PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Mordechai Kowalczyk (ranked 1182 p4p, 482 weight class) and Robert Grandis (ranked 77 p4p, 32 weight class). Kowalczyk's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Nocturne op. 9 no.2- Frederic Chopin. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Kowalczyk
vs
Grandis

175 cm
29
145
13 - 3 - 1

168 cm
28
144
17 - 6 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mordechai Kowalczyk!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Robert Grandis!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Kenichi Hosakawa and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kowalczyk slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
The crowd cheers as Kowalczyk lands an impressive looking overhand right. Grandis doesn't seem phased though.
Kowalczyk lands with an uppercut that bounces Grandis off the cage and back into range.
Kowalczyk fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Grandis.
Grandis throws a quick inside leg kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kowalczyk. That's going to slow Grandis down.
Kowalczyk throws a shot from downtown. Grandis moves away and avoids it.
Jab by Grandis.
Kowalczyk takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Grandis throws a good cross that connects.
Kowalczyk misses with a looping right.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kowalczyk connects with a jab.
Grandis throws an overhand right that lands on Kowalczyk's shoulder, as Kowalczyk tries to avoid the shot.
It looked like Kowalczyk wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Grandis connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Kowalczyk misses with a jab to the body
enabling Grandis to counter with a crisp jab.
A telegraphed right hand from Kowalczyk misses the target.
Kowalczyk takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Kowalczyk swings for the body but Grandis moves out of range.
A big left from Grandis misses.
Grandis throws an overhand right that lands on Kowalczyk's shoulder, as Kowalczyk tries to avoid the shot.
Kowalczyk sizes up Grandis with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Kowalczyk has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Kowalczyk throws a sloppy body shot
and Grandis counters with a stiff right hand.
Kowalczyk ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Grandis moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kowalczyk stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Grandis.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Grandis.
Some bone on bone action there as Grandis checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Grandis uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kowalczyk.
Kowalczyk moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Kowalczyk is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Kowalczyk throws a hook but Grandis avoids it easily.
Kowalczyk attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Grandis throws a nice outside leg kick.
Grandis misses with an attempted mid kick.
Kowalczyk throws a chopping leg kick but Grandis manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Kowalczyk changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A low kick from Kowalczyk is predictable there
and Grandis counters with a nice low kick that buckles Kowalczyk's knee momentarily.
A nice leg kick lands there from Grandis.
Grandis connects with a jab.
Kowalczyk throws a hook to the side of Grandis's head but Grandis sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Grandis on the wrong end of a nice jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A low kick from Kowalczyk is predictable there
and Grandis counters with a leg kick.
Grandis connects with a leg kick.
Kowalczyk misses with a leg kick
and Grandis counters with a nice uppercut.
Kowalczyk's jab looks to have found its range, popping Grandis under the eye.
Grandis misses with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kowalczyk missing with a left hand there. Grandis was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Mordechai Kowalczyk seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Grandis avoids the body shot from Kowalczyk.
Grandis lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Grandis scores with a spinning back kick!
Grandis swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Kowalczyk misses the target.
Grandis cracks Kowalczyk with a good jab.
Grandis misses with a looping right.
Kowalczyk throws a leg kick
and Grandis counters with a nice uppercut.
Grandis swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Grandis throws a body shot but no joy.
Kowalczyk scores with a nice right hand.
Kowalczyk thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kowalczyk swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Kowalczyk throws a leg kick but Grandis moved away.
Kowalczyk motions for Grandis to come forward. Kowalczyk throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Grandis throws a counter combo.
Grandis bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A low kick lands for Kowalczyk.
Kowalczyk misses with a double jab
and Grandis makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Kowalczyk on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Kowalczyk misses its intended target.
Grandis thuds his right hand into Kowalczyk's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
A clash of legs there as Grandis blocks the low kick.
Kowalczyk misses with a lunging right hand
and Grandis counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kowalczyk scores with a jab. Grandis acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
The fighters circle momentarily. Grandis darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Kowalczyk scores with a decent looking hook.
Grandis scores with a crisp jab that stopped Kowalczyk in his tracks.
Kowalczyk gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Grandis.
Kowalczyk missing with a left hand there. Grandis was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kowalczyk looks for the body kick but Grandis saw that one coming.
Grandis with a body punch. A glancing blow.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A solid leg kick lands there for Kowalczyk.
Kowalczyk waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Grandis.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Grandis throws a lazy right hand but Kowalczyk sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kowalczyk connects with a body shot that sends Grandis's belly button to the back.
Grandis connects with a body shot that sends Kowalczyk's belly button to the back.
Kowalczyk misses the shot to the body.
Grandis lands with a thumping leg kick.
Grandis defending well as Kowalczyk loads up on a big left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grandis fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Grandis slips under a jab.
Kowalczyk lands a nice hook to Grandis's body. Grandis takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
An inside leg kick lands from Grandis.
