PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Old Grappling (ranked 2385 p4p, 1636 weight class) and Ardbeg Islay (ranked 279 p4p, 208 weight class). Grappling comes to the cage accompanied by After Dark - Old Grappling. 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.

Grappling
vs
Islay

178 cm
28
195
5 - 2 - 1

186 cm
20
200
5 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Very quick

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Old Grappling!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ardbeg Islay!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Marco Blurström and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Grappling enables Islay to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Grappling manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Islay is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Grappling controlling Islay's posture.

Grappling has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Islay can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Islay looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Islay trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Grappling manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Islay bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Grappling's guard.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Islay sitting in guard here, content to control.

Grappling working for submissions but it's allowed Islay to get to half guard.
Grappling tries to roll over but Islay keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grappling trying to hold on to Islay's head to control him but Islay postures up.
Islay working the head and body with strikes.
Grappling trying to control but Islay postures up.
Grappling punching from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Islay controlling the pace.
Grappling is doing well to control the position and prevent Islay from advancing to side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Grappling gets back to full guard.
Islay keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Grappling's head.
Islay wants to control from the top but Grappling keeps moving.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Islay is stalling in the full guard.
Grappling wants to sweep here but Islay controlling him for the moment.
Islay really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Grappling. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Islay tries to free his leg and advance position but Grappling is retaining full guard.
Grappling keeping moving, preventing Islay from controlling successfully.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Islay looking to sit in guard and control but Grappling gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Grappling preventing the sweep.
Grappling throws a strike but Islay rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Grappling trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Islay working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Islay got a little sloppy there for a moment and Grappling has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Islay has managed to get both his arms back between Grappling's legs - danger averted.
Grappling not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Islay trying to control but Grappling is working from the bottom.
Islay slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grappling not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Islay trying to control but Grappling is working from the bottom.
Grappling trying to strike off his back.

Grappling has his foot on Islay's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Islay works his way back into a safe position though.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Islay trying to control but Grappling is working from the bottom.
Islay stays in close to Grappling's body and controls the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ardbeg Islay dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Islay stuffs the takedown attempt from Grappling. Grappling gets slowly back to his feet.
Islay now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Grappling throws the left hand but Islay avoids the punch easily.
Nice body punch from Islay.
Islay scores with a sloppy right hand. Grappling should have avoided that one.
Grappling just misses with a punch to the body.
Grappling thows a left - swing and a miss!
Islay tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Grappling was well out of range. Poor timing from Islay.
Islay scores with a sloppy right hand. Grappling should have avoided that one.
Old Grappling seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Grappling misses with a hook. Islay ducked under it nicely.
Islay throws a right and a left that Grappling avoids nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Grappling misses with a jab, cross combination.

Grappling moves into the clinch.
Grappling throws a punch but it's blocked by Islay.
Grappling tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Islay misses with some punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grappling drops down looking for an ankle pick but Islay pulls his leg out and moves away.
Islay works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Islay uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Grappling.
Grappling throws a looping overhand right but Islay ducks down to avoid it.
Islay doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Islay throws a series of punches but Grappling moves out of range.
Grappling tries for a takedown but Islay circles away easily
and Islay connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Old Grappling. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Islay swings for the body but Grappling moves out of range.
Grappling drops down looking for a counter takedown but Islay sprawls and moves away.
Grappling looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Islay swinging wildly here.
Grappling misses with a hook to the body
and Islay counters with a stiff right hand.
Grappling dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grappling dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Good standup being displayed there by Islay as he connects with a hook.
Grappling bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Islay's head backwards.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Grappling lands a head shot.
Grappling scores with a jab to the jaw.
Islay ducks under a wild hook from Grappling.
Grappling lands with a good body shot.
Islay shoots in looking for a takedown but Grappling manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Islay's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Grappling appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Grappling misses with a body shot.
Islay takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Islay throws a body shot but no joy.
Islay misses with a wild body shot.
A jab from Islay does it's job there.
Grappling misses the shot to the body.
Grappling throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Islay uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Grappling.
Islay misses with a jab, cross combination.
Grappling shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Islay sprawls well. Islay wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Grappling gets slowly back to his feet.
Grappling throws a nice looking combination but Islay bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Islay takes one to the side of the head.
Islay has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Grappling staying out of range there.
Islay misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Grappling.
Ardbeg Islay is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A jab from Grappling misses.
Grappling on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Grappling tries for a takedown but Islay sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Islay dodges the punch combination from Grappling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Grappling rushes Islay and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Islay can't find room to land a body shot as Grappling controls the action.
Grappling blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Grappling tries a body shot but Islay blocks it.
Grappling struggles to land a body shot inside as Islay controls his hands.
Grappling scores with a nice hook to the head.
Islay blocks a punch to the side of the head.
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!
Grappling struggles to land a body shot inside as Islay controls his hands.
Islay tries to throw a body punch but Grappling avoids it by throwing Islay back against the cage.
Islay blocking some punches.
Islay pushes Grappling back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Islay lands on the inside with an uppercut.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Old Grappling will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Islay lands with a good body shot.
Islay gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Grappling.

