PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Robert Helpmann (ranked 1180 p4p, 1345 weight class) and Jason Grayson (ranked 160 p4p, 183 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Helpmann
vs
Grayson

184 cm
27
180
8 - 5 - 0

178 cm
36
175
12 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Powerful

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 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Robert Helpmann!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jason Grayson!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Paul Tew and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Grayson pivots, looking for a leg kick but Helpmann is out of range and Grayson settles back down.
Grayson throws a front kick aimed at Helpmann's knee but Helpmann avoids it well.
Grayson scores with a jab to the jaw.
Helpmann pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Good work by Helpmann as he checks the leg kick.
Helpmann with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Helpmann pushes Grayson away with a front kick.
Grayson scores with a decent looking hook.
Helpmann moves out of range of the body kick.
Jason Grayson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Grayson fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Grayson throws a head kick that misses
and Helpmann counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Helpmann misses with a head kick.
Helpmann fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Grayson.
Grayson throws a lazy head kick
and Helpmann makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Grayson moves out of range of the strikes.
Grayson fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Grayson throws out a leg kick but Helpmann moves out of range and Grayson only half commits.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grayson throws a hook to the side of Helpmann's head but Helpmann sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Grayson lands a nice leg kick that just misses Helpmann's sensitive parts.
Grayson scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Grayson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A counter left hand to the body from Helpmann misses its target.
Helpmann circles away from the clinch attempt.
Grayson throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Helpmann counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Helpmann misses with a looping right.
A low kick from Grayson is predictable there
and Helpmann counters with a one-two to the body.
Helpmann bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Grayson is looking to slow Helpmann down with leg kicks.
Helpmann showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Grayson.
Helpmann was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Grayson throws a head kick but Helpmann moves out of range.
Grayson fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Helpmann is out of range.
Grayson misses with a leg kick
letting Helpmann counter with a right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Grayson moves in looking to clinch but Helpmann pushes him off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grayson finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Helpmann looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Helpmann cracks Grayson with a good jab.
Grayson tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Grayson pivots, looking for a leg kick but Helpmann is out of range and Grayson settles back down.
Grayson tries to clinch but Helpmann moves out of range.
Helpmann blocks a low kick nicely.
Helpmann moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Grayson throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Helpmann misses with a double jab.
Grayson misses with the combination.
Helpmann misses with a low kick.

Grayson gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Helpmann avoids the elbow strike from Grayson, against the cage.
Helpmann lands a shoulder strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Helpmann blocks an elbow strike.
Grayson creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Grayson misses with an elbow strike.
Helpmann blocks an elbow strike.
Grayson throws an elbow but it's blocked.

Helpmann breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Grayson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
It looked like Helpmann was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Grayson.
Helpmann bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Grayson throws a quick inside leg kick.
Grayson throws a leg kick
and Helpmann counters with a slapping leg kick.
Helpmann blocks a head kick by Grayson.

Grayson clinches up against the cage.
Grayson throws an elbow but it misses.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Grayson just misses with a elbow thrown towards Helpmann's brow.
Helpmann wants to break free but Grayson has control.
Grayson pushes off an throws an elbow but Helpmann leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Helpmann breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Helpmann pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Grayson throws a head kick that misses.
Grayson 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.
Helpmann lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Grayson throws a leg kick
and Helpmann counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Good leg kick by Grayson.
Grayson moves away from the strike by Helpmann.
Grayson throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Helpmann.
Helpmann jabs at Grayson's body.
Grayson throws a leg kick that misses.
Helpmann appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Helpmann misses with a lunging right hand
and Grayson counters with a good low kick that Helpmann was not able to check.
Grayson throws a leg kick that is checked
and Helpmann counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Grayson scores with a leg kick.
Helpmann throws a leg kick but Grayson sees it coming and checks it nicely.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Grayson! But no joy.
Helpmann pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Robert Helpmann will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Grayson lands a nice shot that snaps Helpmann's head back.
Grayson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Helpmann fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Grayson.
Grayson misses with a leg kick.
Robert Helpmann is winning the standup battle so far.
Helpmann throws an overhand right that lands on Grayson's shoulder, as Grayson tries to avoid the shot.
The fight stays on the outside here - Grayson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Helpmann misses the shot to the body.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Grayson! But no joy.
Grayson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Grayson throws a sloppy head kick
and Helpmann makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Grayson really felt that one!
Grayson cracks Helpmann with an open hand slap.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Grayson throws a hook but Helpmann blocks it.
Helpmann slips a jab and a cross from Grayson.
Helpmann fires out a quick counter leg kick but Grayson just manages to avoid it.
Grayson throws a leg kick that misses.
A little feinted left hand from Helpmann on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Grayson throws a leg kick that is checked
and Helpmann counters with a left to the body.
Grayson wants to clinch
and Helpmann counters with a thumping low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Helpmann swats away the attempt to clinch by Grayson.
Helpmann with the inside leg kick.
Grayson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Helpmann swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Helpmann paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
A jab lands there for Helpmann.
Grayson throws a leg kick but Helpmann moved away.
A leg kick checked by Helpmann.
Grayson throws a low kick but it's checked well by Helpmann.
Helpmann swings for the body but Grayson moves out of range.
Grayson chopping away at his opponent's legs.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Grayson crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Helpmann - the referee stops the clock and Grayson gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Helpmann. Grayson manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Helpmann blocks a jab.
Helpmann appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Helpmann misses the shot to the body.
Grayson on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Some wild striking there from Grayson.
Helpmann is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Helpmann connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Grayson throws a leg kick but Helpmann sees it coming and moves out of range.
A jab from Helpmann finds it's way through Grayson's defenses.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
A short left from Helpmann.
Helpmann lands with a light punch inside.
Grayson throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Grayson blocks a body shot from Helpmann.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grayson pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Grayson looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Grayson creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Helpmann blocks an elbow strike from Grayson.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Grayson looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Grayson pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Grayson has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Helpmann seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Grayson can turn it around.
Grayson looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Grayson misses with an elbow strike.
Helpmann misses with a shot to the kidneys.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Grayson in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Grayson can't break the clinch.
Helpmann tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Helpmann blocks an elbow strike.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Grayson throws an elbow but misses.
Helpmann takes an elbow to the forehead.
Jason Grayson seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Helpmann is looking to break free of the clinch but Grayson has double underhooks.
Grayson prevents a body shot from Helpmann.
Helpmann scores with a shot to the side of Grayson's head.
Grayson throws an elbow but it misses.
Helpmann avoids a wild elbow strike from Grayson.
Helpmann throws a punch but it's blocked by Grayson.

