PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Paul Gregory (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Xavier Bastarrachea (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gregory comes into the arena with Chumbawamba - English Rebel Songs blaring out of the sound system. Bastarrachea is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Young Folks. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Gregory
vs
Bastarrachea

192 cm
22
205 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

188 cm
25
216 lbs
16 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Paul Gregory!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Xavier Bastarrachea!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Anni Minnemäki and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bastarrachea throws a leg kick that is checked

and Gregory holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Bastarrachea misses with some punches.
Bastarrachea lands an uppercut.
Bastarrachea slowing the pace effectively.
Bastarrachea throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Bastarrachea misses with an elbow strike.
Gregory misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Bastarrachea.
Bastarrachea has a couple of punches blocked by Gregory.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Gregory as Bastarrachea tries to tie him up.
Bastarrachea lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Bastarrachea blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Bastarrachea lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Bastarrachea stalling.
Gregory wants to stall.
Gregory tries to land knees in the clinch but Bastarrachea avoids the damage to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gregory lands a damaging elbow.
Gregory blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Bastarrachea blocks the elbow strike.
Gregory is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Bastarrachea is defending well for now.
Gregory blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Gregory as Bastarrachea tries to tie him up.
Bastarrachea lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Gregory backwards.
Bastarrachea is pushing Gregory up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Bastarrachea throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Bastarrachea pushes Gregory back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A shot in the inside from Bastarrachea.
Bastarrachea working Gregory over with knees to the body.
Bastarrachea is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Gregory is defending well for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gregory working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Bastarrachea throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Bastarrachea pushes Gregory back against the cage and lands a hook 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!
Gregory takes an elbow to the temple.
Bastarrachea on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Bastarrachea has a couple of punches blocked by Gregory.
Bastarrachea creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Gregory's defenses.
A short uppercut from Bastarrachea.
Gregory can't get the takedown.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Bastarrachea just misses with a elbow thrown towards Gregory's brow.
Gregory avoids a wild elbow strike from Bastarrachea.
Bastarrachea throws an elbow but it misses.
Gregory lands a hook that snaps the head of Bastarrachea backwards.
Gregory trying to land knees to the body.
Stalling in the clinch from Gregory.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gregory drops down looking for an ankle pick but Bastarrachea pulls his leg out and moves away.
Bastarrachea throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Bastarrachea throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Gregory.

Bastarrachea moves into the clinch.
Bastarrachea takes an elbow to the temple.
The referee is keeping an eye on Gregory - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Bastarrachea throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Bastarrachea lands an elbow inside.

It looks like Paul Gregory has been cut.
Bastarrachea cracks Gregory with a nice body shot.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Bastarrachea just misses with a elbow thrown towards Gregory's brow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gregory missing with knees to the body.
Gregory is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Bastarrachea is keeping busy.
Bastarrachea blocks the elbow strike.
Gregory lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Gregory misses with a punch to the body.
A short right from Bastarrachea.
Bastarrachea scores with a nice hook to the head.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Gregory blocks an elbow strike from Bastarrachea.
Bastarrachea avoiding damage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bastarrachea looks to throw an elbow but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xavier Bastarrachea dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Paul Gregory's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Bastarrachea tried to score with a low kick but Gregory checks it.
Gregory tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Bastarrachea manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Bastarrachea keeps the fight on the outside.