Grappling clinches.
Islay goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Grappling changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Islay fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Islay lands a lovely overhand right.
Grappling looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Grappling throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Grappling swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Islay counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Islay throws a series of punches but Grappling avoids them all with ease.
Grappling misses with a takedown
and Islay counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A slow jab from Grappling misses its intended target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Decent striking displayed by Grappling there.
Islay throws a body punch but Grappling moves out of range.
Ardbeg Islay seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Grappling misses with a left hand
and Islay connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Grappling swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A nice side step and Islay releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
A looping hook to the body misses from Grappling. Islay does a little dance to reset his feet.
Islay takes a swing at Grappling's ribcage but misses.
Grappling half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Islay swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Grappling throws a looping overhand right but Islay ducks down to avoid it.
Islay looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Grappling misses with a hook. Islay ducked under it nicely.
Islay takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Grappling fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Old Grappling. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Islay is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Grappling fails in his attempt to clinch.
Grappling shoots and misses
and Islay counters with a stiff right hand.
Grappling tries to clinch but Islay is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Islay blocks a jab.
Islay throws a big shot that misses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A cross from Islay lands.
Islay punishes Grappling's body with a nice straight punch.
Islay clobbers Grappling with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Islay keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Grappling showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Islay.
Grappling tries to clinch up.
Grappling pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Grappling avoids the body shot from Islay.
Islay pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Grappling back to the cage. Islay follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Islay lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Grappling backs up against the cage.
Grappling throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Grappling.
Islay leaves Grappling with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Islay throws out a counter right but Grappling avoids it with no problem.
Islay staying out of range there.
Islay swings for the body but Grappling moves out of range.
Grappling swings for the body but Islay moves out of range.
Grappling tries to close the distance and clinch but Islay swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A combination from Islay does no damage.
A looping hook to the body misses from Islay. Grappling does a little dance to reset his feet.
Grappling looks to score with a jab to the body but Islay is just out of range.
Islay takes a swing at Grappling's ribcage but misses.
Grappling half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Islay is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Grappling rather than just go for the knockout.
Islay throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A big right from Islay misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grappling looks to score with a jab to the body but Islay is just out of range.
Grappling takes a swing at Islay's ribcage but misses.
Islay looks to land a combination but Grappling avoids it well.
Grappling has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Islay finds it's way round the side to connect with Grappling's head.
Islay misses the jab.
Grappling listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Islay's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Grappling connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Islay scrambles back to his feet.
Grappling misses with a takedown
and Islay makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Grappling scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
No joy there for Islay, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Nice uppercut there from Islay.
Islay ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Grappling misses the shot to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ardbeg Islay comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Islay 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ardbeg Islay!
Old Grappling was interviewed post fight and said 'I didn't expect this result! Congratulations to my opponent. I will train and come back stronger!'.