PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Erik Andersen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sidney Grant (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sidney Grant has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Andersen
vs
Grant

182 cm
22
196 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

180 cm
20
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Inexperienced

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Erik Andersen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sidney Grant!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Chris Downing and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Crunch! Andersen slams his shin into Grant's torso.

Andersen shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Andersen was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Grant is wriggling around trying to escape.
Andersen takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Grant is trying desperately to improve position.
Andersen with some aggressive grappling here, looking for the finish.

Andersen working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Andersen prevents Grant from getting the reversal.

Andersen goes for an armbar but Grant turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Grant.
Andersen is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Andersen lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Grant!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Andersen sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Andersen landing strikes from the mount.
Andersen lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Grant can't escape the position.
Grant tries to lock up and control but Andersen gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Andersen tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Andersen is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Grant has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Andersen is breathing heavily.

Andersen stands up from mount. Strange move.
Grant misses with a takedown

and Andersen counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Andersen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grant is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Andersen wants to pass the guard but Grant is keeping the position.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Grant not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Grant 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.
Grant looking to control.
Grant wants to stand up but Andersen is controlling him.

Andersen is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Grant tries to clinch up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Andersen feints and as Grant raises his hands in defense, Andersen changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Andersen showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Andersen stands and throws Grant's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Andersen decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Sidney Grant seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Andersen looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Andersen is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Grant!

Andersen is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Grant is surviving well by controlling Andersen's body position as best he can.

Andersen swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Grant is now in Andersen's guard. A big mistake from Andersen there, giving up the dominant position!

Andersen escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Grant gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Grant wants to stand but Andersen is controlling his posture from full guard.
Grant is fighting to break Andersen's control of his arms but Andersen is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

Grant avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Grant makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Andersen lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Grant!

Andersen working for a submission but Grant is keeping him at bay.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Andersen connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Erik Andersen dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Andersen drives through with a takedown into guard.

Andersen drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Andersen jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Andersen won't allow Grant to sweep him here.
Grant wants to stand up but Andersen is controlling him.
Andersen sitting in guard here, content to control.
Andersen's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Andersen wants to control from the top but Grant keeps moving.
Grant is breathing heavily.
Grant looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Andersen is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Andersen thows a big elbow that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Andersen wants to pass the guard but Grant is keeping the position.

Andersen stands up from Grant's guard - Andersen perhaps looking for a knockout.
Grant tries for a takedown but Andersen circles away easily

and Andersen counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Erik Andersen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Andersen is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Grant trying to control the position.
Andersen passes Grant's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Grant is trying to stand up here but Andersen is controlling him well.
Grant is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Andersen scores with a couple of nice shots.

Andersen decides to stand and escape the position.
Grant has his takedown stuffed

and Andersen counters with a shoot takedown. Grant fights it but they end up in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!

Grant is looking for a triangle but Andersen pushes his legs off easily.
Grant can't keep his opponent in guard - Andersen advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Andersen seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Grant is not content to let Andersen control the position.

Andersen escapes and gets back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grant tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Andersen counters with a left and a right that stings Grant.
Andersen circles away from the clinch attempt

so Andersen counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Andersen scoring with punches to the head and body.
Grant wants to sweep but no luck.
Andersen is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Grant can do to turn this around?
Andersen works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Andersen stops Grant from getting back to his feet.

Andersen decides to stand up.

Andersen shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Grant tries to strike from the bottom.
Andersen is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Andersen pushing down on Grant's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Andersen works his way into full mount!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Andersen moves to take his opponent's back.
Grant can't escape the position.

Grant is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Andersen gets his way!
Will Andersen go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Grant looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.

Andersen looking to break Grant's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Grant remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Andersen will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Erik Andersen dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Grant tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Andersen counters with a shoot takedown. Grant fights it but they end up in guard.
Grant trying to strike off his back.
Grant bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Andersen's guard.

Andersen had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Grant is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Andersen Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Grant's back instead.
Andersen keeps control of the position as Grant tries to break free.
Grant just trying to survive but Andersen is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Grant is trying to break free.
Andersen wants to control but Grant is keeping busy.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Andersen is not going to allow Grant to sit and survive in this position.
Grant tries to roll but Andersen sticks to his back.

Grant fending off the submission attempt from Andersen.
Grant covering up well and avoiding damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Andersen is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Grant knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Grant for a finish.
Andersen lands strikes to the head.
Andersen trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Grant doesn't escape.
Andersen scores with punches from the back.
Andersen softening up his opponent with strikes here.

Grant is rocked!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Andersen has his arm under Grant's chin here. Game over son! Andersen squeezes tightly and Grant is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:05 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Erik Andersen!