PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Grappler Striking (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yabwe Polfavol (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Striking
vs
Polfavol

174 cm
19
167 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

160 cm
20
160 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

Crippler's Corner

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Grappler Striking!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Yabwe Polfavol!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Stewart Dunkirk and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Polfavol looks for a takedown but Striking sprawls well.

Polfavol drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Polfavol wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Striking, who protects the arm well.
Striking is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Striking is working hard here to advance position.

Polfavol tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Polfavol has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Polfavol tries for a kimura but Striking is defending well.
Striking is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Striking moves into full guard.

Striking had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Polfavol is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Striking Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Polfavol's back instead.
Striking trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Striking doesn't have the hooks in and Polfavol manages to turn into his guard.
Polfavol passes Striking's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Striking is pressing down on Polfavol's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Striking is looking for a triangle but Polfavol pushes his legs off easily.
Polfavol trying to control the position from guard on top but Striking is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Polfavol drops back, looking for a kneebar! Striking looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Striking looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Striking!
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Polfavol tries to improve position but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Polfavol gets back to half guard.
Striking will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Striking tries to pass to full mount but Polfavol defends it.

Polfavol looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Striking has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Polfavol is working to get back to half guard.
Polfavol is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Striking is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Polfavol can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Polfavol is trying desperately to improve position.
Striking scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Polfavol?
Polfavol tries to lock up and control but Striking gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Striking trying to control but Polfavol is having none of it.
Polfavol can't escape the position.
Polfavol is trying to reverse the position but instead Striking has taken his back - oops!
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Striking's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Polfavol manages to reverse the position and now he's in Striking's guard. Nice work there by Polfavol.

Polfavol drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Striking manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Polfavol has Striking in his guard.
Polfavol looks gassed!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Polfavol working a defensive guard here.
Striking wants to stand but Polfavol has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Striking trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Striking trying to control the position from guard on top but Polfavol is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Striking sitting in guard here, content to control.

Polfavol had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Striking is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Polfavol Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Striking's back instead.
Striking rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Grappler Striking will probably get the nod.
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.

Polfavol checks the leg kick.
Yabwe Polfavol seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Striking throws a solid leg kick but Polfavol takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Striking.
Striking scores with a jab. Polfavol acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Polfavol tries for a takedown but Striking sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Horrible takedown by Polfavol or perhaps it was just good defense by Striking which made him look bad.
Polfavol looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Grappler Striking has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yabwe Polfavol.
Striking dips to his left and cracks Polfavol with an uppercut!
Striking misses the shot to the body.
Polfavol takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Polfavol shoots for a double leg takedown but Striking sprawls well. He's pushed Polfavol's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Striking throws a low kick but it's checked well by Polfavol.
Polfavol misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Polfavol is breathing heavily.
Striking attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Polfavol throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Striking's waist but Striking gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Polfavol off to one side.
Polfavol shoots for a double leg takedown but Striking sprawls well. He's pushed Polfavol's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Striking lands with a nice body punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Striking fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Polfavol.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Striking.
Striking is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
A lazy left from Striking finds it's target.
Polfavol closes this distance looking for a takedown but Striking circles away.
Some wild striking there from Striking.
Polfavol walks into a left hand.
Striking scores with a punch to the head.
Striking digs a good body shot into Polfavol's ribs.
Striking misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Striking cracks Polfavol with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Striking lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Polfavol keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Nice takedown defense from Striking. No joy for Polfavol on that attempt.
Striking buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Striking lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Striking lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Grappler Striking is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Striking lands with an uppercut that bounces Polfavol off the cage and back into rage.
A slapping leg kick lands for Striking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Polfavol fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Polfavol showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Striking.
Striking lands a high kick!
Polfavol shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Striking as he avoids it easily.
Polfavol fails with the takedown.
A solid leg kick lands there for Striking.
Polfavol blocks a head kick by Striking.
Polfavol fails with a takedown attempt.
Polfavol on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Striking. Striking obviously looking to wear him down.
Striking keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Polfavol throws a sloppy head kick and Striking moves out of range easily.
Striking connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Polfavol changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Striking tries to avoid it but Polfavol manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Striking to the ground. Striking escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Polfavol takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Polfavol fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Polfavol doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Polfavol crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Striking - the referee stops the clock and Polfavol gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Striking. Polfavol manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Striking just misses with a punch to the body.
Polfavol takes one on the button.
Polfavol looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Striking is fending him off so far but Polfavol persists. Nope, Striking circles away and we're back to standing.
Striking connects with a solid leg kick.
Striking thuds his right hand into Polfavol's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Striking is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Polfavol misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Polfavol shoots in and drives through. Striking sprawls well.
Striking scores with a nice body kick.
Polfavol is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Striking.
Striking throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Polfavol shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Striking pinned against the cage. Striking gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Polfavol fails to land the takedown.
Striking lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Polfavol checks the leg kick nicely there.
Striking missing with a left hand there. Polfavol was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Polfavol shoots in and drives through. Striking sprawls well.
Polfavol fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Polfavol takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
No luck for Polfavol with that takedown attempt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Striking misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A low kick from Polfavol misses
letting Striking counter with a right hand.
Striking misses the shot to the body.
Polfavol with a poor takedown
and Striking counters with a nice body shot.
Striking throws a nice inside leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Grappler Striking dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Striking dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Polfavol. That did some damage!
Grappler Striking is winning the standup battle so far.
Polfavol shoots and misses
and Striking counters with a low kick, right behind Polfavol 's knee.
Polfavol fails with the takedown
and Striking counters with a nice uppercut.
Donk. Striking catches Polfavol right on the button with a cross.
Polfavol's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