Gregory instigates a clinch.
Bastarrachea on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Gregory is pushing Bastarrachea up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Gregory blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Bastarrachea throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Gregorys head.
Bastarrachea trying to stall but Gregory improves his position.
Bastarrachea creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Bastarrachea just misses with a elbow thrown towards Gregory's brow.
Bastarrachea misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Gregory lands a body shot in the clinch.
Bastarrachea avoids the elbow strike from Gregory, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bastarrachea blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Bastarrachea lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Gregory lands with a left to the head.
Bastarrachea blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Gregory trying to land knees to the body.
Gregory blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Bastarrachea working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Gregory.
Bastarrachea stalling in the clinch.
Bastarrachea lands a left hand that snaps the head of Gregory backwards.
Bastarrachea lands an elbow inside that Gregory shrugs off.
Gregory digs a right hand underneath Bastarrachea's ribcage. Bastarrachea let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Bastarrachea throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Gregory is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Bastarrachea is keeping busy.
Bastarrachea dodges an elbow strike from Gregory.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gregory misses with an elbow over the top.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Come on Gregory - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Bastarrachea fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Gregory stalling.
Gregory misses with some punches.
Gregory missing with knees to the body.
Gregory stalls.
Gregory is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Bastarrachea is defending well for now.
Gregory tries to land a knee to the head but Bastarrachea blocks with his arms.
Bastarrachea stalling against the cage.
Bastarrachea lands an elbow that stopped Gregory in his tracks for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gregory is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Bastarrachea is keeping busy.
Gregory misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Bastarrachea.
Gregory avoids a wild elbow strike from Bastarrachea.
Bastarrachea takes an elbow to the temple.
Gregory blocks an elbow strike.
Bastarrachea lands a nice uppercut.
Gregory tries to land knees in the clinch but Bastarrachea avoids the damage to the body.
Bastarrachea scores with a shoulder strike.
Bastarrachea is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Bastarrachea goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Bastarrachea.
Bastarrachea throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Gregory blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bastarrachea using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Gregory avoids a wild elbow strike from Bastarrachea.
Bastarrachea tries to land knees in the clinch but Gregory avoids the damage to the body.
Bastarrachea blocks an elbow strike.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gregory tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Bastarrachea avoids it.
Bastarrachea lands a left hand.
Bastarrachea misses with the head strike.
Gregory misses with an elbow over the top.
Bastarrachea stalling in the clinch but Gregory improves position.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Bastarrachea.
Gregory tries to land knees in the clinch but Bastarrachea avoids the damage to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gregory has Bastarrachea pushed against the cage.
Bastarrachea missing with knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xavier Bastarrachea showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Paul Gregory's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Bastarrachea throws a hook but Gregory blocks it.

Gregory moves into the clinch.
Bastarrachea on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Bastarrachea misses with a short punch on the inside.
Bastarrachea misses with an elbow over the top.
Bastarrachea throws a punch but it's blocked by Gregory.
Bastarrachea misses with a punch on the inside.
Bastarrachea pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Bastarrachea throws an elbow but it misses.
Gregory trying to land knees to the body.
Bastarrachea looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Bastarrachea lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Gregory missing with knees to the body.
Bastarrachea avoids the elbow strike from Gregory, against the cage.
Bastarrachea misses with some punches.
Gregory trying to land knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gregory blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Gregory looking for a takedown.
Bastarrachea throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Gregory is stalling here.
Bastarrachea fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Bastarrachea lands a damaging elbow.
Xavier Bastarrachea seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Gregory missing with knees to the body.
Bastarrachea pushes off an throws an elbow but Gregory leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Bastarrachea throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Gregory tries to stall but Bastarrachea uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Bastarrachea avoiding damage as Gregory throws knees to the body.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Bastarrachea creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Gregory'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.
Bastarrachea looking to slow down the pace here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bastarrachea lands an elbow just above Gregory 's eye.
Bastarrachea avoiding damage as Gregory throws knees to the body.
Bastarrachea misses with a short punch on the inside.
Bastarrachea managing to block the knees to the body from Gregory.
Bastarrachea gets through Gregory's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gregory dodges an elbow strike from Bastarrachea.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Gregory just misses with a elbow thrown towards Bastarrachea's brow.
A short left from Bastarrachea.
Gregory blocks an elbow strike from Bastarrachea.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Bastarrachea just misses with a elbow thrown towards Gregory's brow.
Bastarrachea blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gregory tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Bastarrachea avoids it.
Bastarrachea is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Gregory tries to land knees in the clinch but Bastarrachea avoids the damage to the body.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Bastarrachea just misses with a elbow thrown towards Gregory's brow.
Gregory tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Bastarrachea on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Gregory's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Bastarrachea takes an elbow to the forehead.
Bastarrachea'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.
Gregory has Bastarrachea pressed against the cage.
Gregory avoids the elbow strike from Bastarrachea, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bastarrachea blocks an elbow strike.
Bastarrachea lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Gregory backwards.
Bastarrachea avoids the elbow strike from Gregory, against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Bastarrachea.
A right hand to the body from Bastarrachea.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bastarrachea taking a breather.
Gregory takes a shot to the head.
Bastarrachea misses with a body punch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Bastarrachea.
Bastarrachea on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Bastarrachea managing to block the knees to the body from Gregory.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bastarrachea misses with a punch on the inside.
Xavier Bastarrachea is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Bastarrachea doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Paul Gregory has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bastarrachea lands a right hand that snaps the head of Gregory backwards.

And that's the end of the fight!
Xavier Bastarrachea comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Bastarrachea 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Xavier Bastarrachea!
An out of breath Xavier Bastarrachea thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.