Helpmann escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Grayson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Helpmann.
Grayson slips a jab from Helpmann.
Helpmann pushes Grayson away with a front kick.
Helpmann misses with a body kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Grayson takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Helpmann misses with a low kick.
Grayson was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Grayson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Helpmann dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Helpmann with the inside leg kick.
Grayson motions for Helpmann to come forward. Grayson throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Grayson catches Helpmann with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
A jab lands there for Helpmann.
A leg kick checked by Grayson.
Helpmann lands with an uppercut that bounces Grayson off the cage and back into range.
Grayson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Helpmann misses with a hook.
Grayson misses with a looping right.
Grayson throws out a leg kick but Helpmann moves out of range and Grayson only half commits.
Jab from Grayson.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Helpmann throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Helpmann throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Helpmann moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromGrayson.
Grayson's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Grayson throws a head kick that misses.
Helpmann throws a nice outside leg kick.
Grayson has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Helpmann.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Grayson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Helpmann paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Helpmann is looking to score with low kicks.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Grayson 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 Helpmann has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Helpmann and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Helpmann moves out of range of the body kick from Grayson.
Helpmann digs a good body shot into Grayson's ribs.
Helpmann attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Grayson moves away from the strike by Helpmann.
Grayson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Helpmann.

Grayson rushes Helpmann and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Helpmann manages to break the clinch.
Helpmann throws the left hand but Grayson avoids the punch easily.
Helpmann ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Grayson lands with a thumping leg kick.
Grayson tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Helpmann works the jab nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grayson needs to keep his hands up - Helpmann had a free shot at his head there.
Helpmann ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Grayson moves away.
Jab from Helpmann.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Helpmann checks the leg kick nicely there.
Grayson throws a leg kick that is checked
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Helpmann tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

Grayson clinches with his opponent.
Grayson stalling in the clinch.
Grayson is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
A short left from Helpmann.
Helpmann swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Helpmann lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Grayson.
Grayson working hard to break the clinch.
Helpmann dodges an elbow strike from Grayson.
Robert Helpmann is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Helpmann avoids a wild elbow strike from Grayson.
Grayson takes a shot to the head.
Grayson throws an elbow that misses.
Grayson trying to stall but Helpmann improves his position.
Grayson looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Helpmann lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A short body shot lands from Helpmann as the two fighters clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Helpmann.
Grayson pushes off an throws an elbow but Helpmann leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Helpmann tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Grayson throws an elbow that misses.
With the fighters up against the cage, Grayson throws an elbow but misses.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Helpmann.
Jason Grayson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grayson creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Grayson pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Grayson.
Grayson controlling the action here for a moment.
Helpmann swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Helpmann manages to break the clinch.
Grayson tries to work over Helpmann's front leg with a kick but Helpmann checks it.
As Grayson backs away, Helpmann returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Helpmann misses with a double jab.
A thudding body kick lands there by Helpmann!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Grayson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Grayson misses with a left hand
letting Helpmann counter with a right hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Robert Helpmann showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Helpmann, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Robert Helpmann!
A victorious Robert Helpmann thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.