Polfavol scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Striking is pressing down on Polfavol's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Striking working for a triangle but Polfavol defends it easily.

Polfavol drops back looking for a leg! Striking is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Striking manages to kick Polfavol off! Polfavol jumps back into Striking's guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Striking is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Striking keeping moving, preventing Polfavol from controlling successfully.
Polfavol prevents Striking from getting back to his feet.

Polfavol drops back looking for a leg! Striking is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Striking manages to kick Polfavol off! Polfavol jumps back into Striking's guard.

Polfavol drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Polfavol jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Polfavol drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Striking dives on top into guard.

Polfavol isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Striking stacks Polfavol 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 Striking!
Polfavol can't do much from the bottom here.

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.
Striking in side control lands a decent elbow.
Polfavol wants to control but Striking postures up.

Striking decides to stand back up. Striking steps back and let's Polfavol get back to his feet.
A swing and a miss from Striking.
Striking misses with a straight left.
Polfavol doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Striking makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Grappler Striking has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yabwe Polfavol.
Striking digs a good hook to Polfavol's body.
Striking throws the left hand but Polfavol avoids the punch easily.
Polfavol shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Striking makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Striking scores with a jab to the jaw.
Nice body punch from Striking.
Striking dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Polfavol. That did some damage!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Striking misses with a wild combination.

Polfavol closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Polfavol is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Striking is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Striking is defending against the submission attempts here by Polfavol.
Striking is refusing to be controlled, as Polfavol sits in half guard.
Striking won't allow Polfavol to pass to mount.
Striking moves into full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Striking keeping moving, preventing Polfavol from controlling successfully.
Striking controls Polfavol momentarily but Polfavol frees himself.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Polfavol fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Striking manages to avoid it.
Grappler Striking is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Polfavol misses with a takedown
and Striking counters with a two punch combo.
Yabwe Polfavol has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Striking misses with a few strikes there.
Polfavol tries for a takedown but Striking circles away easily
and Striking counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Striking lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Polfavol with a lazy takedown attempt
and Polfavol takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A cross from Striking lands.
Polfavol misses with a takedown attempt
and Striking counters with a right hand to the body.
Striking throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Polfavol.
Striking wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Striking scores with a one two! Polfavol had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Grappler Striking showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Striking 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:26
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:26
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 29:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Grappler Striking!