PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tauno Palo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and George Grendel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Grendel has chosen Rjd2 - Ghostwriter as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Palo
vs
Grendel

183 cm
26
193 lbs
25 - 12 - 1

186 cm
29
195 lbs
13 - 3 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tauno Palo!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, George Grendel!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Stewart Dunkirk and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Grendel paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Grendel scores with a kick to the midsection.
Palo explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Grendel slips a straight right by Palo.
Grendel jabs at Palo's body.
Palo misses with a straight left.
Grendel throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Palo lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Grendel throws a head kick that half lands.
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!
Palo's jab looks to have found its range, popping Grendel under the eye.
Grendel takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Grendel walks into a straight right hand from Palo.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Grendel.
Palo connects with a body shot.
Grendel looks to land a left hand but Palo moved out of range nicely.
Palo connects with a crisp jab.
A slapping body kick lands there for Palo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Palo plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
No joy there for Palo, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Grendel throws out a loose jab but Palo uses good head movement to avoid it.
Palo avoids the body shot from Grendel.
Grendel misses with a straight left.
Palo changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Palo is looking to clinch but Grendel is avoiding it.
Grendel uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Palo.
Palo displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Grendel throws out the jab.
A jab from Palo misses.
Grendel uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Palo.

Palo clinches with his opponent.
Palo misses with a short punch on the inside.
Grendel blocks a body shot from Palo.
Palo tries to work over Grendel's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Palo has a couple of punches blocked by Grendel.
Palo misses with a hook to the ribs.
Grendel misses with a hook from the clinch.
Grendel misses with a punch to the body.
Grendel wants to stall.
Good body shot from Palo.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Grendel takes an elbow to the temple.
Palo blocks an uppercut.
Palo with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Palo lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Palo scores with a shot to the side of Grendel's head.
Palo tries to stall but Grendel uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Grendel pushes Palo back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Grendel tries a body shot but Palo blocks it.
Palo working aggressively here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Grendel.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grendel prevents a body shot from Palo.
Palo looking to throw knees to the head but Grendel is blocking nicely.
Palo blocks an uppercut.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Grendel.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Palo.
Palo tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Grendel's elbow.
Grendel is trying to force a seperation but Palo has the dominant position.
Grendel doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Palo can't find room to land a body shot as Grendel controls the action.
Palo throws a head punch that misses.
Grendel tries to break the clinch but Palo is controlling the position.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Grendel.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Palo misses with a hook to the ribs.
Palo working aggressively here.
Grendel has a couple of punches blocked by Palo.
Palo misses with some punches.
Grendel is struggling to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palo blocking some punches.
Grendel prevents a body shot from Palo.
Palo's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Grendel trying to control the position but instead, Palo has worked for underhooks and has pushed Grendel into the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Palo fails to land.
Palo throws a punch but it's blocked by Grendel.
Palo displaying some good clinch control by pressing Grendel up against the cage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Grendel.
Palo struggles to land a body shot inside as Grendel controls his hands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Tauno Palo will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Palo throws a half hearted mid kick.
Tauno Palo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Palo fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Grendel checks it well.
Palo takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Palo throws a head kick that Grendel semi-blocks.
Grendel looks to land a left hand but Palo moved out of range nicely.
Grendel ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Palo needs to keep his hands up - Grendel had a free shot at his head there.
Palo takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Palo lands a slapping body shot.
Palo swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Palo goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Palo buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Palo tries to close the distance and clinch but Grendel swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Palo connects with a crisp jab.
A left lands for Palo.
Palo is looking to clinch but Grendel is avoiding it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for Palo.
Palo scores with a body shot.
Palo tries to close the distance and clinch but Grendel swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Grendel moves away from the strike by Palo.
Grendel ducks under a wild hook from Palo.
Palo lands a head shot.
Palo dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Palo connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Palo lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Palo takes one to the side of the head.
Grendel throws a hook but Palo avoids it easily.
Palo lands a high kick!
Grendel defending well as Palo loads up on a big left hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Grendel checks a leg kick nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Palo drops his hands momentarily and Grendel takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Palo connects with a solid leg kick.
Grendel misses the shot to the body.
Palo misses with a body kick.
Palo fails in his attempt to clinch.
Palo lands with a straight right. Grendel didn't see that one coming.
Palo shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Palo lands a leg kick that knocks Grendel off balance momentarily.
Grendel takes a swing at Palo's ribcage but misses.
Palo just misses with a punch to the body.
Palo swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Grendel counters with a straight right hand.
Nice jab there from Palo.
Palo uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Grendel.
Nice uppercut there from Grendel.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Grendel.
Palo is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A nice leg kick lands there from Palo.
Grendel is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Palo.
Grendel avoids the body shot from Palo.
Palo misses with a body kick.
Grendel walks into a jab.
Palo throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Palo throws a low kick but Grendel moves out of range easily.
Palo looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Palo throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Palo misses with a hook.
Palo moves out of range as Grendel strikes.
Palo looks to land a combination but Grendel avoids it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palo bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Grendel's head backwards.
Grendel keeps the fight on the outside.
A punch combination from Grendel misses.
A slow jab from Grendel misses its intended target.
Palo ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Grendel moves away.
Palo takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
A looping hook to the body misses from Palo. Grendel does a little dance to reset his feet.
Palo scores with a spinning back kick!
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!
Palo misses the shot to the body.
Grendel scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Grendel throws a hook but Palo avoids it easily.
Palo thumps Grendel with a low kick.
Tauno Palo is winning the standup battle so far.
Grendel showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Palo.
Palo fails to land with a series of punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tauno Palo dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Palo lands a head shot.
Grendel lands with a kick to the ribs.
Palo misses the shot to the body.
Grendel misses with a series of wild punches.
Palo tries to close the distance and clinch but Grendel swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Palo throws a leg kick but Grendel sees it coming and moves out of range.
Palo tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Grendel is able to avoid easily.

