PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Al Riley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Smail Greyci (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Riley
vs
Greyci

186 cm
22
180 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

189 cm
22
189 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Inexperienced

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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Al Riley!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Smail Greyci!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Anni Minnemäki and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Riley is looking to slow Greyci down with leg kicks.
Greyci throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Riley closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Riley jumps guard but Greyci stands there with Riley around his waist. Riley gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Greyci stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Riley tries a knee to the head but Greyci blocks it.
Riley tries a knee to the head but Greyci blocks it.
Greyci tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Riley just stands there and leans against the cage.
A knee to the head by Riley.
Riley is breathing heavily.
Greyci wants to break the clinch but can't.

Riley ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Riley no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Greyci slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
I looks like Greyci might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Greyci wants to pass the guard but Riley is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Greyci sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Greyci gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Greyci scores with a takedown into Riley's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Greyci lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Riley wants to get back to his feet but Greyci is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Greyci showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Greyci landing with the ground and pound.
Greyci seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Greyci stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Riley swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Greyci slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Despite being in the dominant position, Smail Greyci just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Greyci misses with a head kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Smail Greyci dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Greyci shoots in for a takedown but Riley shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Greyci tries to clinch up
and Riley counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Greyci drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Greyci is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Riley is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Greyci has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Riley moves out of range as Greyci strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Greyci shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Riley is trying to defend but Greyci finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Riley pushes Greyci off looking to stand but Greyci dives back in and keeps control.
Greyci tries to pass to full mount but Riley defends it.
Greyci prevents Riley from standing back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Riley trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Riley trying to control here.
Riley looks like he's trying to stand up.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Greyci is looking to clinch but Riley is avoiding it.
Riley slaps away a takedown attempt from Greyci, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Greyci is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riley looks for a takedown but Greyci sprawls well.
Greyci throws the kick towards the body but Riley avoids it.
Greyci misses the shot to the body.
Smail Greyci seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Riley with a lazy takedown attempt

and Greyci counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Greyci is working for a submission of some sort.
Riley pushes Greyci off looking to stand but Greyci dives back in and keeps control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Greyci stands up from half guard.
Greyci tries to clinch but Riley is having none of it.
Greyci tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Riley counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Greyci!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Riley landing punches.
Riley trying to control but he's not successful this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Smail Greyci showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

Greyci fails with an attempt to clinch.
A low kick from Greyci misses

and Riley counters with a shoot takedown. Greyci fights it but they end up in guard.
Greyci controls Riley momentarily but Riley frees himself.
Greyci controlling the position.

Greyci pushes a forearm under Riley's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Riley is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:52 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Smail Greyci!