PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Devin Skrumbellos (ranked 13654 p4p, 10972 weight class) and Roman Gruzinsky (ranked 212 p4p, 227 weight class). Skrumbellos comes to the cage accompanied by CANT BE TOUCHED!!!. Gruzinsky has chosen Overkill as his entrance music. Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Skrumbellos
vs
Gruzinsky

200 cm
46
276
29 - 19 - 1

188 cm
48
207
21 - 12 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 29 - 19 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Devin Skrumbellos !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Roman Gruzinsky!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Alan Glass and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gruzinsky throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Skrumbellos 's waist but Skrumbellos gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Gruzinsky off to one side.
Skrumbellos looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!

Gruzinsky darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Gruzinsky missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Gruzinsky working Skrumbellos over with strikes.
Gruzinsky not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Gruzinsky sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Skrumbellos defending well though.

Gruzinsky is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Skrumbellos is just riding it out for now. Gruzinsky eventually gives up the hold.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gruzinsky missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
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.
Skrumbellos avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Gruzinsky.
Skrumbellos keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Gruzinsky thows a huge punch but Skrumbellos dodges it nicely.
Gruzinsky lands strikes from half guard.
Skrumbellos avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Gruzinsky.
Gruzinsky seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

It looks like Devin Skrumbellos has been cut.
Skrumbellos blocking the ground and pound attempt from Gruzinsky.
Gruzinsky sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Skrumbellos defending well though.
Ground and pound from Gruzinsky.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gruzinsky throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Gruzinsky lands a nice short elbow.

Gruzinsky is working for a kimura but Skrumbellos is defending it quite comfortably.
Gruzinsky missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Skrumbellos blocking the ground and pound attempt from Gruzinsky.
Gruzinsky thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Skrumbellos 's head.
Gruzinsky sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Skrumbellos defending well though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gruzinsky controlling the action here.
Gruzinsky not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Gruzinsky not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Gruzinsky not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Gruzinsky thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Gruzinsky missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gruzinsky missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Skrumbellos avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Gruzinsky.
Gruzinsky thows a huge punch but Skrumbellos dodges it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gruzinsky thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Gruzinsky throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Skrumbellos is not content to let Gruzinsky control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Gruzinsky forces Skrumbellos back against the cage and clinches.
Gruzinsky is trying to pull guard but Skrumbellos has him pressed against the cage.
Gruzinsky tries for a takedown. No joy.
Devin Skrumbellos has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Roman Gruzinsky.
Gruzinsky lands a shoulder strike.
Our sources have told us that Skrumbellos has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.

Gruzinsky pulls guard.

Gruzinsky pushes Skrumbellos off and gets back to his feet.
Skrumbellos closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

Devin Skrumbellos 's cut is getting worse.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Skrumbellos gets tackled into the cage by Gruzinsky. Gruzinsky maintains the clinch.
Gruzinsky tries for a takedown. No joy.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Roman Gruzinsky dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Devin Skrumbellos 's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Gruzinsky tries to score a power double leg takedown but Skrumbellos sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Gruzinsky somewhat.
Skrumbellos defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Gruzinsky.
Gruzinsky has a takedown stuffed.
Devin Skrumbellos has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Roman Gruzinsky.
Gruzinsky shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Skrumbellos is looking to counter punch.
Gruzinsky shoots in looking for a takedown. Skrumbellos tries to sprawl out of it but Gruzinsky keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Skrumbellos manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Gruzinsky misses with a takedown attempt - Skrumbellos sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Skrumbellos tries to sprawl but Gruzinsky drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Gruzinsky sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Skrumbellos defending well though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Skrumbellos blocking the ground and pound attempt from Gruzinsky.
Gruzinsky sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Skrumbellos defending well though.
Gruzinsky thows a huge punch but Skrumbellos dodges it nicely.
Gruzinsky throwing shots but Skrumbellos is blocking nicely.
Gruzinsky not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Gruzinsky throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Gruzinsky wants to control but Skrumbellos is keeping him busy.
Gruzinsky has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Skrumbellos is trying to stand back up but Gruzinsky is controlling him

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Gruzinsky fails to land the takedown.

