PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Gruzdev (ranked 2096 p4p, 252 weight class) and Expendable Crewman V (ranked 2488 p4p, 287 weight class). Crewman V has chosen The Warrior song as his entrance music. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Gruzdev
vs
Crewman V

190 cm
25
250 lbs
8 - 6 - 0

200 cm
24
275 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Aspire Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexander Gruzdev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Expendable Crewman V!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Chris Edwards and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Crewman V jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Crewman V misses with a low kick.
Gruzdev is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Crewman V tried to score with a low kick but Gruzdev checks it.

Gruzdev moves into the clinch successfully.

Crewman V breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Crewman V slips under a jab from Gruzdev.
A jab from Gruzdev misses.
A little jabbing left from Crewman V on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Crewman V throws out a leg kick but Gruzdev moves out of range and Crewman V only half commits.
Crewman V throws a sloppy head kick and Gruzdev moves out of range easily.
Gruzdev throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gruzdev tries to clinch there but Crewman V circles away.
Crewman V scores with a spinning back kick!
Crewman V lands a jab to Gruzdev's midsection.
Crewman V waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Gruzdev.
Gruzdev lands a leg kick that knocks Crewman V off balance momentarily.
Gruzdev throws out a loose jab but Crewman V uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crewman V lands a really nice looking cross but Gruzdev seems unphased.
Gruzdev fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Gruzdev lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Gruzdev paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Gruzdev tries to clinch there but Crewman V circles away.
Crewman V thows a left - swing and a miss!

Gruzdev moves into the clinch.
Gruzdev lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Crewman V backwards.
Crewman V lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Gruzdev backwards.
Crewman V throws a head punch that misses.
Gruzdev tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Crewman V breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Crewman V swings widly with a right hand
and Gruzdev counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gruzdev lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
A telegraphed right hand from Gruzdev misses the target.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Crewman V! But no joy.
Gruzdev throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Crewman V sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Crewman V throws a jab when Gruzdev was well out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crewman V throws a low kick, looking for Gruzdev's leg but Gruzdev calmly moves out of range.
Gruzdev throws a low kick but Crewman V moves out of range easily.
Gruzdev has been working on his boxing with his coaches at St Petersburg MMA Gym in the buildup to the fight.
Crewman V tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Gruzdev throws a front kick aimed at Crewman V's knee but Crewman V avoids it well.
Crewman V misses with a leg kick.
Crewman V misses with a looping left.
Gruzdev on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Crewman V lands a nice shot that snaps Gruzdev's head back.
Gruzdev slips a jab from Crewman V.
Crewman V throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

