PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mr Gray (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chris Connely (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gray kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is make love not war baby. This should be a great matchup!

Gray
vs
Connely

182 cm
26
193 lbs
14 - 5 - 1

181 cm
28
194 lbs
19 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

GTI - 1337 sponsors VERSUS

SPARTA FIGHTWARE-GTI
SPARTA FIGHTWARE-GTI

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 5 - 1, fighting out of London, Mr Gray!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chris Connely!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Marco Blurström and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gray thuds his right hand into Connely's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

It looks like Chris Connely has been cut.
Nice jab there from Connely.
Connely doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Gray throws a looping overhand right but Connely ducks down to avoid it.
Connely scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Connely misses with a hook.
Connely throws a lazy right hand but Gray sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Gray lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gray walks into a jab.
Gray feints and then cracks Connely's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Connely down.
Connely looks to land a combination but Gray avoids it well.
Connely moves away from the strike by Gray.
Gray misses with a body shot
and Connely counters with a straight right hand.
Connely lands a right hook to the body.
Gray scores with a decent looking hook.
Gray uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Connely has time to react.
Gray does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Nice defenses there by Gray.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Connely tries to bum rush Gray with a series of wild strikes but Gray uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Nice defenses there by Connely.
Connely moves away from the strike by Gray.
Gray throws a jab but it's blocked by Connely.
Gray moves away from the strike by Connely.
Gray stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Gray scores with a sloppy right hand. Connely should have avoided that one.
Gray is looking to chop away at Connely's legs.
Connely misses with a straight left.
Gray throws a body punch but Connely moves out of range.
Gray scores with a sloppy right hand. Connely should have avoided that one.
A big right from Gray misses.
Gray bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gray. Connely does a little dance to reset his feet.
Connely throws a series of punches but Gray moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gray fails with a takedown attempt.
Gray works Connely's body with a nice hook.
Gray misses with a straight left.
Connely takes a shot to the body in his stride.
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!
Connely throws a jab but it's blocked by Gray.
Connely misses with a jab, cross combination.

Connely changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Gray looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Gray tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Connely easily slips into full mount!
Gray is trying to reverse the position but instead Connely has taken his back - oops!
Connely is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at Gray. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.

Connely looking to break Gray's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Gray remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Connely will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Connely is trying to stick to Gray's back but Gray is turning into Connely. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Connely's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Gray.
Gray missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Connely keeping moving, preventing Gray from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gray passes Connely's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Connely blocking the ground and pound attempt from Gray.
Gray working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Connely looks like he's trying to stand up.
Gray thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Gray throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Gray is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Connely keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gray not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Gray wants to take a breather but Connely is having none of it.
Gray thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Connely is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Gray scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gray throwing shots but Connely is blocking nicely.
Gray sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Connely defending well though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mr Gray dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Chris Connely's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Gray thuds a left hand into Connely's body.
A cross from Gray lands.
Connely slips a straight right by Gray.
Connely slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Connely throws a shot to the body.
Connely closes this distance looking for a takedown but Gray circles away.
Connely swings widly with a right hand
and Gray counters with a series of strikes. Connely will be more careful next time no doubt.
Connely might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Gray misses the shot to the body.
Gray ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Connely moves away.
Gray tries a low kick but Connely avoids it.
Nice defenses there by Gray.
Connely lands a head shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Connely is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Gray.
Gray moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Connely feints a jab promting Gray to slip. Connely then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Gray slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
A jab from Connely misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gray scores with a jab to the body.
Gray slips under a jab.
Connely lands a nice shot that snaps Gray's head back.
Gray throws a leg kick
and Connely counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Gray blocks a jab.
Connely takes a swing at Gray's ribcage but misses.
Gray is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Connely.
Gray looks to land a right hand but Connely moved out of range.
Nice defenses there by Gray.
Gray ducks under a wild hook from Connely.
A low kick from Connely misses
and Gray counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Connely thinking.
Gray shoots in for a takedown but Connely shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Gray misses with a shot to the body
and Connely counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Gray throws a series of punches but Connely moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gray changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Connely uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Gray.
Connely misses with a straight left.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Connely throws a hook to the side of Gray's head but Gray sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Connely misses with a lunging right hand
and Gray counters with a nice uppercut.
Gray lands a jab-cross combination.
Connely throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Gray swings widly with a right hand
enabling Connely to counter with a crisp jab.
A cross from Connely lands.
Gray takes one to the side of the head.
Connely misses with a hook
and Gray counters with a nice kick to the body.
Gray takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Gray scores with a nice strike.
Gray misses with a wild body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Connely bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Connely misses with an uppercut. Gray saw that one coming.
Gray connects with a jab.
Gray pivots, looking for a leg kick but Connely is out of range and Gray settles back down.
Connely just misses with a punch to the body.
Connely throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
No joy there for Connely, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Gray bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Gray tried to score with a low kick but Connely checks it.
Gray throws a low kick but it's checked well by Connely.
Chris Connely seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gray fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Connely has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Connely throws a lazy right hand but Gray sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Connely with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Gray throws a low kick but Connely moves out of range easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gray jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Connely defending well as Gray loads up on a big left hand.
Gray throws a nice head kick!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nice shot lands for Gray.
Gray dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Connely defending well as Gray loads up on a big left hand.
Connely misses with a right hand
and Gray counters with a stiff right hand.
Gray jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Connely blocks a jab.
Mr Gray is winning the standup battle so far.
Connely lands with a cross.
Gray throws a hook but Connely blocks it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nice uppercut lands for Connely. That snapped Gray's head back.
Connely misses with a hook. Gray ducked under it nicely.
Gray thows a left - swing and a miss!

