdev throws out the jab.
Ster keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Gruzdev.
Alexander Gruzdev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gruzdev throws out a loose jab but Ster uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gruzdev takes a swing at Ster's ribcage but misses.
Gruzdev takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gruzdev swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Ster.
Gruzdev connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Ster is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

That has opened up Mon Ster's cut even more.
Ster throws a quick inside leg kick.
Ster lands a nice looking body shot.
Sloppy strikes from Gruzdev. Those never looked like landing.

Gruzdev shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Gruzdev wants to free his trapped foot but Ster is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Ster keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gruzdev is trying to control the action in half guard but Ster is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ster trying to control from the bottom.
Gruzdev takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Ster wants to stand back up but Gruzdev manages to pass into side control.
Ster tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ster avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Gruzdev.
Gruzdev prevents Ster from escaping the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Ster is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Gruzdev.
Ster uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gruzdev.
Ster lands a jab.
A left lands for Ster.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Gruzdev misses.
Ster is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Gruzdev with a poor takedown

and Ster moves into the clinch.
Ster is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Gruzdev is keeping busy.
A shot in the inside from Gruzdev.

Gruzdev manages to break the clinch.
Gruzdev fails to land the takedown.
Gruzdev lands a head shot.
Gruzdev keeps the fight on the outside.
A nice inside leg kick there by Ster. That's going to slow Gruzdev down.
Ster takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gruzdev moves out of range of the body kick from Ster.
Ster throws a wild body kick that Gruzdev sees coming a mile off.
Mon Ster is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ster takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Gruzdev dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Gruzdev cracks Ster with a right hand to the side of the head.
Gruzdev dives in for a single leg takedown but Ster sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Ster is looking to clinch.
Ster takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Ster misses with a looping right.
Nice shot by Gruzdev.

Ster clinches up with Gruzdev and pushes him back against the cage.
Ster works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Gruzdev misses with the head strike.
Gruzdev's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Ster has Gruzdev pressed against the cage, preventing Gruzdev from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gruzdev can't break the clinch.
Ster tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Gruzdev wants to get back to striking at distance but Ster won't allow it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ster blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ster throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Ster lands a left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ster goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ster misses with a hook to the ribs.
Gruzdev wants to get back to striking at distance but Ster won't allow it.
Gruzdev avoids a wild elbow strike from Ster.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

Gruzdev breaks from the clinch.
Nice body punch from Ster.
Ster throws a leg kick but Gruzdev sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Ster dodges the punch combination from Gruzdev.
Ster looks for the body kick but Gruzdev saw that one coming.
Gruzdev jabs at Ster's body.
Gruzdev defending well as Ster loads up on a big left hand.
Ster slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Mon Ster seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ster tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Gruzdev is able to avoid easily.
Ster throws a quick inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ster is looking to clinch.
A punch lands to the side of Ster 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Gruzdev misses with a straight right.
Gruzdev looks to score with a jab to the body but Ster is just out of range.
Gruzdev fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A solid leg kick lands there for Ster.
Ster lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Gruzdev ducks under a wild hook from Ster.
It looked like Gruzdev wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Ster lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Ster.
Nice uppercut lands for Ster. That snapped Gruzdev's head back.
Gruzdev misses with a hook.
Ster punishes Gruzdev's body with a nice straight punch.
Gruzdev misses with a two punch combination.
A big left from Ster misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ster takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Gruzdev closes the distance and clinches up with Ster, looking for a takedown. Gruzdev pushes Ster against the cage but Ster circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexander Gruzdev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ster misses with a two punch combination.
Ster lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Gruzdev throws a hook to the side of Ster's head but Ster sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A big right from Gruzdev misses.
Gruzdev misses with a takedown attempt
and Ster counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ster connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
A slapping body kick lands there for Ster.
Ster fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Gruzdev.
Gruzdev waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ster.
Ster throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Gruzdev takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Gruzdev is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Gruzdev slips under a jab from Ster.
A counter left hand to the body from Gruzdev misses its target.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ster buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ster throws a half hearted mid kick.
A slow jab from Ster misses its intended target.
Gruzdev thows a left - swing and a miss!
Gruzdev blocks a head kick by Ster.
Ster steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gruzdev.
Gruzdev misses with a wild body shot.
Ster just misses with a punch to the body.
Gruzdev scores with a sloppy right hand. Ster should have avoided that one.
Gruzdev shoots in but Ster avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Ster is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Gruzdev bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Gruzdev went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Ster does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Gruzdev swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Gruzdev throws a body shot but no joy.
Ster throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Gruzdev sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Gruzdev avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mon Ster comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Ster has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 28:29
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mon Ster!
Mon Ster decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.
In defeat, Alexander Gruzdev stepped up to the mic, saying 'Damn! My face feels like it has been molded by bricks!'.