PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Grigori Golov (ranked 1967 p4p, 1747 weight class) and Jim Reefer (ranked 173 p4p, 156 weight class). Grigori Golov had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Golov
vs
Reefer

178 cm
34
159
12 - 9 - 0

179 cm
33
140
16 - 12 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Shadow Realm Apparel

Conquer
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 12 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Grigori Golov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jim Reefer!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Albert Achterberg and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Reefer misses with a hook to the body

and Golov counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Golov.
Reefer not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Golov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Reefer can do anything to dispel that myth.
Reefer 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.
Golov looking to sit in guard and control but Reefer gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Golov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Reefer is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Golov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Reefer manages to get himself to full guard.

We've been hearing that Golov has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Golov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Golov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Reefer's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reefer being controlled here, momentarily.
Golov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Reefer works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Golov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Reefer swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Reefer looking for a sweep. Not yet Reefer, not yet.
Golov cracks Reefer with a solid left hand.
Reefer trying to keep a closed guard but Golov is proving a slippery customer.
Reefer avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Golov is stalling in the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Golov trying to control but Reefer is working from the bottom.
Golov throws a big elbow that misses.
Reefer tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Golov pushing down on Reefer's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Golov wants to pass the guard but Reefer is defending well.
Golov scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Golov has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Golov looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Reefer is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Golov thows a huge punch but Reefer dodges it nicely.
Reefer is trying to control but can't.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Jim Reefer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Golov tries to bum rush Reefer with a series of wild strikes but Reefer uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Golov swings widly with a right hand
and Reefer counters with a stiff right hand.
Golov staying out of range there.
Golov cracks a nice hook into Reefer's ribs.
Reefer slips a straight right by Golov.
Reefer throws a leg kick that misses.
Reefer jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Golov throws out a loose jab but Reefer uses good head movement to avoid it.
Reefer throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Reefer throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reefer misses with a low kick as Golov jumps back.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Golov staying out of range there.
Golov throws a poor cross that misses
and Reefer counters with a straight right hand.
Golov throws a jab when Reefer was well out of range.
Golov takes a kick to the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Reefer turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Golov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Reefer counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Golov slips a jab and a cross from Reefer.
Reefer throws a hook to the side of Golov's head but Golov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Reefer fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Reefer thows a left - swing and a miss!
A swing and a miss from Golov.
Jim Reefer is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A combination from Reefer does no damage.
Golov tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Reefer ducks under a wild hook from Golov.
Reefer misses with an attempted mid kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jim Reefer will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Golov blocks a jab.
Reefer misses with a kick to the body.
Golov throws a shot from downtown. Reefer moves away and avoids it.
Golov looks to score with a jab to the body but Reefer is just out of range.
Golov throws a big shot that misses.
Golov throws a body shot but no joy.
Reefer fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Golov manages to avoid it.
Reefer keeps Golov at a distance using the push kick.
A big left from Reefer misses.
Jim Reefer seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A telegraphed right hand from Reefer misses the target.
Golov throws a poor cross that misses
and Golov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Reefer lands a front kick.
Golov slips a straight right by Reefer.
Reefer finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Reefer 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.
Reefer connects with an inside leg kick.
Reefer lands a nice shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Golov takes a kick to the side of the head.
Golov looks to score with a jab to the body but Reefer is just out of range.
Reefer misses with a kick to the body.
Golov misses with a few strikes there.
Reefer paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Reefer scores with a sloppy right hand. Golov should have avoided that one.
Reefer pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Reefer displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Golov throws out the jab.
Reefer swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Golov counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Reefer controlling the position well.
Golov performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Reefer is staying active underneath Golov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Reefer really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Golov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Golov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Reefer wants to get back to full guard.
Reefer blocking the ground and pound attempt from Golov.
Reefer taking some punishment here, with Golov in his half guard.
Golov controlling the action here.
Reefer taking some punishment here, with Golov in his half guard.
Golov with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Golov takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Golov thows a huge punch but Reefer dodges it nicely.
Golov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Reefer defending well though.
Reefer keeping control of the position.
Golov lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Golov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Golov trying to control the action but Reefer is working from the bottom.
Well, if Golov is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grigori Golov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Golov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Reefer moves into full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Reefer is on top in guard.

Reefer is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Golov throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jim Reefer will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Golov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Golov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Reefer throws a front kick that sends Golov stumbling back into the cage.
Golov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Golov slips under a jab.
Golov slips a jab and a cross from Reefer.
Reefer with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Reefer misses the jab.
Golov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Good standup being displayed there by Reefer as he connects with a hook.
Golov scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Reefer misses with a low kick as Golov jumps back.
Golov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Reefer was well out of range. Poor timing from Golov.
Golov catches Reefer with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Reefer misses with a few strikes there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Reefer throws out a loose jab but Golov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Reefer shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Golov thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Golov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
That kick from Reefer tenderised Golov's leg. Golov is trying to keep his angry face on.
Reefer turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Reefer tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Golov misses the jab.
Reefer thows a left - swing and a miss!
Golov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Reefer scores with a head kick. Golov tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Reefer fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Reefer scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Golov connects with a body shot.
Reefer connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Reefer goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Golov tries to counter with a takedown but Reefer is quick to defend against it.
A left and a right from Reefer both land. Nice combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Golov lands a jab to Reefer's midsection.
Golov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Reefer misses the jab.
Reefer connects with the punch.
Reefer jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Golov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Golov misses with an uppercut.
Golov takes a swing at Reefer's ribcage but misses.
Reefer tries to bum rush Golov with a series of wild strikes but Golov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Golov chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Reefer can pounce on him.
Golov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Reefer.
Golov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

Golov gets a clinch.
Golov stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Golov has a couple of punches blocked by Reefer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Golov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Reefer's elbow.
Golov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Golov lands a nice shot to the body.
Golov can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Grigori Golov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Reefer misses with a hook to the ribs.
Reefer tries to work over Golov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Golov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Golov misses with a punch to the body.
Reefer tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Reefer misses with a hook from the clinch.
Golov is working Reefer over against the cage.
Nice body punch from Golov.
Reefer prevents a body shot from Golov.
Golov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Golov lands with a short shot to the head.
Golov is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Reefer tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Golov lands a nice uppercut.
Golov misses with a punch on the inside.
Golov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Reefer fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Golov throws a body punch but Reefer moves out of range.
Golov is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Reefer.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Golov misses with an uppercut
and Reefer counters with an outside leg kick.
Grigori Golov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Reefer throws a big shot that misses.
Golov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Golov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Golov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Reefer throws out a counter right but Golov avoids it with no problem.
Golov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Reefer manages to avoid it.
A head kick misses from Reefer.
Reefer lands with a thumping leg kick.
Golov loads up on a big right hand but Reefer slips the punch.
Golov on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Reefer takes one on the button.
Reefer takes a swing at Golov's ribcage but misses.
Reefer throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jim Reefer comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Reefer winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 27:30
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 29:29
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Jim Reefer!
A relieved looking Jim Reefer thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.