Grandis slips a jab from Kowalczyk.
Some bone on bone action there as Grandis checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Kowalczyk is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Grandis throws an overhand right that lands on Kowalczyk's shoulder, as Kowalczyk tries to avoid the shot.
Kowalczyk is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Grandis.
Grandis fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Kowalczyk.
Grandis ducks under a wild hook from Kowalczyk.
Kowalczyk lands with a thumping leg kick.
Grandis blocks a jab.
Nice cross by Grandis.
Grandis ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Grandis fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Kowalczyk is out of range.
Grandis defending well as Kowalczyk loads up on a big left hand.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kowalczyk lunges at Grandis with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Grandis's hand.
Grandis scores with a jab to the body.
Kowalczyk pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Grandis swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Grandis bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nice defenses there by Kowalczyk.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Grandis dominated that round.
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.

Kowalczyk does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Grandis cracks Kowalczyk with a good jab.
Grandis throws a chopping leg kick but Kowalczyk manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Robert Grandis seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kowalczyk misses with a hook. Grandis ducked under it nicely.
Grandis lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Kowalczyk connects with an inside leg kick.
Grandis connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Kowalczyk momentarily.
Grandis with a nice cross.
Grandis throws a shot from downtown. Kowalczyk moves away and avoids it.
Grandis throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kowalczyk misses with a body shot.
Kowalczyk moves out of range as Grandis strikes.
Kowalczyk throws a body shot but no joy.
Grandis sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Kowalczyk misses with a hook.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Kowalczyk might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Kowalczyk throws a big shot that misses.
Kowalczyk connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kowalczyk missing with a left hand there. Grandis was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kowalczyk avoids the body shot from Grandis.
Kowalczyk tests Grandis's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kowalczyk throws a lazy uppercut
and Grandis counters with an outside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grandis moves away from the strike by Kowalczyk.
Grandis thumps Kowalczyk with a low kick.
Kowalczyk throws a jab when Grandis was well out of range.
Grandis tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kowalczyk was well out of range. Poor timing from Grandis.
Kowalczyk throws a front kick aimed at Grandis's knee but Grandis avoids it well.
Kowalczyk misses with a lunging right hand
and Grandis counters with a left to the body.
Kowalczyk throws a lazy uppercut
and Grandis counters with an outside leg kick.
Kowalczyk looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Kowalczyk lands a jab to Grandis's midsection.
Kowalczyk throws a leg kick that misses.
Grandis takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Grandis ducks under a wild hook from Kowalczyk.
Grandis is looking to slow Kowalczyk down with leg kicks.
Kowalczyk lands a jab-cross combination.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kowalczyk takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Grandis connects with an inside leg kick.
Kowalczyk is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Kowalczyk fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Grandis throws a shot from downtown. Kowalczyk moves away and avoids it.
A punch combination from Kowalczyk misses.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Kowalczyk lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Grandis has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Grandis and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grandis scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Grandis misses the target.
Grandis with a nice calf kick.
Grandis lands a leg kick that knocks Kowalczyk off balance momentarily.
Grandis scores with a three punch combo!
Kowalczyk misses with a hook. Grandis ducked under it nicely.
Grandis bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kowalczyk takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Grandis throws a low kick but Kowalczyk avoids it.
Kowalczyk throws a body shot but no joy.
Grandis connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Kowalczyk throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Grandis throws a leg kick which misses Kowalczyk's front leg but catches the back leg as Kowalczyk tries to avoid it.
Kowalczyk throws a lazy uppercut
and Grandis counters with a stiff right hand.
Kowalczyk looks to throw the jab but Grandis is out of range.
Kowalczyk lands with a slapping head kick.
Kowalczyk misses with a few strikes there.
Kowalczyk jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Grandis staying out of range there.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Grandis! But no joy.
Grandis has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Kowalczyk.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kowalczyk avoids a kick to the body.
Grandis with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Kowalczyk just misses with a punch to the body.
Grandis connects with a leg kick.
Grandis takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
A nice leg kick from Grandis, right into the meat of the thigh.
Kowalczyk pivots, looking for a leg kick but Grandis is out of range and Kowalczyk settles back down.
Kowalczyk misses with an uppercut.
Grandis throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kowalczyk sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kowalczyk avoids the body shot from Grandis.
Grandis throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kowalczyk sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kowalczyk lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Grandis staying out of range there.
Grandis sizes up Kowalczyk with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Kowalczyk throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Jab by Kowalczyk.
A slow jab from Grandis misses its intended target.
A nice leg kick lands there from Grandis.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Grandis with a hook.
Kowalczyk takes a swing at Grandis's ribcage but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grandis tries to land a front kick but Kowalczyk steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Kowalczyk misses with a wild combination.
A low kick from Kowalczyk is predictable there
and Grandis counters with a nice body shot.
Grandis lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Kowalczyk just misses with a punch to the body.
Grandis dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kowalczyk avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Grandis takes a jab right on the kisser.
