PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bill Goldberg (ranked 1843 p4p, 247 weight class) and Alexander Gruzdev (ranked 2154 p4p, 279 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Goldberg
vs
Gruzdev

198 cm
31
217 lbs
13 - 12 - 0

190 cm
35
220 lbs
27 - 23 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

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 13 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Bill Goldberg!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 23 - 0, fighting out of London, Alexander Gruzdev!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, James Atkins and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Goldberg moves into range and clinches up with Gruzdev.
Goldberg misses with a punch on the inside.
Gruzdev wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A short body shot lands from Goldberg as the two fighters clinch.
A short left from Goldberg.
Gruzdev is working for takedown but Goldberg is calmly controlling the position for now.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Gruzdev.
Gruzdev looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Goldberg throws a punch but it's blocked by Gruzdev.
Goldberg throws a head punch that misses.
Goldberg lands a right hand.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Goldberg.
Gruzdev can't break the clinch.
Gruzdev takes a shot to the head.
Gruzdev is trying to break the clinch but Goldberg is controlling him.
A head punch on the inside from Goldberg fails to land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gruzdev blocking some punches.
Goldberg works on Gruzdev's body with a couple of short punches.

Gruzdev's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Goldberg throws a series of punches but Gruzdev moves out of range.
Goldberg connects with a jab.
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!

Goldberg instigates a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Goldberg misses with a hook from the clinch.
Goldberg scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Gruzdev wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Goldberg has him pressed against the cage.
Gruzdev can't break the clinch.

Gruzdev escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Goldberg clobbers Gruzdev with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
A swing and a miss from Gruzdev.
A swing and a miss from Gruzdev.
Gruzdev pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Goldberg throws a right hand that misses
and Gruzdev counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Gruzdev throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Goldberg sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gruzdev. Goldberg does a little dance to reset his feet.
Goldberg jabs Gruzdev right on the nose. Gruzdev blinks but takes it well.
Goldberg throws the kick towards the body but Gruzdev avoids it.
Gruzdev looks to land a right hand but Goldberg moved out of range.
We've been told by Goldberg's head coaches at Soul Supremacy Rio that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Gruzdev takes a swing at Goldberg's ribcage but misses.
Goldberg tries to clinch up.
Gruzdev bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Goldberg's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gruzdev jabbing away but nothing is landing.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Goldberg throws a head kick but Gruzdev moves out of range.
Goldberg cracks Gruzdev with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Gruzdev throws a good cross that connects.
Gruzdev tests Goldberg's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Bill Goldberg seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Goldberg is looking to chop away at Gruzdev's legs.

Goldberg instigates a clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Goldberg creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Goldberg keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Gruzdev's efforts to push away.
A right hand to the body from Goldberg.
Goldberg lands a hook to the side of the head.
Gruzdev wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Goldberg misses with a hook to the ribs.
Goldberg misses with a short punch on the inside.
Gruzdev prevents a body shot from Goldberg.
Goldberg digs a right hand into Gruzdev's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Gruzdev's gas tank.
Goldberg gets through Gruzdev's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Goldberg throws a head punch that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Goldberg working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Goldberg lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Goldberg fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Gruzdev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Goldberg slips a straight right by Gruzdev.
Gruzdev blocks a head kick by Goldberg.

Gruzdev tries to keep at a distance but Goldberg has taken the fight into the clinch.
Goldberg lands with a left to the head.
Goldberg misses with a punch to the body.
Goldberg doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Gruzdev blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Gruzdev breaks from the clinch.
Gruzdev circles away from the clinch attempt
and Gruzdev counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Gruzdev takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Gruzdev misses with an uppercut
and Goldberg counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gruzdev pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Gruzdev throws a head kick that misses.
Goldberg thuds his right hand into Gruzdev's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Goldberg misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gruzdev.
Gruzdev misses the jab.

Goldberg pushes Gruzdev up against the cage in a clinch.
Gruzdev blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Goldberg scores with a shoulder strike.
Goldberg lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Gruzdev's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Gruzdev keeps the fight on the outside.
Goldberg tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Goldberg tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gruzdev swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Goldberg works over Gruzdev's head and body with a nice combination.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Goldberg pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Goldberg instigates a clinch.
Gruzdev is trying to break free.
A short right from Goldberg on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bill Goldberg dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Gruzdev throws a low kick, looking for Goldberg's leg but Goldberg calmly moves out of range.
Gruzdev scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Goldberg scores with a sloppy right hand. Gruzdev should have avoided that one.
Nice jab there from Goldberg.
Gruzdev steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Goldberg. That one must have hurt.

Goldberg takes the fight into the clinch.
Goldberg misses with a short punch on the inside.
Goldberg lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A frustrated look appears on Gruzdev's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Gruzdev breaks the clinch.
Goldberg throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Goldberg is looking to clinch but Gruzdev is avoiding it.
Goldberg lands a front kick.
Goldberg with a jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Goldberg clinches up with Gruzdev and pushes him back against the cage.
Bill Goldberg has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Gruzdev is trying to push Goldberg away but Goldberg has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Goldberg misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Gruzdev prevents a body shot from Goldberg.
Goldberg lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Gruzdev working hard to break the clinch.
Goldberg tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Gruzdev's elbow.
A body shot lands from Goldberg.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Goldberg.
Gruzdev tries to break free but Goldberg pushes him back against the cage.
Goldberg misses with a hook to the ribs.
Goldberg throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Gruzdevs head.
Gruzdev blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Gruzdev escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Goldberg misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gruzdev.
Goldberg is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Goldberg takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Goldberg blocks a jab.
Gruzdev is looking to slow Goldberg down with leg kicks.
Goldberg displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Gruzdev throws out the jab.
Nice body punch from Goldberg.
The fight stays on the outside here - Goldberg looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Goldberg dodges the punch combination from Gruzdev.
Goldberg half committed to a counter leg kick.
Gruzdev throws a lazy right hand but Goldberg sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Gruzdev, right into the meat.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Goldberg walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Goldberg moves in looking to clinch but Gruzdev pushes him off.

