PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight kickboxing rules bout between Tommy Grunge (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alekzandr Borikav (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Grunge kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Temple of the Dog - Say Hello To Heaven. Borikav comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Pelican - Bliss in Concrete kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! 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?

Grunge
vs
Borikav

184 cm
27
199 lbs
18 - 0 - 0

192 cm
26
212 lbs
16 - 6 - 0

World class boxer
Insanely flexible

World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tommy Grunge!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Alekzandr Borikav!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Wagner Zegers and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Grunge steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Borikav.
Borikav swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Grunge ducks under a wild hook from Borikav.
Borikav has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Grunge is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Grunge ducks under a wild hook from Borikav.
We've been told by Grunge's head coaches at Nelson Fight Camp that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Grunge lands a nice leg kick that just misses Borikav's sensitive parts.
Borikav throws a hook but Grunge avoids it easily.
Borikav shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
A slow jab from Grunge misses its intended target.
Grunge pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

Grunge takes the fight into the clinch.
Grunge working Borikav over with knees to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Grunge pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the ropes.
Borikav is trying to break the clinch but Grunge has him pressed against the ropes.
A nice right hand lands inside from Grunge.
Grunge works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Borikav.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Borikav escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Grunge with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Grunge scores with a body shot.
Grunge tries to close the distance and clinch but Borikav swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A swing and a miss from Borikav.
Grunge connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Borikav swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Grunge throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Borikav.
Grunge connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Grunge tries to clinch up but Borikav circles away and keeps his distance.
Borikav throws a jab when Grunge was well out of range.
Grunge throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Borikav let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Grunge throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Grunge plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Borikav misses with a looping right.
Grunge wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Borikav throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Borikav smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Grunge throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Borikav pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Borikav takes a swing at Grunge's ribcage but misses.
Grunge connects with a leg kick. Borikav looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Borikav throws out a loose jab but Grunge uses good head movement to avoid it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Grunge looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Grunge tries to clinch up.
Grunge bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Borikav moves into range and connects with a jab.
Grunge lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
A nice inside leg kick there by Grunge. That's going to slow Borikav down.
Borikav throws a body shot but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Borikav throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Borikav takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Grunge feints and then cracks Borikav's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Borikav down.
Grunge defending well as Borikav loads up on a big left hand.
Tommy Grunge is winning the standup battle so far.
Grunge throws a leg kick which misses Borikav's front leg but catches the back leg as Borikav tries to avoid it.
Grunge connects with an inside leg kick.
Grunge keeps Borikav at a distance using the push kick.
Borikav looks to throw the jab but Grunge is out of range.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Grunge.

Grunge darts in and clinches Borikav up against the ropes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Grunge tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Borikav is trying to push Grunge away but Grunge has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
Borikav lands an uppercut.
Borikav wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Grunge scores with a knee to the head.

It looks like Alekzandr Borikav has been cut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Grunge scores a nice knee to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Borikav is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Grunge using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Borikav has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Grunge gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Grunge.
Grunge lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Borikav misses with a short punch on the inside.
Borikav on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Grunge misses with a short punch on the inside.
Borikav wants to break the clinch but can't.
Grunge softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
Borikav tries to break free but Grunge pushes him back against the ropes.
Grunge tries a knee to the head but Borikav blocks it.
A shot in the inside from Borikav.
Grunge scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Borikav is trying to force a seperation but Grunge has the dominant position.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Grunge here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Grunge is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Borikav is defending well for now.
Grunge lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Borikav backwards.
Grunge is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Borikav can do to turn this around?

Borikav breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grunge thuds a left hand into Borikav's body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Grunge motions for Borikav to come forward. Grunge throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Borikav is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Grunge.
Grunge moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
A jab from Borikav misses.
Grunge ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

