XCFC 2 WW + LHW Climbs PBP Commentary

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ricardo Grason (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yashima Hanko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Ricardo Grason has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Grason
vs
Hanko

187 cm
18
197 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

187 cm
18
210 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Prefers ground

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Xtreme Nutrition
Xtreme MMA

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ricardo Grason!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Yashima Hanko!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Wesley Smith and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Grason throws a head kick that misses.
Jeez, both these guys look absolutely knackered already, that's not a good sign!
Hanko misses with a body kick.

Grason drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Hanko looking to hit a scissor sweep but Grason is one step ahead there.
Grason wants to stand but Hanko has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Hanko keeping moving, preventing Grason from controlling successfully.
Hanko is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Hanko 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.
Grason is holding on to half guard well.
Grason is not content to let Hanko control the position.
Hanko is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Grason trying to control here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Hanko not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Hanko perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Hanko throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Grason trying to control but Hanko postures up.
Grason tries to roll over but Hanko keeps him under control.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Hanko fails with an attempt to clinch.

Hanko closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
You can see the frustration on Grason's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Hanko controls the position from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Hanko taking a break here but Grason is having none of it and regains half guard.
Grason wants to improve his position but Hanko is controlling well.
Hanko with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

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.
Hanko is tying to control. Grason wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Grason makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Grason.
Grason striking off his back but it's not causing Hanko any problems.
Grason avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Grason throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Grason controlling the position.
Grason trying to keep a closed guard but Hanko is proving a slippery customer.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hanko preventing the sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Yashima Hanko will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Hanko throws a sloppy head kick and Grason moves out of range easily.
Grason throws a push kick but Hanko slaps the foot to one side.
Grason just misses with a punch to the body.

Grason feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Grason throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Grason trying to control but Hanko is working from the bottom.

Hanko working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Grason doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Grason manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Grason lands a couple of digs.

Grason is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Hanko managing to control the position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Grason is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Hanko pulls Grason in close to prevent any damage.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Grason gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Hanko counters with a solid body kick.
Hanko tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Grason swivels and escapes.

Grason shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Hanko's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Grason accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Grason wanted to stand there but Hanko had control of the position.
Grason being controlled here momentarily.
Grason throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hanko works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Grason is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Grason in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Grason stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Hanko moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Grason manages to break the clinch.
Hanko gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Grason counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Hanko!
BOOM! Grason connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Hanko tries to hold on but Grason postures up.
Grason wants to control but instead Hanko manages to regain half guard.
Grason trying to control the action but Hanko is working from the bottom.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Grason here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Hanko wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hanko tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

Grason is trying to work for a kimura but Hanko is defending well.

Hanko manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Grason goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Grason with a lazy takedown attempt

and Hanko decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Grason's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Grason wants to control but Hanko passes easily into half guard.
Hanko looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Grason trying to control from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Ricardo Grason will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Hanko fails with the takedown
and Grason counters with a leg kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Grason looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ricardo Grason is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

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

Hanko tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Hanko has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Grason tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Hanko looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Grason is avoiding damage well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grason is trying to improve his position.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Grason wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Hanko moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Grason is looking for a sweep.

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.
Grason trying to remain calm as Hanko controls from the top position.
Hanko in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Hanko trying to control the position but Grason is working away.
Grason can't do much from the bottom here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Hanko is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Grason has escaped the position, nice work there.
Grason is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Hanko's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hanko wants to control but Grason is keeping him busy.
The fighters are battling for position here. Grason manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Grason is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Grason wants to hit a switch here but Hanko passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Grason there!
Grason tries to hold on but Hanko postures up.

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.
Hanko controlling the position easily from mount.
Hanko avoids the attempt from Grason to control.

Hanko is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Grason shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Hanko's guard.
Hanko trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Grason looking to sit in guard and control but Hanko gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yashima Hanko comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Hanko 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight for Yashima Hanko!
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight for Yashima Hanko!
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight for Yashima Hanko!

Yashima Hanko wins by unanimous decision!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
39%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Viper PG Master (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lyoto Carwin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lyoto Carwin is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

PG Master
vs
Carwin

170 cm
22
165 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

187 cm
22
170 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Xtreme Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Viper PG Master!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Lyoto Carwin!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, George Francis and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
PG Master shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Carwin as he jumps to the side.
PG Master throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Carwin's waist but Carwin gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing PG Master off to one side.

