PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Georgi Ivanov (ranked 4277 p4p, 4962 weight class) and Sava Grujic (ranked 317 p4p, 339 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Ivanov
vs
Grujic

180 cm
18
145
0 - 0 - 0

176 cm
18
147
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Georgi Ivanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Sava Grujic!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Tiny Johnson and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ivanov fails to land the takedown.
Grujic defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ivanov.

Grujic gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Ivanov wants to break the clinch but can't.
Ivanov is trying to break the clinch but Grujic is controlling him.
Grujic is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Ivanov being controlled against the cage.
Ivanov tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Grujic just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Georgi Ivanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Grujic scores with a shoulder strike.
Ivanov is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Grujic is defending well.
Grujic stalling the fight.
Grujic gets through Ivanov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Ivanov blocks an elbow strike from Grujic.
Grujic throws a head punch that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grujic lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Grujic stalling the fight.
Good body shot from Grujic.

Ivanov pulls guard successfully.
Ivanov seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

Ivanov throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Ivanov pulls Grujic in close to prevent any damage.
Ivanov is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
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.
Ivanov lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Grujic preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Ivanov content to stall in guard here.
Grujic can't keep his opponent in guard - Ivanov advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Grujic is trying to stand up here but Ivanov is controlling him well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ivanov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Grujic has managed to free his arm - good work.
Ivanov content to control rather than advance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Grujic wants to get back to his feet.
Ivanov controlling the action here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ivanov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Grujic avoids it really well and circles away.
Ivanov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Ivanov instigates a clinch.
Grujic dodges an elbow strike from Ivanov.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ivanov tries to work over Grujic's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Grujic throws an elbow that misses.
A body shot lands from Grujic.
Grujic working aggressively here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Sava Grujic dominated that round.
That's time! Ivanov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Grujic shoots in but no luck this time.
Grujic dives in for a single leg takedown but Ivanov sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Grujic has his takedown stuffed
and Ivanov counters with a stiff right hand.
Georgi Ivanov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sava Grujic.
Horrible takedown attempt by Grujic or perhaps it was just good defense by Ivanov, which made it look bad.
Grujic just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromIvanov.
Grujic has worked on his takedown defense in the runup to this fight and it is paying off so far.
Grujic looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ivanov is fending him off so far but Grujic persists. Nope, Ivanov circles away and we're back to standing.
Ivanov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Grujic sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Ivanov throws a low kick but Grujic moves out of range easily.
Grujic ducks under a wild hook from Ivanov.
Grujic lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ivanov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Grujic avoids it really well and circles away.

Ivanov closes the distance and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grujic stalling in the clinch but Ivanov improves position.
Ivanov wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Grujic.
Grujic wants to stall.
Ivanov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ivanov tries to land knees in the clinch but Grujic avoids the damage to the body.
Ivanov wants to break free but Grujic has control.
Grujic lands a body punch in the clinch.
Grujic lands a shoulder strike.
Grujic throws a head punch that misses.
Ivanov working aggressively here.
Sava Grujic seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Grujic pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

Ivanov pulls guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grujic wants to stand but Ivanov is controlling his posture from full guard.
Ivanov wants to sweep here but Grujic controlling him for the moment.
Ivanov pulls Grujic in close to prevent any damage.
Ivanov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Grujic's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grujic wants to stand and escape but Ivanov is having none of it.
Ivanov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Grujic is keeping the position for now.
Grujic wants to stand and escape but Ivanov is having none of it.
Grujic is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Ivanov passes Grujic's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Ivanov slips a nice elbow through Grujic's hands, connecting with Grujic's forehead.
Ivanov throwing shots but Grujic is blocking nicely.
Ivanov really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Still in half guard, Ivanov seems content to control.
Ivanov seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Grujic for as long as he can get away with.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ivanov fails to land the takedown.
Grujic dives in and grabs Ivanov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Ivanov pushes down on Grujic's head and hops out.
Grujic looks for a takedown but Ivanov sprawls well.
As Grujic looks to move away, Ivanov throws a big counter combo but Grujic just gets out of the way.
Ivanov throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

Ivanov has managed to clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Grujic fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ivanov jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Grujic walks away with a smile on his face. Ivanov gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Grujic throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ivanov's waist but Ivanov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Grujic off to one side.
Ivanov throws a sloppy head kick and Grujic moves out of range easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Georgi Ivanov dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Grujic has taken the fight to the clinch.
Ivanov wants to take the fight to the mat but Grujic manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Grujic trying to stall but Ivanov improves his position.
Grujic looking to throw knees to the head but Ivanov is blocking nicely.
Grujic misses with a punch to the body.
Grujic misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ivanov is trying to break the clinch but Grujic has him pressed against the cage.
Grujic content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Grujic is pressed up against the cage. Ivanov has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Grujic down to the mat. Grujic avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Ivanov closes the distance and clinches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ivanov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ivanov jumps guard but Grujic stands there with Ivanov around his waist. Ivanov gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Georgi Ivanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Grujic avoiding damage as Ivanov throws knees to the body.
Ivanov is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Grujic pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grujic works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Grujic is pushing Ivanov up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Ivanov is trying to break the clinch but Grujic is controlling him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ivanov wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Grujic has him pressed against the cage.
Ivanov wants a takedown.
Ivanov wants to break the clinch but can't.
Come on Grujic - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Grujic leaning his opponent against the cage.
Ivanov tries to pull guard but Grujic won't allow it.
Ivanov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

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.
Ivanov has a couple of punches blocked by Grujic.
Grujic lands with a light punch inside.
Grujic trying to stall but Ivanov improves his position.
Grujic just leaning against Ivanov, taking a breather.
Grujic looking to slow down the pace here.
Ivanov is trying to pull guard but Grujic has him pressed against the cage.
Ivanov jumps guard but Grujic stands there with Ivanov around his waist. Ivanov gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Ivanov jumps guard but Grujic turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Ivanov fails to pull guard.
Grujic misses with a knee strike.
A nice right hand lands inside from Grujic.
Grujic lands a left hand that snaps the head of Ivanov backwards.
Grujic is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Grujic.
Ivanov wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Grujic lands a nice uppercut.
Grujic working aggressively here.
Ivanov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ivanov wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Grujic has him pressed against the cage.
Grujic lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Grujic lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Grujic lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Ivanov backwards.
Ivanov misses with some punches.
Grujic pressing his opponent against the cage.
Ivanov tries to break free but Grujic pushes him back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grujic lands with a right to the head.
Ivanov looking to slow down the pace here.
Grujic has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Grujic struggles to land a body shot inside as Ivanov controls his hands.
Still in the clinch, Grujic scores with a nice short uppercut.
Grujic is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Grujic prevents the takedown attempt.
Ivanov goes for a takedown attempt but Grujic pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Grujic fails to land the takedown.
Ivanov swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Grujic looks for a takedown but Ivanov sprawls well.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ivanov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Grujic has a takedown stuffed.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sava Grujic comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Grujic has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:29
Judge George Francis scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sava Grujic!