PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mikhail Gromov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bomber Force (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gromov comes to the cage accompanied by LITTLE BIG-PUBLIC ENEMY. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Gromov
vs
Force

180 cm
25
206 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

193 cm
25
205 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Experienced

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Solid chin

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mikhail Gromov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Bomber Force!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gromov throws a left and a right that both miss

and Force counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Gromov!
Force is looking to take a break and control but Gromov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Force remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Force trying to control the action but Gromov is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Force goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Gromov has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Force but great work by Gromov.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gromov is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Force is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Gromov looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Gromov tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Force is trying to control Gromov's posture but Gromov avoids it.

Gromov wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Force, who protects the arm well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Gromov tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Gromov has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Gromov is trying to get an arm triangle but Force is defending well.

Gromov is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Force has escaped the position, nice work there.
Gromov is looking to take a break and control but Force is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Force gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Gromov looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Force gets full guard.
Gromov is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Gromov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Gromov looking to sit in guard and control but Force gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Gromov can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Force controls the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gromov is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Gromov is looking for a triangle but Force pushes his legs off easily.
Force wants to pass the guard but Gromov is keeping the position.
Force looking to sit in guard and control but Gromov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Gromov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Force is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
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 Mikhail Gromov will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Force ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Gromov looks to score with a jab to the body but Force is just out of range.
Gromov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Force takes the fight into the clinch.
Gromov is trying to break the clinch but Force is controlling him.

Force gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

Gromov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Force defends well.
Force advances to half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gromov trying to hold on to Force's head to control him but Force postures up.
Gromov is looking for a sweep. Force is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Force moves into full mount! Gromov won't be happy about that!
Force trying to control but Gromov is having none of it.
Gromov stops Force from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.
Gromov is trying to escape the mount.
Force can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Gromov is looking to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gromov slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Force is trying to control the action in half guard but Gromov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gromov preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Force with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Force is pressing down on Gromov's thigh, looking to free his foot. Gromov is holding on for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gromov wants to control but Force is keeping busy.
Force thows a huge punch but Gromov dodges it nicely.
Gromov is controlling Force's trapped leg to prevent Force from advancing to side control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Force avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Gromov misses with a wild body shot.
Force takes one to the chin there.
Gromov throws a nice looking combination but Force bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Force is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Force dips to his left and cracks Gromov with an uppercut!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Force changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Gromov looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Force trying to control the position but Gromov is working away.
Gromov prevents Force from moving into mount.
Force has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Gromov!
Force lands a big shot there that rocks Gromov but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
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!
Gromov is looking to get to half guard.
Gromov is working hard here to advance position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Force controlling his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bomber Force showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Gromov throws out a loose jab but Force uses good head movement to avoid it.
A combination from Gromov does no damage.
Bomber Force is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Force looking to score a takedown here. Gromov is defending well but Force drives through and ends up in Gromov's guard.

Gromov is looking for a triangle but Force pushes his legs off easily.
Force trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Force content to stall in guard here.
Force is looking to advance position but Gromov has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gromov has hold of Force's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Force manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Force is looking to improve his position but Gromov isn't that keen on the idea.
Gromov can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Force is looking to escape.
Gromov sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Force tries to hold on but Gromov postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Gromov swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Force is now in Gromov's guard. A big mistake from Gromov there, giving up the dominant position!
Force trying to control the position from guard on top but Gromov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Force drops back looking for a leg! Gromov is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Gromov manages to kick Force off! Force jumps back into Gromov's guard.
Gromov working a defensive guard here.
Force slips nicely into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Force is pressing down on Gromov's thigh, looking to free his foot. Gromov is holding on for now.
Gromov tries to get to full guard but Force has control of the leg.
Force wants to take a breather but Gromov is having none of it.
Force has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Force is looking for a kimura but Gromov is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Force to get the leverage.
Gromov is controlling Force's trapped leg to prevent Force from advancing to side control.

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.
Gromov is trying to get back to full guard.
Force keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Force closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Gromov is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Force's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Force's back!

Gromov is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Force has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Force defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Bomber Force.
I think Force has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Bomber Force!