PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mike Miller (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Grammund Rider (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Miller
vs
Rider

188 cm
19
210 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

192 cm
22
205 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mike Miller!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Grammund Rider!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Marco Blurström and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rider throws a shot to the body.
Mike Miller seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rider uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Miller.
Rider ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Rider works Miller's body with a nice hook.
Nice shot lands for Miller.
Miller avoids the body shot from Rider.
Miller takes a swing at Rider's ribcage but misses.
A combination from Miller does no damage.
A punch combination from Miller misses.
Rider takes a swing at Miller's ribcage but misses.
Miller connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Miller misses with a two punch combination.

Rider has managed to clinch.
Rider lands with a left to the head.
Rider throws a head punch that misses.
Rider digs a right hand into Miller's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Miller's gas tank.
Rider swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Miller prevents a body shot from Rider.
Rider manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rider works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Rider cracks Miller with a nice body shot.
A head punch on the inside from Rider fails to land.
Rider tries a body shot but Miller blocks it.
Rider digs a right hand into Miller's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Miller's gas tank.
Rider avoiding damage.
Rider can't find room to land a body shot as Miller controls the action.
A nice right hand lands inside from Rider.
Rider lands with a right to the head.
Rider misses with a short punch on the inside.
Miller tries to circle away but Rider has him pinned against the cage.
Rider scores with a shoulder strike.
Rider lands a nice uppercut.
A right hand to the body from Rider.
Rider throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Rider scores with a shot to the side of Miller's head.
Rider lands a body punch in the clinch.
Miller is breathing heavily.
Rider makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rider lands a nice shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rider lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Rider lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Miller backwards.
Rider digs a right hand into Miller's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Miller's gas tank.
Rider works on Miller's body with a couple of short punches.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Rider.
Miller takes a shot to the head.
Rider throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A shot in the inside from Rider.
Rider pushes Miller back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Rider's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Still in the clinch, Rider scores with a nice short uppercut.
Rider lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Rider lands a body shot.
Rider pushes Miller back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rider leaning against his opponent.
Rider pushes Miller back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Rider lands a left hand.
Rider lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right handed body shot lands from Rider.
Rider working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A right hand to the body from Rider.
Rider lands with a right to the head.
Rider lands with a right to the head.
Rider digs a right hand underneath Miller's ribcage. Miller let out a lung full of air as it connected.
A short left from Rider.
Rider lands a body punch in the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Rider.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Rider creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Rider throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Millers head.
Rider lands a hook to the side of the head.
A shot in the inside from Rider.
A short body shot lands from Rider as the two fighters clinch.
Rider softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Rider lands a shoulder strike.
Nice body punch from Rider.
Rider throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Rider content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Rider lands a shoulder strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Rider has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Miller uses from the top position.
Rider looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Rider manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Miller manages to get himself to full guard.

Rider stands up from Miller's guard - Rider perhaps looking for a knockout.
Miller misses with a looping left.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rider tries to clinch up but Miller circles away and keeps his distance.
Rider bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Rider tries to clinch up.

Rider closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Rider leaning against his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Grammund Rider dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Rider works Miller's body with a nice hook.
Miller throws a series of punches but Rider avoids them all with ease.
Miller throws a big shot that misses.
Miller thuds a left hand into Rider's body.
Rider is looking to clinch.
Miller misses with an uppercut.
Rider ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

