PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Garry Grappler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thiago Pietro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Garry Grappler has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Grappler
vs
Pietro

175 cm
23
180 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

182 cm
23
176 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Tends to cut

ĄFFĄKĘTIΘN

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Garry Grappler!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Thiago Pietro!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, James Atkins and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Grappler shoots in looking for a takedown. Pietro tries to sprawl out of it but Grappler keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Pietro manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Pietro shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Grappler but Grappler pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Pietro fails with a takedown attempt.
Grappler shoots in looking for a takedown. Pietro tries to sprawl out of it but Grappler keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Pietro manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Grappler shoots in and drives through. Pietro sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Garry Grappler. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pietro shoots in looking for a takedown. Grappler tries to sprawl out of it but Pietro keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Grappler manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Grappler fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Pietro changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Grappler tries to avoid it but Pietro manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Grappler to the ground. Grappler escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grappler fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Grappler shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Pietro as he jumps to the side.
Pietro shoots in for a takedown but Grappler shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Pietro has taken the fight to the clinch.

Pietro decides to pull guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Pietro wants to get back to his feet but Grappler is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Pietro keeping moving, preventing Grappler from controlling successfully.
Pietro is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Pietro is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Pietro utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pietro wants to sweep but no luck.
Pietro keeping moving, preventing Grappler from controlling successfully.
Grappler sitting in guard here, content to control.
Grappler wants to control from the top but Pietro keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Garry Grappler.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Grappler is defended easily by Pietro.

Pietro pushes Grappler up against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pietro prevents a takedown attempt there.
Grappler is working for takedown but Pietro is calmly controlling the position for now.
Pietro prevents the takedown attempt.
Grappler goes for a takedown in the clinch but Pietro prevents it.
Grappler is breathing heavily.
Grappler goes for a takedown attempt but Pietro pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Pietro shoots for a takedown but Grappler saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Pietro throws a chopping leg kick but Grappler manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Pietro connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Grappler momentarily.
Pietro leaves Grappler with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pietro looks for a takedown but Grappler sprawls well.
Pietro stuffs the takedown attempt from Grappler. Grappler gets slowly back to his feet.
Pietro shoots in but no luck this time.
Grappler shoots in looking for a takedown but Pietro manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Grappler's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Nice takedown defense from Pietro. No joy for Grappler on that attempt.

Pietro gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Pietro wants a takedown but no success here.
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!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Pietro changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Grappler fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Grappler stuffs the takedown attempt from Pietro. Pietro gets slowly back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Thiago Pietro will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Grappler fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Pietro tries to score a power double leg takedown but Grappler sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Pietro somewhat.
Pietro fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Grappler has a takedown stuffed.
Grappler takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Garry Grappler is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Grappler stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Grappler wants it to stay on the feet.
Garry Grappler has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thiago Pietro.

Pietro drives through and clinches with Grappler against the cage.
Grappler jumps guard but Pietro turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pietro breaks the clinch.
Pietro stuffs the takedown attempt from Grappler. Grappler gets slowly back to his feet.
Grappler is trying hard to land a takedown here. Pietro sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Pietro throws a leg kick but Grappler sees it coming and moves out of range.
Pietro misses with a takedown attempt - Grappler sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Grappler shoots in and drives through. Pietro sprawls well.

Pietro closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Grappler wants a takedown.
Grappler tries to pull guard but Pietro holds him up against the cage and eventually Grappler drops back down to his feet.
Pietro drops down looking for an ankle pick but Grappler pulls his leg out and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pietro shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Grappler pinned against the cage. Grappler gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Grappler shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Pietro as he jumps to the side.

Pietro clinches up against the cage.

Pietro breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Grappler keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Horrible takedown by Pietro or perhaps it was just good defense by Grappler which made him look bad.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grappler will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Grappler fails with a takedown attempt.
Grappler fails with the takedown.
Pietro shoots for a double leg takedown but Grappler sprawls well. He's pushed Pietro's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Grappler looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Pietro is fending him off so far but Grappler persists. Nope, Pietro circles away and we're back to standing.

Pietro clinches.
Grappler is working for takedown but Pietro is calmly controlling the position for now.
Come on Pietro - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pietro tries for a takedown. No joy.

Pietro breaks the clinch.

Pietro closes the distance and clinches.
Grappler has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Pietro avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Pietro is pressed up against the cage. Grappler has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Pietro down to the mat. Pietro avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Nice takedown defense from Grappler. No joy for Pietro on that attempt.
Pietro shoots for a double leg takedown but Grappler sprawls well. He's pushed Pietro's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Nice takedown defense from Pietro. No joy for Grappler on that attempt.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Grappler dives in and grabs Pietro's left leg, looking for a takedown. Pietro pushes down on Grappler's head and hops out.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Grappler tries to keep at a distance but Pietro has taken the fight into the clinch.
Pietro taking a breather.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thiago Pietro showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

No luck for Grappler with that takedown attempt.
Grappler closes the distance and clinches up with Pietro, looking for a takedown. Grappler pushes Pietro against the cage but Pietro circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Pietro lands a two punch combo.
Grappler checks a low kick from Pietro.

Pietro gets a clinch.
Pietro is pressed up against the cage. Grappler has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Pietro down to the mat. Pietro avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Garry Grappler. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pietro looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Grappler fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Grappler moves out of range of the leg kick from Pietro.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grappler fails to land the takedown.

Pietro forces Grappler back against the cage and clinches.

Pietro drags the fight down to the ground.
Grappler throwing strikes from guard but Pietro blocks nicely.
Grappler with a flurry of punches that miss.

Pietro manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Pietro fails to land the takedown.
Grappler shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Pietro as he jumps to the side.
Pietro lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Pietro clinches up with Grappler and pushes him back against the cage.
Pietro is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Grappler tries to score a body lock takedown but Pietro shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Pietro breaks from the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Grappler changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Pietro tries to avoid it but Grappler manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Pietro to the ground. Pietro escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Grappler closes the distance and clinches up with Pietro, looking for a takedown. Grappler pushes Pietro against the cage but Pietro circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Nice takedown defense from Pietro. No joy for Grappler on that attempt.
Pietro shoots in for a takedown but Grappler shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Nice sprawl there from Grappler as Pietro shoots in.
Grappler closes this distance looking for a takedown but Pietro circles away.

Pietro instigates a clinch.
Pietro misses with an elbow strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Pietro pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Grappler shoots in and drives through. Pietro sprawls well.
Pietro pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Grappler shoots in for a takedown but Pietro shows good takedown defense.
Pietro closes the distance and clinches up with Grappler, looking for a takedown. Pietro pushes Grappler against the cage but Grappler circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Grappler shoots in for a takedown but Pietro shows good takedown defense.

Pietro fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Grappler, pushing him back against the cage.
Pietro stops a takedown attempt from Grappler.
Pietro controlling the action here for a moment.
Grappler changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Pietro fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pietro tries to score a power double leg takedown but Grappler sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Pietro somewhat.
Grappler shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Pietro as he jumps to the side.
Pietro tries for a takedown but Grappler sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Grappler changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Pietro tries to avoid it but Grappler manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Pietro to the ground. Pietro escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Pietro fails with the takedown.
Garry Grappler has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Thiago Pietro is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Garry Grappler seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pietro closes this distance looking for a takedown but Grappler circles away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thiago Pietro comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Pietro 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 27:30
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thiago Pietro!