PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kim Rinjo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Grigorij Saakaszwili (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Rinjo
vs
Saakaszwili

188 cm
25
202 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kim Rinjo!
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, Grigorij Saakaszwili!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Gwen Towbar and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rinjo with a poor takedown

and Saakaszwili counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Saakaszwili pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rinjo is keeping the position for now.
Saakaszwili sitting in guard here, content to control.
Saakaszwili working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Saakaszwili must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Saakaszwili's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Rinjo can't keep his opponent in guard - Saakaszwili advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Saakaszwili not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Saakaszwili seems content to control.
Saakaszwili trying to mount his opponent but Rinjo defends it.

Rinjo actively working from the bottom here.
Saakaszwili content to control rather than advance.
Let's hope that Saakaszwili has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Rinjo is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Saakaszwili pulls his head out easily.
Saakaszwili looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Saakaszwili wants to control but Rinjo is keeping him busy.

Saakaszwili is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Rinjo doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Saakaszwili.
Saakaszwili is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saakaszwili is looking to advance position but Rinjo won't allow it.

Rinjo actively working from the bottom here.
Saakaszwili wants to control but Rinjo is keeping him busy.

Rinjo actively working from the bottom here.
Saakaszwili content to control rather than advance.

That's four 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.

Rinjo looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Saakaszwili is trying to work for a kimura but Rinjo is defending well.
Saakaszwili passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Rinjo!
Saakaszwili prevents Rinjo from getting the reversal.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Grigorij Saakaszwili 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.

Rinjo gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Saakaszwili counters with a shoot takedown. Rinjo fights it but they end up in guard.
Saakaszwili works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Saakaszwili decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Kim Rinjo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rinjo doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Saakaszwili counters with a shoot takedown. Rinjo fights it but they end up in guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Saakaszwili looking to pass the guard.
Saakaszwili is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Grigorij Saakaszwili has got the better of the ground game so far.
Rinjo keeping moving, preventing Saakaszwili from controlling successfully.
Rinjo wants to sweep here but Saakaszwili controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rinjo keeping moving, preventing Saakaszwili from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Saakaszwili looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Grigorij Saakaszwili.

Rinjo gets caught flat footed, as Saakaszwili shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Saakaszwili is breathing heavily.

Rinjo working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Saakaszwili doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Saakaszwili manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Saakaszwili engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saakaszwili wants to control from the top but Rinjo keeps moving.
Saakaszwili pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rinjo is keeping the position for now.

Rinjo had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Saakaszwili defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saakaszwili postures up.
Saakaszwili wants to control from the top but Rinjo keeps moving.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Grigorij Saakaszwili wasn't active enough on the ground.

Saakaszwili looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Rinjo!
Rinjo is squirming around, avoiding Saakaszwili's attempts to control the action.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rinjo wants to hold on but Saakaszwili pushes him away.
Saakaszwili wants to control the pace but Rinjo is squirming around nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saakaszwili might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Rinjo kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Saakaszwili throws a sloppy strike and Rinjo uses the opportunity to reverse the position! A bit of a scramble here and Rinjo has ended up in Saakaszwili's guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Rinjo 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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Grigorij Saakaszwili showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Rinjo shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Saakaszwili counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Rinjo keeping full guard, as Saakaszwili tries to pass.

Rinjo is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Saakaszwili defends well.
Saakaszwili loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Saakaszwili seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Saakaszwili throws a strike but Rinjo rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saakaszwili seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

Rinjo thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Rinjo drops back looking for a leg! Saakaszwili is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Saakaszwili manages to kick Rinjo off! Rinjo jumps back into Saakaszwili's guard.

Rinjo 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.
Rinjo prevents Saakaszwili from getting back to his feet.
Saakaszwili takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Rinjo thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Rinjo passes Saakaszwili's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

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

Rinjo wants to work for an arm triangle but Saakaszwili is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Rinjo is looking for a kimura here.

Rinjo is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Saakaszwili is defending against the submission attempts here by Rinjo.
Saakaszwili makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Saakaszwili.
Rinjo pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Saakaszwili is keeping the position for now.
Saakaszwili pulls Rinjo in close to prevent any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Saakaszwili is trying to keep Rinjo in close.
Saakaszwili should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

Rinjo thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Saakaszwili holds on and takes a little breather.
Saakaszwili is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

Rinjo 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.
Saakaszwili wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Grigorij Saakaszwili comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Saakaszwili has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Grigorij Saakaszwili!