PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Paddy OBrien (ranked 3852 p4p, 3935 weight class) and Aram Grigorian (ranked 470 p4p, 482 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

OBrien
vs
Grigorian

177 cm
25
181
7 - 11 - 0

184 cm
23
181
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Great elbows
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Paddy OBrien!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Aram Grigorian!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Micheangelo Fripello and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

OBrien gets tackled into the cage by Grigorian. Grigorian maintains the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Grigorian.
OBrien misses with a knee to the head.
I was talking to OBrien's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
OBrien jumps guard but Grigorian turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Grigorian has a couple of punches blocked by OBrien.
OBrien is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
OBrien tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Grigorian smiles and moves away.
Grigorian just misses with a punch to the body.
OBrien is looking for a counter combo.

Grigorian has closed the distance and engaged OBrien in a clinch.
Grigorian tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A right hand to the body from Grigorian.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Grigorian softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Grigorian throws an elbow but it misses.

OBrien pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

OBrien has Grigorian up against the cage in a clinch.
OBrien tries to land a knee to the head but Grigorian blocks with his arms.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grigorian has a couple of punches blocked by OBrien.
Grigorian prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Paddy OBrien. That's going to take a lot out of him.
OBrien looking to throw knees to the head but Grigorian is blocking nicely.
Grigorian throws a punch but it's blocked by OBrien.
OBrien jumps guard but Grigorian stands there with OBrien around his waist. OBrien gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Grigorian lands with a short head shot on the inside.
OBrien can't get the takedown.
A head punch on the inside from Grigorian fails to land.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Grigorian.
OBrien leaning his opponent against the cage.
Grigorian misses with a hook from the clinch.
Grigorian scores with a shot to the side of OBrien's head.
A nice left hand lands by Grigorian.
OBrien connects with a nasty looking knee right to Grigorian's face.

It looks like Aram Grigorian has been cut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
OBrien looking to throw knees to the head but Grigorian is blocking nicely.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from OBrien.
OBrien's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
OBrien lands a hook that snaps the head of Grigorian backwards.
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!
OBrien trying to stall but Grigorian improves his position.
Grigorian lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of OBrien backwards.
Grigorian misses with the head strike.
OBrien avoiding damage.

Grigorian breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
OBrien shoots in for a takedown but Grigorian shows good takedown defense.

OBrien drives through and clinches with Grigorian against the cage.
OBrien working some nice short punches in the clinch.
OBrien lands a shoulder strike.
Grigorian works on OBrien's body with a couple of short punches.
OBrien blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Grigorian wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
OBrien jumps guard but Grigorian stands there with OBrien around his waist. OBrien gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
OBrien misses with some punches.
OBrien with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Grigorian manages to break the clinch.
Grigorian scores with a jab to the jaw.

It looks like Paddy OBrien has been cut.

Grigorian takes the fight into the clinch.
Grigorian misses with a short punch on the inside.
OBrien wants to break free but Grigorian has control.

Grigorian breaks from the clinch.

OBrien has taken the fight to the clinch.
OBrien makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Grigorian breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

OBrien gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
OBrien looking to slow down the pace here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

OBrien breaks the clinch.
Aram Grigorian seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

OBrien clinches up against the cage.
Grigorian lands with a left to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A short uppercut from Grigorian.
OBrien misses with a knee strike.
OBrien has Grigorian pushed against the cage.

Grigorian breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Grigorian takes the fight into the clinch.
OBrien looking for a takedown.
Grigorian throws a head punch that misses.
A body shot lands from Grigorian.
Grigorian on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Grigorian lands with a short head shot on the inside.
OBrien blocks a punch to the side of the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Aram Grigorian dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Grigorian pushes OBrien up against the cage in a clinch.
Grigorian has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
OBrien stalling in the clinch but Grigorian improves position.
OBrien misses with a knee strike.
Grigorian misses with a punch on the inside.
Grigorian working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Grigorian lands a right hand that snaps the head of OBrien backwards.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
OBrien lands a left hand that snaps the head of Grigorian backwards.
OBrien lands a left hand.
OBrien lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Grigorian scores with a shoulder strike.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Grigorian lands a right hand.
Grigorian lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Grigorian has OBrien pressed against the cage, preventing OBrien from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Grigorian misses with a hook from the clinch.
OBrien is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
OBrien with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
OBrien looking to throw knees to the head but Grigorian is blocking nicely.
Grigorian lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Grigorian has a couple of punches blocked by OBrien.
OBrien trying to stall but Grigorian improves his position.
OBrien lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
OBrien wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Grigorian scores with a shot to the side of OBrien's head.
Grigorian misses with a hook from the clinch.
Grigorian misses with some punches.
Aram Grigorian seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
OBrien is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Grigorian pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Grigorian breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Grigorian instigates a clinch.
Grigorian managing to block the knees to the body from OBrien.
Grigorian lands a left hand that snaps the head of OBrien backwards.
OBrien blocking some punches.
OBrien stalling.
Grigorian has thrown a lot of knees so far in this fight and we're lead to believe that's something he's been working on the gym prior to this fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grigorian makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by OBrien.
A left hand lands to the body for Grigorian.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
OBrien jumps guard but Grigorian stands there with OBrien around his waist. OBrien gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Grigorian working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
OBrien takes a shot to the head.
OBrien blocks a punch to the side of the head.
OBrien pressing his opponent against the cage.
Grigorian lands a right hand that snaps the head of OBrien backwards.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
OBrien with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Grigorian manages to break the clinch.

