PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Shane Austin (ranked 4170 p4p, 6688 weight class) and Roman Gruzinsky (ranked 105 p4p, 151 weight class). Austin comes to the cage accompanied by NCT 127 - Punch. The crowd seem to be enjoying Gruzinsky's choice of entrance music: Overkill. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Austin
vs
Gruzinsky

189 cm
38
220
16 - 7 - 0

188 cm
49
207
22 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Granite chin

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 16 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Shane Austin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Roman Gruzinsky!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Daniel Franklin and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Austin closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Austin gets underhooks to prevent Gruzinsky's takedown attempt.
Gruzinsky is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Gruzinsky tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Shane Austin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Roman Gruzinsky.
Gruzinsky working aggressively here.

Austin manages to pull guard.
Gruzinsky throws a strike but Austin rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Gruzinsky wants to get back to his feet but Austin is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Gruzinsky working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Austin.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gruzinsky is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gruzinsky has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Austin has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Gruzinsky throws a punch but it's blocked by Austin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gruzinsky tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Austin smiles and moves away.

Austin closes the distance and clinches.
Austin prevents the takedown attempt.
Gruzinsky lands with a light punch inside.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Gruzinsky creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

Austin successfully pulls guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Gruzinsky accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Austin is pulling down on Gruzinsky's head to control his posture.
Gruzinsky postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Gruzinsky wants to get up but he can't break Austin's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gruzinsky working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Gruzinsky trying to control the position from guard on top but Austin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gruzinsky wanted to stand there but Austin had control of the position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Austin utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Gruzinsky throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Austin's waist but Austin gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Gruzinsky off to one side.

Austin has Gruzinsky up against the cage in a clinch.
I was talking to Austin's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Gruzinsky jumps guard but Austin stands there with Gruzinsky around his waist. Gruzinsky gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Gruzinsky wants a takedown but no success here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gruzinsky misses with a short punch on the inside.

Austin manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Gruzinsky with a flurry of punches that miss.
Austin preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Gruzinsky working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Gruzinsky with a flurry of punches that miss.
Gruzinsky missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Austin has a closed guard, preventing Gruzinsky from standing up.
Gruzinsky trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gruzinsky.
Gruzinsky fails with the takedown
and Austin counters with a nice uppercut.

It looks like Roman Gruzinsky has been cut.
Gruzinsky throws a sloppy head kick and Austin moves out of range easily.
Gruzinsky shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Gruzinsky looks winded!
Gruzinsky fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Roman Gruzinsky seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Austin clinches up with Gruzinsky and pushes him back against the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Austin decides to pull guard.
Austin bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Gruzinsky's guard.

Gruzinsky manages to escape and get back to his feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Austin fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Gruzinsky, pushing him back against the cage.
Gruzinsky is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Austin is defending well.

Gruzinsky breaks from the clinch.
Gruzinsky misses with a takedown attempt
and Austin counters with a three punch combo that has Gruzinsky backing up. Gruzinsky nods at Austin to acknowledge the strikes.
Gruzinsky shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Austin counters by moving into the clinch.
Shane Austin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Roman Gruzinsky.
Gruzinsky is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Austin pulls Gruzinsky into guard.
Gruzinsky loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Austin has his hands on Gruzinsky's head, controlling the position.
Gruzinsky throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Gruzinsky is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Austin preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Austin has Gruzinsky pulled in close to control his posture.
Gruzinsky throws a strike but Austin rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Gruzinsky wants to stand up but Austin is controlling him.
Gruzinsky avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Gruzinsky is looking to stand up but Austin isn't so interested in that idea.
Gruzinsky is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Gruzinsky is striking but Austin is not phased and passes to half guard.

Gruzinsky manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Gruzinsky shoots in but no luck this time.
Gruzinsky tries to close the distance and clinch up but Austin swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Austin is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gruzinsky can do to turn this around?
No luck with that takedown attempt from Gruzinsky.
Austin was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

Austin gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Gruzinsky swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Gruzinsky swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Gruzinsky wants to break free but Austin has control.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Austin gets control of Gruzinsky's arms and successfully pulls guard. Austin will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Austin is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Gruzinsky is trying to stand up here but Austin is controlling him well.
Austin missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Austin sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Gruzinsky defending well though.
Gruzinsky keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Austin seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Gruzinsky does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Gruzinsky is trying to get back to full guard.
Gruzinsky is refusing to be controlled, as Austin sits in half guard.
Gruzinsky wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Austin is trying to control. Gruzinsky wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Austin prevents Gruzinsky from standing back up.
Gruzinsky tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Austin ducks under a wild hook from Gruzinsky.
It looked like Austin wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Gruzinsky tries to clinch but Austin is having none of it.
Austin appears to be looking for a big counter.
Gruzinsky shoots in for a takedown but Austin shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Gruzinsky shoots in looking for a takedown. Austin tries to sprawl out of it but Gruzinsky keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Austin manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Austin drives through and clinches with Gruzinsky against the cage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Shane Austin dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Roman Gruzinsky'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!

Gruzinsky fails with the takedown.

Gruzinsky closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Austin to the mat! Austin manages to get full guard.
Austin seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Gruzinsky working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Gruzinsky throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Austin works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gruzinsky throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Austin preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Austin is pulling down on Gruzinsky's head to control his posture.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Austin shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Gruzinsky is trying to defend but Austin finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gruzinsky tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Gruzinsky is trying to control but can't.
Gruzinsky wants to get back to his feet.
Austin prevents Gruzinsky from improving his position.
Austin stops Gruzinsky from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Austin thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Austin prevents Gruzinsky from standing back up.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Austin scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Gruzinsky tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Austin has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Gruzinsky uses from the top position.
Gruzinsky postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Shane Austin is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Austin wants to stand up but Gruzinsky is controlling him.
Roman Gruzinsky has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gruzinsky with a flurry of punches that miss.
Austin controlling Gruzinsky's posture.
Gruzinsky in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Austin looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Gruzinsky works over Austin with some ground and pound from guard.
Gruzinsky throwing strikes from guard but Austin blocks nicely.

That's four 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.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Gruzinsky accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gruzinsky.
Shane Austin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Roman Gruzinsky.
Gruzinsky with a lazy takedown attempt
and Austin counters with a one-two to the body.

Austin closes the distance and clinches.
Gruzinsky is trying to pull guard but Austin turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Gruzinsky tries to work over Austin's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Austin successfully pulls guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Austin is on top in guard.

Austin passes into half guard under a barage of strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shane Austin showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Austin 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shane Austin!
A relieved looking Shane Austin thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.
Roman Gruzinsky spoke after the fight, saying 'something in russian'.