PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Aki Hiko (ranked 1430 p4p, 164 weight class) and Alexander Gruzdev (ranked 814 p4p, 108 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Hiko
vs
Gruzdev

225 cm
30
277 lbs
15 - 9 - 0

190 cm
31
220 lbs
20 - 17 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

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 15 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Aki Hiko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 17 - 0, fighting out of London, Alexander Gruzdev!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Johanna Lukiainen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A looping hook to the body misses from Gruzdev. Hiko does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gruzdev pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A big left from Hiko misses.
Alexander Gruzdev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gruzdev throws a head kick but Hiko moves out of range.
Hiko just misses with a punch to the body.
Hiko slips a straight right by Gruzdev.
Hiko changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
A low kick from Gruzdev misses

and Hiko counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Gruzdev!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hiko throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Hiko cracks Gruzdev with a big elbow.
Hiko throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Hiko will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Hiko working the body and head with strikes.
Gruzdev wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Hiko throws an elbow but Gruzdev slips to the side and avoids it well.
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!
Hiko looks up at the clock and then as Gruzdev takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Hiko smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hiko misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Hiko in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Gruzdev is pushing Hiko's head away, looking to escape. Hiko manages to hold on to the position though.

Hiko is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Gruzdev knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Hiko working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Hiko fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Gruzdev managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Hiko.
Hiko lands a few punches from side control.
Hiko tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Hiko in side control, throwing shots but Gruzdev defends.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hiko misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Hiko tries to score with some ground and pound. Gruzdev controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

Hiko is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Gruzdev has escaped the position, nice work there.

Gruzdev sneaks out the side door and pushes Hiko away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Alexander Gruzdev is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A big right from Gruzdev misses.
Hiko misses with a straight left.
Gruzdev cracks Hiko with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Hiko connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gruzdev moves forwards but Hiko connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Hiko rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Gruzdev moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Gruzdev wants to counter with a clinch but Hiko pushes him away.
Hiko ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hiko takes one to the side of the head.

It looks like Aki Hiko has been cut.
Gruzdev throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Hiko stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Hiko steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gruzdev.
Hiko throws a head kick but Gruzdev moves out of range.
Hiko jabs Gruzdev right on the nose. Gruzdev blinks but takes it well.
Gruzdev throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Gruzdev throws a jab but it's blocked by Hiko.

Hiko shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Gruzdev manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gruzdev tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hiko was well out of range. Poor timing from Gruzdev.
Hiko uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Gruzdev.
Gruzdev throws a hook but Hiko avoids it easily.
Gruzdev throws a jab but it's blocked by Hiko.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Gruzdev misses the target.
Hiko throwing a counter right hand but Gruzdev manages to avoid it.
Gruzdev takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Hiko throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hiko slips under a jab.
Hiko appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Gruzdev moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Hiko throws a right hand that misses
and Gruzdev connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Gruzdev bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Gruzdev misses with a looping left.
Hiko scores with a jab to the body.
Gruzdev waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hiko.
Hiko takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

Hiko changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Gruzdev looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Hiko works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Gruzdev felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hiko throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
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 Aki Hiko will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Aki Hiko's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Hiko misses with an uppercut
and Gruzdev counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Hiko shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Gruzdev as he avoids it easily.
Gruzdev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hiko defending well as Gruzdev loads up on a big left hand.
Hiko really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Gruzdev misses with a hook.
Gruzdev looks to land a right hand but Hiko moved out of range.
Hiko misses the jab.
Hiko uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Gruzdev.
Gruzdev scores with a hook.
Hiko scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gruzdev with a body punch. A glancing blow.
A jab from Gruzdev misses.
Hiko throws a front kick aimed at Gruzdev's knee but Gruzdev avoids it well.
Gruzdev blocks a jab.
Hiko on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Alexander Gruzdev seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gruzdev connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Hiko lands a right hook to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Gruzdev misses the target.
Gruzdev misses with an uppercut. Hiko saw that one coming.
Hiko tries to counter with a takedown but Gruzdev is quick to defend against it.
Gruzdev slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Hiko misses with a takedown
and Gruzdev counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Gruzdev misses with a series of wild punches.
Gruzdev swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Hiko counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Hiko.
Hiko is standing up over Gruzdev. Gruzdev looks to escape but Hiko dives into side control.

Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hiko is looking to take a break and control but Gruzdev is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gruzdev is working to avoid the ground and pound but Hiko connects with a decent elbow.
Gruzdev is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Hiko has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Gruzdev regains half guard, as Hiko was trying to land strikes.
Gruzdev tries to kick Hiko off but Hiko keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Gruzdev blocking the ground and pound attempt from Hiko.
Aki Hiko overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hiko is working for a kimura but Gruzdev is defending it quite comfortably.
Gruzdev wants to get back to his feet.
Hiko thows a huge punch but Gruzdev dodges it nicely.
Hiko thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Gruzdev's head.
Hiko looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Gruzdev with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Hiko stops Gruzdev from getting back to his feet.
Hiko lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hiko lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Hiko lands with a punch from half guard.
Gruzdev keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Hiko is stalling here. Gruzdev is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Hiko seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Gruzdev has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
You can see the frustration on Hiko's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Hiko tries to bench press Gruzdev off him but Gruzdev keeps the position.
Hiko can't do much from the bottom here.
Hiko is looking for a sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Alexander Gruzdev will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Aki Hiko's cut.
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. This is the final round!

Hiko blocks a jab.
Hiko tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
The crowd cheers as Hiko lands an impressive looking overhand right. Gruzdev doesn't seem phased though.
A leg kick checked by Gruzdev.
Gruzdev throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hiko looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Nice defenses there by Gruzdev.
Hiko throws a big shot that misses.
A jab from Gruzdev misses.
Hiko looks to land a left hand but Gruzdev moved out of range nicely.
Gruzdev lands a nice looking body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hiko shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Gruzdev defends it nicely.
Hiko takes a swing at Gruzdev's ribcage but misses.
A countering left hand to the body from Gruzdev misses.
Hiko pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gruzdev throws a jab when Hiko was well out of range.
Gruzdev uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hiko.
A jab from Hiko misses.
Gruzdev misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hiko.
Hiko looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Hiko on the wrong end of a nice hook.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hiko. Gruzdev does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gruzdev throws a lazy head kick

so Hiko counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Gruzdev scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Hiko's jab looks to have found its range, popping Gruzdev under the eye.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hiko throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A nice combination there by Gruzdev.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hiko throws a series of punches but Gruzdev moves out of range.
Gruzdev looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Gruzdev tries a head kick but it misses.
A punch lands to the side of Hiko 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Gruzdev slips a jab and a cross from Hiko.
Gruzdev appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Gruzdev throws a head kick that misses.
Hiko attempts a counter takedown but Gruzdev avoids it well and moves away.
Gruzdev attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Hiko connects with a body shot that sends Gruzdev's belly button to the back.
Gruzdev getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Gruzdev pivots, looking for a leg kick but Hiko is out of range and Gruzdev settles back down.
Gruzdev throws a poor cross that misses
and Hiko connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Hiko throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A little jabbing left from Gruzdev on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Gruzdev throws a looping overhand right but Hiko ducks down to avoid it.
Gruzdev slips under a jab.
Hiko lands with a right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Gruzdev throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hiko throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Gruzdev swinging wildly here.
Hiko tries a low kick but Gruzdev avoids it.
Hiko avoids the body shot from Gruzdev.
Hiko changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Gruzdev looks to land a left hand but Hiko moved out of range nicely.
Hiko misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gruzdev.
Gruzdev throws a looping overhand right but Hiko ducks down to avoid it.
Gruzdev ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hiko moves away.
Hiko attempts a counter takedown but Gruzdev avoids it well and moves away.
Gruzdev misses with a wild combination.
Gruzdev connects with a high kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gruzdev slips under a jab.
Gruzdev loads up on a big right hand but Hiko slips the punch.
Hiko drops down looking for a counter takedown but Gruzdev sprawls and moves away.
Gruzdev throws a hook to the side of Hiko's head but Hiko sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Gruzdev misses with a wild combination.
Gruzdev throws a sloppy head kick and Hiko moves out of range easily.
Hiko showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gruzdev.

Hiko closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Gruzdev to the mat! Gruzdev manages to get full guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hiko wants to control from the top but Gruzdev keeps moving.
Hiko looking to sit in guard and control but Gruzdev gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Gruzdev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Gruzdev has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:29
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexander Gruzdev!
Our winner, Alexander Gruzdev, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.