Gruzdev has taken the fight to the clinch.
Crewman V swings wildly with an uppercut but Gruzdev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gruzdev tries to land a knee to the head but Crewman V blocks with his arms.
Crewman V throws a head punch that misses.
Crewman V lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Gruzdev stalling in the clinch but Crewman V improves position.
Gruzdev tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Crewman V escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Gruzdev swings for the body but Crewman V moves out of range.
Gruzdev swings for the body but Crewman V moves out of range.
Crewman V misses with a body kick.
Gruzdev closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Crewman V motions for Gruzdev to come forward. Crewman V throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Gruzdev displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Crewman V throws out the jab.
Crewman V lands with a straight right. Gruzdev didn't see that one coming.
Crewman V is looking to slow Gruzdev down with leg kicks.
Nice defenses there by Gruzdev.
Gruzdev dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Crewman V moves out of range of the strikes.
Crewman V is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Gruzdev scores with a jab to the body.
Crewman V throws a low kick but Gruzdev moves out of range easily.
Crewman V scores with a jab.
Crewman V on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gruzdev. Crewman V does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Crewman V walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Alexander Gruzdev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gruzdev steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Crewman V.
Gruzdev is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Crewman V checks a low kick from Gruzdev.
Gruzdev slips a straight right by Crewman V.
Crewman V uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Gruzdev.
Gruzdev loads up on a big right hand but Crewman V slips the punch.
Gruzdev checks the leg kick nicely there.
Crewman V thows a left - swing and a miss!
Crewman V connects with a jab.
Gruzdev cracks Crewman V with a good jab.
Gruzdev takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Good shot there by Gruzdev.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Crewman V tries to keep at a distance but Gruzdev has taken the fight into the clinch.
Gruzdev misses with a body punch.
Crewman V throws a punch but it's blocked by Gruzdev.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Expendable Crewman V will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Gruzdev throws a right hand that misses
and Crewman V counters with a slapping leg kick.
Crewman V throws out a loose jab but Gruzdev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gruzdev cracks Crewman V with a right hand to the side of the head.
Crewman V lands a slapping body shot.
Crewman V lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Expendable Crewman V seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Some bone on bone action there as Crewman V checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
A shot to the liver by Gruzdev. Beautiful body shot.
Gruzdev takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Gruzdev checks a low kick from Crewman V.
Gruzdev tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Crewman V manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Gruzdev tries to clinch but Crewman V is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gruzdev stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Crewman V.
Crewman V moves forwards but Gruzdev connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Crewman V throws a big shot that misses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Crewman V tries to land a front kick but Gruzdev steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Crewman V waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Gruzdev.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crewman V throws a hook but Gruzdev blocks it.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Gruzdev lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Crewman V has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Crewman V and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Gruzdev is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Gruzdev fails with an attempt to clinch.
Crewman V throws out a counter right but Gruzdev avoids it with no problem.
Gruzdev feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Crewman Vs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Crewman V is looking to score with low kicks.
Crewman V misses with a low kick.
Gruzdev bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Crewman V's head backwards.
Gruzdev throws a hook to the side of Crewman V's head but Crewman V sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Crewman V counters with a body kick.
Crewman V buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Crewman V throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
A big left from Gruzdev misses.
Gruzdev sets himself, and Crewman V steps forward looking for the clinch! Gruzdev avoids it this time.
Good leg kick by Gruzdev there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Crewman V avoids the head kick by Gruzdev.
Crewman V looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Gruzdev misses with a left hand
and Crewman V counters with a left and a right that stings Gruzdev.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crewman V throws a front kick that sends Gruzdev stumbling back into the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gruzdev throws a body shot but no joy.
Crewman V takes one to the chin there.
Gruzdev changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Crewman V misses with a low kick as Gruzdev jumps back.
Crewman V swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gruzdev tests Crewman V's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Crewman V lands a jab to Gruzdev's midsection.
Gruzdev uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Crewman V.
Gruzdev throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Gruzdev moves into range and connects with a jab.
A head kick misses from Gruzdev.
Some wild striking there from Crewman V.
Crewman V walks into a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crewman V throws a quick inside leg kick.
A jab from Crewman V misses.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Crewman V ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Crewman V's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Gruzdev connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Crewman V scrambles back to his feet.
Crewman V walks into a straight right hand from Gruzdev.
Gruzdev motions for Crewman V to come forward. Gruzdev throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Gruzdev takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Crewman V throws a nice looking combination but Gruzdev bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Gruzdev was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Gruzdev tries a head kick but it misses.
