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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Merle Highchurch (ranked 3712 p4p, 425 weight class) and Reggie Grimdal (ranked 22916 p4p, 839 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!
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| 150 cm
28
200 lbs
5 - 4 - 0 |
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190 cm
26
185 lbs
5 - 8 - 0 |
BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin |
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BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Merle Highchurch!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
5 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Reggie Grimdal!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Arvi Lind and Johanna Lukiainen.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Highchurch fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Grimdal, pushing him back against the cage.
Grimdal breaks the clinch.
Grimdal clinches up against the cage.
Highchurch'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.
Grimdal is trying to break free.
Highchurch goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Highchurch has Grimdal pushed against the cage.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Highchurch.
Grimdal pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
We've been hearing reports that Highchurch has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Highchurch closes the distance and pushes Grimdal back into the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Grimdal tries to circle away but Highchurch has him pinned against the cage.
Grimdal working hard to break the clinch.
Highchurch gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
It looks like Reggie Grimdal has been cut.
Highchurch keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Grimdal's efforts to push away.
Highchurch slows down the pace here.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Grimdal lands a nice elbow.
The referee calls for Highchurch to work.
Grimdal throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Highchurch lands a knee to the head.
Grimdal working hard to break the clinch.
Grimdal misses with some punches.
Highchurch throws a knee to the head but misses.
Grimdal breaks from the clinch.
Grimdal rushes Highchurch and presses him up against the cage.
Highchurch lands a nice uppercut.
That has opened up Reggie Grimdal's cut even more.
Grimdal prevents a body shot from Highchurch.
Grimdal looks to throw an elbow but misses.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Highchurch avoids the elbow strike from Grimdal, against the cage.
Highchurch holding his opponent close, against the cage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Highchurch takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Highchurch for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.
Highchurch avoids the elbow strike from Grimdal, against the cage.
Highchurch blocks an elbow strike.
Grimdal wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Highchurch manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Highchurch creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Highchurch manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Highchurch blocks a punch to the side of the head.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grimdal throws an elbow but it misses.
Highchurch throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Grimdal creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Highchurch blocks the elbow strike.
Highchurch keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Grimdal's efforts to push away.
Grimdal looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Grimdal is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Grimdal being controlled against the cage.
Highchurch scores with a shot to the side of Grimdal's head.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Highchurch pressing his opponent against the cage.
Grimdal with a knee to the head.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grimdal tries to stall but Highchurch uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Grimdal wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Highchurch has him pressed against the cage.
Grimdal creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
With the fighters up against the cage, Grimdal throws an elbow but misses.
Grimdal working hard to break the clinch.
Highchurch avoiding damage.
Highchurch prevents Grimdal from breaking the clinch.
Grimdal looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Grimdal creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Highchurch pressing his opponent against the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Grimdal is stalling here.
Grimdal is looking to break free of the clinch but Highchurch has double underhooks.
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 Merle Highchurch will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Reggie Grimdal's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Highchurch has managed to clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Highchurch.
Grimdal throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Highchurch lands a left hand.
Grimdal misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Highchurch.
Highchurch just leaning against Grimdal, taking a breather.
Grimdal trying to stall but Highchurch improves his position.
The referee calls for Highchurch to work.
Grimdal wants to break the clinch but can't.
Merle Highchurch has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Grimdal looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Grimdal is trying to break the clinch but Highchurch has him pressed against the cage.
Highchurch stalling the fight.
Highchurch just leaning against Grimdal, taking a breather.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Highchurch is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Merle Highchurch.
Highchurch closes the distance and pushes Grimdal back into the cage.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Highchurch misses with a knee strike.
Grimdal has had enough of the clinch but Highchurch keeps him there for the moment.
Grimdal breaks the clinch.
Highchurch rushes Grimdal and presses him up against the cage.
Grimdal is trying to stall.
Grimdal being controlled against the cage.
A right hook to the body lands for Highchurch.
Nice elbow from Highchurch.
Highchurch keeps control of Grimdal as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grimdal is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Grimdal throws an elbow but misses.
Highchurch is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Grimdal can do to turn this around?
Highchurch can't find room to land a body shot as Grimdal controls the action.
