PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Abdiev Grinder (ranked 3161 p4p, 341 weight class) and Manny Wooston (ranked 2303 p4p, 258 weight class). Manny Wooston is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Grinder
vs
Wooston

179 cm
25
160 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

176 cm
27
155 lbs
7 - 7 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Self confident

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Abdiev Grinder!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Manny Wooston!
The judges for this bout are Wagner Zegers, Daniel Blasius and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Wooston has Grinder up against the cage in a clinch.
Wooston is struggling to control the position.
Wooston is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Grinder is defending well.

Wooston has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Grinder uses from the top position.

Wooston pushes Grinder off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Grinder misses with a jab, cross combination.

Wooston closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Grinder quickly recovers to half guard.
Grinder is positioning himself well to prevent Wooston advancing to mount.
Grinder wants to improve his position but Wooston is controlling well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Wooston is looking for a kimura but Grinder is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Wooston to get the leverage.
Wooston is trying to control. Grinder wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Wooston thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Wooston tries to pass to full mount but Grinder defends it.
Grinder keeping hold of Wooston's head, controlling as best he can.
Wooston wants to control but Grinder is keeping him busy.
Grinder wants to control but Wooston is keeping busy.
Wooston thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Grinder knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Wooston on the ground.

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.
Grinder moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Grinder wants to sweep but no luck.
Wooston looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Grinder is working hard here to advance position.
Grinder managing to control the position.
Grinder looking for a sweep. Not yet Grinder, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grinder wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Grinder will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Grinder scores with a one two! Wooston had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Wooston blocks a jab.
Wooston fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Grinder lands a jab to the nose.
Grinder keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Grinder tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Wooston manages to circle out of the way.
Abdiev Grinder has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Manny Wooston.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Wooston.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Wooston clinches up against the cage.
Wooston is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Grinder gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Grinder prevents a takedown attempt there.
Grinder slows down the pace here.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Grinder has Wooston pushed against the cage.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Wooston is looking to break free of the clinch but Grinder has double underhooks.
Wooston takes a knee to the side of the body.
Wooston tries to pull guard but Grinder won't allow it.
Wooston has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Grinder's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Wooston is looking for a takedown.
Grinder is stalling here.
Grinder is struggling to control the position.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Abdiev Grinder.
Grinder fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Wooston manages to avoid it.
Grinder avoids a punch combination nicely.
Grinder is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Wooston shoots in but no luck this time.
Grinder lands a nice hook to Wooston's body. Wooston takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Grinder tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Wooston was well out of range. Poor timing from Grinder.
Grinder misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Grinder sets himself, and Wooston steps forward looking for the clinch! Grinder avoids it this time.
Wooston looks for a takedown but Grinder sprawls well.
Grinder throws a body shot but no joy.
Wooston tries for a takedown but Grinder sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Wooston has taken the fight to the clinch.
Grinder slowing the pace effectively.
Grinder stalling.
I was talking to Grinder's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Grinder displaying some good clinch control by pressing Wooston up against the cage.
Wooston fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Grinder tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Wooston avoids it.
Wooston tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Grinder's elbow.
Grinder lands a knee to the head.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Grinder content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Grinder will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Wooston up against the cage.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Wooston fails to pull guard.
Grinder tries to work over Wooston's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Grinder's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Grinder scores a nice knee to the body.
Wooston jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Grinder walks away with a smile on his face. Wooston gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Wooston fails with a takedown attempt.
Sloppy strikes from Grinder. Those never looked like landing.
Wooston is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Grinder misses with a straight right.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Wooston drives through and clinches with Grinder against the cage.
Grinder presses Wooston against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Grinder dodges an elbow strike from Wooston.
Wooston tries for a takedown. No joy.
Wooston is working for takedown but Grinder is calmly controlling the position for now.
Grinder landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Wooston letting Grinder take a breather here.
Grinder utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Grinder landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Wooston tries for a takedown but Grinder manages to get underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Abdiev Grinder dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Grinder's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Grinder duly obliges.
Grinder misses with a wild combination.
Wooston tries to counter by closing the distance.
Wooston tries to score a power double leg takedown but Grinder sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Wooston somewhat.
Grinder tries to bum rush Wooston with a series of wild strikes but Wooston uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Grinder looks to score with a jab to the body but Wooston is just out of range.
Grinder changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Grinder misses with a straight left.
Grinder is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Wooston can do to turn this around?
Grinder lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Wooston circles away quickly and effectively.
Wooston showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Grinder.
Grinder misses with a two punch combination.
Abdiev Grinder is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wooston keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Wooston clinches up against the cage.
Grinder is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Wooston is defending well for now.
Wooston is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Grinder to keep the fight standing.
Wooston lands a shoulder strike.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Grinder.
Wooston is trying to pull guard but Grinder turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Abdiev Grinder has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Manny Wooston.
Wooston is trying to break the clinch but Grinder has him pressed against the cage.
Grinder lands a knee to the head.

Wooston gets control of Grinder's arms and successfully pulls guard. Wooston will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Grinder is stalling in the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Wooston looking for a guillotine here but Grinder defends easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Grinder controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Wooston controls Grinder momentarily but Grinder frees himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wooston looking to hit a scissor sweep but Grinder is one step ahead there.
Grinder controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Grinder displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Wooston.
Abdiev Grinder is winning the standup battle so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Grinder walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
No luck for Wooston with that takedown attempt.