Crewman V scores with a body shot.
Crewman V swings for the body but Gruzdev moves out of range.
Crewman V throws a body punch but Gruzdev moves out of range.
Gruzdev pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Crewman V moves away from the strike by Gruzdev.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Crewman V looks to land a left hand but Gruzdev moved out of range nicely.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gruzdev misses with a hook. Crewman V ducked under it nicely.
Gruzdev throws a hook to the side of Crewman V's head but Crewman V sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Gruzdev scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Crewman V fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Gruzdev is out of range.
Crewman V throws a low kick but Gruzdev moves out of range easily.
Gruzdev moves away from the strike by Crewman V.
Gruzdev thows a left - swing and a miss!
Crewman V checks a low kick from Gruzdev.
Crewman V thows a left - swing and a miss!
Gruzdev ducks under a wild hook from Crewman V.
Gruzdev throws a nice inside leg kick.
Crewman V keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Gruzdev.
Gruzdev scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Crewman V chopping away at his opponent's legs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Expendable Crewman V will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Gruzdev scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Gruzdev is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Gruzdev lands a nice shot to the body.
Crewman V moves out of range of the leg kick from Gruzdev.
Crewman V doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Crewman V throws a hook but Gruzdev avoids it easily.
Gruzdev swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Crewman V is looking to slow Gruzdev down with leg kicks.
Gruzdev takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Gruzdev is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Gruzdev takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Gruzdev needs to keep his hands up - Crewman V had a free shot at his head there.
Gruzdev checks the leg kick nicely there.
As Crewman V tries to get set, Gruzdev tries to push him back and clinch up but Crewman V manages to avoid the attempt.
Crewman V staying out of range there.
Gruzdev misses with an uppercut
and Crewman V counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Crewman V avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Crewman V is looking for the big counter here.
Gruzdev moves out of range of the strikes.
Gruzdev connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crewman V lands a nice leg kick that just misses Gruzdev's sensitive parts.
Gruzdev avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Gruzdev takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Crewman V misses with a hook.
Crewman V throws the kick towards the body but Gruzdev avoids it.
Crewman V lands with a straight right. Gruzdev didn't see that one coming.
Gruzdev digs a good hook to Crewman V's body.
Crewman V has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Crewman V moves out of range of the body kick from Gruzdev.
Crewman V swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
A nice combination there by Gruzdev.
Gruzdev throws a head kick but Crewman V moves out of range.
Crewman V uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Gruzdev.
Gruzdev has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Crewman V.
Gruzdev rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Crewman V moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Crewman V misses with a body shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gruzdev misses with a hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gruzdev tries to clinch up but Crewman V circles away and keeps his distance.
Crewman V avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Crewman V pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nice shot lands for Gruzdev.
Crewman V misses the jab.
Gruzdev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Crewman V takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Gruzdev misses with a right hand
and Crewman V connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Crewman V misses with a straight right.
Crewman V throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
An inside leg kick lands from Crewman V.
Gruzdev throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Gruzdev is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Crewman V.
Crewman V appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Gruzdev fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Crewman V.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Gruzdev.
Gruzdev tries a low kick but Crewman V avoids it.
Gruzdev bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Crewman V's head.
Gruzdev tries to clinch
and Crewman V counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Gruzdev checks a leg kick.
Alexander Gruzdev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Crewman V stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Gruzdev.
Gruzdev scores with a jab to the body.
Crewman V throws a head kick but Gruzdev moves out of range.
A nice inside leg kick there by Gruzdev. That's going to slow Crewman V down.
A head kick misses from Crewman V.
Crewman V keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Gruzdev.
Gruzdev loads up on a big right hand but Crewman V slips the punch.
Crewman V moves out of range as Gruzdev strikes.
Crewman V uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Gruzdev.
Crewman V was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Crewman V moves out of range of the body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Crewman V circles away from the clinch attempt
and Crewman V connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Gruzdev tries to close the distance and clinch up but Crewman V swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Gruzdev throws a jab when Crewman V was well out of range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Crewman V throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Crewman V is looking to chop away at Gruzdev's legs.
Gruzdev tries to move into range but Crewman V moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
A chopping leg kick lands by Crewman V.
Crewman V scores with a leg kick.
Gruzdev tries a head kick but it misses.
Gruzdev takes one to the chin there.
Gruzdev misses with a hook. Crewman V ducked under it nicely.
Expendable Crewman V is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Gruzdev throws a shot to the body.
Gruzdev thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Crewman V if he has to take too many more of those.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Alexander Gruzdev.
I think Crewman V 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 28:30
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Expendable Crewman V!
Expendable Crewman V gave a mention to Aspire Clothing in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).