Grigorian gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Grigorian looks to throw an elbow but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grigorian lands a shoulder strike.
OBrien is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
OBrien throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Grigorian blocks it with crossed arms.
OBrien is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Grigorian is defending well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Paddy OBrien. That's going to take a lot out of him.
OBrien is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Still in the clinch, Grigorian scores with a nice short uppercut.
OBrien throws a knee to the head but misses.
Grigorian lands a hook to the side of the head.
Grigorian using the Thai plumb to throw knees but OBrien has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Grigorian lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Nice body punch from Grigorian.

Grigorian's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Grigorian gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Grigorian blocks an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grigorian lands with a light punch inside.
OBrien connects with a knee to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
OBrien blocks a punch to the side of the head.
OBrien scores with a nice hook to the head.
Grigorian tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Grigorian lands an elbow inside that OBrien shrugs off.
Grigorian managing to block the knees to the body from OBrien.
Grigorian lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Grigorian lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Grigorian lands a hook that snaps the head of OBrien backwards.
OBrien with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Grigorian misses with a punch on the inside.
Grigorian lands a left hand that snaps the head of OBrien backwards.
Grigorian lands with a short shot to the head.
Grigorian lands a nice uppercut.

Grigorian breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Aram Grigorian showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

The fight stays on the outside here - Grigorian looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
OBrien doesn't manage to clinch there - Grigorian circles away.

Grigorian instigates a clinch.
OBrien with a knee to the head.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Grigorian as OBrien tries to tie him up.
OBrien with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Come on OBrien - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

Grigorian's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

OBrien tries to keep at a distance but Grigorian has taken the fight into the clinch.
OBrien blocking some punches.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Grigorian.
Grigorian misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
OBrien blocking some punches.
OBrien misses with a knee to the head.
OBrien tries to land a knee to the head but Grigorian blocks with his arms.

Grigorian manages to break the clinch.

Grigorian closes the distance and clinches.
OBrien misses with a knee to the head.

Grigorian breaks the clinch.
Grigorian getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Grigorian tries to clinch but OBrien is having none of it.
Grigorian connects with a crisp jab.
OBrien falls off balance throwing a combination
and Grigorian counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

Grigorian darts in and clinches OBrien up against the cage.
OBrien with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Aram Grigorian is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grigorian lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Grigorian lands a nice uppercut.
OBrien stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Grigorian lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Grigorian scores with a shot to the side of OBrien's head.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
OBrien tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
OBrien throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Grigorian blocks it with crossed arms.

Grigorian breaks the clinch.

Grigorian closes the distance and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
OBrien is trying to stall.

Grigorian's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Grigorian clinches.
OBrien trying to stall but Grigorian improves his position.
OBrien throws a head punch that misses.
OBrien using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Grigorian has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
OBrien tries a knee to the head but Grigorian blocks it.
OBrien tries for a takedown. No joy.
OBrien with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
OBrien blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Grigorian.
OBrien is struggling to control the position.
OBrien stalling.
OBrien gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.

OBrien breaks the clinch.
Grigorian avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Paddy OBrien has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Grigorian clinches.
OBrien using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Grigorian has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
OBrien blocking some punches.
OBrien tries to land a knee to the head but Grigorian blocks with his arms.
OBrien has a couple of punches blocked by Grigorian.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aram Grigorian comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Grigorian 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 Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 27:30
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aram Grigorian!
Aram Grigorian thanked the fans post fight for their support.