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.

Skrumbellos gets tackled into the cage by Gruzinsky. Gruzinsky maintains the clinch.

Gruzinsky breaks the clinch.
Gruzinsky fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Gruzinsky shoots for a takedown but Skrumbellos saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Skrumbellos tried to counter with a leg kick but Gruzinsky avoided it.
Gruzinsky shoots in looking for a takedown but Skrumbellos manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Gruzinsky's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Gruzinsky shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Skrumbellos as he avoids it easily.
Gruzinsky shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Skrumbellos as he jumps to the side.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Gruzinsky.
Skrumbellos misses with a straight left.
A swing and a miss from Skrumbellos .
Gruzinsky tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Skrumbellos swivels and escapes.
A quick step to the side and Skrumbellos tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gruzinsky gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Skrumbellos working aggressively here.
Skrumbellos has a couple of punches blocked by Gruzinsky.
A nice left hand lands by Gruzinsky.
Gruzinsky has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Skrumbellos is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

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

Skrumbellos stands up from Gruzinsky's guard - Skrumbellos perhaps looking for a knockout.
Roman Gruzinsky seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gruzinsky tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Skrumbellos defends well and Gruzinsky ends up having to push Skrumbellos into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Gruzinsky blocks the body kick.

Gruzinsky instigates a clinch.

Gruzinsky pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Gruzinsky smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Gruzinsky scores with a head kick. Skrumbellos tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Skrumbellos pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Gruzinsky changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Skrumbellos tries to avoid it but Gruzinsky manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Skrumbellos to the ground. Skrumbellos escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Skrumbellos gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Gruzinsky to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Gruzinsky is looking to work some ground and pound but Skrumbellos has wrist control.
Gruzinsky postures up in Skrumbellos 's guard and throws a big left but Skrumbellos blocks it.
Gruzinsky pushes down on Skrumbellos 's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Skrumbellos keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Gruzinsky has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Skrumbellos keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Roman Gruzinsky will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Devin Skrumbellos 's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Skrumbellos gets tackled into the cage by Gruzinsky. Gruzinsky maintains the clinch.
Gruzinsky lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Gruzinsky breaks the clinch.

Gruzinsky shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Gruzinsky not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Gruzinsky throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Skrumbellos avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Gruzinsky.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gruzinsky not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Skrumbellos avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Gruzinsky.
Gruzinsky sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Skrumbellos defending well though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Skrumbellos keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Gruzinsky not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Gruzinsky throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Skrumbellos avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Gruzinsky.
Gruzinsky throwing shots but Skrumbellos is blocking nicely.

Gruzinsky stands up from half guard.
Devin Skrumbellos is winning the standup battle so far.
Gruzinsky shoots in looking for a takedown but Skrumbellos manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Gruzinsky's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Gruzinsky closes this distance looking for a takedown but Skrumbellos circles away.
Gruzinsky fails with the takedown.
Devin Skrumbellos has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Roman Gruzinsky.

Gruzinsky has Skrumbellos up against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gruzinsky wants a takedown but no success here.

Skrumbellos manages to break the clinch.

Skrumbellos gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Gruzinsky trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Skrumbellos working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Gruzinsky.
Skrumbellos is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Gruzinsky is controlling him.
Gruzinsky postures up in Skrumbellos 's guard and throws a big left but Skrumbellos blocks it.
Devin Skrumbellos has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Roman Gruzinsky is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gruzinsky slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Skrumbellos will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Gruzinsky looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Gruzinsky is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Skrumbellos is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Skrumbellos being controlled here, momentarily.
Gruzinsky's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

And that's the end of the fight!
Roman Gruzinsky comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Gruzinsky winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Roman Gruzinsky!
A relieved looking Roman Gruzinsky thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.