Gray closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Connely quickly recovers to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mr Gray dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Chris Connely's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Connely fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gray manages to avoid it.
Gray misses with a straight right.
Connely defending well as Gray loads up on a big left hand.
Connely misses with an uppercut. Gray saw that one coming.
Connely tries a head kick but it misses.
Jab from Connely.
Gray tries to score a power double leg takedown but Connely sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Gray somewhat.
Connely getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Connely throws a hook but Gray blocks it.
Gray moves out of range of the strikes.
Gray swings for the body but Connely moves out of range.
Gray ducks under a wild hook from Connely.
Gray walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big right from Connely misses.
Gray blocks a jab.
Connely thumps Gray with a low kick.
A bone on bone clash there as Connely blocks the leg kick.
Connely looks to land a right hand but Gray moved out of range.
Connely misses with a takedown
and Gray counters with a good low kick that Connely was not able to check.
Connely checks a leg kick.
Connely defending well as Gray loads up on a big left hand.
Gray swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Connely takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Connely crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Gray - the referee stops the clock and Connely gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Gray. Connely manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Gray walks into a jab.
A jab lands there for Connely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Connely dodges the punch combination from Gray.
Gray dodges the punch combination from Connely.
Gray feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Connely's calf.
Gray walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Some bone on bone action there as Connely checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

Gray throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Connely was covering up waiting for the punch and Gray finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Connely utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Gray throws a big right hand that misses.
Gray stopping the sweep attempt from Connely.
Chris Connely has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gray chips away with some ground and pound.
Mr Gray overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Connely is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Connely keeping moving, preventing Gray from controlling successfully.
Gray throws a strike but Connely rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Gray has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Connely is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Gray.
Mr Gray is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Connely stands up and beckons Gray to his feet.
Connely tries to score a power double leg takedown but Gray sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Connely somewhat.
Connely looks to land a right hand but Gray moved out of range.
Connely moves out of range as Gray throws a body kick.
Connely throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Gray sees it coming and avoids it easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gray displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Connely throws out the jab.
Gray uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Connely.
Connely just misses with a punch to the body.
Gray ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Chris Connely.
Well Gray has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:28
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mr Gray!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Mr Gray waved his t-shirt featuring GTI - 1337 sponsors VERSUS's logo in front of the cameras.