Palo gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Grendel blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Grendel blocking some punches.
Palo doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Palo tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Grendel wants to get back to striking at distance but Palo won't allow it.
A frustrated look appears on Grendel's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Palo scores with a shot to the side of Grendel's head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Grendel.
Grendel wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Grendel misses with a punch to the body.
Grendel blocks a body shot from Palo.
A short left from Grendel.
Grendel lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Palo is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Grendel is defending well for now.
Palo has a couple of punches blocked by Grendel.
Grendel softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Grendel's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Palo has a couple of punches blocked by Grendel.
Palo lands a body punch.
A head punch on the inside from Grendel fails to land.
Palo goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Grendel swings wildly with an uppercut but Palo uses good head movement to avoid it.
Palo misses with the head strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Palo trying to land knees to the body.
Grendel misses with a short punch on the inside.
Grendel blocks a body shot from Palo.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Grendel scores with a nice hook to the head.
Palo swings wildly with an uppercut but Grendel uses good head movement to avoid it.
Palo looking to stall.
Grendel wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Palo throws a punch but it's blocked by Grendel.
Palo throws a punch but it's blocked by Grendel.
Palo lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Palo's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Grendel is pushing Palo up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Palo working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grendel working aggressively here.
Grendel blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Palo working aggressively here.
A short right from Grendel on the inside.
Palo tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Grendel has a couple of punches blocked by Palo.
Grendel is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Palo lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Grendel backwards.
Grendel blocking some punches.
Palo throws a punch but it's blocked by Grendel.
Grendel working aggressively here.
Grendel blocks an uppercut.

Grendel pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Palo blocks a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palo moves into range and connects with a jab.
Decent striking displayed by Palo there.
Palo misses with a kick to the body.
Palo takes a kick 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!
Grendel looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Grendel lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Grendel.
Grendel fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Palo manages to avoid it.
Palo throws a nice inside leg kick.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Grendel can't break the clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Palo misses with a short punch on the inside.
Palo has a couple of punches blocked by Grendel.
Grendel looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A head punch on the inside from Palo fails to land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Tauno Palo did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Palo wants to slow Grendel down by chopping away at his legs.
Palo misses with a low kick.
Palo tries to clinch but Grendel moves out of range.
Palo throws a leg kick which misses Grendel's front leg but catches the back leg as Grendel tries to avoid it.
Palo fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Grendel takes a swing at Palo's ribcage but misses.
Palo misses with a body shot.
Palo doesn't manage to clinch there - Grendel circles away.

