PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Viktor Herzog (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Will Grello (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Herzog
vs
Grello

177 cm
21
134 lbs
9 - 1 - 0

180 cm
25
142 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Very strong

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

MADE IN GERMANY

Hell's Balls Recovery

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Viktor Herzog!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Will Grello!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Chris Downing and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Herzog tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Grello was well out of range. Poor timing from Herzog.
Herzog slips under a jab.
A swing and a miss from Grello.
Grello lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Herzog slips a straight right by Grello.
Herzog shoots in but Grello avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Grello swings away with a body shot that misses

and Herzog counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Grello wants to control but Herzog is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Herzog slips a nice elbow through Grello's hands, connecting with Grello's forehead.

Herzog is looking for a kimura but Grello is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Herzog to get the leverage.
Herzog thows a huge punch but Grello dodges it nicely.
Grello tries to roll over but Herzog keeps him under control.
Grello moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Herzog won't allow Grello to sweep him here.
Grello seems keen to control Herzog's posture.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Herzog postures up.
Herzog wants to pass the guard but Grello is keeping the position.
Herzog with a flurry of punches that miss.
Herzog looking to pass the guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Grello lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Herzog!
Herzog holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Grello tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Herzog has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Herzog really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Grello takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Herzog is in all sorts of trouble here.
Herzog really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Grello sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Herzog is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Grello misses with a head shot.
Herzog avoids a series of strikes thrown by Grello.
Grello tries to control but Herzog wriggling away.
Herzog tries to hold on but Grello pushes him away.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Grello really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Herzog. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grello controlling from the full mount.
Grello can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Herzog is looking to escape.

Grello is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Grello throws a hook but Herzog avoids it easily.
Grello tries to bum rush Herzog with a series of wild strikes but Herzog uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Grello throws a one two combo.

Herzog closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Grello quickly recovers to half guard.
Grello wants to improve his position but Herzog is controlling well.

Herzog is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Grello is just riding it out for now. Herzog eventually gives up the hold.
Grello wants to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Herzog wants to work for an arm triangle but Grello is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Grello is trying to control but can't.

Herzog is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Grello doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Herzog.
Grello makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Grello.
Grello wants to hit a switch here but Herzog passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Grello there!
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 Viktor Herzog will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Herzog displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Grello throws out the jab.
Herzog closes the distance and clinches up with Grello, looking for a takedown. Herzog pushes Grello against the cage but Grello circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Grello scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Grello swats away the attempt to clinch by Herzog.
Grello swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Herzog counters with a takedown into side control.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Grello can do anything to dispel that myth.
Grello is looking to reverse the position.
Grello is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
You can see the frustration on Grello's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Herzog cracks Grello with a big elbow.
Grello is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Herzog's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Herzog is thwarting Grello's attempts to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Herzog is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Herzog lands a nice short elbow.

Herzog is trying to work for a kimura but Grello is defending well.
Grello wants to improve his position but Herzog is controlling well.
Grello flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Herzog thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The fighters are battling for position here. Grello manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Herzog pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Grello is keeping the position for now.
Herzog works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grello is trying is best to control the position here.
Grello tries to kick Herzog off but Herzog keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Grello is trying to control but can't.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Grello is looking to improve his position.
Grello trying to control but Herzog postures up.
Viktor Herzog overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Will Grello has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Grello lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Grello looks to land a right hand but Herzog moved out of range.
Grello throws a hook to the side of Herzog's head but Herzog sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
No luck for Herzog with that takedown attempt.

Herzog shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Grello is trying to defend but Herzog finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Herzog wants to pass the guard but Grello is defending well.
Grello has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Herzog is working away from the top position though.

Herzog maintaining the dominant position here and is working for a kimura. He's locked it up! Grello could be in real trouble here! He's trying to wriggle out but Herzog has cracked it and Grello is screaming in pain - he's tapped out! Great finish by Herzog!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:45 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Viktor Herzog!
Viktor Herzog retains his bantamweight title!