Carwin clinches.
Carwin leaning his opponent against the cage.
PG Master drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Carwin gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Viper PG Master. That's going to take a lot out of him.
PG Master wants to break free but Carwin has control.
Carwin is stalling here.
Carwin crunches a lovely knee into PG Master's ribcage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Carwin takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
PG Master tries for a takedown. No joy.

Carwin pulls guard effortlessly.
PG Master looking to sit in guard and control but Carwin gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Carwin trying to control but PG Master is working from the bottom.
PG Master is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Carwin trying to control the position from guard on top but PG Master is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
PG Master doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
PG Master looking for a sweep. Not yet PG Master, not yet.
PG Master preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

PG Master is looking to sinch up a triangle. Carwin throws the leg off to one side though and gets in tight to PG Master's body to avoid the submission. PG Master has instead reached around Carwin's neck and now has a guillotine! Oh, this is biiiig trouble! PG Master arches his back and squeezes and forces the tap from his hapless opponent.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:41 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Viper PG Master!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
44%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sam Nicholes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thomas Jones (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the fighters buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Nicholes
vs
Jones

190 cm
22
200 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

190 cm
22
205 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Xtreme MMA

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sam Nicholes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Thomas Jones!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Tiny Johnson and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice cross by Nicholes.

Nicholes closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Nicholes lands in his opponent's guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Nicholes accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Nicholes looking to pass the guard.
Nicholes wants to control from the top but Jones keeps moving.
Nicholes looking to sit in guard and control but Jones gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Jones wants to pass the guard but Nicholes is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jones stands up and waves to Nicholes to follow him.
Nicholes shoots in for a double leg but Jones sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Nicholes tries to clinch up but Jones circles away and keeps his distance.
Jones tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Nicholes decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Jones's guard.
Nicholes throwing strikes but missing.
Nicholes has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Jones is proving hard to escape from.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones is controlling Nicholes's posture.
Nicholes is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Jones pulls Nicholes in close to his closed guard and prevents Nicholes from doing any damage or advancing position.
Jones looking to control but Nicholes passes into half guard.
Jones is looking to control Nicholes's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Jones avoid being mounted?

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nicholes is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Nicholes is breathing heavily.
Jones trying to control here.
Nicholes looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Jones controlling the position well.
Jones is staying active underneath Nicholes, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Jones moves into range and clinches up with Nicholes.
Jones working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Jones fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Jones escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nicholes shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Jones pinned against the cage. Jones gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Jones shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Jones sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

Jones is working for a guillotine from mount but Nicholes frees his head quite easily.
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 Sam Nicholes will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Jones misses the shot to the body.
Nicholes looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Jones tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Nicholes swivels and escapes.
Nicholes fails with the takedown

and Jones counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Jones jumps guard but Nicholes stands there with Jones around his waist. Jones gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Nicholes gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Jones.
Sam Nicholes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thomas Jones.
Jones fails to pull the fight into his guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Jones breaks from the clinch.
Sam Nicholes is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nicholes gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

so Jones counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Jones sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Jones is breathing heavily.
Nicholes tries to strike from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nicholes 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.
Nicholes thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Nicholes wants to stand but Jones is controlling the position.
Jones stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Nicholes swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two 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.
Jones wants to control from the top but Nicholes keeps moving.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Nicholes tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Jones tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Nicholes counters with a nice double leg into side control. Jones won't be happy with that.

Nicholes tries for a kimura but Jones is defending well.
Nicholes trying to control the action but Jones is working from the bottom.

Nicholes swings around for an armbar but Jones sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Nicholes's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones trying to control the position from guard on top but Nicholes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nicholes controls Jones momentarily but Jones frees himself.
Nicholes keeping moving, preventing Jones from controlling successfully.
Nicholes working a defensive guard here.
Jones stands and throws Nicholes's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Jones is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Nicholes's shoulder. That is not cool.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nicholes is not content to let Jones control the position.
Jones prevents Nicholes from escaping the position.
Sam Nicholes overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Jones stands up and beckons Nicholes to his feet.
Nicholes misses with a takedown

and Jones counters by moving into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Jones showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Jones throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Jones scores with a three punch combo!

Nicholes scores a takedown into full mount!
Nicholes takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Nicholes postures up and throws a couple of big shots that have Jones in real trouble here! The ref calls for Jones to improve his position which he doesn't do, so the referee has no choice but to end the fight due to the strikes!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:41 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Sam Nicholes!