Palo moves into the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Palo.
Tauno Palo has scored more points in the clinch so far.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Palo creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Palo lands a left hand that snaps the head of Grendel backwards.
Grendel tries to break free but Palo pushes him back against the cage.
Grendel is trying to push Palo away but Palo has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Palo fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grendel tries to throw a body punch but Palo avoids it by throwing Grendel back against the cage.
A right hook to the body lands for Palo.
Palo throws a punch but it's blocked by Grendel.
Palo keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Grendel's efforts to push away.
Palo prevents a body shot from Grendel.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Grendel.
Grendel lands with a left to the head.
Palo lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Grendel backwards.
Grendel lands a shoulder strike.
A short right from Palo on the inside.
Palo swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Palo lands an elbow inside.
Palo tries to throw a body punch but Grendel avoids it by throwing Palo back against the cage.
Palo lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A short body shot lands from Palo as the two fighters clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Palo lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Palo has Grendel pressed against the cage, preventing Grendel from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Palo wants to stall.
Palo just leaning against Grendel, taking a breather.
Grendel's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Palo lands an elbow inside that Grendel shrugs off.
A nice left hand lands by Palo.
Palo works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Grendel is trying to maintain a safe position but Palo gets an underhook and turns Grendel into the cage.
Grendel tries to throw a body punch but Palo avoids it by throwing Grendel back against the cage.
Grendel fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Palo prevents a body shot from Grendel.
Palo has a couple of punches blocked by Grendel.
Palo throws a head punch that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Palo.

Grendel breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Grendel uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Palo.
Grendel ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Palo moves away.
Palo defending well as Grendel loads up on a big left hand.
Nice defenses there by Palo.
Palo throws a leg kick but Grendel moved away.
Palo misses with a wild body shot.
Palo swings for the body but Grendel moves out of range.
Grendel misses with a series of wild punches.
Palo throws a shot to the body.
Palo scores with a shot to the body.
Palo connects with a leg kick. Grendel looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grendel fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Palo is out of range.
Palo is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Palo moves into the clinch.
Grendel working aggressively here.
Grendel is trying to push Palo away but Palo has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Palo pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Palo looks to land a combination. Grendel sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
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!
Palo staying out of range there.
Palo scores with a hook to the body. Grendel takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Grendel throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Grendel darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Grendel ducks under a wild hook from Palo.
Grendel ducks right into an uppercut from Palo.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tauno Palo had his way with George Grendel in that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Nice defenses there by Palo.
Palo cracks Grendel with a good jab.
Palo blocks a jab.
Grendel looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Palo steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Grendel.
Grendel thows a body shot but no joy.
Palo slips a jab from Grendel.
A combination from Grendel does no damage.
Palo swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Grendel counters with a series of strikes. Palo will be more careful next time no doubt.
Palo throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Grendel is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

Palo forces Grendel back against the cage and clinches.
Palo misses with a punch to the body.
Palo lands with a right to the head.
Palo lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Grendel backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short body shot lands from Palo as the two fighters clinch.
Palo lands a shot to the body.
Palo lands a body punch in the clinch.
Palo just leaning against Grendel, taking a breather.
Palo lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Palo has Grendel pressed against the cage.
Palo lands a right hand.
Palo misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Grendel.
Palo tries to work over Grendel's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Palo blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Grendel fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Grendel works on Palo's body with a couple of short punches.
George Grendel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

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 going all out!
Grendel lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Grendel misses with a punch on the inside.
Palo pressing his opponent against the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Palo working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Palo is leaning against Grendel and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Grendel pushes Palo back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Palo keeps control of Grendel as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Palo tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Palo avoiding damage.

Grendel breaks from the clinch.
Palo looks to land a right hand but Grendel moved out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Palo throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Grendel sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Palo is looking to slow Grendel down with leg kicks.
Grendel connects with a single shot there.
Palo catches Grendel with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Grendel misses with a wild body shot.
Palo throws a leg kick which misses Grendel's front leg but catches the back leg as Grendel tries to avoid it.
Palo lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Grendel at a distance.
Palo turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Grendel throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Palo turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Palo scores with a nice body kick.
Palo uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Grendel has time to react.
Grendel has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Palo wants to clinch
and Grendel counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Palo uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Palo throws a head kick that half lands.
Palo pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Palo throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Palo feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Grendel's calf.
Grendel moves forwards but Palo connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Palo is looking to slow Grendel down with leg kicks.
Palo scores with a crisp jab that stopped Grendel in his tracks.
Palo lands with a hook. Grendel tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nice body kick from Palo.
Grendel throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Palo looks for the body kick but Grendel saw that one coming.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tauno Palo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Palo has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 50:45
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 49:46
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tauno Palo!
Tauno Palo retains his middleweight title!