Grimdal looking to slow down the pace here.
Highchurch stalling.
Grimdal misses with some punches.
Grimdal blocks the elbow strike.
Grimdal tries to break the clinch but Highchurch is controlling the position.
Highchurch blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Highchurch stalling in the clinch.
Grimdal throws an elbow that misses.
A frustrated look appears on Grimdal's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Highchurch has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Highchurch taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Highchurch is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grimdal throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Highchurch slowing the pace effectively.
A right hand to the body from Highchurch.
Highchurch with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Grimdal throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Highchurch misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Highchurch blocks the elbow strike.
Grimdal working Highchurch over with knees to the body.
Highchurch lands a body shot.
Highchurch stalling against the cage.
A short uppercut from Grimdal.
Grimdal has had enough of the clinch but Highchurch keeps him there for the moment.
Highchurch keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Grimdal's efforts to push away.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grimdal throws an elbow but it misses.
Grimdal landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Highchurch pressing his opponent against the cage.
Highchurch throws a knee to the head but misses.
Stalling in the clinch from Highchurch.
Highchurch taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Grimdal throws an elbow that misses.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Highchurch takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Highchurch seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Merle Highchurch.
Highchurch gets in close and instigates a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Merle Highchurch dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Reggie Grimdal's cut.
That's time! Highchurch's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!
The fight moves into the clinch position.
Highchurch misses with a punch to the body.
Grimdal tries to work over Highchurch's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Highchurch scores with a shot to the side of Grimdal's head.
A body shot lands from Highchurch.
Highchurch controlling the action here for a moment.
Highchurch has Grimdal pressed against the cage, preventing Grimdal from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A short right from Highchurch on the inside.
Grimdal is rocked!
Highchurch stalling against the cage.
Grimdal is still on wobbly legs! Can Highchurch finish him?
Grimdal lands a hook that snaps the head of Highchurch backwards.
Grimdal seems to have recovered his senses.
Grimdal letting Highchurch take a breather here.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Highchurch takes a shot to the head.
Grimdal misses with an elbow strike.
Grimdal can't break the clinch.
Highchurch lands a body shot.
Highchurch is struggling to control the position.
Grimdal can't break the clinch.
Grimdal throws an elbow but it misses.
Grimdal breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Highchurch gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Highchurch stalling.
Highchurch avoiding damage.
Highchurch blocks the elbow strike.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grimdal is looking to control Highchurch's arms but Highchurch gets an underhook and turns him. Now Grimdal has his back to the cage.
Grimdal misses with an elbow strike.
Grimdal misses with a punch on the inside.
Highchurch avoids the elbow strike from Grimdal, against the cage.
Highchurch misses with an elbow strike.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Highchurch.
The cut above Reggie Grimdal's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Grimdal is trying to push Highchurch away but Highchurch has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Grimdal looking to stall.
Grimdal is trying to push Highchurch away but Highchurch has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Highchurch prevents Grimdal from breaking the clinch.
Highchurch doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
The referee calls for Highchurch to work.
Grimdal'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.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grimdal breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Highchurch moves into range and clinches up with Grimdal.
Grimdal can't break the clinch.
Grimdal throws an elbow but it misses.
Highchurch scores with a hook to the body.
Grimdal's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Highchurch closes the distance and pushes Grimdal back into the cage.
Highchurch just leaning against Grimdal, taking a breather.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Highchurch as Grimdal tries to tie him up.
Grimdal with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Reggie Grimdal has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Highchurch misses with an elbow over the top.
Grimdal wants to break free but Highchurch has control.
Grimdal comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Highchurch will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Grimdal up against the cage.
Highchurch doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Grimdal misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Highchurch slowing the pace effectively.
Grimdal's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Highchurch has managed to clinch.
Highchurch dodges an elbow strike from Grimdal.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Highchurch lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Grimdal blocks an elbow strike.
Merle Highchurch is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Highchurch avoiding damage as Grimdal throws knees to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Highchurch tries a knee to the head but Grimdal blocks it.
And that's the end of the fight!
Merle Highchurch showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Highchurch, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Merle Highchurch!
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
34% |
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