Grandis avoids the body shot from Kowalczyk.
Grandis throws the kick towards the body but Kowalczyk avoids it.
Kowalczyk buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Grandis throws a looping overhand right but Kowalczyk ducks down to avoid it.
Kowalczyk swings widly with a right hand
and Grandis counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kowalczyk misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Grandis.
Grandis throws a jab when Kowalczyk was well out of range.
Grandis slips under a jab.
Grandis takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Kowalczyk lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Robert Grandis will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Kowalczyk takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Good shot there by Grandis.
Good shot there by Grandis.
Grandis ducks under a wild hook from Kowalczyk.
Grandis appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Kowalczyk throws a looping overhand right but Grandis ducks down to avoid it.
Kowalczyk looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Grandis fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Kowalczyk checks it well.
Kowalczyk checks a leg kick.
Grandis waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kowalczyk.
Grandis uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kowalczyk.
Grandis comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Kowalczyk stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Kowalczyk ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Kowalczyk throws a series of punches but Grandis avoids them all with ease.
Grandis tries to close the distance and clinch but Kowalczyk swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kowalczyk needs to keep his hands up - Grandis had a free shot at his head there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Grandis misses with a low kick.
Kowalczyk throws a poor cross that misses
and Grandis counters with a slapping leg kick.
Grandis misses with a leg kick.
Grandis looks to throw the jab but Kowalczyk is out of range.
Kowalczyk throws a lazy right hand but Grandis sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kowalczyk throws a hook to the side of Grandis's head but Grandis sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Grandis throws a wild body kick that Kowalczyk sees coming a mile off.
Kowalczyk appears to be looking for a big counter.
Grandis slips under a jab from Kowalczyk.
Kowalczyk defending well as Grandis loads up on a big left hand.
Kowalczyk misses with an uppercut. Grandis saw that one coming.
Kowalczyk misses with an uppercut. Grandis saw that one coming.
Kowalczyk misses with a lunging right hand
and Grandis counters with a nice uppercut.
Kowalczyk jabs Grandis right on the nose. Grandis blinks but takes it well.
Grandis avoids the body shot from Kowalczyk.
Grandis defending well as Kowalczyk loads up on a big left hand.
Grandis on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Grandis loads up on a big right hand but Kowalczyk slips the punch.
Grandis throws a nice outside leg kick.
Kowalczyk uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Grandis.
The fighters circling - Kowalczyk throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Grandis avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kowalczyk throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grandis misses with a leg kick.
Grandis throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Grandis wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Kowalczyk throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nice jab there from Grandis.
Kowalczyk looks to throw the jab but Grandis is out of range.
A little jabbing left from Grandis on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Grandis changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Grandis blocks a jab.
Kowalczyk slips a straight right by Grandis.
Grandis moves away from the strike by Kowalczyk.
Grandis appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Grandis tries to move into range but Kowalczyk moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Grandis throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Kowalczyk.
Grandis lands with a nice body punch.
Grandis comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
A bone on bone clash there as Grandis blocks the leg kick.
Kowalczyk takes a jab right on the kisser.
Good work by Kowalczyk as he checks the leg kick.
Kowalczyk lands a jab-cross combination.
Kowalczyk's jab looks to have found its range, popping Grandis under the eye.
Kowalczyk slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kowalczyk catches Grandis with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Grandis lands a jab to Kowalczyk's midsection.
Kowalczyk fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Grandis manages to avoid it.
Kowalczyk displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Grandis throws out the jab.
Grandis throws a jab but it's blocked by Kowalczyk.
Grandis scores with a shot to the body.
Kowalczyk digs a good body shot into Grandis's ribs.
Grandis ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Kowalczyk with the inside leg kick.
Robert Grandis is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Grandis lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Kowalczyk swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Grandis throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Kowalczyk swinging wildly here.
Kowalczyk checks a leg kick.
Kowalczyk misses with a hook.
Grandis was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Grandis chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kowalczyk steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Grandis.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grandis misses with a straight left.
Kowalczyk takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Grandis steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kowalczyk.
Grandis throws a nice inside leg kick.
Kowalczyk throws a lazy uppercut
and Grandis connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kowalczyk throws a looping overhand right but Grandis ducks down to avoid it.
Kowalczyk uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Grandis.
Grandis checks a low kick from Kowalczyk.
Kowalczyk misses with a straight right.
A punch lands to the side of Kowalczyk 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Grandis doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Kowalczyk looks to throw the jab but Grandis is out of range.
Kowalczyk keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Grandis throws a head kick but Kowalczyk moves out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kowalczyk throws a leg kick

and Grandis counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Grandis lands with a right to the head.
Kowalczyk throws a punch but it's blocked by Grandis.
Mordechai Kowalczyk has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Grandis blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Grandis lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Robert Grandis comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Grandis 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 27:30
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Robert Grandis!
Robert Grandis bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.