Wooston fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Grinder, pushing him back against the cage.
Wooston fails to pull guard.
Grinder is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Grinder pressing his opponent against the cage.
Grinder prevents Wooston from breaking the clinch.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Wooston tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Grinder just stands there and leans against the cage.
Grinder crunches a lovely knee into Wooston's ribcage.
The referee is keeping an eye on Grinder - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Wooston wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Grinder has him pressed against the cage.
Wooston can't get the takedown.
Grinder effectively controlling the action here.
Wooston tries to circle away but Grinder has him pinned against the cage.
Grinder content to slow the pace in the clinch.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
The referee calls for Grinder to work.
Wooston wants to break free but Grinder has control.
Grinder putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Wooston in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Grinder stalling against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Abdiev Grinder.
Grinder throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Wooston shoots in looking for a takedown. Grinder tries to sprawl out of it but Wooston keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Grinder manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Grinder swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Wooston drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Grinder defends it well.

Grinder tries to keep at a distance but Wooston has taken the fight into the clinch.
Grinder has Wooston pressed against the cage.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Wooston jumps guard.

Grinder stands up and waves to Wooston to follow him.
Horrible takedown attempt by Wooston or perhaps it was just good defense by Grinder, which made it look bad.
No luck for Wooston with that takedown attempt.
Wooston is breathing heavily.
Wooston shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Grinder defends it nicely.
Grinder scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Wooston shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Grinder sprawls well. Grinder wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Wooston gets slowly back to his feet.
Grinder just misses with a punch to the body.
Wooston tries to score a power double leg takedown but Grinder sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Wooston somewhat.
As Wooston tries to get set, Grinder tries to push him back and clinch up but Wooston manages to avoid the attempt.
Grinder throws out a powerful jab.
Grinder is looking to wear down Wooston with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Wooston with a lazy takedown attempt
enabling Grinder to counter with a crisp jab.
Grinder misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Wooston.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Wooston shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Grinder but Grinder pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Grinder digs a good hook to Wooston's body.
Grinder throws a one two combo.
Grinder throws a hook but Wooston blocks it.
Grinder throws a lazy right hand but Wooston sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Grinder scores with a hook.
Sloppy strikes from Grinder. Those never looked like landing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Grinder gets caught flat footed, as Wooston shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Grinder is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Grinder lands a body punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Abdiev Grinder dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Wooston dives in for a single leg takedown but Grinder sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Wooston uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Grinder.
As Grinder backs off Wooston throws a huge counter combo but Grinder manages to avoid it all.
Grinder misses with a two punch combination.
Wooston has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Wooston there as he acknowledges the shot.
Wooston fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Wooston shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Wooston moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wooston shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Grinder defends it nicely.
Abdiev Grinder has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Manny Wooston.
Grinder comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Wooston takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wooston shoots in and drives through. Grinder sprawls well.
Grinder looks to score with a jab to the body but Wooston is just out of range.
Grinder looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Wooston drives through and clinches with Grinder against the cage.
Grinder taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
A bit of stalling here from Grinder.
Come on Grinder - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

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

Grinder gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Wooston closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Grinder to the mat! Grinder manages to get full guard.

Grinder wriggles free and stands up.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Wooston tries to score a power double leg takedown but Grinder sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Wooston somewhat.
Wooston has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Wooston there as he acknowledges the shot.
Grinder throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Grinder throws a jab when Wooston was well out of range.
Grinder misses with the combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grinder takes a swing at Wooston's ribcage but misses.
Wooston shoots for a double leg takedown but Grinder sprawls well. He's pushed Wooston's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Grinder scores with a hook.

Wooston fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Grinder, pushing him back against the cage.
Grinder connects with a nasty looking knee right to Wooston's face.
Wooston drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Grinder tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Wooston ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Wooston no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Grinder stays in close to Wooston's body and controls the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grinder's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Wooston trying to keep a closed guard but Grinder is proving a slippery customer.
Wooston might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Grinder haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Wooston had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Grinder defends it easily.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Grinder not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Wooston looking to control.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Wooston fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Wooston fails to land the takedown.
Wooston tries for a takedown but Grinder sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Grinder misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Grinder misses with a body shot.
Grinder throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Wooston shoots in looking for a takedown but Grinder manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Wooston's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Abdiev Grinder is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Grinder throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Wooston is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Grinder dips to his left and cracks Wooston with an uppercut!
Grinder throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Grinder throws a right and a left that both miss.
Grinder slips a jab and a cross from Wooston.
Wooston shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Grinder counters by moving into the clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Grinder.
Wooston tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Grinder's elbow.
Grinder has Wooston pressed against the cage, preventing Wooston from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Grinder slowing the pace effectively.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Wooston tries to pull guard but Grinder holds him up against the cage and eventually Wooston drops back down to his feet.
Wooston fails to pull guard.
Wooston tries for a takedown. No joy.
Grinder stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Grinder lands a good knee to the midsection. Wooston won't want to take too many of those.
Grinder just leaning against Wooston, taking a breather.
Wooston jumps guard but Grinder stands there with Wooston around his waist. Wooston gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Wooston is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Wooston is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Grinder pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Grinder slows down the pace here.
Grinder prevents a takedown attempt there.
Grinder stalling the fight.
Grinder lands a nice knee to the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Grinder landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Grinder taking a breather.
Manny Wooston has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Abdiev Grinder is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Wooston misses with a punch to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Abdiev Grinder showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Grinder, 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 Wagner Zegers scores the fight for Abdiev Grinder!
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight for Abdiev Grinder!
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight for Abdiev Grinder!

Abdiev Grinder wins by unanimous decision!