Rider clinches up against the cage.
A right handed body shot lands from Rider.
Rider has Miller pressed against the cage, preventing Miller from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Rider doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rider digs a right hand underneath Miller's ribcage. Miller let out a lung full of air as it connected.
A nice left hand lands by Rider.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rider scores with a hook to the body.
Rider lands a shot to the body.
Rider scores with a hook to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rider lands a left hand that snaps the head of Miller backwards.
A shot in the inside from Rider.
Rider lands with a left to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rider lands a left hand that snaps the head of Miller backwards.
Grammund Rider seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Rider softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Rider stalls.
Rider lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Miller backwards.
Rider throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Millers head.
Rider lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Miller wants to break the clinch but can't.
Nice body punch from Rider.
Stalling in the clinch from Rider.
Rider softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Miller blocking some punches.
Miller wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Rider has him pressed against the cage.
Rider tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Rider creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Nice body punch from Rider.
Rider works on Miller's body with a couple of short punches.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Rider in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Rider is leaning against Miller and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A left hand lands to the body for Rider.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee is keeping an eye on Rider - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Rider lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Rider lands a left hand.
Rider scores with a nice hook to the head.
Nice body punch from Rider.
Miller takes a shot to the head.
A right handed body shot lands from Rider.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rider softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Rider lands a left hand.
Rider lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Miller backwards.
Rider lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Miller backwards.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Rider.
A right handed body shot lands from Rider.
Rider lands with a left to the head.
Rider lands an uppercut.
Rider has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rider throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Still in the clinch, Rider scores with a nice short uppercut.
Rider digs a right hand into Miller's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Miller's gas tank.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rider digs a right hand into Miller's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Miller's gas tank.
A nice left hand lands by Rider.
Rider lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Miller or not.
Rider lands a body punch in the clinch.
Rider lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Miller or not.
Rider lands with a short shot to the head.
Rider digs a right hand underneath Miller's ribcage. Miller let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Rider lands with a light punch inside.
Rider pushes Miller back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rider lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Rider lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Rider lands a hook that snaps the head of Miller backwards.
A right hand to the body from Rider.
A right hand to the body from Rider.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A body shot lands from Rider.
Rider pushes Miller back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Stalling in the clinch from Rider.
A nice left hand lands by Rider.
Rider gets through Miller's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rider lands a body punch in the clinch.
Rider lands a nice uppercut.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Rider.
Nice body punch from Rider.
Rider lands an uppercut.
A left hand lands to the body for Rider.
A short right from Rider on the inside.
A nice right hand lands inside from Rider.
Rider makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Still in the clinch, Rider scores with a nice short uppercut.
Rider lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Miller backwards.
Rider lands a shot to the body.
Rider effectively controlling the action here.
Rider lands with a short shot to the head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rider lands a hook that snaps the head of Miller backwards.
Rider lands a body punch.
Rider is working Miller over against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Grammund Rider showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action!

Rider instigates a clinch.
Rider tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Rider lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Miller or not.
A right handed body shot lands from Rider.
Rider misses with a hook from the clinch.
Miller wants to break the clinch but can't.
Rider lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Rider lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Miller backwards.
A hook to the body from Rider.
Rider throws a punch but it's blocked by Miller.
A head punch on the inside from Rider fails to land.
Rider has Miller pushed against the cage.
Rider has Miller pressed against the cage, preventing Miller from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nice body punch from Rider - that landed with a thud.
Nice body punch from Rider - that landed with a thud.
A short uppercut from Rider.
Rider throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Millers head.
Rider stalling the fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rider lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Miller backwards.
Rider lands a body punch in the clinch.
Rider pushes Miller back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A body shot lands from Rider.
Rider cracks Miller with a nice body shot.
Rider scores with a shot to the side of Miller's head.
A short body shot lands from Rider as the two fighters clinch.
Rider lands a shoulder strike.
Miller working hard to break the clinch.
Good body shot from Rider.
A right hand to the body from Rider.
Rider throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Millers head.
Nice body punch from Rider - that landed with a thud.
Nice body punch from Rider - that landed with a thud.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rider digs a right hand underneath Miller's ribcage. Miller let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Rider lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rider lands a hook to the side of the head.
A short left from Rider.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Rider creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rider lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Rider scores with a hook to the body.
Rider keeps control of Miller as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
A right hand to the body from Rider.
Rider lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Rider.
A shot in the inside from Rider.
Rider is leaning against Miller and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Rider lands a shoulder strike.
A left hand lands to the body for Rider.
Stalling in the clinch from Rider.
Miller working hard to break the clinch.
Rider lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Miller.
Rider lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Rider is working Miller over against the cage.

