PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Grigoro Raspru (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sam Damm (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sam Damm will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Raspru
vs
Damm

185 cm
18
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
185 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent knees
Solid 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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Grigoro Raspru!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Sam Damm!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Paul Tew and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Raspru fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Damm sprawls well initially but Raspru persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Damm wants to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Raspru is trying to control. Damm wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Damm pushes Raspru off looking to stand but Raspru dives back in and keeps control.

Raspru is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Raspru is working for a kimura but Damm is defending it quite comfortably.

That's one minute gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Raspru shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Damm's guard.
Raspru trying to control the position from guard on top but Damm is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Raspru thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Damm keeping moving, preventing Raspru from controlling successfully.
Raspru stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Damm swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raspru's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Damm really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Raspru. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Damm wants to stand up but Raspru is controlling him.
Raspru trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Damm tries to close the distance and clinch up but Raspru swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Raspru circles away from the clinch attempt.
Damm wants to clinch up but Raspru keeps it at a distance.
Raspru circles away from the clinch attempt.
Raspru keeps the fight on the outside.
Damm doesn't manage to clinch there - Raspru circles away.
Damm tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Raspru paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Raspru swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Damm moves in looking to clinch but Raspru pushes him off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raspru blocks a head kick by Damm.
Damm looks gassed!

Raspru closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Raspru trying to control the action but Damm is working from the bottom.

Raspru swings around for an armbar but Damm sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Raspru's guard.
Damm tries to stand but Raspru is controlling from the bottom.

Raspru is working actively from the bottom, looking for submissions. He's escaped his hips to the side and he's going for an armbar! Damm has his hands clasped together but Raspru extends an breaks Damm's desperate grasp, forcing a tap out due to armbar! Nice BJJ displayed there by Raspru.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:54 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Grigoro Raspru!