Goldberg closes the distance and clinches.
Gruzdev wants to break free but Goldberg has control.
Gruzdev wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Goldberg lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Goldberg keeps control of Gruzdev as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Gruzdev is trying to push Goldberg away but Goldberg has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Goldberg misses with a hook to the ribs.
Goldberg tries to work over Gruzdev's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Gruzdev blocks an uppercut.
Goldberg tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Goldberg makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Gruzdev looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Goldberg fails to land.
Goldberg swings wildly with an uppercut but Gruzdev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gruzdev blocks an uppercut.
Gruzdev blocks a body shot from Goldberg.
Goldberg fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Gruzdev is looking to break free of the clinch but Goldberg has double underhooks.
Goldberg stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Gruzdev is breathing heavily.
Gruzdev is trying to break the clinch but Goldberg is controlling him.
Goldberg swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Goldberg tries to work over Gruzdev's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Gruzdev wants to break free but Goldberg has control.
Nice body punch from Goldberg.
Goldberg goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Gruzdev struggles to land a body shot inside as Goldberg controls his hands.
A frustrated look appears on Gruzdev's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Gruzdev blocks an uppercut.
Goldberg works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Gruzdev tries to break the clinch but Goldberg is controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Goldberg lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Goldberg fails to land.
Goldberg misses with some punches.
Goldberg tries to throw a body punch but Gruzdev avoids it by throwing Goldberg back against the cage.
Gruzdev blocking some punches.
Goldberg softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Gruzdev is trying to break the clinch but Goldberg is controlling him.
Goldberg scores with a hook to the body.
Goldberg misses with a hook from the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Goldberg creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Goldberg is working Gruzdev over against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gruzdev wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Goldberg has him pressed against the cage.
Goldberg lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Goldberg lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Goldberg tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Gruzdev's elbow.
Goldberg misses with a hook from the clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Goldberg.
Gruzdev blocks a body shot from Goldberg.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Goldberg creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bill Goldberg dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Gruzdev throws a lazy uppercut
and Goldberg connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Goldberg connects with a right hand. Gruzdev shakes it off.
The fight stays on the outside here - Goldberg looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Goldberg tries to clinch up but Gruzdev circles away and keeps his distance.

Goldberg rushes Gruzdev and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Gruzdev is trying to break free.
Gruzdev has had enough of the clinch but Goldberg keeps him there for the moment.
Goldberg softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Goldberg tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Gruzdev pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Goldberg is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gruzdev can do to turn this around?
Gruzdev swats away the attempt to clinch by Goldberg.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
An inside leg kick from Gruzdev misses.
Goldberg throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Goldberg connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Gruzdev's hands.
Gruzdev scores with a body shot.
The fight stays on the outside here - Goldberg looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Goldberg has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Gruzdev.
The fighters circling - Gruzdev throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Goldberg throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Gruzdev throws the left hand but Goldberg avoids the punch easily.
Goldberg tries to clinch but Gruzdev is having none of it.
Gruzdev throws a good cross that connects.
Goldberg connects with a right hand. Gruzdev shakes it off.
Goldberg throws a right and a left that Gruzdev avoids nicely.
Gruzdev misses with a low kick.
Gruzdev lands with an overhand left.
Alexander Gruzdev seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Gruzdev lands a jab to the nose.
Gruzdev looks to throw the jab but Goldberg is out of range.
Goldberg throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Goldberg gets a clinch.

Gruzdev manages to break the clinch.
A bone on bone clash there as Goldberg blocks the leg kick.
Bill Goldberg is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Goldberg is looking to clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gruzdev swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Goldberg is looking to clinch but Gruzdev is avoiding it.
Gruzdev swings widly with a right hand
and Goldberg counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Gruzdev throws a sloppy head kick and Goldberg moves out of range easily.
Goldberg misses with an uppercut. Gruzdev saw that one coming.
Goldberg connects with a high kick.
Goldberg wants to clinch.
Goldberg backing away here, and Gruzdev unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Gruzdev will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Gruzdev on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Goldberg moves away from the strike by Gruzdev.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gruzdev circles away from the clinch attempt.
Gruzdev ducks under a wild hook from Goldberg.
Gruzdev has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Goldberg.
Gruzdev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Gruzdev swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Goldberg misses with a few strikes there.
Goldberg stuns Gruzdev with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Gruzdev misses with a left hand
and Goldberg cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Gruzdev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A low kick from Gruzdev is predictable there
and Goldberg counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Gruzdev lands a nice shot that snaps Goldberg's head back.
Goldberg is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Bill Goldberg is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Goldberg keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Gruzdev throws a solid leg kick but Goldberg takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Gruzdev.
Gruzdev tries a low kick but Goldberg avoids it.

Goldberg has closed the distance and engaged Gruzdev in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gruzdev looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Gruzdev wants to break the clinch but can't.
Goldberg swings wildly with an uppercut but Gruzdev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Goldberg working aggressively here.
Goldberg misses with a shot to the kidneys.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Gruzdev breaks the clinch.
No joy there for Goldberg, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Goldberg avoids a punch combination nicely.
Goldberg misses with a body kick.
Gruzdev throws a sloppy head kick and Goldberg moves out of range easily.
Goldberg pushes Gruzdev away with a front kick.
Goldberg wants to clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bill Goldberg showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Goldberg 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bill Goldberg!
An out of breath Bill Goldberg thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
Alexander Gruzdev was interviewed post fight and said 'Damn! My face feels like it has been molded by bricks!'.