PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Christian Gray (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Striker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Striker has a niggling injury. He would have liked to come in 100% fit but that's not always possible. John Striker is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Gray
vs
Striker

191 cm
19
262 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

198 cm
26
260 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Great elbows
Inexperienced

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Christian Gray!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, John Striker!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Sergei Dronov and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Striker displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Gray.
Gray has a takedown stuffed.
Nice takedown defense from Striker. No joy for Gray on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Christian Gray. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Striker looks gassed!
Horrible takedown by Gray or perhaps it was just good defense by Striker which made him look bad.
Striker misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Gray closes the distance and clinches.
Striker prevents a takedown attempt there.

Gray jumps guard and drags Striker to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Gray trying to control the position here.

Striker is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Gray is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Gray has escaped and now he's on top!
Gray controlling from the top position.

Gray gets to his feet. Striker looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Gray is defended easily by Striker.
Christian Gray seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gray shoots in but Striker avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gray changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Striker tries to avoid it but Gray manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Striker to the ground. Striker escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Striker slaps away a takedown attempt from Gray, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Gray swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Striker counters with a shoot takedown. Gray fights it but they end up in guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gray bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Striker's guard.
Gray content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Gray stays in close to Striker's body and controls the position.

Striker has his foot on Gray's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Gray works his way back into a safe position though.

Gray drops back looking for a leg! Striker is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Striker manages to kick Gray off! Gray jumps back into Striker's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gray slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Gray decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Striker misses with a takedown attempt - Gray sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Nice sprawl there from Striker as Gray shoots in.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gray.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gray tries to bum rush Striker with a series of wild strikes but Striker uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Gray shoots in for a takedown but Striker shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Gray fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Striker shoots in and drives through. Gray sprawls well.
Gray throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Gray fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Striker, pushing him back against the cage.
Gray tries to throw a body punch but Striker avoids it by throwing Gray back against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Christian Gray dominated that round.
That's time! Gray's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Gray closes the distance and clinches.

Gray has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Striker uses from the top position.

Gray escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Striker gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Gray is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Striker is aware though and is defending well.

Striker is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Gray is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Gray has escaped and now he's on top!

Striker throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Gray escapes and throws Striker's legs to the side, diving into side control!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Gray tries for a kimura but Striker is defending well.
Striker is breathing heavily.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Striker takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Gray lands a nice forearm strike.
Gray just content to control the position.
Gray wants to lay and pray for a moment but Striker keeps working.
Striker gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Christian Gray overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gray looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Striker really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Gray. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Striker is trying to reverse the position but instead Gray has taken his back - oops!
Gray biding his time, controlling Striker.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gray lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Striker.
Striker manages to reverse the position and now he's in Gray's guard. Nice work there by Striker.
Gray lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Striker!
Gray controlling the position easily from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gray landing punches.
Striker keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Gray working the ground and pound effectively.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gray controlling his opponent.
Striker is squirming around, avoiding Gray's attempts to control the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gray jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Striker manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Gray is looking to take a break and control but Striker is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Striker is letting Gray control him for a moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gray wants to lay and pray for a moment but Striker keeps working.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Christian Gray.
Striker shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Gray pinned against the cage. Gray gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Christian Gray dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gray.
Gray rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Striker moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Gray shoots in but Striker avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Gray darts in and clinches Striker up against the cage.
Striker is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Gray gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Striker takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Gray is working for takedown but Striker is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Christian Gray. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Striker stops a takedown attempt from Gray.
Gray can't get the takedown.

Gray pulls guard.
Gray bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Striker's guard.
Gray wants to control from the top but Striker keeps moving.
Gray controls from within his opponent's guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Christian Gray.

Gray looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gray keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Gray is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Striker can do to turn this around?
Gray lands with a punch from half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gray working Striker over with strikes.

Gray is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Striker doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Gray.
Gray wants to take a breather but Striker is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gray moves nicely into side control.
Striker is looking to reverse the position.

Gray decides to stand up, so the ref orders Striker to his feet.
Christian Gray is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Striker leaves Gray with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Gray defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Striker.

Gray darts in and clinches Striker up against the cage.
Gray is trying to push Striker away but Striker has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gray wants a takedown but no success here.
Gray holding his opponent close, against the cage.

Gray breaks from the clinch.
Gray looks for a takedown but Striker sprawls well.
John Striker has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nice sprawl there from Striker as Gray shoots in.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gray fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Christian Gray is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Gray tries a head kick but it misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Christian Gray showed his dominance in that final round.
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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Christian Gray!