PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Gemechu McKraken (ranked 219 p4p, 134 weight class) and Robert Grandis (ranked 31 p4p, 23 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

McKraken
vs
Grandis

170 cm
33
140
22 - 12 - 1

168 cm
33
144
27 - 10 - 2

BJJ Red Belt
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

HELLBENT
Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)

Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Gemechu McKraken!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 10 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Robert Grandis!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Percy O'Donnell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McKraken steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Grandis.
McKraken tries to counter with a takedown but Grandis is quick to defend against it.
Grandis throws a leg kick

and McKraken counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by McKraken.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Grandis looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
McKraken content to stall in guard here.
McKraken stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Grandis swivels though and keeps the full guard.
McKraken showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McKraken trying to control the position from guard on top but Grandis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Grandis keeping full guard, as McKraken tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McKraken working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
McKraken tries to free his leg and advance position but Grandis is retaining full guard.
McKraken pushing down on Grandis's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

McKraken is looking for a kimura but Grandis is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for McKraken to get the leverage.
McKraken is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
A nice elbow there by McKraken.
McKraken sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
McKraken looking to control but Grandis is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grandis is looking to improve his position but McKraken isn't that keen on the idea.
Grandis is squirming around, avoiding McKraken's attempts to control the action.

McKraken working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
McKraken tries to control but Grandis wriggling away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McKraken is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Grandis is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Grandis is bucking up trying to escape but McKraken cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
McKraken prevents Grandis from getting the reversal.
Grandis in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
McKraken can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Grandis is looking to escape.
BOOM! McKraken connects with a massive shot to the dome!
McKraken unloading with bombs!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McKraken goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Grandis is on top in guard.
Grandis must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
McKraken not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
McKraken keeping full guard, as Grandis tries to pass.
Grandis postures up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

McKraken looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Grandis passes into half guard.
McKraken is trying to maintain the position but Grandis is very close to passing his half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Gemechu McKraken dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

McKraken ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Grandis moves away.
McKraken lands a jab to Grandis's midsection.
Grandis misses with a left hand

and McKraken counters with a single leg into guard. Grandis didn't expect that.
Grandis avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
McKraken won't allow Grandis to sweep him here.
McKraken landing with the ground and pound.
McKraken postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
McKraken tries to free his leg and advance position but Grandis is retaining full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McKraken trying to control but Grandis is working from the bottom.
McKraken stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Grandis swivels though and keeps the full guard.
McKraken keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Grandis's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McKraken trying to control but Grandis is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McKraken is really struggling to control Grandis but he's trying to hold on to the position.
McKraken scoring with punches to the head and body.
Grandis is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

McKraken wants to get back to full guard.
McKraken manages to get to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McKraken is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Grandis looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Grandis keeping hold of McKraken's head, controlling as best he can.

McKraken seems to be looking for submissions.
Grandis slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McKraken wants to control from the top but Grandis keeps moving.
McKraken passes into half guard.
McKraken scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Grandis is concentrating on defense, preventing McKraken from advancing position.
Grandis slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
McKraken won't allow Grandis to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Grandis is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
McKraken is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Grandis can do to turn this around?
McKraken trying to move into half guard but instead Grandis has managed to sweep!

Grandis preventing the sweep.
McKraken pulls Grandis in close to his closed guard and prevents Grandis from doing any damage or advancing position.
McKraken is trying to control the position but Grandis postures up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Grandis would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Gemechu McKraken dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

McKraken displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Grandis throws out the jab.
McKraken half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Grandis tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but McKraken was well out of range. Poor timing from Grandis.
McKraken appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Sloppy strikes from McKraken. Those never looked like landing.
Grandis is looking to score with low kicks.
Grandis lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Grandis pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
McKraken uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Grandis.
Grandis throws a nice inside leg kick.
Left hook, right uppercut from McKraken.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McKraken checks the leg kick.
McKraken attempts a counter takedown but Grandis avoids it well and moves away.
Grandis throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
McKraken slips a straight right by Grandis.
McKraken looks to score with a jab to the body but Grandis is just out of range.
McKraken misses with a looping left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McKraken connects with a right hand. Grandis shakes it off.
Grandis misses with an uppercut. McKraken saw that one coming.
McKraken throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Grandis's waist but Grandis gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing McKraken off to one side.
Grandis throws a hook but McKraken avoids it easily.

McKraken scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
McKraken lands with a punch from half guard.
McKraken working over Grandis with some ground and pound. Grandis looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Grandis works his way to full guard. Good work.
Grandis manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. McKraken manages to get himself to full guard.

McKraken can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Grandis controls the pace.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grandis looking to sit in guard and control but McKraken gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

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!
McKraken slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
McKraken postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
McKraken wants to control from the top but Grandis keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McKraken drops back, looking for a kneebar! Grandis looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Grandis looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Grandis!

McKraken tries to bench press Grandis off him but Grandis keeps the position.
Robert Grandis has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
McKraken gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
McKraken is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McKraken is pressing down on Grandis's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Grandis missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Gemechu McKraken is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
McKraken controlling Grandis's posture.
McKraken lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Gemechu McKraken.
Well McKraken 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 Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gemechu McKraken!
An out of breath Gemechu McKraken thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.