Grunge closes the distance and clinches.
Borikav can't break the clinch.
Grunge throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Borikav blocks it with crossed arms.
Grunge lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Grunge misses with a short punch on the inside.
Grunge connects with a nasty looking knee right to Borikav's face.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Grunge connects with a nasty looking knee right to Borikav's face.
Borikav's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Grunge lands a body shot.
Grunge lands with a short shot to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tommy Grunge dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Alekzandr Borikav's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Grunge lands a head shot.
Borikav misses with a low kick.
Borikav misses with a hook. Grunge ducked under it nicely.
As Borikav tries to get set, Grunge tries to push him back and clinch up but Borikav manages to avoid the attempt.
Grunge fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Borikav has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Tommy Grunge seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A nice inside leg kick there by Grunge. That's going to slow Borikav down.
Grunge loads up on a big right hand but Borikav slips the punch.
Borikav looks to land a right hand but Grunge moved out of range.
Grunge turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Borikav throws a big shot that misses.
Grunge with a hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Borikav throws a big shot that misses.
Grunge went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Grunge takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Grunge cracks the inside of Borikav's front leg.
Borikav thows a left - swing and a miss!
Grunge lands a high kick!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Borikav misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Grunge.
Borikav throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Borikav scores with a nice head shot.
Borikav slips a jab from Grunge.
Borikav throws a body shot but no joy.
Borikav takes one to the chin there.
Grunge connects with a leg kick. Borikav looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Borikav lands with a shot to the body.
Borikav misses with a looping left.
Grunge lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A slow jab from Borikav misses its intended target.
Grunge lands with a thumping leg kick.
Grunge catches Borikav with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Grunge throws a leg kick which misses Borikav's front leg but catches the back leg as Borikav tries to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Borikav throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Grunge tries to clinch up but Borikav circles away and keeps his distance.
Borikav now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Grunge throws a leg kick but Borikav checks it.
Borikav looks for the body kick but Grunge saw that one coming.
A jab from Grunge does it's job there.
Borikav steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Grunge.
Grunge misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Borikav.
Grunge scores with a head kick. Borikav tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Grunge takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Grunge cracks the inside of Borikav's front leg.
Borikav throws a looping overhand right but Grunge ducks down to avoid it.
Grunge connects with an inside leg kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Borikav has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Grunge.
Grunge swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Borikav.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tommy Grunge clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Alekzandr Borikav's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Borikav throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Grunge sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Grunge is looking to clinch.
A swing and a miss from Borikav.

Grunge moves into the clinch successfully.
Grunge misses with some punches.
Borikav can't find room to land a body shot as Grunge controls the action.
Borikav tries to circle away but Grunge has him pinned against the ropes.
Grunge lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Borikav is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
A frustrated look appears on Borikav's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Borikav's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Tommy Grunge has scored more points in the clinch so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Borikav has had enough of the clinch but Grunge keeps him there for the moment.
Grunge tries to land knees in the clinch but Borikav avoids the damage to the body.
Borikav can't break the clinch.
Grunge lands an elbow just above Borikav 's eye.
Grunge keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Borikav's efforts to push away.
Grunge can't find room to land a body shot as Borikav controls the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Borikav swings wildly with an uppercut but Grunge uses good head movement to avoid it.
Grunge presses Borikav against the ropes and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Grunge putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Borikav in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Grunge with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Grunge with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Borikav misses with a body punch.
Grunge lands a knee to the head.
Grunge creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Borikav's defenses.
Grunge lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Borikav working hard to break the clinch.
Grunge misses with a punch to the body.
Grunge working Borikav over with knees to the body.
Borikav is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Borikav is trying to break the clinch but Grunge has him pressed against the ropes.
Borikav's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grunge lands a left hand.
A shot in the inside from Grunge.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Grunge lands an elbow inside.

That has opened up Alekzandr Borikav's cut even more.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Grunge obliges.
Grunge throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Borikavs head.
Grunge with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

Borikav is rocked!
A body shot lands from Grunge.
Grunge lands an elbow inside that Borikav shrugs off.
Grunge unloads a knee to the mid-section. Borikav lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Knees in the clinch landing for Grunge.
Grunge softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
Grunge gets through Borikav's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Borikav is still on wobbly legs! Can Grunge finish him?
Grunge lands a hook that snaps the head of Borikav backwards.
Grunge lands an elbow inside that Borikav shrugs off.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Grunge creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Grunge works on Borikav's body with a couple of short punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tommy Grunge had his way with Alekzandr Borikav in that round.
The cut man is working on Alekzandr Borikav's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Grunge connects with a looping right hand.
Grunge connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Borikav seems to have recovered his senses.
Grunge feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Borikav's calf.
Nice straight punches there by Grunge. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Grunge.
Borikav connects with a nice looking jab.
Borikav misses the body punch

and Grunge holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Grunge scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Grunge misses with a knee strike.
Grunge lands a knee to the body.
Tommy Grunge is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Still in the clinch, Grunge scores with a nice short uppercut.
Borikav has had enough of the clinch but Grunge keeps him there for the moment.
Borikav working aggressively here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Grunge prevents Borikav from breaking the clinch.
Borikav throws a head punch that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grunge cracks Borikav with a nice body shot.
You can see that Borikav has visibly slowed down as a result of the leg kicks
Borikav tries to break the clinch but Grunge is controlling the position.
Borikav misses with some punches.
Grunge has Borikav pressed against the ropes, preventing Borikav from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Borikav looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Borikav's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Grunge utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Grunge with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Grunge lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Borikav wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Borikav wants to get back to striking at distance but Grunge won't allow it.
Borikav has had enough of the clinch but Grunge keeps him there for the moment.
Borikav is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Grunge scores a nice knee to the body.
Alekzandr Borikav has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Borikav misses with the head strike.
Borikav lands a nice uppercut.
Borikav misses with some punches.
A head punch on the inside from Borikav fails to land.
Grunge blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Borikav swings wildly with an uppercut but Grunge uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Grunge.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tommy Grunge showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Grunge 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 Nard Betker scores the fight 50:44
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 50:44
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 50:44

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tommy Grunge!
Our winner, Tommy Grunge, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.