PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Gronk Groenhud (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Stephenson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Groenhud comes to the cage accompanied by Sometime Lonely by Kelly Chen. Stephenson is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: The Black Stymphalian - Deadlock (The Fall of Angels). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Groenhud
vs
Stephenson

225 cm
27
135 lbs
13 - 8 - 0

175 cm
21
135 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Gronk Groenhud!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, James Stephenson!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, James Atkins and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Groenhud shoots in for a takedown but Stephenson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Groenhud shoots in and bounces Stephenson off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Groenhud drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Groenhud jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Groenhud wants to pass the guard but Stephenson is keeping the position.
Stephenson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Groenhud. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Stephenson keeping moving, preventing Groenhud from controlling successfully.
Groenhud wants to pass the guard but Stephenson is keeping the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Groenhud in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Groenhud slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Groenhud is trying to get an arm triangle but Stephenson is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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

Groenhud working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Groenhud misses with the ground and pound.

Stephenson throws Groenhud to one side and escapes!
Groenhud avoids the head kick by Stephenson.
Groenhud lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
A head kick by Stephenson misses

and Groenhud counters with a shoot takedown. Stephenson fights it but they end up in guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stephenson keeping full guard, as Groenhud tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Groenhud slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Stephenson is letting Groenhud control him for a moment.

Groenhud working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Stephenson prevents Groenhud from moving into mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gronk Groenhud dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Groenhud changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Stephenson tries to avoid it but Groenhud manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Stephenson to the ground. Stephenson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Groenhud fails with a takedown attempt.
Groenhud shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Stephenson as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gronk Groenhud. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stephenson throws a sloppy head kick
and Groenhud counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Stephenson is lucky that one didn't land flush.
A head kick by Stephenson misses
and Groenhud counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Nice takedown defense from Stephenson. No joy for Groenhud on that attempt.
Stephenson throws a lazy head kick

and Groenhud counters with a nice double leg into side control. Stephenson won't be happy with that.

Groenhud looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Groenhud will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Groenhud is trying to get an arm triangle but Stephenson is defending well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Stephenson is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Groenhud controls the position.
Stephenson is trying to get back to his feet.
Stephenson is not content to let Groenhud control the position.

Groenhud is trying to get an arm triangle but Stephenson is defending well.

Groenhud is working to tighten is grip on Stephenson's neck. He's isolated an arm and is working for an arm triangle. Stephenson has recognised the danger and is trying to turn with the submission but Groenhud is really squeezing tight and eventually Stephenson passes out! Groenhud breaks the hold and jumps onto the cage to celebrate! Submission of the night, I'd say!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:18 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Gronk Groenhud!