Rider jumps guard.
Rider is adopting a defensive guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miller wanted to stand there but Rider had control of the position.
Rider has his hands on Miller's head, controlling the position.
Miller has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Rider wants to sweep but no luck.
Rider has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Rider gets a clinch.

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.
Rider taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Rider tries to work over Miller's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Rider lands a shoulder strike.
Still in the clinch, Rider scores with a nice short uppercut.
Miller has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A right hook to the body lands for Rider.
Rider working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Miller wants to break the clinch but can't.
Miller wants to break the clinch but can't.
Rider swings away with an uppercut that misses.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Rider.
Rider misses with the head strike.
Rider throws a head punch that misses.
Rider lands on the inside with an uppercut.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Miller wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Rider is working Miller over against the cage.
The referee calls for Rider to work.
A right hook to the body lands for Rider.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Grammund Rider really dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Rider has closed the distance and engaged Miller in a clinch.
Rider taking a breather.
Rider tries a body shot but Miller blocks it.
Rider lands a nice shot to the body.
Rider throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Rider doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short right from Rider on the inside.
Rider tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Miller's elbow.

Rider pulls guard.
Miller wants to stand and escape but instead Rider has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Rider trying to control the position from guard on top but Miller is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Rider stops Miller from standing up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Miller keeping moving, preventing Rider from controlling successfully.

Rider has gone for a leg lock! Miller slips out almost immediately though and dives into Rider's guard.
Miller tries to stand but Rider is controlling from the bottom.
Rider tries to land a sweep but no joy.

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.
Rider lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Miller!
Miller is trying to stand but he's not in a good position to be doing that! Rider has taken his back!
Miller has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miller covering up well under a series of strikes from Rider.
Miller is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Miller staying busy and making it hard for Rider to control.
Miller is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Rider controlling from the back.
Miller is trapped and Rider is scoring with shots to the head and body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Grammund Rider dominated that fourth round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Rider doesn't manage to clinch there - Miller circles away.
Rider lands a nice looking body shot.
Rider throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Miller tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rider was well out of range. Poor timing from Miller.

Rider closes the distance and clinches.
A short right from Rider on the inside.
Nice body punch from Rider - that landed with a thud.
Rider holding his opponent close, against the cage.
A right hand to the body from Rider.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Rider.
A right hand to the body from Rider.
Miller takes a shot to the head.
Miller takes a shot to the head.
Rider lands a body shot in the clinch.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Rider is working Miller over against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rider lands with a light punch inside.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Rider.
Rider avoiding damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rider lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Miller is rocked!
Rider lands a right hand that snaps the head of Miller backwards.
Oh Miller is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Rider lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Rider cracks Miller with a nice body shot.
Rider lands a nice shot to the body.
A hook to the body from Rider.
Rider throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Millers head.
Rider lands a hook that snaps the head of Miller backwards.
Miller wants to break the clinch but can't.
A right hook to the body lands for Rider.
A short body shot lands from Rider as the two fighters clinch.
Rider is pushing Miller up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Miller seems to have got his legs back now.
Rider receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
Grammund Rider is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Miller working hard to break the clinch.
Miller wants to get back to striking at distance but Rider won't allow it.
Rider goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Miller looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miller is trying to break the clinch but Rider is controlling him.
A head punch on the inside from Rider fails to land.
A body shot lands from Rider.
Miller wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Rider has him pressed against the cage.
Miller wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Mike Miller has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Nice body punch from Rider.
Rider tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Miller blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Miller has had enough of the clinch but Rider keeps him there for the moment.
Miller throws a head punch that misses.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Rider.
Miller is trying to break the clinch but Rider has him pressed against the cage.
Miller working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Miller fails to land.

And that's the end of the fight!
Grammund Rider comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Rider 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 41:50
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 41:50
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 41:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Grammund Rider! Grammund Rider retains his light heavyweight title!